Thomas and I eat at least Caesar salads at least once or twice a week and it’s super easy to make one that’s balanced, flavorful and completely customized on how you like it. Our favorite Caesar salad is from Bavettes, one of our favorite restaurants for date night in the Chicago. I love this version of a salmon caesar because it’s not overly complicated and it’s the perfect mix of crunchy textures.

The main thing about salads is that you absolutely need to make them balanced so that it’s satisfying. And by balanced, I mean incorporating a variety of items from different food groups like your choice proteins, fats, and crunchy vegetable toppings to add nutrition and texture. I’ll be the first to admit that it’s super unsatisfying to just eat a base of greens alone without the different components. In order to to make a salad that’s more of meal, you need the protein and fats to not alone add flavor, but to help keep you fuller for longer.

Here’s a formula you can use to build out a balanced salad:

• Greens

Obviously you’ll start with a base of leafy greens in any combination you would like, but don’t forget that you can also make warm salads with roasted vegetables like this Warm Citrus Salmon Salad I shared here. 

• Protein

Choose any proteins you would like – chicken, steak, fish, or plant-based sources such as tofu, tempeh, or legumes. 

• Vegetable Toppers

Adding different vegetables in can help boost texture, flavor, and nutrients! Add to your heart’s desire. 

• Fats

Fats can look like salad dressings with olive oil, cheese, nuts / seeds, or even plant sources of healthy fats such as avocado. Adding fats into salads not only helps balance out the salad as a meal, but it also adds to the satiety factor (feeling fuller for longer) AND it helps certain vitamins such as A, D, E, and K absorb better into our system. 

• Flavor / Texture Boosts

Flavor and texture boosts can look like fresh herbs like basil or dill, or even a splash of citrus like lemon to pull everything together, depending on the salad.  Need an extra carb source to make it even more filling? Try adding homemade croutons or a grain like wild rice or quinoa – even your choice of pasta works (pasta salad!). 

Looking for a classic salad that you can’t go wrong with? Sharing the easy way I build out a salmon caesar salad below – just toss all the ingredients together and go! Swap out different ingredients as you need to and adjust to your liking. 

Ingredients:

• Roasted salmon + squeeze of lemon (or pieces of smoked salmon – not lox, but a fillet that’s been smoked, usually found by the lox)
• romaine mix, your favorite one (we LOVE the Gotham Greens butter lettuce) 
• cherry tomatoes
• shaved parmesan cheese
• homemade croutons (or breadcrumbs) – just sourdough cut into cubes, baked t 375F for 15 minutes with olive oil, salt, pepper, and garlic powder
• chopped dill
• Caesar dressing (we always use the dairy-free one from Primal Kitchen)

Instructions:

• Just toss together and serve!