Let’s be honest. The idea to start eating salads sounds tempting. A bowl bursting with colour, fresh ingredients, and all the makings of a healthy meal. But when it comes to actually eating them? Meh. Not always as exciting…
Maybe you’ve tried, only to be put off by limp greens, bitter bites, or a sad excuse for a meal that left you hunting for snacks in the cupboard hours later. (You can take that empty pack of crisps out of your pocket. Relax, I know!)
I get it. Years ago, if someone handed me a salad, I’d smile, nod, and secretly look for the nearest McDonald’s. The salads I knew were tasteless, lifeless, and about as satisfying as chewing on air. But that’s not the kind of salads I make here at Savour the Greens.
It’s 2025 and thanks to Pinterest, TikTok and all those amazing recipe blogs out there (ehm… nice to meet you 🍀) salads have evolved way beyond dry lettuce leaves and a few tomato slices. They’re no longer a boring diet meal. And if you still think of them that way, it’s probably because you’ve been focusing on making them ultra-healthy while stripping away all the good stuff.
And that’s the problem. It’s NOT the salads, but the way we make them.
What if I told you that you could turn nearly any meal into a salad without sacrificing flavour – but perhaps just tweaking the proportions? That’s what I did to lose 15kg in just 6 months.
As someone who used to weigh almost 70kg, I had to reinvent the way I thought about salads and find a way to make them fun, flavourful, and downright satisfying. Until… I started eating salads on a daily basis. Three and a half years on my healthy eating journey, I’m on a mission to help you get the same results as I got.
YES, salads can be delicious—even if you’re a committed carnivore not willing to go vegetarian (or, God forbid, vegan 🌱). It’s all about tweaking your plate and adding more greens.
Before we dive into how to make salads you’ll actually crave, let’s first reset your relationship with them. Shall we start from scratch? Please… Here’s why you haven’t enjoyed them so far and what to do to start eating salads – even if you’re not really a fan yet!
Why Most People Don’t Like Eating Salads
1. They Taste Bland
The worst thing about boring salads? They taste like nothing. And no, that tiny olive oil dressing packet from a supermarket salad won’t save it. A great salad needs layers of flavour and a dressing that ties all the ingredients together. Only then you’re truly able to enjoy every bite.
✅ Fix: Don’t be afraid to use bold dressings, marinated proteins or cheeses to amp up the taste. A salad with a little extra flavour (and even calories) is always better than one you don’t eat at all.
2. They Feel Unsatisfying
Most people are trying to make the salads ultra-healthy—which often means skimping on protein or fat (a.k.a. the best part of the salad). The result? A bowl of greens where you have to hunt for the good stuff. If your salad feels like a punishment, no wonder you don’t enjoy it. I wouldn’t either!
✅ Fix: Your body needs protein. And so do your taste buds. The solution? Flip the script! Make your favorite protein the star and let the greens, veggies, and seeds be the supporting cast. A marinated chicken, grilled salmon, or hearty plant-based protein should be the main event, not just a sprinkle on top.
3. They Feel Raw and Crunchy
I don’t know about you, but whenever I think of salads, iceberg lettuce is the first thing that comes to mind. And as strange as it may sound coming from a salad lover, I’m actually not a huge fan of lettuce because, let’s be honest, it can be pretty bitter! If that’s the case for you too, I’ve got good news—salads don’t have to be all about raw greens. You can easily swap them out for options that are softer, cooked, or even completely different.
✅ Fix: Instead of building your salads on a green base, try different colours of the rainbow. Try blanched or sautéed greens like cabbage or cavolo nero, swap greens for roasted veggies, or build your salad around grains like quinoa, pasta, or lentils for a more satisfying bite.
4. Greens Are Too Bitter
Life is already bitter enough—why add more to your plate? Some greens (like kale and arugula) come with a natural bitterness that can make salads unpleasant. The good news? There are plenty of milder, sweeter greens to work with.
✅ Fix: Opt for spinach, chard, romaine, or mild cavolo nero. If you love kale but hate the bitterness, massage it with olive oil or lemon to soften the flavor. A touch of honey-based dressing or roasting your greens can also make a world of difference!
