Here’s how to make your salad feel a little more exciting.
Salads can sometimes feel a little… predictable. You know the drill: a basic lettuce base, a sprinkle of croutons, and a dollop of store-bought dressing. It works, but it doesn’t exactly scream exciting.
Well, it’s time to toss that tired bowl aside—because Studio 5 is launching a brand-new series that’s all about giving your greens some serious swag.
Doctor Up Ranch Dressing
We’re rolling out some Salad Swag—where boring bowls get bold makeovers, starting with the most crucial element of any good salad: the dressing. Studio 5 Food Editor Maddy Tolman is kicking things off by reimagining a true classic—ranch dressing. But rather than just pouring it out of the bottle, Maddy shared three simple, flavor-packed ways to upgrade your ranch and instantly step up your salad game.
- Garlic Ranch Glow-Up
First up, the pantry staple you already have on hand—garlic! Just add one teaspoon of minced garlic per ½ cup of ranch. This quick mix-in deepens the flavor and adds a zesty, savory twist that makes your salad taste like it came from a high-end café. Pro tip: Use freshly minced garlic for maximum punch.
- Chipotle Kick
If you want a little kick, go for chipotle peppers! Stir in one finely chopped chipotle pepper and a teaspoon of adobo sauce per ½ cup of ranch. This smoky, spicy twist creates a ranch that’s perfect for taco salads, grilled chicken, or anything that needs a bold southwestern flair.
- Pesto-Ranch
Combine your ranch with a spoonful of pesto at a 1-to-8 ratio (that’s about one part pesto to eight parts ranch). The result? A creamy, herb-forward dressing that pairs beautifully with pasta salads, roasted veggies, or even as a dip. It’s bright, fresh, and unexpected.
You don’t have to settle for plain-Jane ranch anymore. Whether you’re hosting a backyard barbecue or just making lunch for one, these simple twists add that “wow” factor you didn’t know your salad needed.
Sweet + Spicy Nuts
Mel Gunnell of Mel’s Kitchen Cafe shared her salad secrets as part of our “Salad Swag” series, and they’re surprisingly easy.
First up: texture. When Mel wants to add a little spicy crunch to her salad, she reaches for one ingredient every time—sweet and spicy candied nuts. “They’re easy to make, add incredible texture and flavor to pretty much any salad, and bonus: they’re amazing to snack on if you have leftovers,” Mel says. She gives them a subtle kick by adding a dash of cayenne pepper to the sugary coating. The result? A craveable balance of sweet heat that makes your salad way more exciting.
But she doesn’t stop there. Mel loves adding another simple upgrade that instantly makes a salad feel special: shaved Parmesan. “It’s hard to pick just one favorite salad ingredient,” she admits, “but shaved Parmesan adds a salty punch—and it makes you feel like a rock star in the kitchen when you shave it off with a vegetable peeler, like a pro.”
We couldn’t agree more. Parmesan has a way of elevating a salad without much effort. Pair it with those sweet and spicy nuts, and you’ve got a winning combination of flavor and texture that’ll have everyone going back for seconds.
So next time you’re assembling a salad, skip the plain croutons and bottled dressing. Try adding some candied nuts and fresh-shaved Parmesan instead. With just a couple of easy upgrades, you’ll transform a simple salad into the star of the table.
Recipe by Mel Gunnell of Mel’s Kitchen Cafe
INGREDIENTS
- 2 tablespoons water
- ½ cup granulated or brown sugar
- Pinch cayenne pepper, more to taste if you want
- Pinch salt
- 1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
METHOD
- Add the water, sugar, salt and cayenne pepper to a skillet set over medium heat. Stir to combine.
- Bring to a simmer and cook for 1 minute until the sugar is dissolved.
- Add the nuts and stir to coat. Cook for another 1-2 minutes over medium-low heat, stirring slowly but constantly.
- Spread the nuts evenly on a parchment lined baking sheet and let cool. Break into pieces.
Need a serving suggestion to get you started? Add them to Mel’s Amazing Spinach Salad with Apples, Bacon, and Feta Cheese.
Find more delicious recipes from Mel on Instagram, @melskitchencafe, or on her website, melskitchencafe.com.
Flavored Oils & Vinegars
Many store-bought salad dressings are loaded with inflammatory oils, added sugars, and preservatives that don’t exactly scream heart healthy. Suzy Bunker’s go-to solution: flavored olive oils and vinegars. “Flavored olive oils are such a simple way to add depth and excitement to a salad,” Suzy said. “Plus, you’re getting all the heart-healthy benefits of olive oil.”
Lemon-flavored olive oil is bright and zesty, and it pairs beautifully with fruity vinegars like blueberry or mango for a fresh, summery vibe. For something more savory, she loves using garlic-infused olive oil or a robust Tuscan blend.
Making your own vinaigrette dressing is as easy as combining 2 parts olive oil to 1 part vinegar—shake it up, and you’ve got a clean, flavorful dressing in seconds.
Find more of Suzy’s recipes at learntocookhealthy.com, or on Instagram, @cook_healthy_with_suzy.
Add Salt & Pepper
There’s nothing wrong with a simple salad. But according to Heather Smith of Orson Gygi, there’s one pantry staple that takes your greens from basic to restaurant-worthy—with barely any effort.
As part of Studio 5’s Salad Swag series, we’re asking our favorite foodies to share their go-to ways to cure a boring salad. Heather’s answer? It’s all about the salt. A sprinkle of flakey sea salt right before serving adds texture, crunch, and an extra pop of flavor that makes every bite stand out.
Why Flakey Sea Salt?
Heather recommended Maldon flakey sea salt if you want to be fancy. This salt isn’t your everyday shaker salt—it’s delicate, pyramid-shaped crystals that dissolve slowly and give each bite a little sparkle.
Should You Add Pepper Too?
While salt is the star, Heather said pepper is welcome at the party! A twist of freshly cracked black pepper can add warmth and depth to your greens. Even simple salads of lettuce, cucumbers, and tomatoes can be transformed with just a sprinkle of good S + P.
So the next time your salad’s feeling a little flat, reach for the finishing salt. It’s the easiest way to add instant swag—and flavor—straight from your pantry.
Add Heat
All week long, Studio 5 food experts have been sharing simple ways to bring a little extra swag to the salad bowl. To wrap up the series, Studio 5 contributor Alex Daynes offered one last tip that’s as easy as it is impactful: add heat. “I’m not talking about serving a totally hot salad—that doesn’t sound great,” Alex laughed. “But I do love heating up just one element in my salad dish that’s going to bring the whole thing together. It warms it up and makes it feel cozy and comforting.”
Warm Element, Big Impact
One of Alex’s favorite examples? A fresh, crunchy Asian sesame salad. “I’ve got my cold cabbage, mandarin oranges, and crunchy wontons,” she explained, “and then I heat up my chicken before adding it to the bowl. That warm chicken just brings all the flavors together. Everything else stays crisp and cool, but the warmth adds depth.”
Alex says this trick works especially well for those who, like her, aren’t fans of cold chicken. The temperature contrast also gives the salad a more elevated, made-to-order feel.
Another Trick: Warm Grains
She also recommended adding a warm grain like quinoa, brown rice, or white rice. “You’ve got your traditional salad—romaine, beans, corn, whatever you like—and then you toss in some warm quinoa,” said Alex. “It just brings a coziness to the salad and makes it feel like something you’d get at a restaurant.”
Her advice is simple: if you want to take your salads to the next level, turn up the heat—just a little. “It’s going to be one you want to make again and again,” Alex promised.
Find more recipes from Alex on Instagram, @thealexdaynes, or on her website, alexdaynes.com.
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