Sometimes I get stuck in a salad rut. I have my favorites (I’m talking to you Newmans’ light balsamic, feta cheese and spinach) that I often depend on and forget to switch things up. This week, though, I tried to mix things up enough to keep our taste buds interested, but without having to buy a ton of extra ingredients. I created salads that even satisfied the man of the house, and to me, that’s success!
Buffalo Chicken Salad
Chopped romaine, shredded carrots, shredded sharp white cheddar, cucumbers, avocado, red onion with grilled chicken and buffalo ranch (mix ranch dressing and Texas Pete’s WING sauce)
Salmon Salad
A mixture of baby spinach and chopped romaine, red onion, diced grape tomatoes, cucumbers, feta, chopped fresh parsley and grilled salmon with Newman’s Own Light Balsamic vinaigrette
Spicy Shrimp Salad
Chopped romaine, black beans, diced grape tomatoes, red onion, avocado, feta, chopped fresh cilantro and spicy grilled shrimp served with buffalo ranch. Add diced pickled jalapenos for even more kick!
Chicken Caesar Salad
Chopped romaine, diced grape tomatoes and shredded carrots tossed in Newmans’ Caesar dressing, topped with grilled chicken and a sprinkle of parmesan cheese.
Southwestern Steak
Salad
Chopped romaine, diced red onion, sauteed onions and bell peppers, Mexi corn (from the can, rinsed), topped with grilled sirloin, spicy guacamole, sour cream, salsa and cilantro.
I’m always looking for new ideas…
What is your favorite salad combo?
Amanda @ Sistas of Strength says
I love mixed greens, grilled chicken, avocado, roasted butternut squat, dried cranberries and walnuts. YUM!
Tina @ Best Body Fitness says
These all look SO tasty!! I’m loving the southwestern and buffalo ones. I just saved this link to share in my link round up post next week.
Brittany says
Thanks so much, Tina! I’m quite obsessed with the buffalo. I could eat every meal with a side of buffalo sauce!
Stefanie says
I think I should stop reading your blog first thing in the morning… I’m hungry now!! 😉
Avery @ Texas Teen Keeps Lean says
Ooooo yuuummm!!! I’m one of those people that when I make a salad, EVERYTHING goes in. But my favorite add-ins are mushrooms, chicken (or tuna), salsa, corn, baby carrots, and pico de gallo. Mmm… 🙂
Kelly says
Seriously…open a resturant…NOW! Loved the Buff Chicken one, I’m making that next week!
Jen says
LOVE buffalo chicken salad! I also toss in crunched tortilla chips to make it more like nachos! Now I know what I’m having for lunch 😉
Kaitlyn @Keeping up with Kaitlyn says
These all sound really great! Thank you for sharing!!
Maria says
There’s this amazing shredded chicken Mexican salad from a local Mexican place that I’m definitely having for lunch today! It has romaine, marinated (and juicy) shredded chicken, roasted corn, pepitas, jack cheese, tortilla strips and salsa of your choice. I absolutely love it and now cannot wait until lunch!
Sherry says
Yum! They all look delicious. I just want someone else to make them for me—guess I’m just lazy!
Keri says
I made this yesterday, and it was awesome: spinach, chopped plum, chicken, walnuts, and crumbled goat cheese. The dressing was homemade: red wine vinegar, olive oil, honey, salt and pepper. I woke up this morning wanting it again for breakfast!
Lauren B. says
Mmmmm… Those look so good! I definitely get in a salad rut, so these are some wonderful ideas. My favorite salad is probably a Cobb, but lately I’ve been loving using all of my farmers’ market fruits to make a fruit and chicken salad with goat cheese.
Roz@weightingfor50 says
These look great Brittany. I’m a big fan of any salad with fruit in it. I love the sweet, salty combo. Have a wonderful Friday.
Erin @ The Grass Skirt says
Love this post. I am a salad freak! Lately, I love mine with salmon, romaine, artichoke hearts, green olives, tomatoes, red onions, and roasted red peppers. I also recently made this and it was fantastic!
http://thegrassskirtblog.com/2012/07/18/another-new-haircut-arugula-and-chicken-salad-recipe/
Elizabeth says
I love salads too and have recently started making my own to cut back on spending. I think a dressing makes the salad so I’m always looking for new ideas. Gonna try your buffalo ranch, I know my hubby would approve of that one.
Do you grill your chicken right before or do you make ahead for the week? My salads always lack protein because it takes long and with baby around I don’t have much time.
Miranda @ Biting Life says
Yum! That salmon salad and the shrimp salad both look delicious!!
Kristen @ notsodomesticated says
LOVE all of these ideas!! I like doing something similar to the buffalo chicken salad, except I use a combo of BBQ sauce and ranch. So yummy! 🙂
Vicky@little baby, big city says
Cherry tomatoes sliced in half, raw fresh corn, thinly sliced red onion, Avocado in chunks or slices, sometimes red, orange and yellow peppers sliced tossed with a little fresh ground salt, olive oil and really good balsamic…. If I need a protein I just toss some quinoa in there! So so good, I could eat a huge bowl for dinner!
Carrie@FamilyFitnessFood.com says
These are gorgeous. I always feel like I’m a ‘kitchen sink’ kind of salad maker. I think I need to practice a little more finesse in my salad making and they’ll be so much more amazing.
Matt @ The Athlete's Plate says
I eat a salad everyday so I know what it feels like to be in a rut! My favorite is a spinach base with grape tomatoes, apples, walnuts, blue cheese, and either salmon or chicken.
Danielle @ Clean Food Creative Fitness says
What a great post! I’m always looking for new salad idea! All of these look fabulous!
Amy Ramos says
YUM! With the temperature rising, this will hit the spot.
I am having a cold Chicken Soba Noodle salad I picked up from Trader Joe’s that I can easly re-create. That might add variety to your salad mixtures!