The Must-Haves for the Perfect Salad

By: Kitchen Crew   April 22, 2017

Ever wondered what goes into making a perfect salad? From lettuce to veggies to fruit to proteins and more…here’s everything we believe makes a salad beyond nutritious, filling and delicious!

1. Lettuce


Obviously you need a yummy foundation to start building the perfect salad. From romaine to kale to spinach to cabbage to arugula – choose your favorite lettuce for your custom salad. Or, choose a few (or all) for a tasty mix. Whatever you choose, this is step number one!

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2. Veggies


Now it’s time to start adding toppings to your salad. The first topping you should add are vegetables. Not only do these just make your salad healthier, they also add an extra layer of flavors. Here are some of our favorite veggies: jalapeños, red and green pepper, cucumbers, broccoli, tomatoes, cauliflower and onion.

3. Fruit


Add more flavor to your salad with your favorite fruits! They add a special freshness and deliciousness to your salad. We love adding apple slices, strawberries, blueberries, orange pieces, grapes and pineapple (especially grilled) to our salads.

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4. Protein


Getting protein into your salad is super easy and tasty. By adding chicken, beef, shrimp, tuna, tofu, eggs or quinoa to your salad, you’ll add delicious protein to your healthy meal.

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5. Healthy Fats


While some might say that a salad doesn’t fill them up, they obviously haven’t added healthy fats to their salad. By adding avocado, sunflower seeds, salmon or flaxseed, you are gaining deliciousness and eating a meal that will truly satisfy your hunger.

6. Cheese


It’s time to make your salad cheesy – but don’t overdo the cheese, we still want to keep the salad healthy! However; adding feta, goat or parmesan cheese is a delicious way to get some more cheesy wonderfulness in your life.

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7. Crunchy


Get some texture in your salad with crunchy toppings. By adding croutons, walnuts, cashews and almonds to your salad, it adds a delicious crunch to every bite of salad…yum! Plus, it helps break up the monotony of your standard salad and add some extra protein and carbs to your salad, making it more filling.

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8. Dressing


Now it’s time for the ultimate tasty addition, salad dressing! Whether you choose homemade dressing or oil and vinegar, choose a healthy homemade option to keep your salad low on calories but high on taste.

9. Optional Yummy Add Ons


Let’s talk other delicious toppings to add to your salad. Some of our favorites include bacon (duh), mushrooms, black beans, corn, chickpeas, sweet potato, brown rice and ham. These extra tasty toppings are a must-add to your salad!