5 Delicious Main Dishes to Pair Perfectly with Your Salad

Updated on 
24 April, 2023

What To Serve With A Salad As The Main Dish

When you want to serve something new and exciting for dinner, salads can be a great option! Not only are they tasty and healthy, but there's also a variety of dishes that pair perfectly with them.

What To Serve With A Salad As The Main Dish

In this article, we'll explore what to serve with a salad as the main dish so you can enjoy something new and innovative at your next meal.

Salads don't have to be boring - in fact, they can make for an exciting meal option. With the right side dishes, you can create a delicious and unique experience that will have everyone asking what the secret ingredient is!

So if you're looking for something different to serve up tonight, read on to find out what goes well with a salad as the main dish.

Grilled Meats

Grilled meats are a perfect main dish to serve with a salad.

The succulent, juicy flavors that come from grilling will have your guests drooling with delight.

Grilling brings out the best in any cut of meat, transforming it into something truly remarkable.

From tender steaks to juicy burgers and everything in between, the possibilities are endless when it comes to grilling up deliciousness.

The smoky flavor can’t be beat and you won't find an easier way to make dinner for a crowd than grilling!

Plus, you can easily add some veggies to the grill for an all-in-one meal that's sure to please everyone's taste buds.

The next step is exploring the world of roasted vegetables.

Roasted Vegetables

Grilled meats are a classic and delicious accompaniment to a salad, but there's always room for change and variety. Roasted vegetables offer the perfect opportunity to take your meal to the next level! This cooking method can bring out the natural sweetness of vegetables and add depth of flavor that you won't get from grilling.

Here's what you need to know about roasting vegetables:

1. Choose Your Vegetables Carefully: Select the freshest vegetables available in season for the best flavor and texture. Root vegetables like potatoes, carrots, beets, parsnips, onions, squash, and sweet potatoes are ideal candidates for roasting.

2. Prepare The Vegetables: Generally speaking, it's best to cut the vegetables into uniform pieces so they cook evenly. Toss them with oil or butter and seasonings before transferring them to a baking sheet or roasting pan.

3. Roast At The Right Temperature: To ensure even cooking and crispiness on the outside while keeping them tender on the inside, roast at 375-400°F (190-200°C). Start checking them after 20 minutes; they should be done when they're golden brown and easily pierced with a fork.

Roasted Vegetables

Now that you know how to roast vegetables perfectly every time, you can enjoy their deliciousness as an accompaniment to any salad dish! With this simple technique you can create an unforgettable side dish that will have everyone asking for seconds. And don't forget – grains and legumes provide yet another way to add flavor and texture contrast to your meal!

Grains And Legumes

Grains and legumes are an essential part of any main dish. They can be used to create truly extraordinary dishes that tantalize the taste buds and delight the palate. Grains and legumes add a level of sophistication that is simply incomparable; they are like a symphony for the senses, an indulgent feast for the eyes, and a delectable treat for the tongue. From quinoa to lentils, these flavorsome ingredients can be used to make dishes that are as nutritious as they are flavorful.

A wide variety of grains and legumes can be used in salads to create creative, delicious meals. For instance, wild rice has a delightful nutty flavor that pairs wonderfully with fresh herbs and vegetables. Rice noodles are also a great addition to a salad; their chewy texture adds depth and complexity to any dish. Chickpeas offer an earthy flavor that is sure to please all palates – just toss them into your salad for an extra boost of protein! Finally, couscous is another great option; it's light and fluffy texture complements most salads perfectly.

Incorporating grains and legumes into your salad is guaranteed to take it from ordinary to extraordinary without much effort at all. Their unique flavors will tantalize your taste buds while providing you with essential nutrients - what more could you want from your main dish?

To up the ante even further, why not try adding some toasted nuts or seeds on top? The combination of flavors will have your guests raving about your culinary prowess!

Toasted Nuts And Seeds

Toasted nuts and seeds are an excellent accompaniment to a salad as the main dish. Not only do they add a delightful crunch to the salad, but they also offer plenty of health benefits. Toasting the nuts and seeds helps to bring out their intense flavor and give them an extra special touch.

Toasted Nuts And Seeds

Here is a list of 5 tasty toasted nuts and seeds that will take your salad to the next level:

  • Walnuts
  • Sunflower Seeds
  • Almonds
  • Cashews
  • Pumpkin Seeds

Using these toasted nuts and seeds in your salad can really make it stand out from other dishes. Not only will it look gorgeous, but it will also pack a nutritional punch that you won't find anywhere else.

With all these amazing flavors, textures, and benefits in mind, why not try making your own salad with some delicious toasted nuts and seeds? It's sure to be an unforgettable experience!

Now let's move on to the next step – baked goods – for more delectable options.

Baked Goods

Baked goods are a great accompaniment for any salad, especially when it’s the main dish. To put it another way, salads are made even more tantalizing with the addition of a variety of baked goods.

The possibilities here are endless – from biscuits and rolls to muffins and doughnuts – there’s something to please everyone.

For those who want something savory, a warm biscuit or roll is the perfect addition to any salad. Not only do they pair nicely with acidic dressings like balsamic vinaigrette, but they also provide much-needed contrast to crunchy toppings like croutons. Plus, they take no time at all to bake up in the oven!

On the other hand, if you’re looking for something sweet, why not try a batch of muffins? They tend to be quite moist and flavorful, making them an ideal pairing for fresh greens and creamy dressings alike. And because they come in so many varieties – from blueberry and banana to oat and zucchini – there’s bound to be one that will satisfy any palate.

All in all, baked goods are an excellent way to spice up any main dish salad. Whether you’re looking for something savory or sweet, there’s sure to be one that will tantalize your taste buds!

Conclusion

To round out a salad as the main dish, there are many great options:

  • Grilled meats
  • Roasted vegetables
  • Grains and legumes
  • Toasted nuts and seeds
  • Baked goods

With so many options, you can create a unique meal every time. For example, one survey found that nearly 60% of people prefer adding grilled chicken or salmon to their salads for a more hearty meal.

Baked Goods

Personally, I love making salads with different grains like quinoa or farro. Adding these to your salad will not only make it more filling but also give it an interesting twist.

Whatever ingredients you choose, you're sure to have an amazing dinner!

Jennifer
Jennifer is a certified nutritionist and weight loss coach with a Master's in Nutrition from Cambridge. With over 10 years experience, she shares healthy recipes and science-backed slimming tips on SheCooksSheEats to help people reach their wellness goals. Jennifer stays up-to-date by regularly attending conferences and continuing her nutrition education. She aims to provide research-backed advice to inspire balanced, happy living.
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