How To Make Good Salad

From Sad to SUPER here is an ultimate guide to make a good salad that you will actually appreciate and eat.

Estimated reading time: 7 minutes

Jump to:

• Dressing: The Soul of Your Salad
• Assembling Your Salad
• My Tried and True Tips

Let’s face it, we’ve all been there: a limp, uninspired salad that tastes dull and boring. A well-constructed salad is a symphony of textures, flavours, and nutrients that can stand proudly as the star of your plate.

With a few key principles, smart ingredients, and pro techniques, you can transform your boring salads into a sexy dish.

Here are my few key tips on how to make a good salad.

Beyond Iceberg: The Green Foundation:

While iceberg has its place, the world of greens is vast and exciting! Don’t limit yourself.

• Choose Wisely: Opt for crisp, vibrant greens and firm, unblemished vegetables. If your greens are wilting in the store, they’ll only get worse at home.
• Wash and Dry Thoroughly: Wet greens lead to soggy salads and diluted dressings. A salad spinner is your best friend here. If you don’t have one, lay greens on a clean kitchen towel and gently roll them to absorb excess moisture.

Category	Salad Greens	Hina’s Tip
Soft and Tender	Spring Mix / Mesclun Baby Spinach Butter Lettuce Green Leaf Lettuce Red Leaf Lettuce	These are great for delicate flavours.
Crisp & Hearty	Romaine Lettuce Iceberg Lettuce Radicchio Endive	These hold up well to robust dressings and heavier toppings.
Peppery & Pungent	Arugula (Rocket) Mustard Greens Watercress	Add a fantastic bite and complexity. Strong, spicy, and peppery.
Unique Additions	Kale (massaged) Collard Greens (thinly shredded)	Earthy, slightly bitter. Best when very thinly shredded.

The Supporting Cast: Vegetables

This is where you bring in colour, crunch, and a wealth of nutrients. Think beyond the usual suspects. Roasting or grilling some vegetables adds a fantastic depth of flavour and sweetness that raw veggies can’t replicate.

Category	Vegetables	Hina’s Tip
Crunchy & Fresh	Cucumber Bell Peppers (all colors) Carrots Celery Radishes Jicama	Slice, dice, or even spiralize for visual appeal.
Sweet & Juicy	Cherry Tomatoes (halved) Corn (fresh/grilled) Apples (sliced/diced) Pears (sliced/diced) Grapes (halved) Oranges/Grapefruit (segments)	Burst of sweetness and juiciness especially good when grilled or roasted. Pairs well with nuts and cheese.
Earthy & Hearty	Broccoli florets (raw/steamed) Cauliflower florets (raw/roasted) Red Onion (thinly sliced) Scallions / Green Onions Olives (various types) Beets (roasted/pickled)	Nutritious and provides a good bite. Sweet, earthy, and vibrantly colored.
Roasted/Cooked Veg	Roasted Butternut Squash/Sweet Potato Roasted Asparagus Blanched Green Beans Artichoke Hearts (canned/marinated)	Fantastic warm addition with natural caramelized sweetness.

The Protein Choices: Making it a Meal

To make your salad truly satisfying and filling, add a good source of protein.

Category	Protein choices	Hina’s Tip
Poultry/Meat	Grilled Chicken Breast Rotisserie Chicken Lean Ground Beef/Turkey Hard-Boiled Eggs Grilled Steak	Slice, dice, or even shred them. Classic, simple, and satisfying.
Seafood	Grilled Salmon (flaked) Grilled Shrimp/Prawns Canned Tuna/Salmon	Burst of sweetness and juiciness, rich in omega-3s, delicious warm or cold.
Dairy	Paneer (Indian Cottage Cheese)	Nutritious and creamy.
Vegan	Chickpeas Black/Red/White Beans Lentils (cooked) Edamame (shelled) Tofu/Tempeh	Excellent crunch and protein with a earthy taste.

The Fat Factor: Healthy and Flavourful

Don’t shy away from healthy fats – they add richness, satiety, and help your body absorb fat-soluble vitamins.

• Avocado: Creamy, delicious, and full of healthy fats.
• Nuts: Almonds, walnuts, pecans, pistachios. Toast them lightly for enhanced flavour.
• Seeds: Pumpkin seeds (pepitas), sunflower seeds, chia seeds, flax seeds.
• Cheese: Crumbled feta, goat cheese, blue cheese, shaved Parmesan, fresh mozzarella balls (bocconcini). Choose high-quality cheeses.

The X-Factor: Texture & Zing!

These are the elements that elevate your salad from good to gourmet.

• Croutons: Homemade are always superior to store-bought! Toss bread cubes with olive oil, salt, pepper, and herbs, then bake or pan-fry until golden.
• Fresh Herbs: A handful of fresh parsley, cilantro, mint, basil, or dill can completely transform the flavor profile. Don’t underestimate their power.
• Dried Fruit: Cranberries, cherries, apricots – adds a touch of sweetness.
• Something Pickled: Pickled red onions, jalapeños, or even capers add a wonderful tang and cut through richness.
• Sprouts: Alfalfa, clover, mung bean, or broccoli sprouts add a delicate crunch and extra nutrients.
• Microgreens like radish, mustard or watercress make a salad more nutritious.

Dressing: The Soul of Your Salad

Dressing binds the salad together. Ditch the store-bought bottles that are often loaded with sugar and unhealthy oils. Making your own dressing is incredibly easy and tastes infinitely better.

Here are my few tips related to salad dressing:

• Whisk Vigorously: Or shake in a jar until emulsified.
• Taste and Adjust: Always taste your dressing before adding it to the salad. Does it need more acid? More salt? A touch of sweetness?
• Dress Lightly: It’s better to add less and add more later. You don’t want to drown your beautiful ingredients.
• Dress Right Before Serving: Especially for delicate greens, to prevent sogginess.

Assembling Your Salad

Don’t just dump everything in a bowl! Thoughtful layering is the highlight of a good salad.

1. Greens First: Create a bed of your chosen greens.
2. Hardier Veggies: Add your chopped cucumbers, carrots, bell peppers, etc.
3. Proteins & Fats: Distribute your chicken, chickpeas, avocado, nuts, and cheese evenly.
4. Delicate Items & Garnish: Add cherry tomatoes, fresh herbs, croutons, or crispy onions last so they don’t get crushed.
5. Drizzle & Toss: Drizzle with dressing just before serving. Use tongs to gently toss, ensuring every ingredient gets a light coating.

Salad Recipes

• Avocado Salad
• Pineapple Salad
• Kale Apple Salad
• Herb Potato Salad
• Green Barley Salad
• Green Papaya Salad
• Greek Orzo Pasta Salad
• Korean Cucumber Salad

Get all my Salad Recipes here and you can watch the videos on Instagram.