How to Make a Salad | The Mediterranean Dish (2024)

Never eat a boring salad again! Try these 5 pro tips for how to make a salad that is exciting, tasty, and extra satisfying. Whether you're making a green salad as a side or a grain salad that's perfect for dinner, these tips will help you make a delicious salad that is nutritious and packed with flavor.

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If you've read my book or have been around this site for any amount of time, you know how excited I get about a good salad that is packed with nutrition and flavor.

Are there rules for how to make a good salad? Not really. But you can consider this a simple guide to help you take your salad game to new heights and even turn salad into dinner whenever you don't feel like cooking.

Table of Contents
  1. 5 Tips for How to Make a Good Salad
    1. 1: Think Beyond Lettuce and Greens
    2. 2: Add Heft with Grains and Nuts
    3. 3: Add Beans or Other Proteins
    4. 4: Make Your Own Homemade Salad Dressing
    5. 5: Make it a Flavor Party
  2. Exciting, Delicious, Satisfying Salad Recipes
  3. Mediterranean Diet Starter Kit

5 Tips for How to Make a Good Salad

Here are a few ways to make a salad that is satisfying, exciting, and dare I say, far better than a restaurant-fancy salad. Try these tips and you'll never have a boring salad again:

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1: Think Beyond Lettuce and Greens

I do have my go-to lettuce salads like this Lemon Parmesan Lettuce Salad and this Greek lettuce salad with a good bit of feta cheese. But the salad world is so much more than lettuce! Think about adding vegetables and fruit of different colors and textures to give your salad some crunch and pack it with nutrition and flavor.

I love using everything from juicy tomatoes and cucumbers to celery and carrots, to grilled vegetables like grilled corn on the cob or grilled zucchini. And sometimes adding fruit is the way to go, like tart-sweet Granny Smith apples in a cabbage salad and citrus in beet salad with arugula. Heck, fruit can be the star, like in this watermelon salad.

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2: Add Heft with Grains and Nuts

A sure way to give your salad heft and make it even more texturally pleasing and satisfying is by adding grains and nuts. And it's also a good way to pack your salad with fiber and minerals.

Nearly any cooked grain of your choice can be used in a salad. I often use farro and barley because both grains are pleasantly nutty and somewhat chewy and are easy to cook ahead of time.

Nuts are another go-to for elevating the salad even a few notches more. A handful of toasted almonds or omega 3-rich walnuts will make a simple salad more nutritious, filling, and texturally satisfying.

This farro salad is a perfect example of a hearty grain salad that is a meal in its own right. All thanks to the layers of veggies and nuts!

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3: Add Beans or Other Proteins

Beans and legumes are a big part of the Mediterranean diet, and thankfully, they are some of the cheapest and most convenient pantry ingredients out there. And when all else fails, a protein-packed bean salad can easily be what's for dinner.

Make beans the star in a simple chickpea salad or mix beans with another protein for an extra satisfying Mediterranean-style salad, like this white bean and sardine salad.

Another fast way to turn a simple green salad is by adding your favorite protein on top. This Greek grilled chicken salad is a good example.

4: Make Your Own Homemade Salad Dressing

Save yourself the expense of store-bought salad dressings all while using higher quality ingredients with fewer preservatives. Plus, you can make your own salad dressing at home in less than five minutes!

Homemade salad dressing with citrus or vinegar and quality extra virgin olive oil as your base is a sure way to elevate your salad and give it that high-end restaurant finish.

Add fresh garlic or seasoning of your choice and whisk until well-emulsified. If you're not sure where to start, try one of these Mediterranean salad dressings:

  • Ladolemono (Lemony Greek Dressing)
  • Dijon Vinaigrette
  • Balsamic Vinaigrette
  • Green Goddess Dressing (for something extra herby)
  • Creamy Feta Dressing
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5: Make it a Flavor Party

Whether you make a green salad with mostly veggies and greens or a dinner salad that's hefty with grains and legumes, salad dressing is not the only way to add flavor. Here are three more ways to pack your salad with flavor:

  • Fresh herbs! I joke about how my friends call me the parsley queen. I buy and use more herbs than most people, and I think adding a good handful of fresh herbs to your salad is always a good thing.
  • Marinated vegetables, cheese, and other Mediterranean flavor makers. Dig in your fridge or pantry for things like sun-dried tomatoes, olives, artichoke hearts, pickled vegetables, or marinated vegetables like these easy-to-make marinated mushrooms. Add a handful of crumbled feta or a few shavings of nutty Pecorino Romano. I never mind a little something to amp up the flavor, and when I'm feeling indulgent, I just turn my antipasti into a salad.
  • Season. Season. Season! If nothing else, remember to taste your salad once you dress it and adjust the seasoning to your liking. Often, a salad that seems lacking can be easily improved with a pinch more salt or a dash of spicy Aleppo pepper, sumac, and maybe a splash more citrus!
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Mediterranean Diet Starter Kit

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How to Make a Salad | The Mediterranean Dish (12)

I'm Suzy; born and bred right on the shores of the Mediterranean. I'm all about easy, healthy recipes with big Mediterranean flavors. Three values guide my cooking: eat with the seasons; use whole foods; and above all, share! So happy you're here...
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How to Make a Salad | The Mediterranean Dish (2024)

FAQs

What is a Mediterranean salad made of? ›

I make my Mediterranean Chopped Salad with simple vegetables like tomatoes, cucumbers, and onions mixed with chickpeas, feta cheese, and olives and toss it all in an herby, lemony vinaigrette! All you have to do is chop all the ingredients, make the dressing, and then mix everything together right before you serve it.

