Salads are part of my daily routine, regardless of the time of year. I have one almost every night alongside dinner—or as the star of the show. Aside from providing plenty of nutrients, I can’t resist the crunch of a well-made salad and the endless flavor combinations I can dream up.
I usually make salads—and salad dressings—from scratch, but I appreciate a good bagged salad kit, especially after a long day or when I’m traveling. I’ve found a few favorites, but I’m always looking for more. To find out which ones are worth picking up, I asked a handful of chefs which salad kits they buy.
The Experts I Asked
Credit: Simply Recipes / Trader Joe’s
The Best Brands of Bagged Salads, According to Chefs
When it comes to bagged salad brands that prioritize flavor, freshness, texture, and value, these experts have a few recommendations.
Trader Joe’s bagged salad options are the go-to for Downs, Naranjo, and Fountaine. “They’re an incredible value and feature inventive flavor combinations that make quick meals easy,” says Downs. Her favorite flavors are the Mediterranean Style Salad Kit or Southwestern Chopped Salad Kit.
Naranjo also reaches for TJ’s bagged salads for their unique textures and flavors. Her favorite kits are the Broccoli and Kale Slaw and the Lemony Arugula Basil salad. “The Broccoli and Kale slaw has dried fruits and nuts so you get some fiber and a feeling of satiety, while the Lemony Arugula Basil is perfect for a bold flavor,” she says.
White, on the other hand, highly recommends Target’s Good & Gather salads. “Good & Gather does a great job of drawing inspiration from popular foods, making their flavor profiles familiar and easily identifiable,” she explains. Her go-to Good & Gather kit is the Tzatziki Crunch salad. “It stands out for its refreshing, tangy flavor profile and textural contrast, bringing together creamy, bright, and crunchy elements. The Mediterranean-style twist makes vegetables exciting while keeping meal prep simple,” she says.
Making a Meal Out of a Salad Kit
These chefs were also full of ideas for turning these store-bought conveniences into more interesting sides or standalone meals. “Toss in leftover shredded rotisserie chicken, canned chickpeas, hard-boiled eggs, or canned tuna to instantly turn a side kit into a complete meal,” Downs offers.
Naranjo often adds whole grains or healthy fats such as quinoa, couscous, avocado, or beans, depending on the salad. “I also always squeeze some lime on top and add some fresh cilantro, depending on the dressing, for a hint of freshness,” she shares. Meanwhile, White loves boosting the texture of salad kits with ingredients like toasted nuts, seeds, roasted chickpeas, or croutons. And Fountaine frequently adds extra herbs, greens, or edamame to customize her favorite salad kits.
Roasted veggies make for another easy, tasty upgrade to salad kits, as does turning the salad into a wrap or serving it alongside warm pita bread. That said, these chefs recommend dressing salad kits with restraint. “Add the dressing gradually so you can control how much you want, and your crunchy elements don’t get mushy,” Naranjo suggests.
While both salad recommendations are store-exclusive, you should be able to find these bagged salads at your local Target or Trader Joe’s where they typically cost between three and five dollars per kit.
Read the original article on Simply Recipes