20 ingredients that will add major flavor to your salads

Pumpkin seeds add loads of crunch to salads, but they also pack in flavor. Their nutty taste adds a delicious bite to salads with fresh fruits and lots of leafy greens. Plus, they’ve got tons of health benefits.

Chickpeas, or garbanzo beans, are an excellent salad ingredient. They’re totally unexpected and have a fantastic savory flavor. Roast or toast them before putting them on top of your greens for an extra crunch.

If you don’t want to add chickpeas to your salad, perhaps you’ll be interested in its puréed sibling. Hummus is a fabulous dressing option. If you want its texture to resemble a traditional dressing more closely, run it through the blender with olive oil.

Fresh cranberries are great for many dishes, but dried ones are great on salads. Dried cranberries will add major flavor to your salad any time of the year, and its unique texture will bring your mouth joy, too.

Citrus on salads usually comes in the form of dressing or zest, but it can also come from a more substantial ingredient. And it should. Add a blood orange to your next salad for a fun burst of citrus.

Hard-boiled eggs are more popular on salads than their counterparts. For extra texture and flavor, opt for a soft-boiled egg. It’s a great addition to a variety of salad types.

Hot sauce doesn’t belong on everything, but it can absolutely be added to salads for more flavor. Your salad's flavor profile and consistency will determine which hot sauce you want to go with, but a safe bet to start is your go-to option.

If you’re at a loss as to how to incorporate more quinoa into your diet, try adding it to a salad. It’s full of nutrients and will add a unique texture to your salad. It’s a chameleon ingredient that will taste good with a multitude of other ingredients.

It’s time cherries get their due. There are loads of cherry varietals, all more flavorful than the next, and they’re a perfect salad ingredient. Their sweetness is a fantastic complement to bitter leafy greens.

Sometimes, the best salad ingredients are the ones that are the most unexpected. Scallops aren’t often seen on a bed of greens (save a garnish), but they’re an excellent source of protein to make a salad into a full, tasty meal.

Pomegranate seeds add flavor and texture to salads. Whether you’re after a refreshing Asian-inspired salad or a fruity one with chicken or salmon, pomegranate seeds make for burst after burst of flavor.

Salsa is another excellent non-traditional salad dressing, and there are tons of options. A chunky salsa can even act as the bulk of your salad. Just dump the jar on top of a bed of greens and add a protein.

Fruits of all kinds are ultra tasty on a salad, but for added flavor, grill your fruit beforehand. Grilled peaches, pears, apricots, and more will give your salad a fun twist.

Don’t let your veggies miss out on all the fun. Grilled vegetables make for some of the tastiest salad ingredients. If you want smaller veggies to join the party, grill them in a foil packet.

Granola will add sweet and earthy flavors to your salad and a welcome crunch. Salads tend to be low in calories, so adding granola will make your salad a little more filling, too. 

Add even more sweetness to your salad with some syrup. A thin maple (or any other syrup you prefer) will do just as good a job as dressing in, adding moisture to your greens, and it’ll give the salad a unique flavor profile, adding variety to your salad life.

Tortilla strips add so much salty goodness to salads it’s hard to believe they’re not used more. And they’re not exclusive to TexMex-inspired salad; they’re a delicious alternative to nuts and croutons. Plus, you can easily make them yourself if you’re in a bind.

Everyone knows how delicious nuts are on a salad, but pine nuts are too often left out of that conversation. They’re a little pricey, but you’ll get lots of flavor on your greens if you're willing to pay.

Parmesan seems to be the only cheese we shave onto salads. But it’s time that madness ends. Shavings are a great form of cheese to take on salads. The next time you’re considering adding shredded cheese to a salad, stop and opt for shavings instead. 

Artichoke hearts are super flavorful and have great texture. They belong on salads. They’ll add a tangy taste to your salad and can be eaten raw or cooked.