If you’re reading this, then clearly, you’re a salad person. I know in previous years, salads have gotten a rep for being a boring ‘diet food’, but the fact is, salads are delicious!

With that said, there are still many instances where a salad just won’t do; maybe it’s under-seasoned, or the dressing is missing a little something, or it’s lacking crunch. Like most things in cooking, whatever the reason, there’s always something you can do about it. Read on, and learn to fall in love with salads again:

1. Homemade dressing: Ditch the store-bought bottles and take a few minutes to make your own dressing at home. This will not only eliminate unknown substances going into your food, but you can also make it your own. Taste as you go, add or eliminate certain ingredients to enhance the overall flavour and opt for classic ingredients. Experiment with different dressings, and once you’ve mastered a few, always have them on hand and ready to go.
2. Keep it simple: Have you ever included way too many ingredients that just don’t go together? Yes, I know we’ve heard people say ‘the more colourful your food, the better’, but not always. Before you start chopping away, stop and think about what ingredients you have and ponder the possibility that they may not all necessarily complement each other in one dish. Start with a few ingredients, give it a taste, then decide if adding another element to it would be worth the try or not.
3. Think outside the box: Though we typically think of salads as raw, they work just as well when cooked, specifically roasted. So next time you’re craving a salad in winter, try roasting your root vegetables with some olive oil, salt, pepper and maybe a little bit of balsamic vinegar or glaze.
4. Replace your leafy greens base with your favourite grains or pulses: This is a great way to add more fibre and/or protein to your diet. The heavier base makes for a more filling meal and is a healthy way to stay satiated for longer periods, and reduces the likelihood of you having to reach for snacks in between meals.
5. Try toasting your grains: A recent hack that has gone viral and is currently a game changer in the world of salads. If you have some stale rice, farro, quinoa etc in your fridge, simply toss with 2 tablespoons of olive oil, salt pepper and spices of choice, then spread out onto a baking tray and toast in the oven on high heat for 15 minutes or more. Allow the grains to cool slightly before adding to your salad. We promise, you’re gonna love it!
6. Cold water and a salad spinner: We recommend washing your greens in very cold water. Not only will this enhance their colour, but it will also result in a crunchier salad. Once thoroughly cleaned, be sure to dry them in a salad spinner to remove any excess water. If you don’t have a salad spinner, simply spread them out onto a large sheet and ensure they are completely dry before using them. This process will ensure they don’t wilt as quickly and will result in a way tastier salad.
7. Aromatics and herbs: Never shy away from using fresh herbs in your salad. More often than not, adding a little bit of fresh mint to my salads has made a ton of difference. Furthermore, aromatics such as spring onions, red onions, shallots and fresh ginger are great when trying to elevate certain dressings, especially in Asian cooking. If you’re uncomfortable with adding raw garlic to your dressing however, simply substitute with a small amount of garlic powder.
8. Play around with textures: That extra crunch doesn’t always have to come from croutons. Consider adding some toasted pumpkin seeds or toasted nuts instead? Both great sources of fibre, protein, and not to mention, good for gut health too.
9. Add the protein: If you’re looking to turn your salad into an entire meal, be sure to always top it off with your favourite protein of choice, both grilled chicken and roasted salmon work great here. Other alternatives include, cheese, lentils and chickpeas. Not only will these up your protein intake for the day, but they make for a salad that is more delicious and filling.
10. Lastly, don’t be afraid to add some fruit: Perhaps a little unorthodox, but fruits are an amazing add-on to many salads. So the next time you have some berries in your fridge, consider adding them to your salad and see what you think!

Please check yufeed for some healthy and delicious salad recipes. If there’s anything we missed, please share in the comments! 😊