Close
If you would have told me this time last year that my go-to lunch would be a spinach salad, I probably would have laughed at the thought.
This might be surprising, but when it comes to lunch, I’ve always been a sandwich-over-salad person. I even used to tell people if I had to eat only one food for the rest of my life, it’d be a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.Grilled cheese,wraps,veggie sandwiches, you name it: It’s all up my alley, and I never thought that a salad would give me the same satisfaction.
But since the start of the year, I’ve been eating the same lunch every day—and it’s a salad. And I actually look forward to it every afternoon.
21 Easy Salads for Lunch
So what’s the 5-ingredient lunch that made me fall in love with salad? It’s ourFall Chopped Salad with Spinach, Butternut Squash, Apples & Cheddar—with just a few tweaks. To keep it simple, I omit the butternut squash and use my favorite premade or store-bought dressing (I’m currently loving a light drizzle of this Briannas Homestyle Creamy Balsamic Dressing).
With my tweaks, this salad is even easier to prepare. All you have to do is chop up your apple and cheese into bite-sized pieces before combining your ingredients. If you’re wanting to meal prep your lunch the night before, keeping your ingredients separate before you’re ready to eat will keep them fresher for longer. And be sure to keep the dressing on the side until you’re ready to eat to help keep the spinach crisp.
If you’re looking to make a homemade dressing, ourCreamy Lemon-Garlic Dressing,Maple Balsamic Vinaigrette with ShallotsandTahini Dressingwould also taste incredible with this recipe.
The combination of leafy greens,fiber-rich fruitand protein from the nuts and cheese is what makes this salad the perfect lunch for me. It also follows our recipe parameters forhealthy immune function, so it’s especially fitting to enjoy during cold and flu season.
To make it more satisfying, customize your salad with ingredients that you know you’ll love. With delicious flavors and simple steps, you’ll be craving a salad every day just like me.
Up Next:28 Easy Dinner Salad Recipes for Busy Weeknights
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!Tell us why!OtherSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Tell us why!OtherSubmit
Tell us why!