5. They Don’t Feel Like a Real Meal
It’s hard to enjoy a salad when you treat it as nothing more than diet food or a simple side dish. If you suddenly swap out your comforting meals for a bowl of leafy greens and expect it to be satisfying, it’s no wonder your healthy eating plan won’t stick. You need to take it one step at a time.
✅ Fix: How about first adding salads as a side to your favorite mains and then gradually transforming those plates into something more salad-focused? Once you’re comfortable with having high-fiber sides regularly, begin experimenting with building meals where the salad base takes the lead, making it a fulfilling and flavourful main.
6. They’re Just Missing Something
Ever had a salad that almost tastes good, but something just feels … off? It’s probably missing of the five key elements: crunch, creaminess, protein, acidity or a hint of sweetness.
✅ Fix: Making a satisfying salad is not a rocket science – but there are a few rules to follow. Make sure your bowl includes a good balance of greens, veggies, fruit, protein, healthy fats, dressing, and flavour enhancers. (I’ve broken this all down in my guide to making a Salad That Actually Fills You.)
7. They’re Not Cooked
Not everyone is into raw veggies – I get that. And cold salads can sometimes feel unappetizing. But who said salads have to be raw?
✅ Fix: Try warm salads with roasted vegetables, grilled chicken, or proteins cooked on the pan, in the slow cooker or air fryer. You can even warm up the dressing or toss everything together in a pan for a cosy, comforting salad experience.
8. They Get Soggy
Remember how excited you were about your salad lunch boxes – until you opened one at work only to find a soggy mixture of ingredients with a texture so off-putting you couldn’t even look at it? Wilted greens and mushy veggies are the worst.
✅ Fix: If you’re prepping salads ahead, use containers with compartments to keep the dressing separate from the salad. Only mix your salad when you’re ready to eat it. This way, you’ll keep it fresh and preserve the fresh texture of your ingredients – even if prepared ahead of time. And nuts, seeds or croutons? Add them last minute.
9. You Don’t Like Vegetables
Not a fan of vegetables? No worries, you can still enjoy salads without forcing yourself to eat things you don’t like.
✅ Fix: Have you heard of fruit salads? Though they may evoke something fancy, they’re just a mix of fruits enhanced with a nice dressing—and occasionally, a mix of rocket leaves or herbs. Either way, they’re a perfect alternative to vegetable salads. And if you crave something even more fancy, try combining some fruits with feta cheese and Parma Ham!
10. You Don’t Like the Texture
Chewing on salad leaves is a deal breaker for many. And also one of the common excuse Redditors use to avoid eating salads. If the idea of biting into big, tough leaves sounds cringe-worthy, you’re not alone.
✅ Fix: Use a mandoline slicer to chop your greens and veggies to the size you like. Eating smaller-sized bites helps you enjoy more ingredients at once, so you get all the flavours in one bite instead of coming across plain, tough leaves every now and then.
How to Start Eating More Salads
Feeling that salad craving yet? By now, I’m hoping I’ve ignited your imagination and shown you just how exciting salads can be. So, here comes the next big question: How do you actually start enjoying salads and make them a regular part of your meals?
Create a Recipe Board
We eat with our eyes—and trust me, it doesn’t take a food blogger to tell you that! Think about all those viral dishes on TikTok or Pinterest that made your mouth water just from the photos. Salads can be just as tempting!
Start by finding your go-to recipe blog (ahem… Savour the Greens is a great place to start) or start collecting recipes to a Pinterest board. And when you come across one that makes your taste buds tingle, just get a chopping board and make one.
Start Small
You want to lose weight or maybe just get more nutrients in. Either way, salads are a great way to boost your health. But let’s be honest—going all in is a recipe for failure. Major changes stick better when they happen gradually. Think back to when you started running. You didn’t jump into a 10k right away, right?
Instead of treating salads as a whole new diet, start by adding them into your meal plan as a simple addition. Try swapping one meal a week for a salad made from ingredients you actually enjoy. Maybe start with salad as a side or add it to your workout days when your brain is already in that healthy mindset. This is what worked for me. After finishing a run and feeling the value of every single calorie, I was motivated to choose a more nutritious salad over the usual go-to meal. It worked like magic! And before I knew it, salads became something I always craved on my workout days.
