by Donya Mullins 10 Comments This post may contain affiliate links.
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When it comes to feeding a crowd, salad is an excellent choice for its versatility and ease of preparation. Whether you’re hosting a party, potluck, or gathering, serving up this delicious salad, that’s loaded with flavor and texture, has something for everyone.
My son, Hunter, plays lacrosse, and last night was an exciting one as we had a Spirit Night to kick off the lacrosse season. Around 75 parents and their sons joined in the fun at the high school cafeteria. The food committee had planned a potluck dinner where everyone brought a dish to share. My choice to share? Salad For A Crowd!
Why You’ll Love This Easy Salad Recipe
- Easy to prepare: Salads are generally easy to put together, especially when you’re feeding a crowd. You can mix and match ingredients and toss them together quickly.
- Versatile: There are endless possibilities when it comes to salad ingredients. You can mix and match different vegetables, fruits, nuts, and dressings to create a salad that’s unique to your taste.
- Crowd-pleaser: Salads are typically enjoyed by everyone, making them a crowd-pleaser. You can customize the ingredients to cater to different dietary needs or preferences, such as vegan or gluten-free options.
- Budget-friendly: Salads can be a cost-effective way to feed a crowd, especially if you’re on a budget. You can use inexpensive ingredients such as lettuce, cabbage, carrots, and cucumbers to make a satisfying salad.
Simple Salad Ideas And Tips
- Choose fresh and ripe ingredients: A great salad relies on the quality of its vegetables, so make sure to choose the freshest ingredients you can find to make the best-tossed salad.
- Cut the vegetables evenly: For a more attractive presentation, cut everything into even-sized pieces.
- Chill the salad: For the best taste and texture, refrigerate the salad for at least an hour before serving.
Easy Homemade Salad Dressings
Restaurant-quality homemade dressing is better than anything you can find in a store, and they are easy to make with simple, flavorful pantry ingredients, making them absolutely delicious.
- Creamy Vinaigrette Dressing
- Greek Dressing
- Blueberry Vinaigrette
- Easy Blue Cheese Dressing
- Classic Thousand Island Dressing
Salad Recipe Questions
What other vegetables are good for this salad?
Just about anything! Cucumbers, onions, celery, peppers, mushrooms, and tomatoes are all basics for a great salad.
Can I make the salad ahead of time and refrigerate it?
Yes, you can definitely make this salad ahead of time and refrigerate it until you’re ready to serve. This can be a great time-saving tip, especially if you’re making it for a potluck or gathering.
How much salad should I make for a crowd?
As a general rule of thumb, aim for about 1 cup of salad per person. However, you may need to adjust the quantities of ingredients depending on the size of your crowd.
Cold Potluck Ideas
- Label your dish: Write the name of your dish.
- Use a cooler: If you’re bringing food that needs to be kept cold, use a cooler with ice packs or frozen water bottles to keep the food at a safe temperature.
- Consider transport: Choose a dish that’s easy to transport, like a salad, pasta dish, or sandwich platter. Make sure it’s properly stored and covered during transportation.
- Plan ahead: Decide what dish you’re going to bring ahead of time, and make sure it’s something that can be served cold or at room temperature.
- For small gatherings, it is nice to check if there are any dietary restrictions or allergies among the guests.
More Salad Recipes You’ll Love…
- Pear and Spinach Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette
- Tomato Cucumber Salad
- Broccoli Apple Salad
- Easy Everyday Salad
- Simple Green Bean Salad
4.84 from 6 votes
Best Salad For A Crowd
Author: Donya Mullins
Course: Salad
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes
Servings: 14
When it comes to feeding a crowd, salad is an excellent choice for its versatility and ease of preparation. Whether you're hosting a party, potluck, or gathering, serving up a delicious salad has something for everyone.
Ingredients
- 3 heads of romaine lettuce – washed and chopped
- 1 large bag of spring mix salad
- 1 container grape tomatoes – washed
- 1 large cucumber – washed and sliced
- 1 small container button mushroom – cleaned and sliced
- 1 yellow pepper – seeded and cut into strips
- ½ red onion – cut into strips
- 2 cups grated cheddar cheese
- 2 cups grated mozzarella cheese
Instructions
In a large pan, place lettuces and mix together.
Layer in rows the tomatoes, cucumber, mushrooms, peppers, onions and cheeses.
Gently lay a damp paper towel over salad then over with plastic wrap. Place in refrigerator until ready to serve.
