In summer you'll probably be craving a nice light meal more often. Not hearty stews or a well-filled pumpkin soup, but a light salad is likely the first thing that comes to mind! And a salad is of course often simply a healthy and responsible choice, because it contains far fewer carbohydrates and calories than dishes with potatoes, pasta or bread. Provided, of course, that you keep control over what you make the dressing with, because most ready-made dressings you can find in the supermarket are a true calorie bomb…

In this blog we would like to show you a number of different kinds of salads. We will also tell you which herbs and ingredients you can use for them. All to give you the tools to make delicious dressings yourself so you can control exactly what goes into them. That's healthier. Even if you prefer a ready-made mix for your dressing that is responsible, we want to help you get started with this blog. Hopefully by reading this blog you'll get the inspiration to enjoy delicious summer salads in the sunny months, and do so in a tasty and healthy way. Care to read along?

When you say salad you might first think of a Greek salad. And that's not surprising, because this salad is beloved and also simply very tasty, simple and healthy. What gives a Greek salad its characteristic taste is the dressing. This dressing is made with a mix of a high-quality olive oil, a generous spoonful of oregano, a teaspoon of basil. The dressing is then completed with salt and black pepper. The flavors of oregano and basil are truly characteristic of Greek cuisine, and with the salt and black pepper you bring the fresh ingredients a Greek salad consists of to life.  

The basic ingredients of any Greek salad are tomato, cucumber, red onion, feta, and of course the dressing you find above. And if you feel like going all out you can perfectly complement this salad with olives, pieces of red pepper and fresh mint. Lovely as a side dish at a cozy barbecue, next to your souvlaki, or with your pita shawarma. But you can of course also eat this Greek salad as lunch!  

If you go a bit further south from Greece you end up in North Africa. And there they can also make delicious salads. Only they often don't use vegetables as the base. What you regularly see in North Africa is that they make salads with couscous as the main ingredient. After you have prepared the couscous you can add all kinds of vegetables. Literally all combinations are possible. To keep it tasty and simple you can make a good start by adding tomato, cucumber, red onion, pepper and spring onion. And in addition to these vegetables fresh cilantro and mint also work very well in couscous salads! 

To make this couscous salad a delicious meal you of course need a nice dressing. We make this dressing based on olive oil and lemon juice, and we add a few herbs to properly season the dressing. By adding cumin powder and coriander powder you give the dressing a lovely North African flavor. And by also adding paprika powder you give the salad a nice red color and a slight sweetness that balances the heartiness of the cumin and coriander well. Of course we also add salt and black pepper to finish the dressing off. 

Give the couscous, fresh vegetables and dressing a good toss and you have a wonderfully light meal that you can still take in many directions! Grilled chicken, for example, is also very tasty in this. Or be inspired by the Greek salad and add olives and feta. Maybe you have other great ideas to really surprise your friends and family with your couscous salad—let your creativity run free!3. 

Or if you prefer a true Mediterranean classic, you can never go wrong with an authentic Italian salad. Arugula, cherry tomatoes, mozzarella and some pine nuts together form the basis for a delicious authentic Italian salad. You then season this salad with a dressing of olive oil, balsamic, basil, thyme, oregano, pepper and salt. Mix well and you have a true Mediterranean salad that always does well. Serve it as a side dish with pasta, as a starter, or simply enjoy it as lunch. And as we already said: with this Italian salad you can't go wrong.

To make it even easier for you you can of course also use a healthy ready-made herb mix to season your salad. With this you can make a tasty and responsible lunch or light evening meal in no time. And precisely for that we have in our assortment the carefully composed Sirtaki mix, which you can use, among other things, for a delicious Greek salad. Mix the Sirtaki mix with a little olive oil, vinegar and lemon juice, and you have a dressing that can do it all. Do you want to serve a complete Greek meal? Then you can also find the Thessaloniki Tease in our assortment, with which you can make a fresh tzatziki in no time. Nice with a pita shawarma, or of course for dipping. It doesn't get easier!

Or want to try something different? Then you can try a blood orange and fennel salad, for which you can find the recipe by clicking the link. Maybe not the most summery dish, but truly a beautiful salad we don't want to withhold from you. This dish is a real out-of-the-box combination and also surprisingly tasty. The base is made by combining fennel, avocado, blood orange, goat cheese and pistachios. This base is then seasoned with a lovely sweet dressing of olive oil, honey, 2 tablespoons of Skinny Vanilly, pepper and salt. The Skinny Vanilly used in this recipe is a warm, creamy flavoring full of healthy nutrients, and delicious on this salad, but for example also in your overnight oats. Truly enjoyable—and in a responsible way!

Finish it off with a smart sauce choice

A salad stands or falls with the dressing. Many ready-made dressings contain unnecessarily large amounts of sugar and fat. By choosing our Natural Zero low calorie sauces you give your salad extra flavor without unknowingly adding a lot of calories.

Think of a fresh honey mustard with a chicken salad, a creamy garlic sauce with a Mediterranean bowl or a spicy chilli sauce with a Mexican variant. That way you turn a simple salad into a dish with character—without compromise.

Above we told you about the basics for making three different salads. Whether you want to make a Greek, Italian, or couscous salad, you now hopefully have enough information and inspiration to head into the kitchen! And did you already know the out-of-the-box combination of blood orange and fennel? If you make this salad we are very curious what you think of it! We are in any case fans of this beautiful recipe by London Loy. 

How do you prefer to eat your salad? As a side dish at a barbecue with your friends and family? Or nicely as lunch or a light evening meal? However and whenever you eat it, we hope this blog has given you enough ammunition to make your next salad a delicious meal. Enjoy, and above all: bon appétit!

Frequently asked questions about a healthy salad

1. Is a salad really a healthy meal?

Yes, provided you compose it well. A healthy salad contains sufficient fiber (vegetables), protein (chicken, egg, legumes or tofu), healthy fats (nuts, seeds, avocado) and optionally a whole-grain carbohydrate source such as quinoa or sweet potato. This prevents you from getting hungry again quickly and keeps your energy stable.

2. How do I make a salad filling enough as a main course?

Always add a source of protein. Think of grilled chicken, salmon, lentils, chickpeas or cottage cheese. Combine this with fiber-rich vegetables and possibly some complex carbohydrates. A good balance ensures your salad doesn't feel like a “side dish”, but like a full meal.

3. How do I prevent my salad from tasting boring or bland?

Work with contrasts in flavor and texture. Combine fresh (lemon, vinegar), savory (herbs, spices), crunchy (nuts, seeds) and creamy (a light dressing). Herbs and spices really make the difference here. They provide depth without extra salt or calories.

4. What is the healthiest dressing for a salad?

A dressing based on yogurt, mustard, lemon juice or vinegar is often lighter than traditional creamy sauces. Want to make it easy on yourself? Then choose a low calorie sauce that contains less sugar and fat, but is still full of flavor. That way you keep your salad light and tasty.

5. Can a salad help with weight loss?

Certainly. Salads are often rich in fiber and low in calories, which helps with satiety. Do watch out for high-calorie toppings and heavy dressings. By choosing a conscious composition and a low-calorie sauce, you make a salad that fits perfectly within a healthy lifestyle.