I’m going to start this post with a confession: I’m not really a salad person.
An ice cream person? Sure. White Claw person? You betcha!
Salad, well…I mean, I *like* them. (Does that count?)
And, having lived in 9 different states and 13 different cities in the past 11 years, I definitely have a handful restaurants around the country with salads that I get REALLY excited about.
But…as far as the ones I prepare in my own home? Ugh! Time consuming. Boring! Next thing I know, the same two salad kits are showing up on the dinner table every night, and the family is starting to get mutinous against at least one, (if not both) flavors from over-consumption.
I have to remember, though: Two previous generations of my family have made the pledge to never serve a meal at the dinner table without a salad, and I’m not going to be the slacker that let’s THAT tradition die.
So…back to the drawing board.
I started with a few goals:
- To have enough salad recipes to be able to eat more salads for lunch each week, without a lot of prep drama.
- To have salad recipes in my arsenal that I could easily throw together on a weeknight to satisfy the whole family
- To have enough of these recipes to avoid getting bored
After a few weeks of experimenting, I am proud to share these 5 weekday salads that we ALL get GENUINELY excited about!
We still have simple salads in our weeknight meal rotations (a handful of baby spinach, and a few chopped, fresh veggies, etc), but we have these in our rotation as well, and they’ve helped tremendously! I hope you and your family enjoy them too!
Best of all (and without even realizing it), I managed to create one of each:
Chicken, Beef, Pork, Seafood, and Vegetarian! Mixing up the meat options for each of these can add to the variety, as well!
1. Buffalo Chicken Cobb Salad
This recipe comes together the fastest, thanks to so many pre-made items at the grocery store. If you have a genuine “Buffalo Chicken Salad Kit”, you can start with that, but I have great luck just using a bag of Organic, Mixed greens.
Then, I add:
Diced, pre-cooked chicken (grilled or even from a leftover rotisserie works well, too!)
Chopped, Boiled eggs (I find these at Costco already cooked and peeled–easy!) Crumbled bacon (can be found in the deli section already cooked)
Chopped Avocado (You can buy this pre-diced and frozen at Costco!)
Crumbled blue cheese or Shredded Cheddar
Sliced Green onion or Chive (optional)
Dressing: Drizzle with Ranch and Franks’ Hot Sauce
2. Mexican salad
Again, if you have a kit that leans in this flavor direction, use it! (I’ve yet to go wrong with that), But even just some pre-chopped lettuce works great, too!
Add Ins:
Fresh made or leftover Taco Meat (mine is usually beef, but Chicken or pork taste great too!)
Black Beans (I love these) (Use sparingly if you are on Keto)
Frozen Corn (The Fireroasted corn at Trader Joe’s is AWESOME! -Again, just a sprinkle for flavor if you’re on keto)
Salsa (watch for sugar here, if you are on Keto. If you need a suggestion, try this)
Crumbled Cotija cheese or shredded Cheddar Cheese
Sliced, Black Olives
Sour Cream
Diced Avocado, or a dollop of Pre-Made Guacamole
Chopped Cilantro (Optional)
A drizzle of Ranch Dressing
Tip: I like to toss my greens in about ¾ of my dressing first, then put my toppings on, then drizzle the last ¼ dressing over the top
3. BBQ Ranch
There are a lot of BBQ Ranch salad kits, and if you are able to find one without too much sugar, I do find I enjoy the chopped texture with this recipe. H-E-B, for example, has a chopped salad kit that is yum! The majority of the sugar comes from the BBQ sauce, so I omit that pouch and use my own (try this one!) to control my carbs.
Then I Add:
Black Beans (Using sparingly, if you’re keto)
Frozen, Fire Roasted Corn (Again, sparingly if you’re keto)
Chopped Red Onion
Chopped, Pre-Cooked Bacon
Chopped Avocado (As you can see, even the giant pre-chopped frozen bags from Costco don’t last long in my house!)
Leftover Pulled pork, tossed with keto bbq sauce
RELATED POST: The 31 Best Keto Buys on Amazon That Will Make You Thin
4. Peanut Satay Shrimp Salad
If you can find an Asian Salad kit with a peanut dressing, definitely read the nutrition facts! Most, unfortunately, have way too many carbs, but occasionally you get lucky! Even still, the chopped salad base can be really flavorful: usually full of heart healthy cabbage and (if you’re lucky!) kale.
Omit the dressing and save for another use if it’s too carby, and try mixing up your own, using the recipe below!
The Salad:
Mixed greens of your choice
Toppings:
Pre-Cooked Shrimp (deveined, detailed)
Sliced Cucumber
Sliced Carrot
Chopped Green Onion and Cilantro (optional)
Peanuts- Chopped (if you’re ambitious, or if you’re in a hurry, like me, just sprinkle them on)
Quick & Easy Peanut Satay Dressing
- 1/3 cup peanut butter (sugar free!)
- 1.5 T rice wine vinegar
- 1 T soy sauce
- ½ tsp sriracha
- Juice from one lime
- 1-2 tsp Water as needed (to thin it)
- 1/4 tsp ginger
- 1 tsp minced garlic
- 1 tsp Sesame Oil (optional)
- Stevia drops and salt as desired (optional)
This recipe comes together fine if you want/need to quickly whisk it in a bowl, but also works well in a blender or nutribullet. Either way, it’s great to make in batches. If you do make enough for future servings, it keeps in the fridge for a few weeks.
5. Greek
This recipe is great vegetarian but is not keto that way (as written). If you omit the beans in exchange for grilled chicken, you are back on track for keto. It tastes delicious in both variations!
Start With:
Greek or Mediterrianian Salad Kit
Add:
Crumbled Feta (if kit doesn’t include it, or if you’d like extra to augment your protein)
Canned Cannellini or Garbanzo Beans (Omit and replace with chicken if you are strict keto)
A Few slices of red onion
2-4 Grape Tomatoes
Marinated Artichokes
Kalamata Olives
Sunflower Seeds
RELATED POST: Break Up With Keto Flu: The One Thing You Need To Know To Kick It Forever
6. Cesar Salad
Don’t over think it! Cesar Salad is essentially already made for you, and is keto-friendly, DELICIOUS! With already-cooked grilled chicken available in stores, this can be assembled in literal seconds, if need!
If I do decide to grill my own chicken, I always do it in batches and freeze it. That way, its always on hand (precooked and sliced) when I’m ready for a Caesar rotation!
Do you have any quick tricks for pulling off Keto Lunch Salads or Family Dinner Favorites? I’d love to hear them!
Want more keto ideas? Do NOT miss our list of AMAZING Keto treats you can find on amazon, and don’t forget to join our Happy Hour VIP Club! We have freebies and extras for all of life’s needs. 🙂
Cheers to GREAT Health!
Xoxo,
RELATED POST: How to Know If You’re Weighing Yourself Wrong (You’re Actually Skinnier, I Promise)
RELATED POST: Your Period Is Sabotaging You: What You Need to Know Will Make You Cringe
RELATED POST: How To Rescue Your Diet When It Seems Absolutely Helpless: 5 Simple Steps
