I suck at salad bars. Inevitably, I end up throwing together way too many ingredients that just don’t mesh, resulting in a mushy mishmash of flavors and textures.
Believe it or not, green olives, corn, feta cheese and tuna seemed like a good idea at the time. I’ve since learned that just because the ingredients are appealing on their own doesn’t mean they create a coherent salad. But if you stick with a singular focus and opt for fewer flavorful ingredients, you’ll end up with a well-rounded salad that’s actually worth eating.
To help you get started on your journey to building a better salad, we’ve rounded up some unique salad ingredients to wake up even the most uninspired salad. No dried cranberries or slivered almonds here. These salad toppings are full of flavor and will add an extra oomph to your bowl of greens. Whether it’s crunch from savory granola, creaminess from a soft-boiled egg or a citrusy tang from preserved lemon — these salad toppers will rock your lunch.
Furikake
If you're not familiar with furikake, get acquainted. This Japanese seasoning consists of dried seaweed, sesame seeds, dried fish, sugar, salt and MSG. It's full of flavor and adds just the right amount of umami funk to any salad.
Jammy Egg
A jammy soft-boiled egg can instantly elevate a lackluster salad. Just boil an egg for about six-and-half minutes to get that perfect gooey interior.
Toasted Buckwheat Groats
Toasted buckwheat adds a nice nutty crunch to a boring salad. Plus, it's gluten-free!
Savory Granola
Savory granola makes for a great crouton substitute in salads. Check out Alison Roman's recipe in her cookbook Dining In.
Chili Oil
Chili oil is super-versatile. It not only packs a fiery punch, but has great texture and crunch from toasted sesame seeds and chili flakes. Drizzle it over salads, cold noodles or even soups.
Roasted Chickpeas
Roasted chickpeas add a delightful protein-packed crunch to salads. Roast them with your favorite spices, like smoked paprika, cumin, garlic powder or even just salt and pepper — they're delicious.
Fresh Herbs
While this next topping isn't exactly revolutionary, it is underutilized. Fresh herbs add so much flavor to salads. Try adding fresh basil, mint or cilantro to your next salad and see what a world of difference it makes.
Preserved Lemon
Ready to wake up your senses? Try adding thinly sliced preserved lemon to your salad. The tangy lemon adds a wonderful punch of citrusy flavor.
Pickled Radishes
Perfectly sweet and tangy, pickled radishes add a ton of flavor and crunch to a boring bowl of greens.
Crispy Panko Breadcrumbs
Toast panko breadcrumbs and garlic in olive oil to give you that crouton-style crunch perfect for a kale Caesar. Make a big batch, and you'll have crispy breadcrumbs ready to sprinkle on salads all week long.
Leave a Comment