You don’t need a recipe to make a salad, just a basic formula. This formula helps you mix filling protein, satisfying whole grains and lots of low-calorie vegetables so your salad fills you up, instead of leaving you hungry an hour later.
Pictured recipe:Chopped Chicken & Sweet Potato Salad
Mix and match the categories using the amounts shown so you don’t get bored with your salads. Plan ahead and prep your protein, vegetables, and grains, or use what’s on hand in the fridge. Bonus points for using up vegetable scraps or leftover ingredients that would otherwise go to waste!
The best healthy salad formula
Use this as your base “recipe” to make sure you get a satisfying mix of greens and toppings without going overboard on calories or carbs. Then keep reading for delicious foods that fit in each category.
Pictured recipe:Quinoa Deli Salad
Salad Greens = 3 cups
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Other Produce = 1/2 cup, non-starchy, cooked or raw
Learn more:Why You Should Eat the Rainbow When It Comes to Fruits and Vegetables
Pictured recipe:Vegetarian Niçoise Salad
Grains or Starch = 1/2 cup
Read more:Why Complex Carbs Are Actually Good for You
Lean Protein = 3 oz.
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Cheese = 1/2 oz.
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Garnish = 1/2 oz.
Dressing = 2 Tbsp., olive-oil based
Or make your own:Get ourbest vinaigrette recipesor try this simple recipe.
Combine 2 Tbsp. vinegarorlemon juice, ½ tsp. minced garlic, 1/4 tsp. dried thyme, 1/8 tsp. pepper, and 1/8 tsp. salt, then whisk in ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil. Use 2 Tbsp. per salad.
Satisfying salads to get out of a salad rut
Try new combos to spark ideas for your next salad. Or make a healthy salad based on what you have on hand or what’s on sale.
The Vegetarian Niçoise
Chopped Chicken & Sweet Potato
Escaroleorromaine + avocado + apples + sweet potato + shredded chicken + cubed Cheddar + sunflower seeds + apple-cider vinaigrette
Salmon Couscous
Spinach + mushrooms + eggplant + whole-wheat Israeli couscous + salmon + goat cheese + dried apricots + white-wine vinaigrette
Quinoa Deli
Bibb lettuce + red bell peppers + artichoke hearts + quinoa + chickpeas + mozzarella cheese + sliced deli ham + red-wine vinaigrette
Read more:How to Make Perfect Homemade Vinaigrette Every Time
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