The Best Salad Toppings

I’ve been on a salad with dinner kick recently. Trying to add more fruits and veggies to our evening meals, salads are an obvious choice. I’ve learned in life there are salads and there are salads. Besides the lettuce, it all comes down to having the best salad topping combinations…

Watermelon Arugula Salad

Iceberg lettuce with dried shreds of carrot and cabbage smothered in some dressing is not appealing in my book – more crunch and calories than anything healthy or tasty.

Then there are salads that are fork-licking good and you think about for days. And it really all comes down to the salad fixings that make it memorable or forgettable.

Fall Salad with Chicken Sausage

I realize I get a bit more excited about a good salad than some (most?) people, but I really think we can all enjoy a healthy salad if it looks appealing.

Getting a good color combination sounds somewhat silly when talking about food, but you eat with your eyes first. Then again getting the best salad topping combinations really does take your dish from a mix of ingredients to a presentation. 

Cumin Roasted Veggie Salad

Salad Topping Ideas

The first step is visual – so get colorful. To top your lettuce, you want a combination of colors – lighter, darker, and bolder. 

Since lettuces are green, you’ll want to brighten your dish by adding something red, something white/pale, and something orange/yellow. Here are a few tasty options for each…

Red Salad Toppings

• tomatoes
• red bell peppers
• kidney beans
• beets
• strawberries/cherries
• dried cranberries
• pomegranate seeds
• fresh figs (cut open)

White Salad Toppings

• goat/burrata/feta cheese
• sesame seeds
• quinoa
• croutons
• cucumbers
• roasted potatoes
• sliced apples
• toasted/roasted nuts

Orange & Yellow Salad Toppings

• orange/yellow bell peppers
• roasted butternut squash
• roasted sweet potatoes
• carrots
• heirloom tomatoes
• mango
• fresh corn
• citrus (e.g. oranges)

Orange Vinaigrette

Mixing Consistencies

After you get the colors figured out, you’ll want to get the right consistency mix. If we all had to pick a favorite salad topping, most of us would probably pick something crunchy – croutons or nuts.

That crunch provides such a great contrast to the lettuce leaves that it makes the whole vegetable situation worthwhile, right?

And make sure you’re storing your lettuce correctly to preserve freshness!

The key to really taking your salad to the next level, however, is getting a combination of consistencies. Besides something crunchy (usually nuts or seeds for us), I add one or two things that are softer and don’t require much chewing – my favorites are roasted squash and sweet potato.

Your salad will be over the top delicious adding in cheese and fresh/dried fruit since they each add their own level of consistency to the whole situation.

Crunchy Salad Toppings

• toasted/roasted nuts
• salted pumpkin seeds
• salted pistachios
• sesame seeds
• pomegranate seeds
• croutons
• fried garlic slices
• raw veggies – finely chopped
• crumbled tortilla chips

Soft Salad Toppings

• roasted butternut squash
• artichoke hearts
• chickpeas
• kidney beans
• roasted sweet potatoes
• roasted potatoes
• quinoa/farro/orzo
• hard boiled egg
• peas

Salad Topping Ideas

• fresh berries
• halved grapes (roasted grapes or raw)
• fresh peach slices
• anjou pears/apples
• dried cranberries
• sun dried tomatoes
• goat/burrata/feta cheese
• avocado
• fresh herbs

Protein Toppings

Looking to add protein. Hard-boiled eggs, chicken sausage (fully-cooked), and chicken bites are great for easy protein!!

I’m also a big fan of making something like this kidney bean salad recipe and then just enjoying it atop lettuce!

What’s In Season?

One of the best ways to enjoy a salad is to add a ripe, seasonal fruit or vegetable to your salad. Check out these comprehensive lists of what’s in season year round!

What’s in Season in Spring?

What’s in Season in Summer?

What’s in Season in Fall?

What’s in Season in Winter?

Try more of my complete salad recipes and summer salad ideas or save some from my salad Pinterest board here!

Wondering if you should buy organic or conventional lettuce? This article breaks down what you actually need to buy organic!