At dinner parties, everyone has their go-to dish—some people always bring a casserole, others a dessert, while a few turn up with something a bit uninspired. But you? You’re always ready with the most delicious salad, and salads often make up a big part of your meals.
Guidelines for Preparing a Great Salad
Think of these as tips rather than strict rules. Unsure how to mix random ingredients together? Follow these pointers, and your salad will always taste balanced. These rules also work for pasta salads, potato salads, and grain salads.
Choose a Variety of Vegetables
Use different types of lettuce. A salad made with only one kind can taste one-dimensional. Mixing greens helps tone down strong flavors like peppery arugula, bitter radicchio, or tough kale. Experiment with combinations until you find what works for you.
Always care for your greens before tossing them into the bowl: wash them well (soak in a large bowl of water, let dirt sink, then lift out gently to dry on paper towels or a salad spinner), massage tougher leaves like kale to soften them, roast if you’d like, and chop into bite-size pieces.
Make a Special Dressing
The best salads often come with homemade dressing. Follow the rule of three parts oil to one part vinegar, then add something to thicken—tahini, avocado, mustard, hummus, etc. Season with herbs, spices, and perhaps a touch of sweetness like honey or maple syrup. Whisk or shake it all together. Tip: always taste it on a piece of lettuce; if it tastes strong there, it’ll balance well in the salad.
Add Something Unique, Cheesy, or Pickled
A touch of surprise turns a good salad into a great one. That’s why Parmesan, blue cheese, olives, or pickled peppers show up in many classics. Experiment with sun-dried tomatoes, kimchi, pickled veggies, seaweed, miso, giardiniera, sautéed mushrooms, or crispy toppings.
Don’t Forget the Crunch
Texture matters. Crunch can come from anywhere—cucumbers, bell peppers, chopped nuts, toasted bread, wonton strips, roasted chickpeas, sunflower seeds, fried capers, crispy cheese, bacon bits, even potato chips or toasted quinoa. If it crunches, it works!
Include Some Protein
Even side salads need protein. Add grilled chicken, canned tuna, leftover burger slices, or try plant-based options like roasted beans, crispy tofu, peas, edamame, quinoa, protein pasta, or nuts. A little protein makes your salad satisfying.
Add a Touch of Sweetness
A salad with cranberries in fall or peaches in summer proves how delightful a hint of sweetness can be. Fresh or dried fruits—apples, berries, kiwi, pomegranate, pineapple, tangerines—are great options. Sweet vegetables like roasted squash, caramelized onions, or sweet potatoes also add depth. You can even sweeten your dressing or use candied nuts for extra flair.
Make It Fun
Salads shouldn’t be boring. Always include something that excites you—maybe a bold dressing, a crunchy surprise, homemade pickles, or just something that makes you smile when you take a bite.
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