In need of a reset after indulging during the holiday season? Or perhaps letting the indulging continue into the new year? If you feel like it is time to get back on track, there is no better time than now!
We all know salads can be a great option to successfully get back on track. But many don’t know just how quickly they can make a seasonable salad or just how tasty it can be.
The key to creating delicious, healthy winter salads is knowing that a salad can be much more than lettuce and vegetables. A salad is a mixture of ingredients, any ingredients, topped with your favorite dressing. While creating winter salads may mean flexing your creative skills, it won’t cost you more time and effort. Your days are busy enough. You need quick, easy recipes that are delicious and give you time back in your day to meet your goals.
Must-Have Ingredients
Numerous seasonal plants can be included in your winter salad such as red cabbage, kale and brussel sprouts. Other fresh ingredients to consider include Swiss chard, parsnips, carrots, spinach, squash, and beets. But the goodness does not end with the vegetables. Adding protein makes you feel full longer and gives you the energy to meet all your work and home demands. Plus, it can add tons of flavor to your salad!
Protein options include chicken, beef, seafood, chickpeas, tofu, eggs, and beans. Add nuts, grains, seeds, or cheese for even more flavor, texture, and fiber. Fruits for winter salads include apples, oranges, pears, pomegranates, grapes, cranberries, and many more. Combine your ingredients with rice, quinoa, or flavored grains.
Quick and Easy Winter Salad Recipes
Warm Winter Salad
In less than five minutes, you can make this Warm Winter Salad recipe. It’s quite simple to make; all you’ll need to do is microwave a Minute Multi-Grain Medley Rice Cup and combine 2 cups of packed field greens, ¼ cup of butternut squash, and ⅓ cup of cranberries. Mix it together and top with 1 tbsp of lemon juice and ¼ tsp ground nutmeg to get a vibrant dish full of flavor and nutrients.
Beet and Multigrain Salad
With jarred pickled beets, creamy avocado, ranch dressing and crumbled feta cheese, this Beet and Multigrain Salad has a hint of the southwest with a restaurant-worthy appearance and taste. With just six ingredients, it’s a salad you can make quickly for lunch, dinner or an on-the-go snack.
Super Crunch Grain Salad
Want something crunchy and sweet without the calories and sugars found in many traditional snacks? Our Super Crunch Grain Salad is your answer. It combines brown rice, quinoa, coleslaw mix, cranberries, almonds, and a vinaigrette. In just a few minutes, you can create a quick dish that gives you a burst of energy. It’s perfect for a mid-day meal when you need a push to get you through the rest of the day.
Mexican Cobb Salad
If you are craving your favorite authentic Mexican restaurant, try this Mexican Cobb Salad recipe. It is satisfying, simple, and can save you money and calories. Additionally, you won’t have that overly full feeling when done. Combine a Minute Cilantro and Lime Jasmine Rice Cup with black beans, corn, chopped tomatoes, avocado, and Italian dressing for an explosion of flavors minus the wait time.
Grilled Steak and Brown Rice Salad
You deserve grilled steak, even in the winter. It’s comforting, filling, and tastes fantastic. Rather than serve steak with a few ordinary side dishes, check out this Grilled Steak and Brown Rice Salad recipe. Ingredients include Minute Instant Brown Rice, steak seasoning, arugula, tomatoes, avocado, goat cheese, and chimichurri sauce. It is so easy to make you won’t mind recreating it when your family begs for it again and again.
Mediterranean Tabbouleh Salad
If you need a quick and easy side dish to take to a party or want to make a larger batch of something you can enjoy throughout the week, this is it. The Mediterranean Tabbouleh salad will transport you from the cold winter months to warm, sunny islands. It is overloaded with nutritious ingredients, including rice, quinoa, shallots, tomatoes, cucumbers, green onions, parsley, and mint. Vegetable broth, olive oil, mustard, and lemon juice give this dish a tasty twist.
Mango Basil Chicken and Brown Rice Salad
This Mango Basil Chicken and Brown Rice Salad is anything but boring. In less than 15 minutes, you get a protein-packed meal that will satisfy you for hours. Chicken, basil, and instant brown rice offer savory flavors, while mango, cherries, and goat cheese hint at the tropics. This salad is versatile, too. You can turn it into a wrap in less than a minute if you prefer a sandwich.
Incorporating Winter Salads Into Your Routine
We get it, life can be hectic and you’re constantly balancing a million things. Between working, taking care of family, running errands, and meeting academic or social obligations, you might be too tired to plan and prepare a meal. You also don’t want to eat out again, because it costs too much money and the food is not always healthy.
There’s a simple solution to this problem that will save you a lot of time, effort, and money. By incorporating winter salads into your routine, you can feel good about your diet during the colder months.
Meal Prep
You may wonder how to fit one more thing into your busy schedule. You will find, however, that two words can make a big difference: meal prep.
Meal preparation refers to setting aside a specific amount of time to prepare and package your meals for the week ahead. You become organized and efficient, spending less time at the grocery store. Meal prep also gives you the confidence to stick to your plans involving saving money or dieting.
Meal prep tips include the following:
- Use instant rice varieties for making batches
- Use firm lettuce or greens
- Store dressing in a separate container
- Let cooked ingredients cool before adding them to the mixture
- Get creative and include your favorite ingredients
On the Go
Meal preparation allows you to have all your meals for the week ready to go. But don’t worry if you are not a meal prepper. Even if you’d prefer to be spontaneous with your meals, you can still enjoy quick, easy winter salads daily in just a few simple steps.
To create a simple winter salad that’s ready in minutes, try one of our Minute Rice Cups. Ready in just 60 seconds, once the rice is prepared, you can top it with the ingredients of your choice. On-the-go meals are perfect for the person who prefers following their cravings. It gives you more flexibility and diversity than eating the same salad daily.
With so many ingredient options, you can even experiment a bit with your favorites. Embellish the recipes provided or create new salads from scratch. Eating better can be fun for you and your family. Get everyone involved, challenging each family member to come up with their own winter salad creation!
