Chopped salads are one of my favorite ways to enjoy fresh vegetables and fruits. They are easy to make, customizable, and satisfying. Plus, they are packed with nutrients and fiber that keep you feeling full and energized.
A chopped salad is basically a salad where all the ingredients are cut into small pieces and tossed together. This makes every bite flavorful and crunchy. You can use any combination of greens, veggies, fruits, nuts, seeds, cheese, protein, and dressing that you like. The possibilities are endless!
Here are some tips on how to make a chopped salad that you will love:
Start with a base of leafy greens. You can use any kind of lettuce, spinach, kale, cabbage, or other greens that you enjoy. Wash and dry them well, then chop them into bite-sized pieces. You will need about 4 cups of greens for one large salad or two small ones.
Add some veggies and fruits. You can use fresh, frozen, canned, or dried ones Some favorites are tomatoes, cucumbers, carrots, bell peppers, corn, peas, avocado, apples, pears, grapes, berries, and dried cranberries. Chop them into small pieces and add them to the greens. You will need about 2 cups of veggies and fruits for one large salad or two small ones.
Add some protein and cheese. You can use cooked chicken, turkey, ham, bacon, eggs, tofu, beans, lentils, chickpeas, or
any other protein that you like. Cut them into small pieces, and add them to the salad. You can also add some cheese if you want. I like feta, goat cheese, cheddar, mozzarella, or parmesan. You will need about 1 cup of protein and 1/4 cup of cheese for one large salad or two small ones.
Add some nuts and seeds. You can use almonds, walnuts, pecans, pistachios, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, or any other nuts and seeds that you like. Chop them coarsely and sprinkle them over the salad. They add crunch and healthy fats to your salad. You will need about 1/4 cup of nuts and seeds for one large salad or two small ones.
Add some dressing. You can use store-bought or homemade dressing. Some of my favorites are balsamic vinaigrette, lemon vinaigrette, honey mustard dressing, ranch dressing, or yogurt dressing. Drizzle it over the salad and toss well to coat everything evenly. You will need about 1/4 cup of dressing for one large salad or two small ones.
And that’s it! You have a delicious and healthy chopped salad that you can enjoy as a main course or a side dish. You can also make it ahead of time and store it in the fridge for up to 3 days. Just keep the dressing separate until it’s time to have the salad.
Enjoy!