I have been obsessed with eating salads since the start of the summer. To be honest, I was never the biggest salad person. I always found them rather bland and boring, but recently I’ve been stepping out of my comfort zone with what ingredients I’ve added to them. For dinner this week, I made my own version of a Mexican food-themed salad and I liked it so much that I decided to share the recipe and macro breakdown. Both of them can be found at the bottom of the page.
When I make salads for dinner, I like to focus on a few specific ways to make them. I always make sure to load up my bowl with as many greens as possible. My usual salad base of choice is baby romaine, spring mix is really not my thing but in a pinch I’ll use that. Once I have my bowl loaded with greens, I start to add a variety of other vegetables. Typically what we have on hand is tomatoes, cucumbers, carrots, raw green beans, and peppers.
When I have added an ample amount of veggies, I start to think about what protein sources I can add. I’ve done any kind of protein source from hard boiled egg, ground turkey, cold-cut turkey, chicken, steak. When I’m thinking about what protein source I’m going to add, I try to think about my salad theme for the night. I’ve done a chicken, balsamic salad with shredded mozzarella and roasted peppers to a taco salad with ground turkey, beans, and avocado.
Once I have my main protein source sorted out. I begin to add some form of carbohydrates and fats. My typical choices are usually sweet potatoes, beans, avocado, quinoa, rice and occasionally shredded cheese. I normally rotate the variety and combination so I never end up getting bored with my meals and still look forward to my dinner every night.
I don’t usually any dressings as those tend to pack on tons of added sugars, calories, and fats. I normally use a red wine vinegar or a balsamic vinegar. I will add in olive oil, only if I don’t have any other fat sources to add to my salad. My favorite balsamic vinegar right now is Balsamic Vinegar of Modena. I use no more than a tablespoon or two of it. I really enjoy this particular version because its so bitter tasting.
I’ve been especially obsessed with salads this summer because of the heat we’ve been experiencing. Eating a large satisfying salad for dinner doesn’t leave me feeling sluggish in the humid weather. I also love that you can virtually make whatever you’re craving into salad form (within reason of course). So let’s get to this bonus recipe I mentioned back in the beginning.
I had a serious craving for some Mexican style food the other night. Instead of giving into the craving, I decided to look in my cabinets and fridge to see what I could make into a salad form. I based my portion sizes off of what my remaining macro needs were for the day. The portion sizes I’m going to share with you can be easily adjusted to fit your own dietary needs. There also some great additions that would have went nicely in this salad such as: salsa, shredded cheese, and possibly a part-skim sour cream.
Macro-Friendly Mexican Food Themed Salad
Ingredients
- 4 oz boneless skinless chicken breast cooked
- 2 cups baby romaine
- 100 grams grape tomatoes
- 65 grams black beans
- 50 grams canned corn
- 40 grams avocado
Instructions
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1. Add and shred your lettuce to your bowl or plate.
2. Chop and dice grape tomatoes to your liking and add them to your bowl.
3. Mash up the avocado and add it into your bowl.
4. Weigh and measure out your corn & beans and add them to your bowl.
5. Lastly, add in your chicken and enjoy!
Recipe Notes
Macro Breakdown:
327 Total Calories:
8.2g Fat
27.6g Carbs
32.6g Protein
Thanks for the great recipe! This summer salad looks perfect for those crazy hot days where you want something light and have no desire to turn on the oven!
Exactly, putting on the oven in the heat is the worst!
What an awesome recipe. Summers are great for BBQ and Salad. Not to mention it helps to keep the house cooler in summer too.
Exactly, thank you š
Looks awesome! Will be definitely tryout out the recipe.
Let me know how it works out for you!
Now that’s a meal! I love the colors and flavors. I also love that it’s healthy but NOT boring.
Thank you, the more colorful the more fun it is!
Every element in this salad looks so delicious and fresh! I need to put this together soon, yum!
Awesome, let me know if you do!
This salad looks os delicious! I’ve been looking for some new toppings to add to one. Needing to meal prep for work!
Yes, this would make a great meal prep for lunch at work! We have a post about meal prepping made easy, you should definitely check it out š
Your salad pics are mouth watering! Your summer obsession is salad, mine is cucumber. I love English cucumbers, and eat like 3-4 per week. My children laugh at me because it’s truly and addiction.
At least we are both making healthy choices! š
LOL! There could be worse summer obsessions to have!
Looks delicious, healthy, and perfect for the summer. Thanks so much for sharing this, I think it may be what’s for dinner tomorrow.
Awesome, I hope you like it!
Yum! I am always looking for new salads to make during the summer and beyond! I like the suggestion of the vegetarian version (I would add a couple of cheeses) with the beans and veggies, I would probably add some red onions (I love them!)
Vegetarian friendly version would definitely be yummy, let me know how it turns out foryou!
I love salads for lunch. I will definitely need to try your recipe this week.
Awesome, let us know how it works out for you!
It looks amazing!!! I love chicken & I like Mexican food, so I’ll definitely have to try this out.
Awesome, it was really good!
I’m also obsessed with salads. Thanks for this post. I will definitely try this one
Awesome, let us know how it works out for you
Wow….It looks delicious! I love salads very much. I an going to try this today as possible.
Awesome!
This post could not come at a better time…Lots of summer BBQ planned and this would be lovely to share with my guests. Thanks for sharing x
Awesome, enjoy!
This is very similar to the one I make (but minus the chicken because I don’t eat meat). So yummy!
Definitely yummy, I bet this would go great with seasoned tofu as well!
Mmmm. Anything with avacado could definitely be a favourite for me. I’ll have to try this one!
Agreed, avocado is the best!
I love a salad that has so many colorful veggies in it that means we are getting several nutrition and vitamins. Can’t wait to try it out.
Awesome, I hope you like it!
These look so good! I always love any kind of chicken salads, so I’ll have to try this one out. Thanks for sharing!
Let us know how it comes out for you!
What a great salad. This looks amazing. I;d love to try it. Thanks for the recipe! š
Thank you, if you let make it – let us know how it works out for you!
I can have a salad every day! I love to spruce up a bowl with different kinds of greens and everything that is available in the fridge. š
So do I, salads are great!
Absolutely loved the idea and recipe. It’s healthy and fun too. Definitely going to try this out! š
Awesome, let us know how it turns out for you!
Funny enough i wasn’t a great fan of salad at a young age not knowing what i was denying myself and thanks for your recipe.
You’re welcome, let us know if you end up trying it out!
I always love the bright inviting colours of a summer salad. Iām a big fan of Balsamic Vinegar so I will have to try the Modena one you enjoy
The bitterness of it is great, I think you’ll really like it!