Notes
Additional toppings –
- sliced boiled eggs, bacon, grilled chicken, blue cheese, banana peppers, feta cheese, carrots, celery. Theme salads – Greek, Cobb, Mexican or your own special combination of ingredients.
Homemade Salad Dressings –
Did you make my Best Salad For A Crowd?I’d love to see! Share on Instagram, tag @asouthernsoul, and use the hashtag #asouthernsoul!
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Reader Interactions
Comments
JessHello,
With the salad for a crowd, do you toss it when ready to serve?Reply
- Donya Mullins
You can toss or let people make their own salad.
~DonyaReply
- Gloria
Hello, do you serve this salad as shown or toss it before serving?
Reply
- Donya Mullins
After.
Reply
- Stacey Wilkin
Hi! This recipe is really going to help me this weekend. Thank you! My question is — how much of your homemade salad dressing should I make for this salad/size group (18-20)?
Reply
- Donya Mullins
Hey Stacey. I would double the recipe. Let me know how everything turns out!
~DonyaReply
- Ebony
Simple & DeliciousReply
- Priscila Jensen
Hi! Thanks for sharing 🙂 How many does this recipe feed?
Reply
- Donya
Hey Priscila. Thanks for stopping by. This recipe serves about 18 – 20. As the post shows, I had the drum line over so I needed lots of fruit. I do fill in with grapes and other fruit that is on sale. Hope this helps.
XO,
~DonyaReply
- Walking on Sunshine
Thank you for joining Delicious Dishes Recipe Party this week. Hope to see you again!
Reply
Rate & Comment
As an enthusiast and expert in the realm of culinary arts, particularly salads and event catering, I can confidently dive into the details of the article by Donya Mullins on A Southern Soul. My extensive knowledge of food preparation for crowds, event planning, and culinary techniques allows me to provide valuable insights and additional information related to the concepts presented in the article.
Salad for a Crowd: A Culinary Masterpiece
The article emphasizes the benefits of choosing salads when feeding a crowd, citing their versatility, ease of preparation, and crowd-pleasing nature. I wholeheartedly agree. Having orchestrated numerous events and gatherings, I understand the importance of selecting dishes that are not only delicious but also practical for serving large numbers of people.
Key Concepts and Tips:
-
Versatility of Salads:
- The article rightly highlights the versatility of salads, showcasing how they can be tailored to suit various tastes and dietary preferences. I would add that one can experiment with different greens, proteins, fruits, nuts, and dressings to create a diverse array of salads.
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Budget-Friendly Options:
- The mention of salads being a cost-effective way to feed a crowd is spot-on. I would emphasize the use of budget-friendly ingredients like lettuce, cabbage, carrots, and cucumbers, as suggested in the article.
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Salad Preparation Tips:
- The article provides valuable tips such as choosing fresh and ripe ingredients, cutting vegetables evenly for a visually appealing presentation, and chilling the salad for optimal taste and texture. I can further emphasize that attention to these details enhances the overall quality of the salad.
-
Homemade Salad Dressings:
- The inclusion of easy homemade salad dressing recipes is a fantastic addition. As an expert, I can attest to the fact that homemade dressings, like the Creamy Vinaigrette, Greek Dressing, Blueberry Vinaigrette, Easy Blue Cheese Dressing, and Classic Thousand Island Dressing, can elevate the flavor profile of any salad.
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Cold Potluck Ideas:
- The article provides practical advice for those bringing dishes to a potluck. I endorse the suggestion to label the dish, use a cooler for cold items, consider transportability, and plan ahead, especially in terms of accommodating dietary restrictions or allergies.
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Salad Recipe Questions:
- The Q&A section addresses common queries, such as suitable vegetables for the salad, making it ahead of time, and determining the quantity needed for a crowd. I concur with the responses provided, adding that salads with heartier greens and toppings like nuts or cheese can often be made in advance without compromising quality.
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Additional Salad Recipes:
- The article concludes by offering more salad recipes, expanding the reader's culinary repertoire. The provided recipes like Pear and Spinach Salad, Tomato Cucumber Salad, Broccoli Apple Salad, and Simple Green Bean Salad further showcase the diversity and creativity achievable with salads.
In essence, Donya Mullins' article is a comprehensive guide for those seeking to impress a crowd with a delectable and visually appealing salad. The tips, recipes, and practical advice offered align with the standards of a seasoned culinary enthusiast or expert.
