4 Simple Main Dish Salad Ideas

Dinner made simple with these four main dish salad ideas loaded with healthy proteins.

Gotta be honest. I love a salad. Lately, they’ve been my go-to dinner. I make something easy and healthy for the kids, then Jon and I share a protein packed salad for our meal. Not only is it helping me reach my “Mommy New Year” resolution of a healthier lifestyle, but it’s really cutting down on the time I spend in the kitchen at night too.

I’ve always been a HUGE fan of Eat Smart produce. Have you seen them in the supermarket? I always buy several bags of the pre-packaged fresh broccoli and stir fry mixes, and so I was delighted to discover their new Superfood Salads. I now have four new dinner options that are all to.die.for.

Need to health-ify your dinners? These chef-inspired salad kits offer sophisticated blends of six or more superfoods and include everything needed for a delicious salad. Perfect as stand-alone side salads, but I’ve converted them to main dishes with these simple add-ins.

1) Wild Greens and Quinoa Vegetable Salad Kit contains 7 super foods, featuring: Kale, beet greens, broccoli stalk, carrots, red cabbage, crispy quinoa, almonds, feta cheese, and avocado herb dressing. This one was probably my favorite!

My add-in? Roasted Sweet Potato Wedges. To make, simply chop two sweet potatoes and toss them with olive oil, salt and rosemary. Roast at 450 degrees for 20-25 minutes, flipping once.

2) My second favorite? The Southwest Vegetable Salad Kit containing 5 super foods: Savoy cabbage, red cabbage, radishes, carrots, kale, cheddar cheese, tortilla chips, corn and chipotle ranch dressing

This time I added BBQ Shrimp! To get the recipe, visit here.

3) The Beets and Greens Vegetable Salad Kit contains 6 super foods: Kale, beet greens, broccoli, red chard, red cabbage, cooked beets, feta cheese, golden raisins, and white wine vinaigrette.

I topped this salad with Roasted garbanzo beans. They were the perfect combination to add a little savory to the sweet beets! Preheat your oven to 400 degrees. Drain and rinse one can of garbanzo beans and pat dry. Toss beans with olive oil, salt and steak seasoning. Roast for 10 minutes, shaking pan occasionally.

4) Finally, don’t miss the Sweet Kale Vegetable Salad Kit with 7 super foods with: Broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, kale, chicory, dried cranberries, roasted pumpkin seeds and poppyseed dressing.

This salad was made complete with leftover grilled chicken that I had made the night before! (For an easy chicken breast recipe, marinate a few breasts in your favorite wing sauce, I used Garlic Parmesan, and grill!)

Flying solo? Eat Smart also has amazing single-serve Plant Powered Protein salads like: BBQ Ranch ( 13 g protein), Sweet Kale (11 g protein), and the Super Caesar with 14 grames of protein. Packed with everything you need for a convenient grab and go meal! I’ve tried and enjoyed them all.