The Ultimate No-Cook Salad

Posted On Jul 11, 2018 By Erin Kuh, MBA, RD

The Ultimate No-Cook Salad

When it’s too hot to even grill outside (like today as I write this it’s 104 outside and it was 90 at 9am this morning), it becomes a no-cook salad bar extravaganza night. And though you may be thinking, “not another salad” or “that’s it, just salad?”, even my carnivorous husband is happy and satisfied. This protein packed combination of flavors, colors, and textures will leave you wanting “just salad” for dinner more often.

I set this up salad bar style so each of us can customize our toppings for flavor preferences and my own dietary restrictions. The combinations are endless but below is what I include. I purposely left the amount of each ingredient out because it depends on how many people are eating and individual calorie needs. If you need to watch your calories more closely, portion the higher calorie items by measuring out seeds, cheese (if you opt for it), and dressings. Go light on avocado and any other higher calorie ingredients like olives or artichoke hearts.

The Ultimate No-Cook Salad

Prep time: 15 minutes

Cook time: No cooking necessary

Total time: 15 minutes

Closeup image of no cook salad

Ingredients

  • Spring Salad greens mix or Salad greens with Fresh herbs (my personal favorite with fresh dill!)
  • Canned tuna or salmon (in water)
  • Canned garbanzo beans, rinsed and drained
  • Sunflower or pumpkin seeds
  • Avocado, sliced
  • Raw veggies of your choice

Directions

  1. Fill a bowl half way with salad greens.
  2. Top with ingredients of your choice.
  3. Sprinkle with salad dressing.

Other toppings: Green Beans, Carrots, Green and Purple Cabbage, Mushrooms, Marinated artichoke hearts, Kalamata olives, feta cheese or other cheese, bean sprouts.

During the seemingly never-ending summer in Southeastern New Mexico, I make a habit of grilling extra protein to have on hand for no-cook dinners during the week. Grilled chicken or steak can easily be made into another dinner of chicken fajitas or chicken taco salad without breaking a sweat in the kitchen. Stay tuned for more no-cook meals that keep you at home for dinner but not sweating over a hot oven!