Bagged salads are a great way to get in a nutritious meal without needing to spend lots of time preparing it. There are plenty of salad kits out there, with some featuring built-in toppings and dressing or pre-washed salad blends. The best part about them? They are customizable and can be elevated by using different ingredients that turn an appetizer into a full meal. Check out these six salad kit upgrades now.
6. Nuts
Starting our list of salad kit upgrades is nuts. Every salad needs a little bit of crunch, whether that’s croutons, seeds, or nuts. Nuts are a great way to get some extra protein and nutrients in your meals. Plus, you can get seasoned nuts for a little more flavor in each bite. Great choices include almonds, walnuts, and pecans.
5. Cheese
Fifth on our list of salad kit upgrades is cheese. Many salad kits don’t include cheese, as it can be tricky to package. Most often, if there’s cheese in your salad kit, it will be some flakes of Parmesan. With so many cheese options out there, you can customize your cheese to the type of salad kit. For instance, use pepper Jack with a Southwestern salad, feta on a Mediterranean salad, or goat cheese mixed into a kale salad.
4. Turn into a Wrap
Next on our list of salad kit upgrades is turning the kit into a wrap. It’s a great way to take your salad on the go, and you can choose various types of “wrap” materials like tortilla, pita, lavash bread, or even collard green leaves. And, if you want to go all out with your salad kit wrap, add some avocado slices, grilled veggies, or some lunch meat to make a complete meal.
3. Grains
Rounding out the top three salad kit upgrades is grains. If you need an addition to your salad to stay satiated until the next meal, add in some fiber-packed grains. Mix in some cooked quinoa, farro, or bulgur to provide a slightly nutty taste. Just a little bit of grains in your salad will keep you fueled through the rest of your day. Plus, the grains will soak up your dressing, giving you extra pops of flavor with each bite.
2. Beans
Second on our list of salad kit upgrades is beans. Similar to grains, beans are a quick and inexpensive way to add protein to your salad and stay full for longer. Chickpeas are a great option in Caesar, Mediterranean, and ranch salads, while black beans may be better in Southwestern salad kits. Other beans to consider adding to your salad include cannellini beans. Always remember to rinse and drain your beans before adding.
1. Meat
Last but not least on our list of salad kit upgrades is meat. The best source of protein, salads are often adorned with some, whether it’s from the land or sea. Leftovers or freshly cooked meat work great on salads, with options including chicken, salmon, canned tuna, ham, or shrimp. Plus, you can add some hard-boiled eggs for even more protein.