Easy Ways To Dress Up A Salad

As the weather warms up, many of us grab a salad as a cool option. However, what about those days when you just want to change it up and get some new flavors in that salad?

Here are some tips for creating a dressed-up salad:

Keep It Simple
There are some great options that you can add to your salad by simply popping open a can or container. Let’s keep it simple by adding flavor without the fuss.

Here are some great ideas for SIMPLE items that will keep you coming back for more salad:

Pickled Beets – Pickled beets are easy to add since they are generally as easy as opening a jar.

Baby Corn – Baby corns are such a fun ingredient to add.  They can add a unique look to the salad in addition to a crunchy pop of flavor.

Medjool Dates – One chopped medjool date on a salad can really boost the flavor of the salad with a layer of sweetness.

Mix Up The Topping Textures
The beauty of a salad is the mix of textures. Keeping that in mind, what can we add for crunch, creaminess, and flavor.  In addition, the flavor variety in a salad can be from savory to sweet.

Seeded Crackers – Instead of croutons, try breaking up seeded crackers.

Cheese Crisps – It’s hard to decide what is best about this a cheese crisp – the cheesy flavor or the crunchy texture. Whichever it is, it’s a great salad pairing!

Chopped Nuts – Make a salad more satisfying by adding chopped nuts such as cashews, walnuts, or peanuts.

Pump Up The Base
The common way of making a salad is starting with the greens such as lettuce or baby spinach. However, what if you not only had a topping for the salad, but also had a base for the salad?

Hummus – Spread hummus on the bottom of the plate and let the layering begin!

Quinoa – Mix quinoa with your favorite dressing and add as the first layer of the salad.

Chickpea Pasta – Using leftover chickpea pasta or traditional pasta is a great filler.

Clean Out The Refrigerator
In addition, use a salad to clean out the refrigerator. Sauteed vegetables are great to add as a salad base as well. Just mix with balsamic vinegar and olive oil, and you will have a unique marinated vegetable blend. Steamed corn makes a delicious salad addition as well.

Flavorful Protein Pairings
Adding cheese, beans, or even a tuna packet can completely change the flavor and satiety of a salad.

Prep the Night Before
Creating the salad the night before you want to eat will give you time for creativity. Try to avoid throwing the salad together before running out of the door so that you can have more time for thought.

With just a few ingredients, a salad can have a different flavor every day of the week. Don’t feel limited to traditional toppings. Instead, change the way that we build a salad. The base of the salad can help the salad be more satisfying. The toppings can satisfy the desire for a variety of textures and flavors.