Meal Prep Salads: Perfect Way to Eat Healthy On The Go

December 15, 2023

Meal prepping salads is a smart and healthy way to keep up with your busy schedule without sacrificing your nutrition! By preparing salads in advance, you can save time and avoid the temptation to grab unhealthy fast food or snacks when you're on the go. Salads are an ideal meal prep option because they’re endlessly versatile, flavorful, and packed with nutrients. Whether you’re a fan of classic greens or you like to mix things up with more exotic fruits and veggies, salads are a delicious and convenient way to stay on track and fuel your health goals!

With this comprehensive guide, you can become a salad meal prep pro in no time! We’ll show you how to select the best ingredients and store your salads to keep them fresh and crisp. We'll also provide you with some of our favorite salad recipes to inspire your meal prep routine. 

With our expert tips and guidance, you'll be able to create rich salads that are perfect for any meal of the day. Whether you're looking to lose weight, improve your overall health, or simply want to make mealtime more convenient, meal-prepping salads is a great option that can help you achieve your goals even on the busiest of days.

Looking for a hassle-free way to enjoy salads all week long? Say goodbye to meal planning stress and time-consuming grocery shopping to get your weekly salad fix. Give Hungryroot a go and experience the delight of wholesome groceries—including flavorful salad recipes—delivered straight to your door! Plus, with our personalized quiz, you’ll get recommendations tailored just for you, making salad prep easier and more enjoyable than you might have thought possible! 

How to Salad Meal Prep For a Week

The first important step to successful salad meal prepping is making sure you’re stocked up on essential tools and ingredients! Choosing the right tools and a variety of healthy, wholesome foods is key to making sure you’re creating solid, nutrient-dense meals that’ll take you through the week. With these tools and some planning, you'll have a week's worth of tasty and healthy salads ready to go in no time!

  • Containers: Choosing the right containers is key to making sure your salads stay crisp and fresh throughout the week. Consider investing in meal prep containers like mason jars, glass containers, or BPA-free, airtight containers for convenient storage.  
  • Dressing: Dressing, some say, is one of the most important parts of making a delicious salad! You can opt for a homemade dressing or buy a premade one. If you'd like to make your own, we recommend mixing a combination of olive oil, balsamic vinaigrette, apple cider vinegar, and your favorite herb blends.
  • Fresh veggies and fruits: Make sure to stock up on fresh leafy greens like iceberg lettuce, spinach, purple cabbage, and kale to provide a strong salad base. For filling amendments, consider hearty veggies like sweet potato, brussels sprouts, and butternut squash. To add zest and crispness, add in grape tomatoes, bell peppers, radish, red onion, and kohlrabi. 
  • Healthy fats: Healthy fats are the name of the game when it comes to the keto diet! Make sure to grab some wholesome staples like avocado, olive oil, peanut butter, almond butter, nuts, and seeds.
  • Dairy: Don’t forget the cheese like shaved parm, goat cheese, and blue cheese crumbles that can act as delightful toppings for any salad.
  • High-quality meats: Elevate your salad with tasty proteins like ground beef, turkey, chicken breast, and chicken thighs for a delicious protein fix. If you're short on time, consider rotisserie chicken that's ready-made. Hard-boiled eggs also make for a great high-protein addition to your salads, and can be crumbled on top for extra texture.
  • Grains: Grains can add fiber and make for great salad filler. Consider incorporating whole grains like brown rice and quinoa to create satisfying salads and rice bowls.

How to avoid soggy salad during meal prep?

One of the most common issues when it comes to meal-prepping salads is ending up with soggy salad by the time you're ready to eat. To avoid this, it's important to follow a few simple tips.

  • First, make sure you're properly washing and drying your greens before you chop them. Excess moisture can lead to sogginess, so use a salad spinner or pat your greens dry with a clean paper towel.
  • When storing your salad, we recommend you keep your salad dressing separate from your salad greens until you're ready to eat. Adding dressing too early can lead to wilting and soggy greens. 
  • Consider packing your salad ingredients like cheese or wet vegetables like beets separately in your container and mixing them together just before you eat. This allows you to keep your greens fresh and crispy, while still having all the components of your salad ready to go.

