So, I have posted a few of my favorite salads here on the blog. Like this pecan crusted chicken salad and this grilled chicken salad. I seriously love main dish salads. Not only are they good for you, but they are so easy to throw together–just use whatever you have in your fridge or pantry.
Now that it’s summer, salads are the perfect dinner because they are light and refreshing and you don’t have to turn on the stove and heat up your house. I have put together a list of my favorite salad topping/ingredient ideas for you to help you take your salads from boring to FABULOUS! Play around with these and find a new favorite meal.
I tried to keep this list as healthy as possible. I didn’t add croutons, but that doesn’t mean you can’t add them to your salad if you want. If you want to make a healthy salad watch the toppings you add, croutons, candied nuts, bacon bits and cheese might not be the best options.
If you don’t think your child will eat salad for dinner, try these tricks:
1. Take them grocery shopping with you, let them pick out the produce they would like to try on their salad.
2. Let them watch you chop the ingredients and if they’re old enough let them help out! They can help wash the veggies and plop the cut up stuff in a bowl.
3. My kids will devour salad if I put a little dressing on the side so they can dip everything.
4. Try serving the salad buffet style. Let them choose what they want to put on their own salad, if they are preparing their own they might be adventurous enough to try something new. Maybe. **Crossing my fingers**
5. Don’t give up. They might not try it the first time, second time, or even the tenth time, but keep offering it and let them see you eat it!
50 salad topping/ingredient ideas
Start with your greens (choose one or mix a few):
Spinach
Romaine
arugula
spring mix lettuce
kale
red or green leaf lettuce
butter lettuce
watercress
Pile on the veggies:
red cabbage
chopped tomatoes
grape or cherry tomatoes
sun dried tomatoes
cucumber (with or without the peel)
mushrooms
carrots
bell peppers
avocado
beets
radishes
peas
celery
olives
cooked asparagus
broccoli
cauliflower
Choose a lean protein (say no to battered and fried!):
edamame
quinoa
kidney beans
black beans
garbanzo beans (chick peas)
grilled chicken
rotisserie chicken
turkey
grilled steak
taco seasoned ground turkey
tuna
smoked salmon
hard boiled eggs
tofu
cottage cheese
Don’t leave the fruit out:
raspberries
blueberries
strawberries
raisins
dried cranberries
chopped apples
pears
grapes
pomegranate seeds
Add something with a crunch:
water chestnuts
jicama
sunflower seeds
pepitas (pumpkin seeds)
walnuts
pecans
sliced almonds
Add your favorite dressing:
Try out this homemade vinaigrette.
Or this honey mustard dressing:
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Hello! I am Camille, a wife, mother of four, Disney obsessed, certified teacher, and reality optimist. Motherhood comes with its ups and downs, and I hope while you’re here you’ll find something that makes your #momlife easier!
Hi there.
Love your blog and have just posted a link to it on my Facebook sites (belladotti and Salad Toppers) as you “speak the same language” as me – busy mums, trying to provide their families with the healthiest (yet quickest, in our busy lives!) food options.
Well done.
A would love to send you some samples of my products, if you would like to try them and add them to your salad features.
Wishing you all the very best.
Kind regards
Melanie
Melanie!
Thank you so much for sharing, that means more than you know!Please email us with your information and we can chat more!
They’re expensive but I love adding shelled roasted pistachios, they’re delicious when I want to splurge!