Homemade Salad Mix In A Bag is perfect for meal planning. Preferred salad ingredients are combined in a zippered bag and refrigerated until ready to use.
The beauty of this method is each bag of salad mix can be made according to preference. Good for picky eaters.
My aunt loves tomatoes in her salad. I do not. We both LOVE salads, but with different mix-ins.
Homemade Salad Mix In A Bag truly saves time for this busy food blogger when it’s time to make a quick lunch or side dish with a big meal.
DISCLAIMER: This recipe is not sponsored. I purchased pictured products and used them in my salad mix. Delicious results!
What are grape tomatoes?
According to thekitchn.com, grape tomatoes are oblong, shaped like grapes and have a thicker skin than cherry tomatoes. Their flesh is meaty and not watery.
Grape tomatoes are sweet and flavorful like cherry tomatoes. They are oblong in shape and a bite-size favorite in salads. Many enjoy them as a snack.
What are cremini mushrooms?
Most edible mushrooms are of the same variety which is Agaricusbisporus, according to Wikipedia. This variety includes portobello, cremini, and white button mushroom.
The cremini mushroom is a moderately mature version of the white button mushroom and has a similar flavor. Younger than the portobello which is why they’re also sold as “baby bella” or “baby portobello” mushrooms.
Cremini mushrooms have a dark brown color, firmer texture, and taste better than white mushrooms (my opinion).
Source: www.thekitchn.com
Homemade Ranch Dressing is splendid on this salad. Recipe below. It is my twist on an original recipe by Allrecipes. Serve with croutons, crackers or garlic bread. Pairs well with Pan-Seared T-Bone Steak.
How To Read & Follow A Recipe
Reading a recipe is an important life skill. It starts with knowing how to read a recipe’s ingredients, follow the instructions, prep ingredients, and knowing what equipment to use.
The following tips and strategies will help beginners or experienced cooks create a delicious dish as intended in the recipe.
Start with clean hands and organized kitchen. Wash hands thoroughly. Make sure kitchen and countertops are clean before making a recipe.
Create a relaxing environment. Play favorite music while in the kitchen. I love listening to classical or gospel music.
Read the recipe. Don’t just quickly skim it. Thoroughly read from start to finish. Visualize doing each step which will help you avoid missing a step.
If you see ingredient that you and your family don’t use for whatever reason, use a substitutions or omit the ingredient.
My recipes are packed with helpful tips like shortcuts and serving sizes which save time time and help with meal planning.
Pay attention to the order in which ingredients are prepped. For example, 1 cup of chopped pecans is not the same as pecans, chopped (measure whole pecans and then chop).
Know the assumptions. For example, when my recipe calls for “sugar,” use granulated sugar. If brown sugar is an ingredient, it will be written as such in the recipe.
Figure out the timing. Check the listed “prep time” and “total time” to be sure you have enough time to complete the recipe.
Look for hints, such as the words “meanwhile” or “at the same time,” which indicate two or more steps can happen simultaneously.
For example, my prep time doesn’t include bringing cold butter up to room temperature. Be sure to include in your timetable.
Watch Recipe Videos. If you’re a visual learner (like me), watch recipe videos. Perfect for when you’re learning a new skill or just want to see how a recipe is made.
Mise en place is a super time saver. This French cooking term translates as “putting in place.” It means prepping/measuring ingredients and chopping food before you start cooking. It’s the perfect way to get organized and avoid missing an ingredient or missing a step in the instructions.
Organize your tools and kitchen equipment. Mise en place isn’t just for ingredients. Before starting, make sure you have parchment paper, aluminum foil, measuring cups, measuring spoons, the right pans, mixing bowls, and other equipment.
Make notes in your recipe. Note any special prep instructions and highlight cooking times. Make note of ingredients omitted, favorite substitutions and creative twists. The notes will be very helpful the next time you make this recipe.
Enjoy!
| Prep Time | 15 minutes |
| Servings |
bags
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- 2 quart size zippered bags
- 4 cups lettuce torn into small pieces
- 24 halved grape or cherry tomatoes (sliced in half) Use more or less as preferred.
- 1 cup cremini mushrooms, whole or chopped Use more or less as preferred.
- 1 cup carrots, shredded Use more or less as preferred
- 1 cup red or white onions, chopped Use more or less as preferred.
- 1 cup cucumber, chopped About 1 whole cucumber.
- 2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded crumbled blue cheese or grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup corn kernels (optional) Use more or less as preferred.
- 1 cup walnuts (optional) Use more or less as preferred
- 1 cup pineapple chunks, drained (optional) Use more or less as preferred.
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/2 teaspoon dried chives
- 1/2 teaspoon dried dill weed
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder or 1 small garlic clove, smashed
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- salt to taste
- black pepper to taste
- 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice (optional)
Ingredients
Homemade Salad Mix In A Bag
Homemade Buttermilk Dressing
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- Open ONE zippered bag.
- Add more or less of each ingredient: 1 cup of torn lettuce, 12 halved tomatoes (grape or cherry), 1/2 cup cremini mushrooms, 1/2 cup shredded carrots, 1/2 cup chopped onions, 1/2 cup cucumbers, 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, 1/2 cup corn kernels (optional), 1/2 cup walnuts (optional), 1/2 cup pineapple chunks (optional).
- Zip bag until sealed. Shake to evenly distribute ingredients (optional).
- Repeat instructions for second Homemade Salad Mix In A Bag.
- Refrigerate for up to 3 days. When ready to eat, pour in a medium bowl and drizzle with salad dressing. Serve with crackers or croutons.
- Whisk together all ingredients in a small bowl or jar. Cover and refrigerate 30 minutes before serving.
- NOTE: This dressing is thick. When mixed in with the salad, it will automatically thin a little. However, if you prefer a pourable dressing, add 1/2 teaspoon of fresh lemon juice or 1/2 teaspoon of milk. Whisk until well combined.