Usually filled with greens and veggies, salads are not very popular with kids. But salads are so much more than the leafy stuff. Once you get creative with the base, you can start exposing your kiddo to more veggies in a fun way. And no matter what type of salad you toss together, we have a lunchbox fit for every medley! 

BLT Salad

What kid doesn’t like pasta? Use this to your advantage! Pastas of all shapes and sizes can be used as a base for any salad, to bulk it up and entice little ones to explore all the mix-ins. 

Base: Fun shaped pasta

Mix-Ins: 

• Chopped romaine lettuce
• Halved grape tomatoes
• Cooked bacon crumbles (we used turkey bacon)

Ranch Dressing: For an easy, healthy ranch dressing at home, mix a premade ranch packet with Greek yogurt (be sure to pack it in a Dipper!) 

Fits well in Launch

Couscous Salad

While couscous comes in several varieties, pearled couscous being the largest and provides more of a substantial bite. The small spheres make lunch more fun by adding different shapes and texture! 

Base: Pearled couscous

Mix–Ins:

• Grape tomatoes: use a paring knife to cut a zigzag shape around the circumference of the tomato
• Cucumber: use small cookie cutters to create different shapes
• Mozzarella pearls: look for these in your market

Honey balsamic dressing: 2 Tbsp balsamic vinegar, 1 Tbsp honey, 1 Tbsp olive oil, salt to taste

Fits well in Rover

Cold Noodle Salad

Noodles don’t always have to be eaten warm! This cold noodle salad is filled with a variety of veggies, textures, and flavors with a touch of sweetness from the mandarins! 

Base:  Rice noodles *If you choose to make them pink like we did, boil red cabbage in your cooking water first. Remove the cabbage and cook the noodles according to the instructions. Once drained, sprinkle them with lime juice and watch the color change!

Mix-Ins:

• Cucumber: use a peeler to create “ribbons” 
• Carrot matchsticks
• Mandarin segments
• Sliced snap peas
• Cilantro (optional)

Sesame Dressing: Mix together 1Tbsp sesame oil, 2 tsp rice vinegar, 2 tsp soy sauce, 1 tsp honey,  1 tsp sesame seeds

Crunch: fried wonton strips, crunchy ramen, or almond slivers 

Fits well in Explorer

Deconstructed Waldorf Salad

With the option to eat with their hands, this could easily become a kid favorite! The greens may or may not be eaten, but giving the option among more appealing items, they’re more likely to try it. 

What you’ll need:

• Romaine leaves or little gems
• Apple slices
• Red grape halves
• Walnuts

Yogurt dipping sauce: Mix Greek yogurt with honey and vanilla to your desired taste 

Fits well in Shuttle