Have you ever wondered why salads taste so good when you eat them in a restaurant? Often, it’s because those salads contain loads of not-so-good-for-you ingredients. Those ingredients up the flavor profile of the salads but also up the number of calories, fat, sodium or sugar they contain. But what if you could make healthy salads at home that taste as good as restaurant salads? Wouldn’t that be a game-changer?
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The fact is you can make healthy salads that aren’t bland and boring. You just need a few healthy salad recipe ideas to get you started – and a few salad-making tips to keep you going.
8 Healthy Salad Recipes
These 8 recipes for salad are so good, you may skip eating salads when you go out to eat. Try them – we think you’ll like them!
Bang Bang Shrimp Salad – Flavorful breaded shrimp tops this healthy salad made with peppery arugula and an assortment of fresh veggies. The sauce is the icing on the cake!
Green Goddess Salad – A colorful mix of romaine and red cabbage is topped with a rich and velvety green goddess dressing that is loaded with nutrients.
Mediterranean Chopped Salad – This vibrant salad combines crispy chickpeas, feta and bold spices along with fresh vegetables.
Crunchy Asian Ramen Salad – This colorful and full-bodied salad offers loads of crunch for a satisfying meal.
Grilled Steak Spinach Salad – Trying to find healthy salads for dinner? This beauty fits the bill. It’s loaded with spring vegetables and topped with lean steak marinated in ginger and garlic.
Orange Thai Chicken Salad – This Asian-inspired salad contains a sweet and savory mix of soy, lime, oranges and peanuts.
Peach, Tomato and Olive Salad – This mouthwatering salad screams summer, with its fresh vibrant peaches and juicy heirloom tomatoes.
Grilled Romaine and Tomato Salad – Who knew you could grill lettuce? This tasty and visually appealing salad will wow guests at your next barbecue.
Healthy Salad-Making Tips
Here are a few tips for making all salad recipes healthy while also making them taste good:
- Choose quality ingredients. Start with fresh, quality ingredients. The best salads use in-season ingredients for the freshest flavor. You can get inspiration by seeing what veggies look best when you go to the farmer’s market or store and then build salads around what you find.
- Make your own dressing. Salad dressings can be calorie bombs, but making healthy homemade salad dressing is easy. Start with high-quality healthy oil or use Greek yogurt instead of mayo in creamy dressings. Lower the ratio of oil to acid (like vinegar or mustard) to reduce calories and fat, then add in herbs, spices or citrus for a punch of flavor.
- Add a wow factor. You know those ingredients on a restaurant salad that woo you and make you want to gobble it up? Add a few of those ingredients to your healthy salad at home – just use less than a restaurant would to lower the calorie and fat content. Better to use a bit of the “real thing” than to substitute fake-tasting or lesser-quality ingredients.
- Get creative. Make your salad colorful, interesting and inviting. Choose a mix of flavors and textures. Combine sweet and savory ingredients. Include crunchy toppings and silky dressings. If you often eat healthy salads for lunch or dinner, switch things up and don’t use the same ingredients all the time. The more unique your salad, the more likely you are to enjoy it.
For even more fresh and delicious salad recipes, check them out at Health eCooks.
