13 Healthy Chopped Salad Recipes That Are Anything but Boring (2024)

FAQs

How do you make salad less boring? ›

Add spices and flavours such as paprika, chilli flakes, curry powder, harissa or parmesan. Add acidity or sourness with vinegar, lemon juice or pomegranate molasses to transform your salad.

Interestingly, chopping may actually increase the amount of beneficial compounds known as polyphenols: plant chemicals with antioxidant properties that may help protect against the development of cancers, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, osteoporosis and neurodegenerative diseases.

One of the easiest ways to get some flavour in your salad is to mix up your leaves with bright herbs that pack a punch. Plants like parsley, dill, mint and coriander can really kick your salads up a notch and give them some (much needed) depth and can give a great dose of flavour in every bite.

If you like a creamy dressing, try adding Greek yogurt or avocado for healthy, natural fats. Or if you prefer a vinaigrette, consider adding your favorite citrus juice or zest for a pop of color. “I love a quick homemade vinaigrette of olive oil, lemon, fresh garlic and lots of oregano,” Allers notes.

Best: Spinach or Kale Salad

They have the most nutrients. Case in point: Kale and spinach have over 10 times more immune-boosting vitamins A and C than iceberg lettuce. Not a fan of those? Turn over a new leaf: Boston, bibb, and romaine lettuces have a mild flavor, while arugula and watercress have a peppery bite.

Lettuce, olives, tomatoes, cucumber, cheese (usually parmesan or mozzarella balls), pepperoncini, onions, and if you like meat, throw in some chopped salami. What does it mean to ask for a salad chopped? It simply means that all the ingredients, including the lettuce, are chopped up small.

Are bagged salad kits good for you? Salad kits are a great way to incorporate more vegetables into your diet, which is never an entirely bad thing. But all the toppings that make these salads taste so good also bump up the saturated fat, sugar and calories.

What are the seven things that you should not do when preparing the salad? ›

Some of the most nutritious greens include spinach, kale, romaine, watercress, and arugula (see "Salad greens by the numbers").

That's why restaurants store their lettuce in special perforated bins that allow for air circulation while it's held in the fridge.

Try veggies with hummus, salad dressing or yogurt-based dips. Add diced veggies such as mushrooms, onions, peppers or carrots to meatloaf or meatballs. Add vegetables as a topping on your pizza. Make a quick lettuce-free salad by adding salad dressing to matchstick carrots or sliced cucumbers.