Salad 101: 4 Easy Steps to Build the Perfect Salad
My tips and tricks to make the perfect salad, including greens, toppings, and easily customizable homemade dressings.
How to Make the Perfect Salad
I love creating new, mouthwatering salad recipes for you. But I also want to give you the tools you need to succeed in the kitchen, that empower you to embrace your creativity, and encourage nourishing meals morning, noon, and night.
Some people say you’re only as good as your tools, but I disagree. You can make this work with whatever tools you already own, though some of my favorites will make this easier, faster, and more enjoyable. Here are my top tool recommendations for serious salad lovers.
Now, let’s make a salad!
Step 1: Layer your greens and vegetables
Start with your base: greens, cabbage, kale, lettuce, and even brussels sprouts all do the trick. This layer will make up about 50% of the salad. Whatever you choose, cut it into small, bite-size pieces.
Next, add 4-5 additional ingredients, like:
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Carrots
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Bell Peppers
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Scallions
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Shaved Brussels Sprouts
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Fresh Herbs
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Cucumbers
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Avocado
These ingredients make up the other 50% of your salad. The most important thing is to cut everything to be the same size, so you get a little bit of everything in each bite.
Step 2: Add crunch and protein
Every good salad has a crunchy component to it. Here are a few of my favorites:
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Sesame Seeds
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Croutons
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Crispy Potatoes
If you want, top with protein! I love to use:
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Jammy Eggs
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Grilled Salmon
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Grilled Chicken
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Marinated Tofu
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Ribeye
Step 3: Make Homemade Dressing
Now, whisk together a homemade salad dressing. Here are a few of my favorite recipes, but remember—you can make it with whatever ingredients you love the most once you have the ratio down. All it takes is:
Mix together oil and acid in equal parts. I like olive oil and white vinegar, or you can mix and match:
Oil:
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Extra Virgin Olive Oil
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Toasted Sesame Oil
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Avocado Oil
Acid:
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Red Wine Vinegar
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White Vinegar
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Rice Vinegar
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Lemon Juice
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Lime Juice
Then add salt and pepper to taste. That’s all you really need for a basic vinaigrette! I normally add grated garlic cloves for extra flavor, nutritional yeast for creaminess, and herbs and spices to elevate the flavor profile. You can also add honey to balance some of the acidic bite.
Step 4: Assemble Your Salad
Toss everything together in the biggest bowl you can find and cover liberally with dressing. Mix it all together so each and every bite has dressing on it. Serve with chips or forks (your choice) and enjoy!