A Guide on How to Make the Perfect Salad

A salad is a quick and simple entrée, lunch, or dinner accompaniment prepared with just a few ingredients. Although it might not be enough for a healthy diet alone, if you diversify what you put inside, it can keep you full. Everyone has different tastes when it comes to salad. While some prefer to have extra vegetables with a creamy dressing, others enjoy their salads ultra-simple without any dressing but with proteins, fruits, etc.

5-Minute Crafts rounded up some tips and directions to help you turn your side salad into the most delicious part of the meal.

Building blocks of a perfect salad.

• Make a base. Gather leafy light green lettuces like romaine or iceberg for the mildest flavor, or darker greens like spinach and kale.
• Add vegetables, like carrots, celery, cucumbers, bell peppers, broccoli, tomatoes, onion, mushrooms, etc.
• Add sweetness using fruits, like apples or pears for something mild and crunchy.
• Add protein, like cooked chicken, steak, fish, or a hard-boiled egg, or beans like chickpeas, lentils, or grains like quinoa or buckwheat, etc.
• Finish with nuts and seeds, like almonds, walnuts, pecans, sesame seeds, etc. for a good crunch, dried fruit for a chewy texture and sweetness, olives or any kind of cheese for a savory taste, like grated parmesan, shredded cheddar, crumbled feta, goat cheese, or blue cheese, etc.

Before you begin.

Ensure the greens are clean, completely dry, and bite-sized, and put them in a big bowl. This way, you’ll have the space to dress your salad without making a mess. Keep in mind that if the greens aren’t dry, then they could get soggy when you add the dressing. Dress your salad and mix it all completely. Sprinkle salt and pepper according to your liking.

Way 1. If you love avocado...

Fruits and vegetables: Artichoke, celery, coconut, cucumber, grapefruit, jicama, kiwi, lettuce, mango, persimmon, pomelo, radish, spinach, kale, strawberries.

Herbs, nuts, and dairy: Coriander, cilantro, dill, feta cheese, blue cheese, grated parmesan cheese, goat cheese, hazelnuts, mint, nutmeg, sesame seeds, toasted nuts like sliced almonds, cashews, pistachios, chopped pecans.

Protein and other accompaniments: Bacon, bulgur, chicken, chocolate, crab, eggs, tuna, fresh lemon juice.

Way 2. If you love mushrooms...

Fruits and vegetables: Asparagus, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, fennel, green beans, leeks, rocket, shallots, spinach, garlic, zucchini.

Herbs, nuts, and dairy: Chives, dill, marjoram, parsley, oregano, tarragon.

Protein and other accompaniments: Bacon, cheddar, chicken, crab, eggs, fish, lentils, prawns, scallops, veal, wild rice, mayonnaise.

Way 3: If you love tuna...

Vegetables: Red or orange bell peppers, onions, fresh chives, romaine, avocado, cucumbers, celery, baby greens or spring mix, cherry tomatoes, artichoke hearts.

Proteins and other accompaniments: Kalamata or other black olives, parmesan shavings, cooked eggs, olive oil, fresh lemon juice, salt, ground black pepper, balsamic vinegar, lemon vinaigrette, Dijon mustard, mayonnaise.

Way 4: If you love mozzarella and olives...

Vegetables: Tomatoes, fresh basil leaves, avocado, dried tomatoes, cucumbers, spinach, red onions, lettuce.

Toppings: Balsamic vinegar, black pepper, olive oil, pumpkin seeds, honey.

Way 5: If you love cabbage...

Fruits and vegetables: Apples, carrots, celery, cucumbers, eggplant, cranberries, kale, lettuce, pears, radish, turkey, watermelon.

Herbs, nuts, and spices: Chestnut, coriander, mustard, parsley.

Proteins, and others: Blue cheese, bulgur, chickpeas, crab, curry, fish, tamari, balsamic vinegar, wild rice.

Way 6: If you love potatoes...

Fruit and vegetables: Artichokes, asparagus, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, corn, endive, fennel, green beans, jack fruit, kale, leeks, parsnips, spinach, turnips, zucchini flowers.

Herbs, spices, and nuts: Chestnuts, chervil, curry, rosemary, parsley, oregano.

Protein, dairy, and other accompaniments: Beef, cheddar, chickpeas, cottage cheese, crab, ham, lentils, pork, wild rice, olive oil.

Way 7: If you love strawberries...

Fruits and vegetables: Apples, apricots, avocados, bananas, bell peppers, blackberries, blueberries, celery, chestnuts, cucumbers, kale, kiwi, lemon, lettuce, lime, orange, spinach, tomatoes, watermelon, zucchini.

Herbs, nuts, and spices: Almond, basil, coriander, dill, mint, pine nuts, tarragon, walnuts.

Protein and other accompaniments: Balsamic vinegar, buffalo mozzarella, bulgur, chickpeas, chocolate, cottage cheese, honey, lentils, parmesan, turkey, wild rice.

Way 8: If you love egg...

Vegetables and others: Tomatoes, red onions, radishes, green onions, mayonnaise, mustard, cucumbers, carrots, fresh chives, fresh dill, scallions, celery, lettuce, avocado blended with the dressing or chopped in cubes.

Proteins: Crispy bacon, chicken, shrimp.

Way 9: If you love tofu...

Vegetables: Romaine lettuce, avocado, tomatoes, cucumber, red bell peppers, carrots, green onions, pickled ginger, kale, spinach, basil, spinach, edamame, radishes, ginger, garlic.

Nuts and other accompaniments: Sesame seeds, roasted peanuts, pumpkin seeds, lime or lemon juice, soy sauce.

Way 10: If you love salmon...

Fruit and vegetables: Apricot, asparagus, beetroot, cucumbers, pumpkin, watercress, watermelon.

Herbs, nuts, and dairy: Emmental, gruyere, hazelnut, peanuts.

Protein and other accompaniments: Bacon, beef, bulgur, butter, crab, duck, elderflower, honey, lentils, miso, oyster, pork, quail, rice, salami, seaweed, sesame, veal, wild rice, balsamic vinegar.