By following these tips, you can avoid soggy salads and enjoy delicious and fresh meals all week long. If you invest in the right meal prep containers, kitchen gadgets, and fresh ingredients, you'll save time and money while being set up for a successful week of meal prep. And hey, if life gets too hectic for meal planning and prepping, no worries! Hungryroot has your back with a hassle-free alternative for healthy eating. Skip the grocery store, and explore keto-friendly groceries that transform into scrumptious, healthy recipes. 

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Easy Salad Meal Prep Recipes

Whether you're new to healthy meal prep salads or you're a seasoned pro, you'll find plenty of delicious and healthy meals to inspire your next kitchen session. Below, we've combed through our library of 2000+ recipes to curate a selection of our favorite salads for your next meal prep session.

Salt + Pepper Chicken Kale Salad: This nutritious and tasty salad is a perfect way to satisfy your sweet and savory cravings all at once! Featuring juicy chicken breast on a bed of tender sweet kale, this salad is a delightful combination of protein and greens. Drizzle with a creamy, poppyseed dressing to tie the flavors together. Perfect for meal prep or for a quick lunch, this salad will be your next go-to favorite!

Spicy Fajita Chicken Chopped Salad: This Hungryroot salad packs a punch! Bursting with flavor, this salad is loaded with juicy, ground chicken on a bed of crispy romaine, carrots, and radicchio topped with organic creamy, zesty sriracha dressing. Leave your taste buds craving for more with this refreshing meal prep salad!

Crazy Quick Shrimp Kale Salad: We mean what we say with this crazy quick shrimp kale salad. Packed with nutrient-dense kale and wild-caught shrimp, all topped with crumbs of delicious, creamy goat cheese. If you’re on the hunt for a mason jar salad that’ll keep you energized all day long, this recipe is perfect for you. 

Chickpea Avocado Sriracha Chopped Salad: Elevate your next lunch game with this filling chopped salad. Enjoy the crunchy texture of romaine lettuce mixed with creamy sriracha ranch dressing sprinkled with crispy tortilla strips. Packed with healthy fats from avocados, and protein from chickpeas, this avo sriracha salad will add variety to your day-to-day meal plan. Simply shake up these ingredients together for a yummy, nutritious meal.

Gingery Salmon Poke Greens: Satisfy your sushi cravings with this Asian-inspired salad, perfect for a meal-prepping session. Smoked, poke-style salmon pairs well with refreshing edamame all mixed together with tangy sesame ginger dressing. This refreshing salad is a great option for hot summer days and can easily be packed into a mason jar for easy, on-the-go convenience.

Fajita Chicken Corn Salad: A must-try for anyone who loves Mexican flavors and is looking for a high-protein kick! This Hungryroot salad features sauteed, ground fajita chicken layered on a bed of nutritious spinach and topped off with a cucumber, corn, and black bean salad with shredded, creamy cheddar cheese. A filling meal, this Mexican-inspired recipe is a hearty addition to your weekly salad meal plan.

Sweet Kale Salad with BBQ Paneer: Are you looking for a flavorful, Indian-American fusion salad? Look no further than this nutrient-dense, kale salad. Savory paneer is mixed in flavorful, smoky BBQ sauce all layered on a bed of organic kale. Sweet and tangy cranberries paired with crunchy, fiber-packed pumpkin seeds tie the salad together and add a burst of texture to every bite.

Harvest Kale Farro Salad: A filling mix of organic pearled farro grains and fiber-rich kale, this harvest salad has the perfect balance of sweet and savory. Loaded with chopped, organic honeycrisp apples on a bed of organic green kale mixed with steamed farro. With Hungryroot’s signature house salad dressing, this warm and comforting meal takes on a new level of flavor. It’s a unique twist on a traditional salad that will leave you feeling energized and comforted all week long.

Salt + Pepper Chicken Caesar Salad: This salad has the best of both worlds: minimal prep with maximal flavor! Simply mix in chopped romaine, crispy croutons, and shaved parmesan with a garlicky seasoning and creamy Caesar dressing. For a high-protein twist, sautee chicken and add it to the mix for an energy-fueling meal. 

