If you don’t love salad, you’re probably not making it right!

Salad doesn’t have to be boring! With these tips, you can fall in love with salad and improve your diet in the process! 

For a lot of people, the idea of eating salad on a regular basis is boring and tasteless. Salads may be a healthier meal option, but that doesn’t mean they are the most enjoyable. If you fall into this category of people, odds are you haven’t found that right salad for you! Going beyond the basic spring mix and a drizzle of dressing can change your whole perspective on the dish! 

Here at Mealfit, we believe everyone should be able to eat delicious and healthy food without having to sacrifice a huge portion of their time. That’s why we’ve put so much work into creating meal options for people that live on-the-go lives! From our individual meals and weekly specials to the Meals by the Pound selection for easy meal-prepping, we think healthy food is a must. 

So, it goes without saying that we love a delicious salad, but how do you go from a “meh” salad to an, “this is the best salad I’ve ever had!” type of salad? Surprisingly, it’s pretty easy! We’ve cracked the code when it comes to making some pretty amazing salads, so we knew we just had to share our tips! Here is our breakdown with everything you need to know about how to make a great salad!

Fill it up!

Salads don’t have to be bland or so light that you still feel hungry afterwards. In fact, a hearty, flavorful salad is a great way to get vital vitamins, nutrients, and even protein into your body! Here’s how to create a substantial salad that will leave you satisfied every time:

Image by Nadine Primeau 

Lay the Foundation

First things first, you want to get a strong, filling base. You’ve got to start with the basics, and choosing some good greens is as basic as it gets! There are so many options out there and it really depends on your preference, but the right kind of greenery can improve any salad tenfold! Experiment until you find your preferred textures and tastes and your salads will become not only so much more enjoyable, but probably a lot healthier for you as well!

Image by Dose Juice

Give Your Salad a Delicious Texture

Salads are a mixture of flavors, colors, and textures. You want to have a little bit of everything in a good salad, but especially a good crunch. There’s nothing more refreshing than a crisp, fresh salad, so having multiple crunchy elements is always a safe bet! You can get this crunch from so many different kinds of foods including fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts, croutons, and so much more! The fresher, the crunchier and the crunchier, the better!

Balance it out!

Most people tend to leave out a lot when it comes to the flavor department of salads. It’s not just about mixing fresh vegetables, but pairing the right ingredients to get maximum flavor and the best mix of textures! Here are a few tips to bring your salads to the next level:

Image by Anna Pelzer

Add Something Soft

To combat the crunch you’ve added to your salad, adding some soft components can help to make your meal feel a bit more substantial. More fibrous or filling ingredients will help you to feel more satisfied, plus it adds some delicious variety to your salad! A few good examples of soft salad ingredients include rice, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, avocado, and some delicious cheese!

Image by Dan Gold

A Flavorful Twist 

Make your salad your own with a signature flavor! Top it with some bacon, maybe a sprinkle of dried fruit, a spoonful of pickled veggies, or a few cubes of watermelon. The possibilities are endless! Try something you haven’t had before and you may be surprised how much more you love salads! 

Top it off!

Don’t forget to add the finishing touches to complete your 5-star salad! A healthy dose of protein and a good dressing will go a long way to take your salad from good to great!

Image by Calvin Shelwell

Picking the Right Protein

Protein helps to fill out your salad so it doesn’t feel like you’re eating air. On the other hand, choosing the right protein can also help to prevent a salad from being too heavy! It all comes down to preference. Whether you adore hearty meat or opt for plant-based proteins, there are a ton of options to fit your health and flavor needs! 

Image by Wholefully

The Final Touch: Dressing

Before you start devouring your delicious salad, don’t forget to add the final component! Dressing isn’t required, but it does make salads taste amazing! Each salad has a unique personality, and there is a perfect dressing out there for each one. Maybe it’s a lighter salad packed with fresh ingredients and leans toward the sweet side, a nice vinaigrette or vinegar and oil could pair nicely. Or perhaps a salad is filled with deli meats, cheeses, and more, a dairy-based dressing could come in handy! Whatever dressing you choose, it is bound to bring your salad to the next level of flavor! 

There are endless ways to make a salad, to be sure, but this guide can help you to explore the range of possibilities out there. Gone are the days of dreading salads and hopefully now you can feel empowered to incorporate more flavors, textures, and fresh ingredients into your diet on a regular basis! 

We hope you enjoy this article for How to Make the Perfect Salad. If you tried incorporating these things into your regular routine, make sure to let us know! For more recipes, follow us on social media and make sure to check out our weekly blog posts where we share our new favorite recipes and must-know facts about food and living a healthy lifestyle! Check out the other meal options Mealfit provides such as our Weekly Specials, Individual Meals, and other Meals by the Pound.