Raise your hand if you’ve been eating healthy, drinking water, doing your skincare routine and doing all the other things you promised to do at the beginning of the year. Okay yeah, I’m putting my hand down. The thing about New Year resolutions? They set the bar really high when man, I’m just tryna be healthy and stay alive at this point (we’re still in a pandemic ok). That’s why I’ve compiled a list of my FIVE easiest lunch salads that take less than 10 minutes to make and taste so delicious.
No more complaining that “you don’t have time” to eat healthy! Try one of these, trust me, life-changing.
Note: feel free to substitute meat for my vegetarian options/adjust to any allergies or dietary restrictions you may have!
1. Taco Salad
This salad is for the days I crave Chipotle but don’t want to spend money. Trust me when I say it’s DELICIOUS, healthy, and takes about 5 minutes to make.
Throw the following into a bowl together and call it a day:
- Black Beans (warm them up)
- Sautéed Veggies: Bell Peppers, Onions & Soy Chorizo (optional) with Taco Seasoning, Ortega Taco Sauce & Taco Bell Sauce.
- Jalapeños
- Light Sour Cream
- Lettuce
- Green Sauce from Trader Joe’s (SO IMPORTANT)
- Tortilla Strips
- La Victoria Salsa
2. Italian Salad
My basic bish salad, I was a huge Olive Garden salad fan growing up and this one comes close to it with my own personal twist.
Toss the following:
- Lettuce, Onions, Shredded Carrots, Olives, Banana Peppers, Red Bell Peppers
- Parmesan Cheese
- Garlic Croutons
- Black Pepper & Italian Seasoning
- Olive Garden’s House Dressing (LITE)
You can also switch out the OG dressing for Lite Caesar or Panera’s Balsamic for a change of flavor.
3. Falafel Salad
The air fryer game changed this salad for me — it used to take FOREVER and now it’s super quick, easy and delicious.
- Air fry TJ’s falafel balls for 10 mins at 325 degrees
- Lettuce, Onions, Cucumbers
- Cilantro Dressing from TJ’s
- Tzatziki (homemade or store bought)
- Hummus
- Chilli Garlic Paste
4. Asian Salad
I’m someone who naturally craves asian food so once I perfected homemade dressing for this, it was a go-to lunch item for me! The perfect combo of sweet, tangy and spicy all in a healthy salad form.
- Air fry tofu for 10 mins at 325 degrees (5 mins on one side and then flip tofu over)
- Lettuce, shredded carrots, onions, red & orange bell peppers
- Wontons Strips
- Baby Corn
- Sliced Almonds
- Candied Walnuts
Dressing:
- Peanut Butter + some hot water to dilute it
- Chilli Garlic Paste
- White Vinegar
- Honey/Maple Syrup
- Soy Sauce
- Sesame Oil
- Garlic (not needed if you put enough Chilli Garlic Paste)
5. Poppy Seed Salad
Andddd a most recent obsession of mine! Always appreciate a little switch up from lettuce to spinach to get those greens in.
- Spinach
- Shredded Carrots, Onions, Bell Peppers
- Dried Cranberry
- Candied Walnuts
- Parmesan Cheese
- Croutions
- Poppy Seed Dressing
