Choose Your Own Salad Adventure
What makes a tasty salad? A good salad hits a sweet spot between flavor, texture, and balance. It’s not just lettuce in a bowl—it’s a little masterpiece. Use this basic formula for creating your own new favorite salad today — or browse the other salad recipes on this site for inspiration!
Basic Salad Formula
- Build a base: spinach, romaine, mixed baby greens, arugula OR non-greens like couscous, shredded cabbage or even cold pasta
- Veg out to add variety, crunch, and color: raw veggies like cucumbers, tomatoes, carrots, bell peppers, radishes or roasted veggies like sweet potatoes or beets
- Give it a touch of sweetness: berries, apples, pears, oranges, mango, raisins, dried cranberries, or dried apricots
- Smooth it out with something creamy or rich: feta or goat cheese, shaved parmesan, avocado, or hummus
- Get crunchy: almonds, pecans, sunflower seeds, pepitas (pumpkin seeds), croutons, or crushed tortilla chips
- Add protein (optional, for a more filling meal): chicken, tofu, lentils, beans, hard-boiled eggs, or quinoa
- Dress and season: Here are some options
• Vinaigrette: oil + vinegar + mustard/honey/herbs
• Creamy: yogurt, tahini, ranch, Caesar
• Citrus-based: lemon/lime juice + olive oil + garlic
• Seasonings: salt, pepper, herbs, lemon zest, or chili flakes
