Chopped Salad with Mustard Vinaigrette

With the summer heat still in full force, there is nothing more satisfying than a light, fresh salad that keeps you full for hours. This Chopped Salad with Mustard Vinaigrette is just that!

A Balanced Act

Not only is this Chopped Salad delicious and packed with flavor, but it is extremely balanced, making it a filling and nutritious part of your day, whether you have it for lunch or dinner. Or even breakfast. I’m not here to judge.

Have you ever eaten a salad for lunch and felt hungry shortly after? Same! If that happens, there is a good chance your salad was missing necessary elements to keep you full and healthy. To ensure you are creating balanced meals, remember to always include high quality protein as well as healthy fats. Here are a few examples of each:

Healthy Fats

• Avocado
• Avocado Oil
• Coconut Oil
• Eggs
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• Fish
• Raw Nuts/Seeds

High Quality Protein

• Eggs
• Fish
• Lean Meat & Poultry
• Legumes/Beans
• Raw Nuts/Seeds
• Tofu

Back to the Chopped Salad

Ready for the details for this Chopped Salad? Here they are:

*denotes organic

• Romaine*
• Celery*
• Chicken Sausage* (you can sub any protein here, I’d sub salami if you’re not on Whole30!)
• Hard Boiled Eggs
• Cucumber
• Artichoke Hearts
• Carrots
• Pepperoncini

What should I be buying organic?

Did you know that while picking out your proteins, fats and produce, you should be buying some of it organic in order to avoid harmful chemicals from pesticides? When shopping for these items, it may be confusing to decide which items should be bought organic and which items do not need to be.

As a rule of thumb, I always follow the Environmental Working Group’s “Dirty Dozen” and “Clean 15.” These rules help to ensure that what I’m eating is the safest option without breaking the bank. I also sometimes opt to buy organic if I know I will not have a skin to remove, like an avocado. If I know that I will be eating the food that could have had pesticides sprayed directly on them, I’ll likely reach for the organic option.

For more information on why buying organic can be important, as well as other important health topics, check out their official website here!

Hungry For More?

If you’re looking for another great salad option, grab the recipe for my Green Goddess Pasta Salad here. You can easily add extra protein and swap the pasta for lettuce!

Quick Tip

This Chopped Salad is great for meals throughout the week or to serve for a group! If enjoying with overs, cover the full salad with the dressing. If diving in alone, or with an additional person or two, fill your bowl(s) with the salad and top with a drizzle of the vinaigrette to keep the rest crisp and fresh for later!