In this post, I’m sharing mouthwatering salad ideas and recipes that will make you WANT to eat a salad every day.

Let’s get one thing straight. When it comes to salads, they don’t have to be a barebone minimum of tomatoes and cucumber to be healthy. In fact, you can create quite the satiating, delicious meal with crisp greens, cooked or fresh veggies, and your choice of protein.

Below I’m sharing different ways to turn everyday ingredients into salads the entire family will want to pack for lunch.

How to Make the Best Salad

Creating epic salad ideas with fresh ingredients and toppings doesn’t require a whole afternoon to prep ahead. In fact, you’ll find most of what you need in your pantry and fridge; I’m just here to show you how to toss those basic ingredients with lettuce and homemade dressing for a satisfying meal.

Here’s the basic formula for building a 5-star salad any day of the week:

Crispy fresh greens or lettuce
Protein of choice
3-4 toppings
Drizzle (aka- salad dressing)

Personally, I adore crunchy textures, so my salads often involve lettuce with fresh veggies that have crunch to them, cucumbers, shredded carrots, or bell peppers. Top it off with leftover chicken or a fried egg, a drizzle of Cilantro Lime Ranch, and I’m one happy woman.

Salad Protein Ideas

This is often the most overthought part of a salad. While grilled chicken is always welcome, why not switch it up with taco beef or a simple fried egg? Getting ahead of myself, here are a few ideas to keep your protein choice for salads interesting:

Slow cooker shredded chicken
Slow cooker shredded Buffalo chicken
Chicken salad
Baked or grilled chicken
Cooked and sliced sausage
Deli turkey or ham
Pepperoni
Fried eggs
Hard-boiled eggs
Cooked taco beef or turkey
Grilled fish or shrimp
Canned salmon
Canned tuna
Beans or legumes
Edamame
Baked tofu

Salad Toppings

Salad toppings are where it gets FUN- it could be any of your favorite ingredients or leftovers from previous dinners and lunches like roasted vegetables, taco toppings, fruit, or chips!

Savory Salad Toppings:

Avocado
Guacamole
Shredded cheese
Fresh cut veggies
Salsa or pico de gallo
Olives
Corn
Roasted beets
Roasted fajita peppers and onions
Roasted fall vegetables
Cheese- hard and soft
Croutons
Baked chips
Pita
Cooked quinoa

salad toppings set out next to two bowls

Sweet Salad Toppings:

Dried fruit
Pomegranate
Fresh berries
Fresh pineapple
Fresh apples
Sliced citrus
Nuts

Salad Dressing Inspiration

The drizzle and dressings for salads are the cherry on top, so it’s important to use one you’re going to love. I always prefer homemade dressings vs. storebought because I have more control of what ingredients go in, and they come together in less than 2 minutes. Many prepared dressings contain hydrogenated oil and emulsifiers, which aren’t so great.

Here are a few of my all-time favorite salad vinaigrettes and dressings:

Storebought Dressing

When you’re in a pinch and need a solid dressing to drizzle over a salad, I recommend using storebought dressings made with avocado or olive oil to reap the benefits of healthy fats. Here are my favorite go-to’s you can easily access at the grocery store or online.

Bolthouse Farms Cilantro Avocado– my go-to!
Primal Kitchen– any variety
Newman’s Own Classic Oil & Vinegar
Newman’s Own Balsamic Vinaigrette

Best Lunch Salad Recipes

These lunch salad recipes are going to be a game-changer. You’ll see just how easy it is to make a salad that leaves you feeling good and ready for lunch the next day!

Recipe: BLT Salad Bowls
This Quick and Easy BLT Salad Recipe is everything you love about your favorite sandwich deconstructed into an easy meal prep bowl!

Recipe: Caprese Chicken Salad
Perfect for a light lunch and so easy to make ahead, this Caprese Chicken Salad is full of fresh ingredients for the perfect office lunch.

Recipe: Winter Salad with Roasted Vegetables and Maple Dijon Vinaigrette
This Winter Salad with Roasted Vegetables and Maple Dijon Vinaigrette is full of flavor and variety and is everything you want in a healthy meal.

Recipe: Buffalo Chicken Salad
Smoky chicken, crisp lettuce, and homemade Ranch combine in this Buffalo Chicken Salad for an epic lunch!

Recipe: Greek Chicken Salad Lettuce Cups
These Greek Chicken Salad Lettuce Cups are a fun twist on classic salads that will give your taste buds a kick with fresh Meditteranean flavors!

Recipe: Greek Panzanella Salad
Filled with fresh summer veggies, protein, and bursting with Mediterranean flavors, this Greek Panzanella Salad is one recipe you must make!

Recipe: Fresh Watermelon & Feta Salad
This Fresh Watermelon & Feta Salad is made with mint and a homemade orange dressing for a quick, refreshing lunch you’re going to love!

Recipe: Cranberry Quinoa Salad
This Cranberry Quinoa Salad is the ultimate gluten-free meal prep recipe full of vitamins, nutrients, and healthy fats.

Recipe: Asian Kale Salad with Sesame Ginger Dressing
This Asian Kale Salad with Sesame Ginger Dressing is packed full of veggies to keep you full and is sure to satisfy your Asian-inspired flavor cravings.

Recipe: Santa Fe Chicken Salad
Kick your boring salad bowls up a notch with a bit of heat when you make this easy and fresh Santa Fe Chicken Salad with Jalapeno Ranch Dressing!

Recipe: Cobb Salad Bar
Get your family eating more salads, and make dinner time fun with this Cobb Salad Bar!

Meal Prep Salads

Don’t wait until the morning to toss a salad together when you can make them up to 3 days in advance. However, there are a few ways to pack salads ahead, so they don’t get soggy:

Start with washed and dried lettuce
This is step is important for packaged and unpackaged lettuce to ensure no clumps of dirt or wilted leaves. Divide the lettuce into lunch containers, top with your ingredients, and refrigerate.

Chilled or room temperature ingredients only
Hot ingredients and toppings will cause the lettuce or greens to wilt and release moisture. This is fine if you are eating the salad right away, but if you want to prep the recipe ahead, wait till everything is at room temperature before assembling.

Add the dressing last
Always add the dressing just before eating. Most recipes will have vinegar or some acid that will break down the greens and release moisture, resulting in a soggy salad. If you plan to pack a salad for lunch, pack the dressing in a mini sauce container to be poured over the salad before eating.

Favorite Lunch Salad Containers

Speaking of meal prep, you’ll need some sturdy containers to pack these salads to the office. Whether you opt for plastic or glass, you’ll want to make sure the container is leak-proof and large enough to pack a reasonable salad. Below are my top choices:

Best Lunch Salads

Print Recipe

Salads so delicious you’ll want to enjoy one every day of the week! Start with this epic Super Greens Kale Salad and work your way down the list.

Author: Laura Fuentes
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Yield: 6-8 servings
Category: Salads
Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

For the Salad

6 cups chopped kale (about 1 large head)
2 cups red cabbage, shredded
1 cup shredded carrots
1 cup shelled edamame, thawed if using frozen
½ cup thinly sliced red onion
¼ cup sunflower seeds

For the Sesame Ginger Dressing

½ cup rice vinegar
¼ cup soy sauce
3 tablespoons sesame seeds
1 tablespoons brown sugar
2 teaspoons fresh ginger, grated
1 garlic clove, grated
1 ½ teaspoons sesame oil

Instructions

For the Kale Salad

In a large bowl, layer kale, red cabbage, shredded carrots, shelled edamame, red onion, and sunflower seeds. Drizzle with Sesame Ginger Dressing and serve.

For the Sesame Ginger Dressing