What are the Five Main Salad Types?
When you go to make your perfect salad, you might want to take these into consideration along with the types to create a well-rounded meal. Who really wants to have just a plain boring salad, whether it be the main attraction or just a side there is no reason to settle for anything less than the perfect salad.
To begin with the most known type, which are green salads and vegetable salads. They are recognized for being mainly some form of leafy green or lettuce.
Other salads include those made of pasta legumes or beans and even some that are grains. Mixed salads incorporating meat or seafood for instance, egg salad and even a chicken salad.
You can’t forget fruit salads which are great for breakfast or even a healthy dessert. I always reach for fruit when I have sugar cravings it is by far better than eating something like chocolate or icecream.
That Perfect Salad
There are a few things you want to remember, and they are these six main points you will want to include in your perfect salad. It will turn your salads into a delicious meal that will leave you fulfilled and satisfied. So here are the key points you will want to use to help you build your perfect salad. One that is tailored for your family and yourself.
Base
Base
This is usually a leafy green whether it be iceberg, butterhead, romaine, and other leafy greens such as arugula or spinach.
Texture
Cucumber, peppers, or carrots add the bit of crunch.
Softness
These ones add smoothness, avocado, tomato, or sweet potato.
A Nice Spike
Pepperoncini, Red chili flakes, ground black pepper or sriracha. I like the flakes or pepperoncini because it’s a sneaky bit of kick hiding away until you find it.
Protein
This can be meatless like nuts or tofu, you could use meat, personally I prefer chicken or steak.
Dressing
Sky is the limit. Keep in mind you want it to blend with the rest of your salad. Vinaigrettes are a wonderful way to cut down on calories than a creamy or yogurt-based dressing.
Perfect Salad Recipes for You to Check Out.
I gathered a list of examples for you to look through to give you a better idea on different salads. Salads totally do not have to be boring, have fun exploring the different flavour profiles and textures.
Simple Italian Salad
One of the easiest salads is made with lettuce, ripe tomatoes, red onion, crunchy croutons, Parmesan cheese and pepperoncini’s. All of these healthy greens then gets tossed in an Italian vinaigrette for a perfect salad. You’re going to want to eat it on the regular.
Thai Chicken Mason Jar Salad with Peanut Dressing
Easy to make and full of flavor this is the perfect salad to make ahead for work or a to go meal. It’s a delicious salad full of cucumbers, carrots, edamame, shredded chicken all with a delicious peanut dressing.
Arugula Salad with Pears and Goat Cheese
Super simple and absolutely delectable, this salad is great to have when you want a salad with something sweet. It also uses two types of cheese the other being blue cheese which goes amazing with the pears and walnuts. Red onions add a bit of a savory bite.
Roasted Beet Salad with Goat Cheese
Great as a side dish or just a fancy starter. Some people love beets others like my husband usually try to avoid them with vigor. I like how these are roasted which I find makes the beets taste sweeter. Sure, they take a while to roast but I think it is so worth is for this perfect salad.
Spinach Strawberry Salad with Balsamic Poppy Seed Dressing
I wont lie this is my favorite summer salad that is usually made to go with grilled meats such as balsamic chicken breast or nackensteak (neck steak from a pig). I love the combination of strawberries and feta they just go so well together and the balsamic dressing ties it up well.
Kale Cranberry Feta Salad
I love Cranberries, doesn’t matter is they are fresh, dried, or turned into a sauce these tart berries light up my taste buds. When I was living in Massachusetts every year there was a cranberry festival that I would always look forward to each fall. This salad reminds me of those fall times and brings a smile to my face.
German Potato Salad
There are two differences between American and German Potato Salad. Whereas American potato salad is usually tossed in a mayonnaise-based or sour cream dressing and served cold. German potato salad mixed in a vinegar-based dressing, and it is oftentimes served warm. Usually including speck. Speck is smoked or pickled pork belly which is very similar to bacon. It is also used in some cabbage recipes.
Cabbage and Speck Salad
You can totally use regular bacon or prosciutto instead of speck to make this warm salad, it makes a great side with roasted meats or even a well-cooked poultry dish. It is quick and easy. Plus, it’s always so much fun to try to make something new for your family or yourself. This dish is healthy also.