How to Jazz Up Store-Bought Salad Kits
We’re sharing how to jazz up store-bought salad kits today!
As some of you know, I’ve been on a health and wellness journey these past few years.
It all started when I got Covid and Strep at the same time and had an allergic reaction to one of the medications that made me incredibly sick.
Then earlier this year, despite having no family history of breast cancer, a second aunt was diagnosed and my Mom has been dealing with a healthcare issue as well.
While it’s been a lot to deal with everything happening at the same time, it’s allowed my sisters, cousins and I to dive deeper into our genetics and have additional medical testing completed.
It has also allowed us to reevaluate everything from what we eat to the products we use to clean our homes.
One of the biggest things I’ve continued to prioritize during this time is eating more fruits and vegetables as well as incorporating more protein and fiber into my diet.
I love salads but they can get really boring really quickly.
So, I wanted to share how to jazz up store-bought salad kits in case you’re also looking for a simple way to elevate them.
As always, it’s best to speak to your doctor or healthcare provider about your dietary needs and any underlying medical conditions. I am not a doctor or a dietician. I’m simply sharing my personal experience. Given we’re all unique, your needs and preferences will likely vary from mine so it’s always best to follow up with your healthcare provider.
How to Jazz Up Store-Bought Salad-Kits…
We primarily shop at Spouts, Publix or Fresh Market where they sell Taylor Farms chopped salad kits.
Most grocery stores probably sell something similar.
Once a week (sometimes twice), we batch cook or grill a protein source to go in the salads, usually chicken or shrimp.
Avocado Ranch Chopped Salad Kit
I recently had the avocado ranch chopped salad kit, so I wanted to share how I jazzed it up.
As you can see from the label, the bag contains green cabbage, romaine lettuce, carrots, green onions and cilantro as a base.
I added arugula, shredded carrots,
tomatoes,
chicken we grilled with mesquite seasoning and avocado.
Salad kits usually include a few extra things.
For example, the avocado ranch chopped salad kit had crispy corn, taco blend cheese, and avocado ranch dressing.
I personally choose to skip these extras and use a different dressing, but have a loved one that has enjoyed them.
You can choose what is right for you.
Mexican Street Corn Chopped Salad Kit
Another favorite is the Mexican street corn chopped salad kit.
It has green leaf lettuce, broccoli stalk, red and savoy cabbage, carrots and green onion as a base.
I add grilled chicken with mesquite seasoning, black beans, arugula, extra shredded carrots, and tomatoes.
Again, it comes with crispy corn, cornbread crumbles, parmesan and a creamy elote dressing but I usually skip those too.
Mango Lemonade Chopped Salad Kit
The mango lemonade chopped salad kit has romaine lettuce and radicchio as a base.
It also has sweetened crouton crumbles, dried mango, almonds and mango lemonade dressing but again, I skip these extras.
Instead, I added lemon pepper grilled chicken, avocado, peaches, feta and balsamic vinaigrette.
Mediterranean Crunch Chopped Salad Kit
The mediterranean crunch chopped salad kit has escarole, endive, broccoli stalks, cauliflower, radicchio, carrots and red cabbage.
It also comes with feta, crispy flatbread sticks, and basil balsamic vinaigrette.
To jazz up this store-bought salad kit, I added lemon pepper shrimp, garbanzo beans, olives, cucumbers and tomatoes.
Dressings and Crackers
One of the best parts about eating a salad is the crunch that comes from a side of crackers and salad dressing.
I’ll be honest, finding healthy-ish alternatives that actually taste good has not been easy.
So, if you’re also on the hunt, consider checking out Simple Mills and Primal Kitchen products.
You still need to read through all the ingredients and nutritional labels as each product varies but they’ve made our “small swap” goals a little easier.
Things to Keep in Mind…
While utilizing salad kits like these have helped add more variety to our diets, saved us time meal prepping, and helped us cut down on food waste, they also come with a lot of little single use plastic bags.
So, keep that in mind if you decide to use these.
That way, you can offset using plastic in other areas throughout the week.
As always, we hope this simple idea has helped!
Let us know your favorite way to jazz up store bought salad kits.
I have a salad almost every day and I’m always looking for fresh ways to add variety to our diets.
Other Quick and Easy Food Ideas to Explore:
How to Save Time with Smoothie Prep Packets
A Simple Breakfast Grazing Board
Decorating a Store Bought Cake
Many blessings,
CoCo
PS: If you’re looking for meal plan ideas, you can find our monthly meal plans here and how to meal plan by the month here.
You are right CoCo, it is difficult to find foods that taste good, but that are good for us too. We love salads here, I cannot have crackers or croutons, so I add sunflower seeds to my salads, it gives me that crunch I crave. I wish we as a society were more focused, commercials show all the foods we shouldn’t eat, and when I read some recipes, I think hmm. Living the low carb life isn’t always ultra healthy either (what I have been doing, but gosh, some days I just want something cheesy, you know??!) When I was working, they had a trainer come in and go over what was healthy to eat. Now, I know I am a weirdo because I research everything (I have to these days), but the things they were encouraging my fellow coworkers to eat were not exactly healthy. I do not think it is until you face an illness like yourself, you begin to delve into the inner workings of food, and then your eyes are wide open. It’s kind of hard to go back after that. For the most part, we are compliant, but we do have those days when I make something with a little more carbs than I should have. Being good all the time is hard! 🙂 Keep your chin up my friend!
These sound so much better than the original versions! We get these all the time, but you are right – they can get boring after a while! I’m going to use some of these ideas!
On a different note, I’ve been praying for you and your family. I just didn’t realize all that y’all were dealing with! I will definitely keep praying! Have a great week! Susan
I LOVE Simple Mills products because they are gluten free AND taste good! You provide some great ideas on easy ways to dress up these salad kits. Health scares can result in some pretty significant life style changes. I am sorry you have close family members who are navigating health concerns. No doubt these ideas will serve everyone in your family well. Sharing this in my Unboxing post tomorrow.
Hi CoCo! I have significant food sensitivities and have to avoid gluten, dairy, and some high FODMAP foods too, so I know how you feel! Thanks so much for sharing all these great ways to dress up salad kits. I have not been buying them because I felt guilty about not using the dressings and extras, but getting more veggies in my body is more important! I can’t wait to try your ideas! Simple Mills crackers are so good, and my favorite store-bought dressing is Brianna’s Creamy Balsamic! Thanks again!