The best Salad is one with exciting and delicious salad toppings. Use this list of ingredients to build the best salad you’ve ever tasted!

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What Is A Salad?

A salad doesn’t have to be a boring combination of raw veggies on a bed of limp greens. A salad can be whatever you make it! Ever hear of pasta salad? It’s a base of pasta yet is still considered a salad!

In this list of salad toppings we will be looking at a variety of green bases with different, exciting toppings!

Why You’ll Love These Salad Toppings

Many salad toppings tend to be raw, flavorless veggies. This is why salads get a bad reputation! Try to think outside of the norm by using different bases, proteins, carbs, and dietary fat items.

I broke down the different ingredients into the three macronutrient categories(proteins, carbohydrates, and dietary fats) to make building a satisfying bowl one step easier.

Simply chose a few items from each category that pair together (or just that you love!) and you can have a delicious salad that will change your views on them!

Protein Salad Toppings

Bacon Bits– You can get them from the grocery store shelves or you can make your own by chopping up some home cooked bacon!

Pepperoni- Try making it fun by using mini pepperoni or cutting up regular sized pepperoni pieces into triangles.

Chicken- If you don’t want to go through the effort of grilling, baking, or boiling chicken use a ready-made rotisserie chicken!

Tuna- Canned tuna is one option but another is using the pre-flavored packets. This will add loads of flavor to your dish without having to add additional ingredients.

Steak- This protein elevates your salad to the next level!

Tofu- If you have never tried tofu, this may not be the protein you want to choose. Tofu has an easily changeable flavor but it must be prepped correctly to taste good.

Hard Boiled Eggs- Make a few ahead of time so you have them on hand when you need them. You can simply cut them in half or chop them into tiny pieces for easy eating.

Shrimp- Not enough salads use shrimp on their salads!

Lunch Meat- This is the easiest protein to add to a salad. Grab a few slices from your fridge and cut it up or take the even easier route a rip it into smaller pieces.

Chickpeas- These can be delicious right from the can or you can bake or air fry them with seasonings for a great crunchy protein option.

Ground Beef- Make yourself a delicious taco salad with seasoned ground beef!

Salmon- Salmon has become available in more forms in recent years. You don’t have to get fresh salmon from the deli counter anymore. You can now find excellent pieces in the frozen section that can be reheated and taste good as fresh. You can even get small salmon chunks and pop them in the air fryer for a tasty crunch!

Anchovies- These aren’t everyone’s cup of tea, but they’re an option!

Beans- There are ample types of beans beyond the basic black bean variety. Search for a new type to taste the next time you’re at the grocery store.

Refried Beans- The texture of refried beans may have most opt out of using refried beans, but I believe they are a delicious addition!

Carbohydrate Salad Toppings

Veggies- These are a great way to add tons of nutrition and volume to your salad without a ton of extra calories. Try changing the way you serve your veggies up- grilled, baked, boiled, air fried, roasted, broiled, raw, or even pickled. Don’t forget the seasonings!

• Bell Peppers
• Tomatoes (heirloom, grape, vine, etc.)
• Peas
• Corn
• Cucumber
• White/Red Onion
• Celery
• Lima Beans
• Broccoli
• Cauliflower
• Beets
• Mushrooms
• Potatoes/Sweet Potatoes
• Radish
• Jalapeño
• Asparagus
• Squash

Greens- Don’t stick to the basics! Try a new variety of greens for a different flavor profile.

• Arugula
• Butter Lettuce
• Romaine
• Spinach
• Kale
• Iceberg
• Bibb
• Leaf
• Spring Mix

Fruit- Don’t just stick to fresh! Try out all the different ways you find fruit- dried, fresh, freeze dried, canned, and frozen!

• Watermelon
• Grape slices
• Strawberries
• Blueberries
• Blackberries
• Pomegranate Arils
• Cranberries
• Peaches
• Cherries
• Mandarin Oranges
• Apples
• Pears
• Raspberries

Croutons- These can be homemade or from the grocery store! They come in a TON of different flavors that can be selected based on what you are going for in your salad!

