Guest Post: Simple Spring Salad Ideas

I've been wanting to do guest posts on my blog for FOREVER now.  When Meredith contacted me, I was absolutely thrilled!  Annndddddd without further adieu..

Simple Spring Salad Ideas

Now that it’s officially springtime, it’s time to break out the fresh recipes! When it comes to warm weather, nothing is more refreshing than a salad. While green salads are classic, yummy and great for a spring meal, don’t be afraid to explore options beyond just lettuce and tomato. There are dozens of different salad types and combinations to choose some, so experiment with spring flavors and ingredients to discover easy salad lunch and dinner ideas your whole family will love.

Stuck for ideas? Look through the following list of heartier salad varieties to help inspire your spring cooking:

Sandwich Filling Salads
Just because it’s a salad doesn’t mean you can’t eat it with bread—from egg salad and chickpea salad to chicken salad and tuna salad, there are lots of protein-filled salads out there that make great sandwich fillings. Stuff a pita, roll up salad in a wrap or simply scoop a spoonful between two pieces of wholegrain bread for a quick, healthier meal.

Pasta SaladPasta salad is a warm-weather staple and can be made with virtually any pasta you have on hand. It’s hearty enough to eat as a main dish but light enough to serve as a side dish alongside grilled hot dogs, hamburgers and chicken. Try this BLT pasta salad at your next cookout for a yummy twist on the classic sandwich.
Meaty Entree Salad
Salads also make great entrees, even if you’re the type of person who requires meat for a complete meal. As long as you have a green base, it’s easy to top salads with whatever protein you like; grilled steak, easy chicken recipes and shrimp are all delicious sitting atop a bed of lettuce, kale, spinach or arugula. Try this taco version for a salad kids will want to eat.
Lettuce-Free Salads
You also don’t need lettuce to make a delicious, budget-friendly salad. There are plenty of varieties of beans, fruit and vegetables to create your own salad combinations. Beans, tomatoes and onion are a classic combination, or try this cucumber salad for a green alternative to lettuce.
Use what you have in your pantry and refrigerator to come up with your own fresh salad combinations this spring and feel good about feeding your family well-rounded, hearty and healthier meals this spring.Do you have your own favorite spring salad recipe? Leave it in the comments!

Author Bio: This is a guest post by Meredith K. on behalf of ReadySetEat. For more simple salad recipes and other easy recipes for dinner, visit www.readyseteat.com.