What is Mediterranean dressing made of? ›

This basic homemade Greek dressing or sauce is made up of a few key ingredients: lemon juice and olive oil, with garlic and dried oregano, whisked together until emulsified. The basic ratio to make ladolemono is 1:3--one part lemon juice to three part excellent extra virgin olive oil.

What is a traditional Greek salad made of? ›

A traditional Greek salad consists of sliced cucumbers, tomatoes, green bell pepper, red onion, olives, and feta cheese. This classic combination is delicious, so I stick to it, just adding a handful of mint leaves for a fresh finishing touch.

What is Greek salad dressing made of? ›

What's in a Greek Salad Dressing? A traditional Greek salad dressing is really a Greek vinaigrette as it contains olive oil, red wine vinegar, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, minced garlic cloves, dried oregano (the key ingredient) and salt and pepper.

What are the key ingredients in Mediterranean dishes? ›

Thanks to its geography, there are some staple Mediterranean ingredients that cross borders and feature in most local cooking, including plenty of fresh fruit and veg, such as tomatoes, aubergines and lemons; garlic, onions and fresh, aromatic herbs; as well as extra virgin olive oil, nuts, super-fresh seafood, meat, ...

What is the difference between a Greek and Mediterranean salad? ›

The primary difference lies in the use of specific ingredients. While both salads incorporate fresh vegetables and olive oil, Greek salad is characterized by the addition of feta cheese and Kalamata olives, giving it a uniquely Greek flavour.

Is it okay to eat a Greek salad every day? ›

It is rich in vitamin A, vitamin C, potassium, and iron. It also contains ingredients full of phytonutrients and antioxidants, such as oil and onion, which reduce the risk of cancer and heart disease. We suggest adding this low-fat superfood to your everyday diet!

How do you keep Greek salad from getting soggy? ›

To keep the salad from getting soggy, ensure the jar is stored upright in the refrigerator to help keep the dressing away from the tender greens.

What is a substitute for red onion in Greek salad? ›

Red Onions: Thinly sliced red onion adds a needed bite and balance to this salad. Try not to substitute in a white or yellow onion since it has less natural sweetness. If you need a substitute, use shallots. Green Pepper: Bell peppers add some added crunch and sweetness to this salad.

Is balsamic vinegar Mediterranean? ›

Similar to olive oil, balsamic vinegar holds a revered place in both Italian and Mediterranean culinary traditions. It serves not only as a standalone condiment but also as a versatile accompaniment to a wide array of dishes.

What is the healthiest dressing to put on your salad? ›

6 healthy salad dressings you can make in less than 3 minutes
  • Classic lemon and olive oil. This is a very easy dressing that is good with strong-flavoured leaf salads, such as rocket or kale. ...
  • Lime and chilli dressing. ...
  • Simple balsamic vinaigrette. ...
  • Raspberry vinaigrette. ...
  • Creamy cucumber dressing. ...
  • Creamy mint dressing.

What carbs are in a Greek salad? ›

Greek salad, with spinach, lettuce, feta cheese, tomatoes, cucumber, olives (1 cup) contains 4g total carbs, 2.6g net carbs, 7g fat, 2g protein, and 82 calories.

What does a Mediterranean menu consist of? ›

The Mediterranean diet puts a higher focus on plant foods than many other diets. Foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes are main ingredients in meals and snacks. Meals may include small portions of fish, meat, or eggs. People often cook with olive oil and add herbs and spices for flavor.

What vegetables are considered Mediterranean? ›

Vegetables common to the traditional Mediterranean Diet include: artichokes, arugula, beets, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrots, celery, celeriac, chicory, collard greens, cucumbers, dandelion greens, eggplant, fennel, kale, leeks, lemons, lettuce, mache, mushrooms, mustard greens, nettles, okra, onions (red, ...

What is Mediterranean made of? ›

Mediterranean cuisine is full of exciting flavours, from fresh and peppery herbs, to tangy and salty cheeses. The Mediterranean diet is considered one of the world's healthiest diets, and is high in vegetables, fruits, legumes, fish and unsaturated fats like olive oil.

What does a Mediterranean diet include? ›

A Mediterranean-style diet is based on these foods: • vegetables • fruits • extra virgin olive oil • wholegrain breads and cereals • legumes or beans (e.g. chickpeas, kidney beans or lentils) • nuts and seeds • fish and seafood • onion, garlic and other herbs and spices (e.g. oregano, coriander, cumin etc.)

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