Rice- Adding rice to your salad not only adds fun texture, it also ensure it will be more satisfying!

Wonton Strips- These don’t have too much flavor to them. They are more of a massive crunch that are easy to add.

Chips- Recalling the ground beef protein idea I mentioned taco seasoning. In addition to this combo adding Doritos or corn chips would round out this fun taco salad!

Orzo- Orzo is like a pasta in the shape of rice. They are soft little bits that add volume to your salad.

Frizzled Onions- I love these! Also called crispy fried onions, they are often reserved for green bean salad on Thanksgiving, but they should be had all year long!

Pita- Cut a pieces of pita with a pizza cutter into small squares. These will soak up some of the salad dressing and taste so good.

Dietary Fat Salad Toppings

Avocado/Guacamole- Guacamole is just mashed avocados with a variety of onions (and other additions!) and spices! Use either to add some healthy fats and awesome flavor to your bowl.

Olives- These are often overlooked! Try kalamata olives, black olives, or green olives.

Nuts- These can add a great texture to your salad! Walnuts and slivered almonds are some of the most popular go-to’s because they are softer and easy to bite into.

Olive Oil- Olive oil is a great heart healthy option to drizzle on the salad. You can even get flavored oils to add a fun new profile! Or, make your own infused oil! Simply add the herbs you want to some oil and allow it to sit.

I made a rosemary infused olive oil by placing a few inches of rosemary into a small container then filled it with olive oil. I closed it with the lid and let it sit on the countertop for a few days. Now, when I want an extra special olive oil, I have it on hand!

Seeds- Seeds are an often forgotten salad topping. Try using pumpkin, flax, hemp, or sunflower seeds for some additional nutrition benefits with minimal changes in taste.

Cheese- I KNOW you know about this topping idea. Go beyond the classic shredded cheese variety and use feta, goat, or cubed cheese for a fun change of pace.

Queso- This may be able to go under the cheese category but it needed to stand out a bit more. Why? Because putting queso on a salad needs more attention! Adding a small amount can add some serious flavor to a salad!

Flavor Additions

Herbs- Use dehydrated or ones plucked fresh from your garden (or from the small herb plant you recently bought from the grocery store that’ll eventually perish too early)

• Mint- This adds a bright flavor.
• Cilantro- Some call this soap and others think it adds a nice flair.
• Basil- This herb brings a slightly sweet flavor.
• Rosemary- An elevated taste.

Salsa/Pico de Gallo- Both are often overlooked when building a salad. Instead, use these in place of a salad dressing for a new flavor combinations!

Lemon/Lime Juice- A squeeze from a fresh citrus can brighten the whole salad without too much work.

Salad Dressings

There is half an aisle in most grocery stores stocked with any and every type of salad dressing you could think of! Get adventurous and try a few that sound fun or pique your interest!

On the other hand, you could make your own salad dressings!

For a creamy salad dressing eyeball a mixture of mayonnaise, miracle whip, or mustard with a variety of spices.

For a thinner salad start with a vinegar or juice with added spices and herbs!

Add your dressing of choice to your salad and give it a good toss right before eating to ensure every bite is coated!

A Word From A Registered Dietitian

A salad can be a great way to get in a ton of nutrition in a single meal. They tend to be a basic combination of iceberg lettuce, raw carrots, and cherry tomatoes. Relatable?

Instead make a delicious and interesting salad. This can be any combination of the above items (plus anything else you love!). A salad doesn’t need to be stuck in a certain box, it should be something you love and something that nourishes you!

Keep in mind: if this is your entire meal it still should contain protein, carbs, and dietary fats to keep you full and satisfied!

Try These Salad Recipes

Want a plant based salad with a unique flavor profile? Try out my Enticing Plant Based Edamame Salad!

Don’t want a salad with greens? Make this Refreshing Chickpea Salad.

Love pasta (same)? This Mediterranean Pasta Salad is for you!

If you have any other salad toppings you enjoy be sure to leave them in the comments down below for others to also try!

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The post The Best Salad Toppings first appeared on The Michigan Dietitian.