Do you want to eat something light and healthy? Well, a salad should be your go-to dish! It is arguably one of the most versatile dishes that can be served as a main dish. On top of that, it is perfect for serving as a side dish because no menu is complete without it. If you think salads are just for healthy eaters, then you are mistaken!
Since salads are of different types, you can add fruits, vegetables, meat, seafood, grains, cheese, and even seasonings to amplify their taste. With any combination of grains, greens, protein, fruits, and other toppings, salad is the backbone of most meals. Moreover, it is also one of the most versatile dishes you can serve to your guests.
There are a variety of salads served around the world, some of them are easy to master, and some are difficult. Indeed, making a salad can be tricky for you because it can turn out to be bland and just too leafy at times. If you are someone who loves a burst of flavors, then we have put together simple and easy-to-make salads that you can try at home for a healthy and fulfilling meal. So, without further ado, let’s get started!
1. Pad Thai Salad
Making Pad Thai Salad is quite simple. It is a salad that contains both vegetables and fruits. The ingredients you need to make this recipe are carrot, spring onion, papaya, coriander, green chili, sprouts, mint, and zucchini.
All you have to do is stir them in a huge bowl; you can add pineapple or goji berry to add more flavor to it. Don’t forget to add seasoning and salad dressing to enhance its taste. If you are a non-vegetarian, you can add meat and cheese, vegetables, and dressing oils.
The best thing about salad dressing is that you can also use it cook food. Want to know how? Check our blog on Unique Ways to Cook with Salad Dressings.
2. Caprese Salad with Pesto Sauce
Are you searching for an Italian salad recipe that is terribly easy and tasty? Well, your search ends here- Caprese Salad is a perfect mix of chunks of mozzarella cheese and tomatoes topped with pesto sauce.
To make this salad, all you have to do is get 2 tomatoes, cut them in round shape, and add a few drops of extra virgin olive oil along with salt and pepper on the top. Next, cut the Mozzarella cheese into chunks and arrange them with the cut tomato slices. The last step is garnishing it with pesto sauce.
If you have no idea how Pesto sauce is prepared, then keep on reading. Simply blend Parmesan cheese with extra virgin oil, and basil with pine nuts until a paste is formed. Next, all you have to do is squeeze in a little lemon, and you are good to go!
3. Fruity Pasta Salad
Why invest in an overpriced fruity pasta salad when you can make it in the comfort of your home! A combination of fruits with vegetarian pasta salad might sound like a weird combination to you. But in reality, it is not. It is one of the most delicious and healthy salads you will ever have.
You can get any type of boiled pasta and add a variety of fruits of your choice. It would be great if you chose to add kiwi, grapes, mangoes, apples, etc. Once you have added all the ingredients, make sure you toss it well to enjoy its taste.
4. Potato Salad
For all the potato lovers out there, this salad is something that will take your taste buds on a delicious ride. To make this salad, you have to make sure that the potatoes are mashed up perfectly. In a huge bowl, the ingredients such as cucumber, onions, and mint leaves with seasonings are added for more taste.
Even if you don’t peel off the potato skin, it will still taste amazing. To understand the recipe better, you can watch a recipe tutorial video.
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5. Mexican Bean Salad
Beans are widely used in various salad recipes, and people love to eat them. If you don’t want to add leafy greens to your salad, beans are a better substitute for your protein needs. The ingredients we need for this recipe are kidney and black beans, red onions, peppers, jalapenos, cilantro, corn, white vinegar, sugar, vegetable oil, ground cumin, salt, and black pepper. A bowlful would make a big meal; you can also use leftovers as a burrito filling or dip for chips.
Mexican bean salad is one of the delicious salads, which is also full of nutrients. Take a bowl and whisk white vinegar, sugar, ground cumin, vegetable oil, salt, and pepper. Set aside this bowl and take out another one; add red onions, corns, beans, jalapeno, bell pepper, and fresh cilantro into it. Mix them well and refrigerate for a few hours; the tasty Mexican bean recipe is ready to serve!
6. Blueberries and Sprouts Salad
Blueberries and Brussels sprouts may seem an unlikely combination, but their contrasting flavors are surprisingly compatible. This recipe is a spring-summer recipe because sprouts are available in these seasons easily. Shred sprouts in a food processor to save a lot of your time and effort.
For lemon poppy seed dressing, you need extra virgin olive oil, lemon juice, honey, mustard, minced garlic cloves, poppy seeds, salt, and pepper. For salad preparation, you need trimmed Brussels sprouts, spinach, fresh blueberries, sliced almonds, chopped avocados, sliced red onion, crumbled feta cheese, salt, and pepper.
Combine olive oil, honey, lemon juice, mustard, poppy seeds, garlic, salt, and pepper in a small bowl or jar. Whisk or shake until well combined. Place the Brussels sprouts and spinach in a large bowl, toss it and add the blueberries, avocado, almonds, red onion, and feta cheese. Now drizzle it with the lemon poppy seed dressing and toss until the salad is well coated—season with salt and pepper to taste.
7. BBQ Potato Salad
You can make BBQ Potato salad at home with absolute ease. It is the same old potato salad with a twist. All you have to do is get a few baby potatoes, gherkins, mayonnaise, spring onions, chopped parsley, salt, and pepper and toss them well. Now add cola-flavored BBQ sauce as a dressing ingredient and mix again and serve it to your guests.
8. Crunchy Nut Coleslaw
Who doesn’t like to have a salad that’s not only healthy but also easy to make? Crunchy nut coleslaw is a type of healthy salad that you would find tempting and irresistible at the same time. The main ingredients of the salad include radishes, cabbage, and carrot.
Simply mix all these ingredients with walnuts/peanuts, spring onions, and sultanas after roasting them well. You can also add a creamy dressing to amplify the taste. You would definitely love this healthy salad.
Conclusion
The recipes mentioned above are healthy and easy to make; you can make them without hurdle. Salads are not only for side dishes; in fact, you can serve them as a complete meal because these salads are rich with all the essential nutrients your body needs. The best thing about salad is you can freeze it and eat it whenever you want.