Did you know May is National Salad Month? A great time to think about salad and croutons. It’s an obscure observation for sure, but we will take any excuse to celebrate healthy and delicious food! Plus, crouton salad crunch dresses up any salad for a more fun eating experience.
Another bonus is that this time of year there are so many farmers’ markets available to pick up fresh produce and specialty croutons for salad, like OMG! Pretzels, so we had to share a few ideas for star salad and “prouton™” combinations.
You’ll be saying OMG! because…
Our seasoned sourdough pretzel nuggets are a great substitute for the salad crouton with a few added benefits:
- Light, airy crunch
- Bold flavor
- Beautiful presentation
- Healthy carbs
So, enjoy these scrumptious salad and prouton™ pairings for the ultimate crouton salad experience. You can also layer these salads in a mason jar for easy grab-and-go lunch options during the week. PRO TIP: If you do that, keep the dressing and proutons™ on the side until you’re ready to eat.
Premium Ingredients = Recipes that WOW
We know that when you are feeding the people you love, you want to give them the best. That’s why using the best ingredients in our recipes is so important to us. The things to focus on when making salad with croutons are:
The veggies. Always choose the freshest produce you can when making a salad and be sure to wash everything well. Once the veggies are clean, be sure to dry them to keep your salad crisp. If you need to store your veggies for a few days, keep them dry with paper towels or light dish towels in the fridge. We also like to chop all of our salad with crouton ingredients to be bite-sized so you can get several flavors and textures in one bite.
The dressing. When possible, make your own dressing! This way, you can control what is in it for a better-for-you crouton salad. Dressings are surprisingly easy to make and usually only need a few ingredients. If you opt for store-bought dressing, be sure to choose one from the refrigerator section of your grocery as these typically use more natural ingredients and fewer preservatives
The salad croutons. The goal here is big crouton salad crunch. That’s why we love using OMG! Pretzels as salad croutons. The seasoning blends from our seasoned sourdough pretzels add flavor to the salad as well. And, they are the perfect size for topping salads. And, since the goal of eating a salad is often eating healthy, OMG! Pretzels never use artificial ingredients and sourdough is a healthy carb, making our salad croutons a salad lovers’ dream come true.
Pretzel-tastic Crouton Salad Recipes
Chopped Italian Salad with OMG! Garlic Proutons™
This salad with croutons is simple to throw together and allows for some variations based on your preferences and what looks freshest at the market. In a large bowl, combine chopped iceburg lettuce with diced cucumbers, red onion, and tomatoes. For some protein, add a can of drained and rinsed chickpeas. If you want to serve this salad as a main course – lunch or dinner – add chopped salami and chunks of fresh mozzarella cheese. Toss all the veggies with a simple vinaigrette and then add the OMG! Garlic Pretzels to the top for crouton salad crunch. We like to crush a few and leave some whole so you get crunch and flavor in every bite!
Southwest Salad with OMG! Cheddar Jalapeño Proutons™
For a little spice, try this easy salad. Use romaine lettuce as the base, then add fresh corn, tomatoes, and avocado. Drain a can of black beans and add them in, followed by some fresh chopped cilantro. You could add tofu or grilled chicken seasoned with taco seasoning for protein. For the dressing, opt for a Southwest Ranch or Avocado Ranch – the creaminess pairs well with the strong flavors of the ingredients and there are some great store-bought options out there. We especially like Brianna’s Dressings and their Creamy Cilantro Lime flavor would work well in this dish. Finally, add the OMG! Cheddar Jalapeno Proutons™ and enjoy this salad with croutons!
Asian Cabbage Salad with OMG! Sweet Chili Proutons™
Napa cabbage is the base for this flavorful crouton salad with sweet, spicy, sour, and salty notes. You want to cut the cabbage into thin strips, then add matchstick cut carrots, bell peppers, and cucumber. Next comes the fresh herbs – we like to include mint and Thai basil. Mix the vegetables with a simple dressing of rice vinegar, honey, soy sauce, ginger and garlic; you’ll need a drizzle of olive oil to bring it all together. Then, top with OMG! Sweet Chili Pretzels. The raw cane sugar and chili in these proutons™ will make your tastebuds happy!
East Coast Cobb Salad with OMG! Chesapeake Proutons™
A fun twist on the classic, this crouton salad includes seafood to complement the spice blend in our Chesapeake Pretzels. We like to use Bibb lettuce as the base for the salad. Then, in rows or sections add chopped egg, tomatoes, bacon, avocado, and lump crab or small cooked and chilled shrimp. For the dressing, whip up a quick creamy mixture with Greek yogurt, lemon juice, garlic, salt and pepper, dill and parsley. Don’t forget the proutons™!
Charred Broccoli Salad with OMG! Lemon Pepper Proutons™
A slightly warm salad is always fun and unexpected, especially if you’re entertaining. This crouton salad does require a little cooking; roast the broccoli for 15-20 minutes in a 375-degree oven with a little olive oil and salt and pepper to taste. In a saute pan, caramelize a sliced red onion. While still warm, toss the veggies together with a drizzle of olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Place the veggies on a platter and dollop some room temperature goat or ricotta cheese on top. For the finishing touch, add the OMG! Lemon Pepper Proutons™. You can also use the seasoning at the bottom of the bag of pretzels to flavor your vinaigrette – it’s a simple way to add a bit more flavor to the salad. If you like this warm salad, try our Roasted Vegetable Panzanella with Garlic Proutons™ next!
Blue Cheese Wedge with OMG! Buffalo Proutons™
This is the ultimate in easy and delicious crouton salad crunch. The iceberg lettuce is super crunchy and since you cut it as you eat, you hear the crunch before you take every bite. We like to drizzle the lettuce - cut the head into quarters - with blue cheese dressing, blue cheese crumbles and fresh chives. If you’re a bacon lover, add some chopped bacon - the crispier, the better in our book. The final touch, our Buffalo Proutons™ for some spice that takes this salad with croutons to the next level.
