How to Make a Green Salad More Interesting

Look, we know that a salad is not the most exciting meal. And if you don’t often eat salads and experiment with salad recipes, you might be picturing a big bowl of lettuce sprinkled with tomatoes, grated carrots, and dressing – not exactly inspiring. Here’s an important fact to keep in mind when it comes to crafting a salad that is actually delicious (in addition to being nutritious): a salad is simply “raw greens (such as lettuce) often combined with other vegetables and toppings and served especially with dressing.” That is a very broad definition. So if you’re wondering how to make a green salad more interesting, be creative. The possibilities are endless!

How to Make a Green Salad More Interesting

Salads are a great way to get more vegetables into your diet, but they’re perceived by many as being boring or unsatisfying. If you’re interested in learning how to make a green salad more interesting, check out these tips:

Choose Different Greens

Are you sick of iceberg and romaine lettuce? Although many salads in America stick with these two greens, they’re certainly not the only options available. Check out the many possibilities:

• Arugula (peppery, feathery)
• Bibb lettuce (soft, buttery)
• Boston lettuce (soft, fluffy)
• Endives (crisp, bitter)
• Frisée (slightly bitter, lacy leaves)
• Iceberg (crisp, watery)
• Kale (bitter, fibrous)
• Radicchio (bitter when fresh)
• Romaine (robust, bitter and sweet)
• Savoy cabbage (mild, earthy)
• Spinach (hearty, leafy)

You could also add in some fresh herbs, like basil, cilantro, mint, and parsley.

Use a Unique Dressing

The dressing you choose can transform the entire salad. So if you’re looking for a mild flavor to layer on top of your ingredients, you could go with a simple vinaigrette made with olive oil and vinegar (and perhaps a little lemon juice). But if you want to give your salad a more interesting flavor profile, you could try one of the following dressing flavors:

• Asian Sesame
• Balsamic Vinaigrette
• Bleu Cheese
• Caesar
• Chipotle
• Cilantro Lime
• Curry
• Dijon Vinaigrette
• French
• Ginger Citrus
• Greek
• Green Goddess
• Honey Mustard
• Italian
• Pesto
• Poppyseed
• Ranch
• Tahini
• Thai Peanut
• Thousand Island

For more options, simply browse the aisles of your supermarket. Salad dressing is often found in both the produce section and the condiment section.

Add Crunchy and Smooth Ingredients

Varying the textures in your salad is a great way to make it feel more fun and flavorful – plus you’ll likely feel more satisfied if you’re able to crunch down on some ingredients. The following ingredients are a great way to add crunch to your meal:

• Roasted nuts (almonds, walnuts, pecans, peanuts, pine nuts, etc.)
• Sunflower seeds
• Raw veggies: cabbage, carrots, celery, bell peppers, broccoli
• Croutons
• Apples or pears
• Grated carrots
• Crumbled tortilla chips
• Cucumber slices

If want some smooth ingredients that your teeth will glide through, consider adding some of the following:

• Avocado
• Sweet potato
• Roasted veggies
• Olives
• Beans

Add Sweetness with Fruit

Got a sweet tooth? A little sweetness goes a long way in a salad. To sweeten up your meal, add some fresh fruit:

• Apple slices
• Cherries
• Corn (yes, it’s technically a fruit)
• Grapes
• Kiwi slices
• Mango slices
• Orange slices
• Pear slices
• Pineapple chunks
• Plum slices
• Raspberries, blueberries, or blackberries
• Strawberries
• Tomatoes
• Watermelon cubes

Explore Other Ingredient Ideas

Of course, vegetables, fruits, and dressing aren’t the only ingredients that belong on a salad. Here are some other possibilities:

• Hard-boiled or poached eggs
• Poultry, meat, fish, or tofu
• Grains (quinoa, bulgur, farro, wild rice, etc.)
• Cheese (feta, parmesan, cheddar, bleu cheese, goat cheese, etc.)
• Beans (black beans, pinto beans, edamame)
• Olives (black, green, kalamata)
• Pickled onions or carrots
• Raisins, dried cranberries, dried apricots
• Artichokes
• Caramelized onions
• Roasted chickpeas
• Falafel
• Hummus
• Jalapeños, peppers, hot sauce (or something else to add spice)
• Lentils
• Mushrooms

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If you’re feeling overwhelmed by all these lists of ingredients, we can’t blame you. Take a little time to explore the possibilities, creating pairings of your favorite foods. Or if you’re totally flummoxed, here are a few quick ideas:

• Asian Salad: Greens, sesame dressing, chicken, carrots, orange slices, green onions, edamame
• BBQ Salad: Greens, ranch dressing, BBQ chicken, corn, tomatoes, avocado
• Falafel Salad: Greens, tahini dressing, falafel, tomatoes, cucumbers, roasted peppers
• Harvest Salad: Greens, balsamic vinaigrette, wild rice, apples, feta, sweet potatoes, almonds
• Mexican Salad: Greens, cilantro dressing, avocado, tortilla chips, black beans, bell pepper

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