Salad is a healthy and delicious way to get more vegetables into your diet. While greens like lettuce, spinach, and arugula make up the base of most salads, adding different seasonings and toppings is key for turning a plain salad into a flavorful masterpiece. When choosing what to add to your salads, get creative with different herbs, spices, oils and vinegars to liven up the flavors. Here are some of the many options for tasty salad seasonings and additions.
Fresh Herbs
Fresh herbs are an easy way to instantly add flavor and aroma to your salads. Some great options include:
- Basil – Adds a sweet, peppery flavor. Pairs well with tomatoes, mozzarella, and balsamic vinegar.
- Mint – Bright, refreshing flavor. Toss with fruit, cucumbers, and feta.
- Parsley – Fresh, herbaceous notes. Sprinkle over any salad.
- Cilantro – Bright, citrusy flavor. Perfect with Mexican and Southwestern-inspired salads.
- Dill – Lemony and grassy. Delicious with cucumbers, peppers, and vinaigrettes.
- Chives – Mild onion flavor. Gives a pop of green color and flavor.
When adding fresh herbs, roughly chop them and add them at the end for the most vibrant flavor. Heartier herbs like basil hold up well when added earlier in the salad assembly. More delicate herbs like cilantro should be sprinkled on top right before serving.
Dried Spices and Seasonings
Dried spices allow you to add bold flavor punches to salads without adding extra oil or calories. Some great options include:
- Smoked paprika – Adds rich smokiness.
- Garlic powder – Warm, aromatic flavor.
- Onion powder – Sulfurous onion notes.
- Dried parsley – Earthy flavor.
- Cayenne pepper – Heats things up.
- Curry powder – Complex blend of spices like turmeric, coriander and cumin.
- Cumin – Warm, nutty flavor. Works well with Southwestern and Mexican spice blends.
- Coriander – Citrusy, sage-like flavor.
Start with just a sprinkle of dried spices and seasonings and add more to taste. They can quickly become overpowering. Smoked paprika, onion powder, garlic powder and cumin are especially tasty on heartier greens like kale, collard greens and cabbage. Curry powder pairs well with creamy dressings and proteins like chicken or chickpeas.
Oils and Vinegars
Salad dressings bring everything together, adding moisture and a pop of flavor. Mix and match different oils and vinegars to create your perfect dressing.
Oils:
- Extra virgin olive oil – Fruity, peppery flavor.
- Avocado oil – Rich, buttery flavor.
- Walnut oil – Nutty, earthy notes.
- Sesame oil – Bold, toasted sesame flavor. Use small amounts as flavoring oil.
- Sunflower oil – Light, neutral flavor good for mixing.
- Grapeseed oil – Very mild, can be infused with herbs.
Vinegars:
- Balsamic vinegar – Sweet, rich. Balance with Dijon mustard.
- Red wine vinegar – Tangy, robust flavor.
- Rice vinegar – Mild, sweet, acidity.
- White wine vinegar – Tart, crisp flavor.
- Apple cider vinegar – Fruity, mellow acidity.
- Sherry vinegar – Nutty, complex flavor.
When making your own dressing, use about 3 parts oil to 1 part vinegar. Whisk together and season with salt, pepper and herbs. For creamier dressings, blend in mustard, lemon juice or dashes of creamy ingredients like plain yogurt.
Cheeses
Sprinkling salads with cheese is an easy way to add extra flavor. Tangy, salty, crumbly cheeses pair especially well with crisp greens and vegetables. Some delicious options include:
- Feta – Salty, tangy flavor. Works well with cucumbers, tomatoes, olives, peppers.
- Goat cheese – Rich, tangy flavor. Toss with apples, walnuts, dried cranberries.
- Parmesan – Sharp, nutty flavor. Shave over Caesar salads.
- Blue cheese – Bold, pungent flavor. Crumble over greens with pickled beets, pears.
- Cheddar – Sharp, creamy. Pairs well with avocado, corn, broccoli.
- Queso fresco – Mild, fresh flavor. Sprinkle over Southwestern salads.
For salads with sturdy greens like kale and cabbage, massaging crumbled cheeses helps soften the texture. When adding softer cheeses like burrata or fresh mozzarella, drizzle them with oil or dressing so they don’t stick together in clumps.
