When assembling your own salad, you always want to choose the freshest possible ingredients. That goes double for meat. While it’s true that meat can stand in for other foods in a salad, you’ll get the most nutritional bang for your buck by choosing a protein that goes well with the other ingredients in your salad.
Here’s a list of the best meats to put with your favorite Waldorf salads.
Chicken
This is the most common meat in salads, and for good reason. It’s easy to cook and has a mild flavor that goes with a variety of other ingredients. Choosing the freshest possible chicken is essential to having a great salad. Look for meat that is white and firm, with clear, bright fat. Avoid meat that is gray or has a red tint to it.
Turkey
Turkey is a good choice for people who want a little bit of protein but don’t want the calories that come with it. If you’re making a tuna salad, you can also try substituting turkey for the tuna. Lean turkey is a great option, because it doesn’t contain as much fat as regular ground meat.
Salmon
Salmon is a healthy fish full of omega-3 fatty acids. It’s a good source of protein and can be substituted for chicken or tuna in many different salads. If you can’t find wild salmon, farm-raised salmon is just as good and has fewer calories.
Ham
Ham is a classic sandwich meat that works well in salads. It’s rich in flavor and goes well with a variety of ingredients, making it a good choice for your next salad. Look for lean ham that doesn’t have too much fat or salt.
Eggs
Hard-boiled eggs are an excellent source of protein and nutrients. They’re easy to cook and make a great addition to just about any salad. Choosing the freshest possible eggs is essential to getting the most nutritional bang for your buck.
Beef
Lean beef is a great protein to add to salads. However, because it’s low in fat, you’ll probably want to choose a leaner cut of meat, such as sirloin or tenderloin. The best part about beef is that it can be made into a variety of different cuts, so you’re almost guaranteed to find something that goes well in your salad.
Bison
Bison is an excellent choice for vegetarians because it has a texture and flavor that matches well with other ingredients. It’s also very low in calories, making it a good choice for people who want to gain or lose weight.
Shrimp
Shrimp is a great protein to add to a salad, and it’s easy to cook. However, be careful not to overcook it, or it can turn rubbery and leave a bad taste in your mouth. When selecting fresh shrimp, look for ones that have clear, unblemished shells and tails. Avoid shrimp that has been sitting in the grocery store’s seafood aisle for too long.
Tuna
Tuna is an excellent source of protein and is a good source of omega-3 fatty acids. It’s easy to cook and can be eaten alone or added to a salad. Make sure you buy tuna that is canned in oil with no fillers or additives.
Conclusion
The list above is just a small sample of the many different meats that can be used in a salad. It’s up to you to experiment and see which meats you like best.
Salad is a nice combination of veggies, fruits, nuts, beans and other healthy foods. The only thing you really have to watch out for is making sure that the salad doesn’t contain too many calories. A good rule of thumb is to try not to exceed 250 calories for every four or five cups of salad you eat per day.