Fresh bagged salads are a gift to anyone short on time but still craving something fresh and satisfying. Whether you’re starting with a Taylor Farms Chopped Salad Kit (hello, built-in toppings and dressing) or pre-washed salad blends like our Classic Romaine or Garden Salad, there’s plenty of room to make them your own.
Think of bagged salad as the perfect foundation — you can go simple, get a little bolder, or mix and match depending on what’s in your fridge (and maybe what kind of day you’re having). If you’ve ever wondered what to add to bagged salad to level it up, we’ve got a few easy, flavorful ideas below. Use a couple, use them all — it’s your salad, your rules.
Up the Protein
So, you’re gazing at your bowl, wondering how to upgrade your bagged salad and make it more filling. Here’s an easy fix: A salad goes from a side dish to a full‑on meal the moment protein enters the chat. Classic choices like grilled chicken, hard‑boiled eggs, and tuna work every time, but consider stepping off the beaten leaf with these:
- Shredded rotisserie chicken: Loads of flavor, no cooking required. (Get recipes with chicken.)
- Smoked salmon: Pairs well with almost any salad or dressing.
- Crispy chickpeas: Pan‑fried in olive oil and paprika for a plant-based option.
- Marinated tofu: Another excellent meatless choice, cubed and air‑fried until golden.
Add a Little Bit (or a lot) of Crunch
Texture is one of the most important elements to add to premade salad — it always makes every bite more exciting and satisfying. So, by all means, elevate your greens by tossing in something crispy or crunchy! Croutons are an obvious and easy choice, but you can also try roasted chickpeas, pepitas, sunflower seeds, or a sprinkle of crushed pita chips. A handful of nuts—almonds, walnuts, or pecans—adds crunch and a little extra protein. Bonus points if you toast them lightly first for a deeper flavor.
Use Up Your Leftovers
Adding to premade salad can mean subtracting from your leftovers. Bagged salad is the ultimate excuse to clear out the fridge in the best way possible. Got last night’s roasted veggies, a grilled steak that didn’t get finished, or that extra piece of salmon? Slice (thinly for steaks), dice, and toss it right in. Even a spoonful of leftover pasta salad or quinoa can add surprising flavor and make your salad feel more like a composed meal than a thrown-together afterthought. It’s smart, tasty, and reduces your food waste.
Add Some Flavor Bombs
Sometimes what a salad really needs is just a jolt of intense flavor — a single ingredient can instantly wake up an entire bowl. Stock your pantry with flavor-packed add-ins like:
- Roasted red peppers (for smoky sweetness)
- Sundried tomatoes
- Olives
- Marinated artichokes
- Hearts of palm (for saltiness and silky texture)
- Roasted beets (for extra color and earthy sweetness)
- Blue cheese
These ingredients punch way above their weight, delivering big taste in small amounts.
Top with Fresh Herbs
Wondering how to upgrade your bagged salad in a matter of seconds? A handful of chopped herbs can quickly enhance even the simplest bowl of greens. Fresh basil, mint, cilantro, parsley, or dill can add a ton of flavor without much effort. If you’re already buying herbs for other dishes, think of them as eager multitaskers. Tear them by hand or chop them up — either way, your salad will taste fresher and a lot less predictable.
Turn Your Bagged Salad into a Wrap
Sometimes you’re on the go or hosting guests, but still want something fresh like a premade salad). If you’ve got a tortilla, pita, lavash bread, or even a collard green leaf (or two) handy, pile your salad inside and (literally) call it a wrap.
This trick works especially well with heartier chopped salads that have a little crunch built in. Add a swipe of hummus, a few slices of avocado, or some leftover grilled veggies, roll it up tight, and you’ve got yourself an instant handheld meal that also doubles as a clever way to use the tail end of a bagged salad mix. Bonus: Wraps also corral runaway toppings, preventing that rogue crouton from diving onto your lap.
Use Grains and Legumes
For a more substantial, fiber-packed upgrade, toss in some grains or legumes. Cooked quinoa, farro, or bulgur adds a slightly nutty bite. Canned beans (rinsed and drained) like chickpeas, black beans, or cannellini beans are an easy way to up the protein without much effort. These simple add-ins turn a side salad into a full, balanced meal that keeps you feeling fueled and satisfied. Semi-pro tip: Grains soak up dressing, so let them mingle a few minutes before serving.
Add Some Fruit
Fruit in a salad? Absolutely — it’s a classic move for a reason. Fresh berries, sliced apples or pears, pomegranate seeds, grapes, or even chunks of melon add a pop of sweetness that balances bitter greens and contrasts beautifully with savory toppings and tangy dressings. Dried fruit also works well — cranberries, cherries, and raisins are natural salad allies of the highest order. The slight chewiness and burst of sweet-tart flavor make every bite more interesting.
Lastly, Make Your Own Dressing
If your fridge door looks like a dressing aisle graveyard — or you’re just out of your favorite bottle — don’t worry. You probably have everything you need to whip up a quick, tasty dressing right at home. Start with a base: olive oil, plain yogurt, tahini, or even mashed avocado can all do the trick. Three parts olive oil to one part acid is a classic ratio for a base. Then mix in something tangy like lemon juice, vinegar (balsamic, apple cider, red wine—take your pick), or a splash of pickle juice for some extra brine and zip. Add flavor boosters like mustard, garlic, honey, or herbs, and season with salt and pepper to taste.
No need to measure perfectly — just shake it all together in a jar or whisk in a bowl until it looks right. Taste and tweak as needed. Once you try it, you might just retire store-bought dressings for good.
Let Your Salad Work Harder for You
Bagged salads offer a head start — the real fun lies in making them uniquely yours. Once you know what to add to bagged salad, every kit or leafy blend transforms into a custom creation that satisfies cravings, reduces kitchen time, and keeps meals exciting. Plus, it’s a low-stress way to put leftover odds and ends to good use.
So next time you’re staring at that bag of greens and wondering what to add, grab what you’ve got and start mixing. Chances are, you’re just a few tosses away from your new favorite dish!
