Salads

For a flavor snap, sliced pepperoncinis, olives, or pickled things like asparagus, Italian vegs, dill pickles

AnnPT had great suggestions. Try adding chicken, tuna, salmon, nuts, avocado (or guacamole), Wasabi peas, chia (or pumpkin) seeds for higher protein and less fat than cheese. For cheese, you could add cottage cheese or a small bit of shredded Parmesan or crumbled feta. I’ve added pickled beets and giardiniera (in vinegar), celery, apple/pear slices, pomegranate seeds, fresh raspberries blueberries blackberries, shredded cabbage/kale/brussel sprouts, and fresh herbs (I love cilantro, but some don’t like the taste). Squeeze lemon or lime juice on top with a drizzle of EVOO, sprinkle lightly with crushed red pepper, and finally add freshly grated Himalayan salt and black pepper on top in lieu of bottled dressing. I’ve even used pico de gallo or salsa as my dressing.

In addition to what others have suggested I sometimes add warm rice, crushed up wasa flatbread, craisins, strawberries or grapes.

I also like having a steak salad or taco salad as a meal.

A standard combination is something sweet with something salty. For example candied seeds (put tablespoon of sugar in a medium high nonstick pan and stir in a handful of pumpkin seeds until the sugar melts and caramelizes—cool in the pan and break into small pieces) with a crumble salty cheese such as feta. Or pears or melon chunks with a little raw ham such as prosciutto.

I seen a lot of great suggestions! These are some seasonings that I use on my salads that kick them up a notch, far as flavor goes goes!

I personally love avocado lime dressing…

Sprinkles of nutritional yeast for flavor..

Have you tried different vegetables? I used beets and walnuts in a recent salad.. 😋

There are literally dozens of types of lettuces to try too!
I like taco less taco salad… it’s a frequent flier on menu.

Herbs 🌿 are a fav of mine.. I love some rosemary, oregano, basil in salads.. 🥗

My favourites are carrot and cashew nuts blitzed together to a coarse mash. Chicory and apple with bit of low fat mayonaise and skyr (or green yogurt). red beets, carrots, mint, some other root veg with a tiny bit of pomegranate molasses and pomegranate seeds. Various salads with soy sauce. Various quick pickles. I don't like lettuce though.

Wow… great ideas here I hadn't thought of. I love to add avocado, fruit, hard boiled eggs, and pecans. For meat, I like to add chicken or shrimp.

Fresh chopped herbs....basil, parsley etc. Adds great flavor.

Also make your own salad dressings...much better flavor :)

When considering dressings, some other things that I like to put in are tahini (ground sesame seeds, used in many ways in Mediterranean and middle Easter cooking) or toasted sesame oil (which gives a distinctive and delicious flavor even in small amounts).

I do make dressings myself rather than buying bottled: I like variety, and as someone who lives alone, it takes a tiresomely long time to use up a whole bottle of the same dressing: Boring to me.

Most of the dressings I make are either vinegar based or plain nonfat Greek yogurt based. The add-ins can be various: Spices, herbs, small bits of flavorful cheese, etc. Tahini is another possible base, or a possible add-in. Prepared salsa can be a dressing, too.

Another option, when treating a salad as a meal is to mix cottage cheese with flavorings and use it as a dressing. Cottage cheese and salsa are a good mix, IMO.

May I point out that it can be a good idea to add at least a small amount of fat to a salad, unless the salad is part of a mixed meal that includes fats in other dishes?  We need fat intake in order to absorb fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K. Common salad ingredients are among the best sources of vitamin K, and many are good sources of vitamin E. They are also good sources of beta-carotene (not just in carrots 😉), which our bodies convert into vitamin A.

Using some oil, avocados, nuts, seeds, cheese, or ingredients like tahini can amp up the nutritional benefits we absorb from our salads.

you might try the book Raising the Salad Bar. It has lots of great ideas.

I've become enamored with homemade ranch dressing. There are tons of recipes, but the base is mayo, sour cream or yogurt, and buttermilk. The proportions can be equal, but you can also go heavier on the yogurt and buttermilk, lowering the calories. Vinegar and lemon juice are essential. The spice mix can vary a lot, but generally, fresh spices make it incredibly delicious, particularly fresh chive and dill. It goes from what you are used to from the "Hidden Valley" version (which is pretty good) to an incredible garlicky tangy dip/dressing that is really amazing.

I find pickled veggies and/or California Balsamic vinegars are helpful. Fresh herbs are also nice!