Salad Kits Are The Secret To Quicker Stir-Fries

Make dinners quick, easy, and well-rounded with one easy hack: salad kits. While you can turn salad kits into balanced meals with a serving of protein, they're even tastier when you toss in additional veggies and turn the heat up. By combining your salad kit with a few ingredients, you wind up with a tasty stir-fry dinner that's more filling and satisfying than a typical salad.

Start by picking out a bagged salad before choosing complementary vegetables and protein. If you're looking for a more Asian-inspired stir-fry, look for something that has cabbage, carrots, almonds, crispy wontons, and perhaps a sesame dressing. This will pair well with chicken or tofu, and mushrooms and edamame can further bulk up the dish. Add oil to a pan or wok on medium heat and incorporate aromatics like garlic and onion (you can optionally skip this to save chopping time) before adding seasoned protein to your pan. Follow up with additional vegetables, and finally, pour in your chopped salad ingredients and dressing. Add a splash of soy sauce and sriracha, then season, to taste. You want to save the salad kit content for last, as they tend to wilt quicker when heated. This way, your stir-fry can still have a little crunch.

Although an Asian-inspired variation is delicious, there are so many great stir-fry salad kit combinations that keep dinnertime interesting and flavorful. For a Tex-Mex-inspired stir-fry keep an eye out for a chopped southwestern salad kit that includes crunchy tortilla strips, lettuce, carrot, green onions, and shredded cheese. When sauteing, toss in corn, black beans, barbecue sauce, and grilled chicken before serving the dish with a sprinkle of shredded cheese. For a particularly healthy stir-fry, try a green goddess salad kit with lettuce, broccoli, cabbage, and a creamy dressing. Pair it with a variation of grilled salmon, fresh avocado, edamame, and spinach for a nutritious, protein-packed stir-fry.

If you find that, even with extra vegetables and protein, you're still left feeling a little hungry, there's more you can add to bulk up your stir-fry. Mix in udon, glass, or rice noodles or pour your medley onto a plate of pasta to transform your dish into a warm pasta salad. Just remember, noodle shape matters when planning out a pasta salad. You can also serve your stir-fry over a bowl of rice. If you're cooking for one, this salad hack still works! Save your leftovers in a microwave-safe container, like this set by Kaguya, or keep your remaining greens fresh with a damp paper towel.