Fast ways to turn a basic bowl into a craveable, nutrient-forward meal.
A plain bowl of greens? That's technically a side dish, making it challenging to justify as a main course for lunch. But add some protein, peppery microgreens, and edible flowers? You've created a meal that is not only easy to eat but also fun and satisfying!
Even small swaps can help create big results. The difference between memorable salads and those you forget is simply smart salad add-ons. And no, we are not suggesting adding eggs, cheese, or bacon.
These are easy salad add-ons that do not require extra cooking skills, just smart swaps that can help elevate everyday lunch bowls into effortless, healthy additions.
Why Salad Add-Ons Matter
Not all salads are created equal. Some are delicious but leave you hungry again in an hour. Others are heavy. The best salads strike the perfect balance: satisfying, energizing, and delicious.
A significant part of that balance comes from the additional components you add to your salad. Protein keeps you full; without it, you're eating crunchy water. Microgreens are rich in vitamins, antioxidants, and phytonutrients. Edible flowers bring color and aroma that make eating more interesting.
The right additional components you use with the base salad will turn it from a side dish to a satisfying meal. The difference between “I guess I'll have a salad” and “I am excited to eat this” is possible if you add edible flowers. For healthy lunch upgrades on busy days, that matters.
Choosing Protein for Salads
Adding protein to a salad helps transition it from a snack to a meal. The best part about salad proteins is that they are aromatic, lean, and flavorful, and you can spend less than 10 minutes preparing them, and they still taste terrific cold or at room temperature.
Some of the healthiest and most flavorful proteins include roasted chickpeas, lentils, hard-boiled eggs, grilled tofu, and smoked salmon. If you include poultry in your diet, adding grilled chicken to meals also helps maintain portion control and provides an easy meal prep option. Just marinate chicken with citrus or herbs, grill, slice, and you're set for the week.
A simple swap involves two lighter proteins that work together to form complete amino acids without the addition of heavy carbs: a protein, such as white beans, and a nut or seed, like sunflower seeds.
If you are really pressed for time, consider buying a ready-made chicken add-on for salads or wraps to use during the week; no cooking is required.
Microgreens Add-On = Flavor, Texture, And Phytonutrients
If you are not using microgreens, you're missing out on one of the simplest upgrades you can make. Microgreens, when added as an add-on, provide the nutrition, vitamins, antioxidants, and robust flavor that make any salad base burst with goodness. These tiny leaves hold 40 times more nutrients than mature greens, so one handful is enough.
But it's more than nutrition. Microgreens provide a texture, that “crispy snap,” and bold flavors that you cannot get from baby greens. Peppery. Essential. Earthy. Herbal. Each type has its own flavor to add to your base.
Pair microgreens by flavor:
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Radish microgreens: deliver sharp heat, which contrasts well with feta and olives.
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Arugula microgreens: adds a peppery bite that skillfully balances sweet pear and crunchy walnuts
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Sunflower microgreens: mild crunch goes beautifully with quinoa and avocado.
Storage and finishing tip:
Are you ready to eat? Add your microgreens add-on right at the end, right before eating. That way, they stay fresh, crisp, and pretty on top. If added too early, they will wilt under the dressing and lose their signature crunch.
Here's how you can think of microgreens: small, but powerful! They provide a great and powerful addition.
How to Use Edible Flowers for Salads (Color, Aroma, Occasion)
Edible flowers are not only gorgeous, but they’re also tasty!
The finest edible flowers for salads will surprise you with subtle flavors, while others may have a peppery quality, like nasturtium, or bring sweetness, like viola, or a citrusy quality, like calendula. They add a textural and aromatic elegance that feels fancy even on an otherwise ordinary Tuesday.
When to use edible flowers in a salad:
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Weeknight elevation: After a long day, turning a regular lunch salad into something special is really worth it.
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Brunch boards: Fancy without the fuss.
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Dinner parties: To elevate even the simplest salad to a restaurant-quality plate at home.
How to treat them:
When using edible flowers in a salad, they should be rinsed carefully, patted dry, and added freshly after the salad is plated. Edible flowers are delicate; don't dress them or toss them too early, or they will bruise!
Balance tip: Layer the edible flowers over the top of your microgreens add-on. A few edible flowers go a long way in helping to create that "wow" feeling, rather than overpowering your dish. Think of them as a garnish with personality.
At Planted Detroit, we pack bundles of flowers, including Viola, Snapdragon, Dianthus, Calendula, Bachelor's Button, and Begonia. All grown hydroponically and delivered fresh as per your convenience!
How to Build a Balanced Bowl With Salad Add-Ons
Building satisfying salads is easy! The challenge, as with adding dressings, is that it has to be a repeatable formula, which is what makes a salad add-on seem intentional rather than random.
Here is the four-part framework, which will help make a salad add-on seem planned rather than random.
1. Base crisp greens and grains: You start with an assortment of baby greens or hearty greens like kale and add cooked grains (quinoa, farro, or brown rice) for a hearty food source and staying power.
2. Protein: One palm-sized portion. It could be any of the grilled chicken add-ons, roasted chickpeas, lentils, or smoked salmon option. Select what sounds good and what fits into your prep time.
3. Crunch and color with seeds, nuts, and veggie chips: Texture matters. Toasted pumpkin seeds, sliced almonds, and crispy chickpeas amplify the crunch and layer colorful vegetables.
4. Finish: Dress lightly, then top with a microgreens add-on for intensity, and finish with a few edible flower petals as part of the visual aspects.
Portion cues to keep things somewhat balanced:
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2 palms of greens
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1 palm of protein
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1 cupped hand of toppings
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1-2 tablespoons dressing
This framework eliminates the guesswork from healthy lunch upgrades, making every salad feel special.
Quick Pairings and Time-Savers From Planted Detroit
Convenient combinations simplify upgrades. Here are three bowls you can choose from Planted Detroit:
Pearled Couscous Salad Bowl
Inspired by the Mediterranean, a colorful mix of couscous, feta, mint, and fresh greens that is bright, hearty, and refreshingly balanced.
Creamy Pistachio Salad Bowl
Crunchy pistachios with a warm, spicy-sweet dressing on crisp, sustainably grown greens for bold flavor satisfaction.
Golden Sesame Salad Bowl
East Asian zest, mingled with toasty tones, a nutty crunch, and indoor-grown greens, all year long.
The secret to consistent, healthy lunch upgrades? Keep your system rolling. Simply add bundles to your cart and set a delivery schedule so that fresh greens, microgreens, and edible flowers arrive at your doorstep each week. No last-minute grocery store runs. No soggy and wilted greens in the back of your refrigerator. Just dependable freshness that makes building better bowls simple.
Level Up Your Lunch with Planted Detroit
With intelligent add-ons, salads transform ordinary lunches into exciting meals that are both tasty and filling, and visually appealing, without requiring additional steps. A protein add-on provides satiety. A microgreens add-on provides both nutrients and flavor. An edible flower salad add-on turns any plate into a special creation.
Ready to up your salad game?
Explore our salad bundles, layer microgreens, and finish with petals.