Let’s be honest — when you hear the word “salad,” you might picture a sad little pile of iceberg lettuce with a few cucumber slices and a cherry tomato or two. But we’re here to squash that image once and for all. We’re talking about Big A$$ Salads — the kind that take center stage on your plate, leave you full and happy, and make even the pickiest of eaters curious.
A Big A$$ Salad (BAS for short) is a powerhouse of nutrients, a canvas for creativity, and one of the easiest meals you can throw together — no culinary degree required. Whether you’re building it for yourself, your partner, or your kids, here’s how to make salads exciting, satisfying, and yes — even fun.
How to Build a Big A$$ Salad in 7 Easy Steps
🧠 Step 1: Think of Salads as Creative Bowls of Possibility
Salads don’t have rules. Seriously. If it fits in a bowl (or on a plate) and tastes good together, it’s fair game. The best part? Salads are endlessly customizable. You can go Mediterranean, Tex-Mex, Asian-inspired, or even build a salad around your kid’s favorite food (hello, taco salad with crushed tortilla chips!).
Let’s break it down.
🥬 Step 2: Start with the Base
This is your leafy green foundation — but it doesn’t have to be just romaine or spinach.
Try:
- Baby kale (mild and nutritious)
- Mixed greens (adds color)
- Arugula (peppery and fun!)
- Shredded cabbage or slaw mix (adds crunch and color)
- Zoodles or shredded carrots (for a veggie-forward base)
Kid tip: Let your child pick their own greens — make it feel like a “build-your-own adventure.” If raw greens are too much, start with familiar bases like pasta salad, rice, or quinoa and build from there.
🥕 Step 3: Add Crunch and Color
This is where the magic happens — the more colors, the more micronutrients. Plus, it just looks fun.
Mix and match:
- Chopped bell peppers (red, yellow, orange!)
- Shredded carrots
- Sliced cucumbers
- Cherry tomatoes
- Corn
- Snap peas
- Apple or pear slices
- Berries
- Roasted chickpeas
- Crushed tortilla chips or pretzels (yup!)
Kid tip: Use small bowls or a muffin tin and let kids create their own salad “art” with toppings. It’s fun, empowering, and increases the chance they’ll eat what they made.
🍗 Step 4: Add Protein Power
Protein is what takes your Big A$$ Salad from side dish to main event.
Options include:
- Grilled chicken
- Tuna or salmon (fresh or canned)
- Hard-boiled eggs
- Deli turkey or ham (rolled and sliced into pinwheels!)
- Beans (black beans, chickpeas, edamame)
- Cheese (feta, cheddar cubes, shredded mozzarella)
- Tofu or tempeh
Kid tip: Let them pick a protein they already like — even if it’s cheese sticks or diced chicken nuggets. Start where they are.
🥑 Step 5: Add Healthy Fats for Fullness
Fat = flavor and satisfaction.
Try:
- Avocado slices or guac
- Olives
- Nuts (slivered almonds, walnuts)
- Seeds (pumpkin, sunflower, chia)
- Olive oil-based dressing
- Crumbled cheese
Kid tip: Turn it into a “guess the crunch” game with seeds or nuts — or let them mash avocado into a fun green dressing.
🥣 Step 6: Dress it Up (But Keep It Fun)
No one likes a dry salad. But there’s no need to drown it, either.
Quick dressing ideas:
- Olive oil + balsamic vinegar
- Greek yogurt + ranch seasoning
- Hummus + lemon juice
- Salsa + a little plain Greek yogurt
- Honey mustard + Greek yogurt
- Pesto + olive oil
Kid tip: Let kids shake their own dressing in a small jar or zip bag. Giving them control makes it exciting!
🕒 Step 7: Keep It Quick and Easy
A BAS doesn’t take long. You can prep ingredients ahead of time and store them in containers. With a few grab-and-go options ready to go, you can assemble a salad in under 5 minutes.
Meal prep tip: Wash and chop veggies once a week. Cook a big batch of protein like grilled chicken, hard-boiled eggs, or quinoa to mix and match.
🍽️ Bonus: 3 Family-Friendly BAS Ideas
- Taco Tuesday Salad
Base: Romaine + cabbage slaw
Toppings: Black beans, corn, tomatoes, avocado, cheese, crushed tortilla chips
Protein: Ground turkey or beef
Dressing: Salsa + Greek yogurt - Pizza-Inspired Salad
Base: Spinach + arugula
Toppings: Mini pepperoni, shredded mozzarella, cherry tomatoes, black olives
Protein: Grilled chicken or turkey pepperoni
Dressing: Italian dressing or marinara + olive oil - Fruit & Crunch Salad
Base: Mixed greens
Toppings: Strawberries, blueberries, walnuts, cucumbers, feta cheese
Protein: Grilled chicken or boiled egg
Dressing: Balsamic vinaigrette or poppyseed
👨👩👧👦 Make Salads a Family Event
Instead of forcing kids to eat a “grown-up salad,” invite them into the process. Give everyone a bowl, set up a salad bar with all the fun ingredients, and let creativity take the wheel.
Salads don’t have to be boring, restrictive, or an afterthought. They can be colorful, crunchy, filling, and really freakin’ fun.
So go build that Big A$$ Salad — and maybe share it with your kids. Or don’t. They might want their own. 😉
