This Loaded Dinner Salad is packed with many delicious ingredients and topped with a tangy lemon dressing. It’s perfect for a potluck or dinner side dish.
Say goodbye to boring garden salads with wimpy lettuce and a slice of tomato and onion, and hello to this delicious Loaded Dinner Salad! It’s packed with delicious ingredients and makes an impressive side dish or potluck salad. As I told my husband, this is a grownup salad 🙂
Salads are one of my favorite things to make. You can get really creative with them or keep them nice and simple. You can make a salad meant for a side dish or a filling salad that can be enjoyed as an entire meal. This salad falls in the middle and is full of many good things!
Why Your Body Will Love This Salad
- Immune Health – Dark leafy greens are high in antioxidants, which are known for helping to reduce inflammation in the body. Excess inflammation can lead to many illnesses, including cancer. It contains potassium, nitrates, and iron, which contribute to heart and blood health; vitamin K, magnesium, and calcium, which support strong bones; and Vitamin A and lutein, which support our eyes and vision.
- Heart Health – The fiber in broccoli helps us maintain healthy blood sugar and cholesterol levels. (It’s also great for the digestive system.) Broccoli is also great for supporting the immune system.
- Eye Health – Avocado is high in the antioxidant lutein, which helps reduce the risk of cataracts and muscular degeneration. It’s also a great source of fiber, which supports our digestive systems.
Loaded Dinner Salad Recipe Ingredients
- Greens – I used a container of baby spinach and arugula leaves, but you are welcome to use your favorite greens. Other ideas include spring mix, baby kale, romaine, iceberg, and red lettuce.
- Parmesan Cheese – I love the saltiness and nuttiness parmesan cheese adds here. Goat cheese is also a nice option.
- Apples – Apples are great in salads; they add some sweetness and crunch. I used Fuji apples.
- Walnuts – I hardly ever use croutons in my salads anymore, instead, I like toasted nuts because they have flavor and are much healthier. Pecans or almonds work great, too.
- Avocado – I put avocado in pretty much anything, so it was a no-brainer for me to add it to this loaded salad.
- Broccoli – Broccoli is so nutritious, flavorful, and crunchy when added raw to salads.
- Red Onion – Red onion is another ingredient I add to most of my salads. It’s a little sharp, but it’s nice for breaking up the creaminess of the avocado and cheese.
- Pomegranate Seeds – I suggest using these only during this time of year when they’re in season. They add a sweet tartness to the salad, making it feel more festive!
- Lemon Dressing – I like to make my own salad dressings, but you can also use store-bought.
Whew, that may seem like a lot of ingredients, but you’re more than welcome to leave anything out you don’t like or can’t find. Most of the ingredients are pretty affordable and easy to find, but I don’t want you to break the bank by making this loaded dinner salad!
How To Make This Loaded Salad
- Add all dressing ingredients to a jar and mix until combined.
- Lay your greens on the bottom of a large serving plate or bowl, and top with all the remaining ingredients. Toss until everything is combined. You can either dress the entire salad by drizzling over the desired amount of dressing or leave the dressing on the side and let people dress their own salads.
Do you have a question about this salad? Ask me in the comments, and I’ll get back to you ASAP.
Looking For More Healthy and Delicious Salads?
Fall-Inspired Mason Jar Salads
Protein Packed Three Bean Quinoa Salad
Beet and Carrot Salad with Chickpeas
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Loaded Dinner Salad
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 6-8 1x
Description
This Loaded Dinner Salad is packed with so many delicious ingredients! Great for a dinner side dish or to bring to a potluck!
Ingredients
- 6–8 cups mixed greens, I used spinach and arugula
- 3/4 cup chopped fresh broccoli
- 1 whole apple, thinly sliced
- 1 large avocado, diced
- 1/3 cup thinly sliced red onion
- 1/2 cup parmesan shards
- 1/3 cup toasted walnuts
- 1/3 cup pomegranate arils
!Lemon Dressing:
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 1/3 cup fresh lemon juice
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon pure maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Add all dressing ingredients to a jar and mix until combined.
- Lay your greens down on the bottom of a large serving plate or bowl and then top with all the remaining ingredients. Toss until everything is combined. You can either dress the entire salad by drizzling over desired amount of dressing or leave the dressing on the side and let people dress their own salads.
Notes
If making ahead of time, wait until you’re ready to eat to add the avocado and dressing.
Fat content is only so high because of the dressing, so if you use less it won’t be as high.
- Prep Time: 20 mins
- Category: Salad, Vegetarian
- Method: No Cook
- Cuisine: American
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