Description
This fresh and healthy salad bowl is easy to customize with a variety of greens, proteins, and homemade dressings. Perfect for meal prep, lunch, or dinner!
Ingredients
Scale
Base:
- 2 cups mixed greens (spinach, arugula, romaine, or kale)
- 1/2 cup cooked quinoa, brown rice, or farro (optional)
Protein:
- 1 grilled chicken breast, sliced (or tofu, shrimp, or chickpeas for plant-based)
Vegetables:
- 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/4 cup shredded carrots
- 1/2 cucumber, sliced
- 1/4 red onion, thinly sliced
Healthy Fats:
- 1/4 avocado, sliced
- 2 tablespoons almonds, walnuts, or sunflower seeds
Dressing:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice or balsamic vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Base
- Wash and dry mixed greens.
- If using grains, cook them according to package instructions and let them cool.
- Cook the Protein
- Grill chicken, tofu, or shrimp until fully cooked.
- Let it rest before slicing.
- Chop the Vegetables
- Slice cucumbers, tomatoes, and onions.
- Shred carrots for extra texture.
- Mix the Dressing
- In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, honey, salt, and pepper.
- Assemble the Bowl
- Arrange the greens, grains, and vegetables in a serving bowl.
- Add the protein on top.
- Add Healthy Fats
- Place avocado slices and sprinkle nuts or seeds for added crunch.
- Drizzle with Dressing
- Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently to combine.
- Serve Immediately
- Enjoy fresh, or store for later in an airtight container.
Notes
- Make it Vegan: Swap chicken for tofu or chickpeas and use maple syrup instead of honey.
- Low-Carb Option: Skip the grains and add extra leafy greens.
- Meal Prep: Store ingredients separately and assemble before eating for freshness.
- Storage Tip: Keep dressing in a separate container to prevent the salad from getting soggy.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-cook or grilled
- Cuisine: Mediterranean, American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 8 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 50mg
Keywords: healthy salad bowl, meal prep salad, fresh vegetable bowl, protein-packed salads, grain bowl, Mediterranean salad, mixed greens, homemade salad dressing, low-carb salad, nutrient-packed meal, balanced meal, high-fiber salad