10 Spices to Spike Up Your Salad

Curry powder is used in many Indian dishes. This spice blend has a distinctive yellow color from the turmeric. Use it in this Curried Couscous and Vegetable Salad and this Tangy Vegan Curried Chickpea Salad.

Dill weed is a perennial plant whose seeds and leaves are used as seasoning. You can use fresh dill or dill weed; the taste really helps to take salad to the next level. Try dill over this Vegan Mock Tuna Salad and this Vegan Potato Salad with Cilantro, Dill, Tomatoes and Raw Mayo.

Garlic adds instant pizzazz to any meal, and salads are no exception. Try putting some garlic over this Kale and Golden Beet Salad with this Baked Falafel Salad.

You can make tasty dressings for salads using ginger, or shave some fresh ginger root overtop a salad. Try this Super Healthy Kale Salad with Creamy Ginger Tahini Dressing and this Cleansing Quinoa Carrot Salad with Super Zesty Lime and Ginger Dressing.

Cilantro is also known as Chinese parsley. Try throwing some cilantro over this “Next Day” Salad and using it for this Freekeh Salad with Beets, Cilantro, and Lime.

Mint adds a burst of refreshing coolness to your salad. It can be a welcoming surprise to vegetables. Try it in this Protein-Packed Vegan Salad with Quinoa, Chickpeas, Lime and Cilantro.

Don’t just get your mustard on top of a veggie burger; try it in your salads. Try this Indian Winged Bean Salad with Fresh Coconut. Also, make these Green Beans with Toasted Mustard Seeds and Garlic, then throw it overtop a bed of lettuce.

Kick up your salads up a hot type of spicy. Chili peppers get their intense heat from capsaicin.  For your salad, choose a cooling food to balance it out, like cucumber and avocado. Use it for this Avocado Kale Chili Salad and this Chili, Mint, and Bean Shoot Salad.

Tarragon is a perennial herb that’s often used to make Herbs de Provence. Throw it over your salads, or make this Lemon Tarragon Asparagus, then throw it overtop a crisp bed of arugula or kale.

Cumin is a common spice in Mexican, Middle Eastern and Indian cuisines. It has a distinctive aroma and is often used in curry powder. Try using it for this Spicy Sweet Potato Salad, then throwing that flavorful mix over some plain greens. Also try this Kale with Caramelized Onions and Cumin.

Lead image source: Chili, Mint, and Bean Shoot Salad