Our 5 Fave Salad Kits from Trader Joe’s (And What to Add To Them For A More Flavorful Meal)
When I want a healthy, easy dinner, a salad kit is a great option (that I can toss together in minutes). Trader Joe’s has some great salad kits that have everything you need already in there, but sometimes I want to spruce it up a bit and add a few more flavorful additions. So I asked Zach for some suggestions on how to turn these kits into more filling meals. Here are some of my favorite kits – and his suggestions for what to add to them!
Photo: Trader Joe’s
Southwestern Chopped Salad Kit
This kit contains green cabbage, romaine, cotija cheese, roasted pepitas, tortilla strips, green onions, cilantro, and a spicy southwest avocado dressing. So there’s plenty in there to satisfy you! I love the balance of the creamy cotija with the crunchy pepitas and tortilla strips. The only thing is I sometimes want some extra protein to turn this salad into a full meal.
how to spruce it up
My favorite thing to add to this is blackened chicken breast. Coat the chicken in a good amount of blackened seasoning, saute it for a few minutes per side, then finish it in the oven on 450 for about 5-8 minutes. Slice it up and serve it on top of the salad. Another great addition would be some black beans or fresh, diced avocado.
Photo: Trader Joe’s
Peanut And Crispy Noodle Salad Kit
The peanut and lime dressing on this salad is amazing, and I love the crunchy peanut and fried rice noodles in the salad. If you’re looking for something with Asian flavors this is a great option.
how to spruce it up
If you want to keep this vegetarian I would add some teriyaki tofu. Get a block of firm tofu, dice into 1-inch size pieces, toss in teriyaki sauce, then bake at 400F for about 30 minutes. If you want to add some meat to it then a seared piece of ahi tuna is a great option.
Photo: Valerie’s Kitchen
Broccoli & Kale Slaw Salad
This salad is simple but nutritious. The dried cherries, blueberries, and sunflower seeds give it plenty of flavor and texture, plus I always love a creamy slaw dressing.
how to spruce it up
A seared piece of salmon goes great with this salad. All it needs is a little salt, pepper, garlic, and thyme. Add that and you’ve got a delicious, healthy dinner ready in under 10 minutes!
Photo: Trader Joe’s
Vegan Taco Salad Kit
The chipotle seitan in this kit keeps it vegan while making it filling. The jalapeno ranch is so good you won’t even realize it’s fully vegan, and the purple tortilla chips give it a great crunch!
how to spruce it up
There are plenty of things you can add to bulk up this salad while keeping it vegan. Some roasted pepitas or chopped cashews are a delicious addition. I’ve also roasted corn and diced tomatoes which were great too!
Photo: Trader Joe’s
Organic Caesar Salad Kit
You probably don’t need me to describe a caesar salad to you. This salad sticks to the classics with croutons, shredded parmesan, and a creamy caesar dressing!
how to spruce it up
We all know grilled chicken goes well with caesar salad. If you really want to step it up though, serve this with a seared hanger steak! Sear the steak in a hot pan (preferably cast iron) for about 3 minutes per side and then finish it in the oven at 450F until it reaches your desired temp. Top it with a little butter and fresh herbs before putting it in the oven. Then let it rest, slice it up, and you’ve got yourself a steakhouse-style dinner right at home!