Artichoke Umami Roasted Beet Salad: A refreshing, Asian-inspired arugula salad will have you coming back to meal prep week over week. With the delightful blend of rich arugula, organic cooked beats, and tangy artichoke hearts, this salad is a true delight for your taste buds. Plus, the creamy miso ties everything together for a delicious and refreshing meal that you’ll crave week after week. 

Lemongrass Tofu Salad w/ Lime Dressing: Calling all plant-based foodies for this one! This refreshing salad from Hungryroot is the perfect meal for those who love all things zesty. With crispy romaine lettuce, chopped cucumbers, and tender lemongrass tofu nuggets sautéed to perfection, every bite is a burst of flavor. Plus, the fresh lime juice and scallions bring it all together for a light and refreshing meal ready to be indulged. 

Tangy Tofu Rainbow Veggie Salad: If you’re looking for a salad bursting with colors and flavors, this rainbow veggie salad is your perfect match. With an Asian-inspired twist, this meal prep recipe features braised lemongrass tofu nuggets over a bed of colorful veggies, all drizzled in Hungryroot’s classic sesame ginger dressing. The combination of warm and cool textures will keep your mouth and taste buds dancing, making this salad a delightful option for a delicious lunch or dinner.

Beyond Taco Salad w/ Creamy Lime Dressing: Prepare yourself for a sensational vegan feat with this crispy, plant-based taco salad. Combining Beyond burger grounds, crisp cucumber slices, and creamy avocado, this salad is a flavorful fusion of textures. Creamy lime dressing crafted with Kite Hill’s dairy-free sour cream imparts a tangy zest to this delectable dish. Toss everything in a bowl and whisk together with dressing for an opportunity to relish in this incredible, and yummy salad.

Black Bean Avo Salad w/ Lime Dressing: A quick meal ready in just five minutes, will keep your taste buds on their toes with a burst of flavors and textures. Loaded with zesty Cuban spiced black beans, fresh avocado, and crunchy green leaf lettuce, this salad is a unique combination of flavors. Mix in lime with a touch of oil to create a tangy dressing that brings the entire salad together. Toss everything into meal prep containers for a healthy lunch on the go.

Balsamic Beet Crunch Salad: A hearty, yet tangy salad that’ll be a burst of colors to your eyes and flavor to mix in every week. A whole two minutes to make, it’ll be the easiest recipe on your salad meal prep list for the week. Mix in organic cooked beats, sliced mini cucumbers, with balsamic pink bean salad all on top of a bed of baby spinach. Bon Appetit!

Hearty Chicken Roast Veggie Kale Salad: If you’re looking for a hearty meal that’ll keep you full all day long, this hearty chicken salad should be your meal prep go-to. Loaded with seasoned, sautéed chicken, and roasted vegetables, this salad is tied together with a classic house dressing for a tangy yet creamy taste and flavor. Indulge in an amazing salad that’s packed with nutrients and flavor goodness!

Maintaining a Successful Meal Prep Salad Routine

Maintaining a successful meal prep salad routine is all about planning, preparation, and consistency. Once you've selected your ingredients and mastered your meal prep skills, it's important to stick to your routine to see the full benefits. To make sure you're staying on track, set aside a specific day and time each week to plan and prepare your salads. Invest in good quality containers to store your salads, and make sure you're properly labeling and dating them to avoid confusion. Finally, don't be afraid to experiment with different ingredients, dressings, and flavors to keep things interesting and prevent boredom. By following these tips and staying committed to your meal prep salad routine, you can enjoy the benefits of a healthy and delicious diet, all while saving time and money in the process.

Looking for an easy way to meal prep delightful and healthy salads? Don't worry, Hungryroot has got you covered! We know that life can get hectic, but sticking to your salad game shouldn't be a struggle. That's why we bring you custom-selected, healthy groceries that magically turn into delicious, easy-to-cook meals, delivered right to your door. Let us be your trusted partner on your healthy lifestyle journey—because you deserve to feel good, inside and out.

Start your healthy journey by taking our personalized quiz to get your perfect salad recommendations.

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