BYO Salad(s)

It’s salad time! The days of the boring salad are over. Salads can be some of the best ways to eat colorful by incorporating more fruits and vegetables into your diet. So, get inspired and get creative with your salad combos.

A salad is a mix of various ingredients (cooked or raw) served cold. There are several ways to make a salad; thus, get creative with the following salad variety breakdowns:

Leafy Salad: raw greens (such as lettuce) often combined with other vegetables and toppings and served especially with dressing.

  • Elements of a leafy salad include lettuce, fruit and/or veggie, protein, crunch (nuts, bacon bits, croutons, etc.) with a dressing of your choice.

Fruit Salad: various mixed fruits with toppings and dressing.

  • Elements of a fruit salad include a mix of 3 or more various fruits with a dressing of your choice.

  • May squeeze lemon/lime juice when using bananas - this will help prevent browning.

Pasta Salad: small pieces (i.e., pasta, meat, fruit, or vegetables) usually mixed with a dressing.

  • Elements of a salad include pasta, fruit and/or veggie, diary with a dressing of your choice.

May pair a lean protein with any of your salads. Get inspired by our salad recipes and start building your (BYO) salad tonight!

 
 

A salad bar is an excellent way for everyone to join in and build their own (BYO) salad. However, it’s essential to follow all food safety precautions before laying out your salad bar.

 
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Learn MorE Below:

Clean and sanitize all surfaces, prep utensils, and containers before and after each service. Plus, wash all fresh produce.

Separate all ingredients into different containers, and each container should have its own serving utensil(s).

Cook eggs, meat (cook to correct temp), and pasta before chilling and serving in the salad bar.

Chill: Salad bar items must be kept at a temperature below 41 degrees Fahrenheit – may place ingredients over ice to help keep at the correct temperature.

Learn more about how to avoid cross-contamination.

 

Have you packed a salad the night before for lunch and sadly it was not the same the next day?

 
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DIY Salad in a Jar

Salads are some of the best meal options to help keep a healthy weight, especially for lunch. Try creating your own delicious masterpiece with all your favorites in a jar. Yes, a jar! All you have to do is layer your ingredients correctly, and you will have a fresh, crispy salad to take with you. Need help?

Click here for ingredient ideas and simple steps!

 

Toss it up this week and create

a "build your own salad" night!

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BYO Salad Night!

It's a great way to teach your kids about healthy eating and reinforce how yummy veggies can be! Plus, the more you engage your kids in the kitchen, the more they'll expand their taste buds.

Celebrate Family Meal Time!

 
 

Which is your favorite type of salad? Let Me know in the comments Below…

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References:

  • Gordon Food Service Contributors. (2018, August 21). Salad Bar Safety: The Cold Truth. Gordon Food Service. https://www.gfs.com/en-us/ideas/salad-bar-safety-cold-truth

  • Merriam - Webster. (1828). Salad - Definition. Merriam - Webster Dictionary. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/salad

  • Partnership for Food Safety Education. (2021). The Core Four Practices. Fightbac.Org. https://www.fightbac.org/food-safety-basics/the-core-four-practices/

  • Team, B. V. T. (2020, March 11). Salad Bar Food Safety: 10 Critical Ways to Protect Customers. Hitchcock Farms. https://www.hitchcockfarms.com/blog/salad-bar-food-safety

My content was originally released on Dinner Tonight Social Media & Website for I’m part of the Dinner Tonight Content Team.