Nuts and Seeds
Nuts and seeds give you crunch plus a boost of protein, healthy fats and nutrients. They also add lots of flavor. Some tasty choices include:
- Walnuts – Rich, earthy flavor.
- Almonds – Sweet, nutty flavor. Slivered or chopped.
- Pecans – Buttery, aromatic flavor.
- Pine nuts – Soft, creamy flavor.
- Pumpkin seeds – Toasted, nutty flavor.
- Sunflower seeds – Crunchy, nutty flavor.
- Sesame seeds – Toasty sesame notes.
Lightly toast nuts and seeds to bring out their flavor. Sprinkle them on top of the finished salad for maximum crunch. You can also use nuts to make creamy nut-based dressings like walnut vinaigrette.
Dried or Dehydrated Fruits and Vegetables
Dried fruits and veggies add concentrated sweetness and flavors minus extra moisture. They have an intensely chewy texture that contrasts nicely with fresh greens and vegetables. Dried options to mix in include:
- Cranberries
- Cherries
- Raisins
- Currants
- Mango
- Apricots
- Apples
- Tomatoes
- Mushrooms
- Onions
- Bell peppers
Pair fruits like cranberries, cherries, apricots and apples with nuts, tangy cheeses and balsamic vinaigrettes. Dehydrated veggies taste great in Mediterranean, pizza- and pasta salad-inspired combinations.
Fresh Fruits and Vegetables
Don’t limit yourself to just lettuces when building salads. Mixing in other fresh produce adds flavor, texture and nutrients. Some delicious options include:
- Tomatoes – Juicy, sweet.
- Cucumbers – Crisp, refreshing.
- Bell peppers – Crunchy, juicy.
- Carrots – Sweet, hardy.
- Broccoli – Earthy, crisp.
- Cauliflower – Mild, crunchy.
- Corn – Sweet, juicy kernels.
- Radishes – Spicy, crunchy.
- Jicama – Crisp, juicy, sweet.
- Snap or snow peas – Crisp, bright flavor.
- Oranges – Sweet, juicy citrus.
- Grapes – Juicy, pop of sweetness.
- Pomegranate arils – Tart, crunchy, juicy.
- Grilled or roasted veggies – Charred flavors.
Mix and match different flavors, textures and colors for a salad that looks as good as it tastes. Roast veggies like broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts and butternut squash for deeper flavor.
Crunch Toppers
Adding crispy, crunchy toppings elevates salads with great textures. Top your greens with:
- Croutons – Toast bread cubes for crunch.
- Wonton strips – Deep fry sliced wontons for crispy texture.
- Tortilla strips – Fry corn or flour tortilla strips.
- Pita chips – Break pita into shards and bake.
- Potato chips – Crush store-bought chips over salads.
- Granola – Use crunchy granola for sweet and savory salads.
You can buy prepared crunchy toppers or make your own. Play with different seasonings and coatings like chili powder, cumin, Parmesan, etc. Make them ahead and store in an airtight container.
Meat and Plant-Based Proteins
Adding protein takes salads from side dish to complete meal. Here are protein-packed foods to top your greens:
- Chicken – Grilled, baked or roasted. Can be chilled or warm.
- Steak – Grilled steak tips or slices.
- Shrimp – Boiled, grilled or sauteed shrimp.
- Tofu – Baked or sauteed with seasonings.
- Eggs – Boiled, poached or sliced hard-boiled eggs.
- Beans – Kidney, chickpeas, black beans.
- Lentils – French lentils hold their shape well.
- Edamame – Boiled or roasted soybeans.
- Nuts – Toasted almonds, walnuts, etc.
Pair protein ingredients that complement your seasonings and dressings. Caesars love grilled chicken, bacon and hard-boiled eggs. Greek salads are perfect with chickpeas, feta, and kalamata olives. Get creative mixing different proteins and flavors.
Conclusion
When it comes to salad seasonings, the possibilities are endless. Liven up greens with fresh herbs, spices, crunchy toppings, flavorful dressings and mix-ins. Always taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Aim for a variety of flavors, textures and nutrition in each bite. With so many ingredients to work with, you can make salads that are exciting, satisfying and differently delicious every time. Experiment and have fun with different seasonings to create your own signature salad masterpieces.