Use Flavourful Dressings
I’ll be honest with you. When I first got into salads, it took me a while to find dressings I actually liked. Personally, I can’t stand the smell of vinegar—and that’s a problem as most salad dressings contain it. If you’re on the same boat, you may need to experiment until you find the flavours you really like. Since making dressings at home is cheap and easy, I recommend whipping up a few different kinds at once and taste-testing them until you find the one.
Start with a simple olive oil-vinegar-mustard dressing. Or try other begginer-safe dressings like olive oil-lemon juice or honey and mustard. Try them first before experimenting with something more fancy.
Use Familiar Ingredients
Here’s where many salad newbies go wrong. They pick a recipe that looks good on the picture without being necessarily familiar with all the ingredients. Don’t make the same mistake. Pick a recipe with ingredient you normally enjoy—even at the cost of making the salad less healthy. You’ll get to learn a lot about nutrition as you get into salads in the future. But for now, the main goal is to start enjoying them.
The most popular salad toppings for a reason? Feta cheese, croutons, nuts, and olives. As for protein, you can’t go wrong with grilled chicken, salmon, boiled eggs, or chickpeas.
And remember—salads don’t have rules…well, except for the 7 key components that make the salad satisfying. But when it comes to ingredients – the sky is the limit! So if you love crackers, seeds, or even a handful of tortilla chips, throw them in!
Experiment with Different Greens
There are endless shades of green—and just as many options for your salad base. From the slightly bitter bite of kale or rocket leaves to the milder crunch of romaine lettuce, or the iron-packed richness of spinach, cavolo nero, cabbage, chard, bok choy, and even beetroot leaves—each green brings its own unique flavor and nutrients to the table.
By mixing and matching, you can create a salad with a different base every day. That’s the best way to eat a balanced diet with a variety of different nutrients – a bit what every nutritionist recommends. So don’t just settle for one type of green—get creative and experiment with different combinations to discover what you love!
Try Warm Salads
While warm salads are often associated with the cosy vibes of winter, they’re a delicious option that can be enjoyed year-round. Think roasted vegetables tossed with grains, or a warm protein like grilled chicken or salmon nestled on top of your salad base. And yes, you can even dust off your slow cooker or crisp some veggies in the air fryer for that extra touch!
The warmth enhances the flavours and makes the salad feel heartier and more satisfying, perfect for those days when you want something more filling that feels like a complete meal.
Add Fruits & Nuts
Salads don’t have to be just about vegetables. If you want to take your salad to the next level, add a burst of sweetness and crunch by incorporating fresh fruits and nuts. Watermelon, pears, crisp apple slices, or tangy citrus wedges can bring a refreshing contrast to your greens, while nuts like almonds, walnuts, or toasted pecans provide satisfying texture and a dose of healthy fats. (Just keep an eye on the portion sizes!)
The combination of some fruits (such as watermelon, pomegranate or grapefruit) with arugula, feta cheese or ham with balsamic vinegar is so mouth-watering you’ll wonder why you hadn’t tried it sooner.
Not only do fruits and nuts elevate the flavor profile of your salad, but they also add variety and nutrition, making your bowl feel more like a gourmet dish. Oh…and the combination of savoury and sweet taste—give it a try and you’ll never look back!
Wrap It
Like the idea of a salad but wish it had a more specific shape? How about wrapping it with a tortilla, cabbage leaves or lettuce? It doesn’t matter in what consistency your salad comes—as long as you get to enjoy its healthy benefits.
Give them a go! They’re easy to eat, perfect for on-the-go meals, and the wrap itself helps enhance the flavors, making every bite even more satisfying.
Ready to Give Salads a Chance?
By now, you’ve got all the tools to make salads exciting, satisfying, and—dare I say—crave-worthy. But reading about it is one thing, actually trying is another.
To make it easier for you, I’ve put together a free 7-day salad challenge—a simple, delicious way to ease into a salad-based diet without feeling deprived. These aren’t your typical bland, leafy bowls. Each recipe is packed with flavor, texture, and all the good stuff that makes a meal feel complete.
Give it a try, and by the end of the week, you might just find yourself hooked. Are you in? Let’s do this!