Sometimes a salad is just what you need. It’s easy to make without tons of cooking. It’s healthy. It’s refreshing. And best of all, it’s homemade, so you can be just as creative as you want to be and make it your own. Try going beyond the basics, however, and experiment with desert themed salad ideas that incorporate local Arizona produce, adding an additional benefit of supporting the local economy.

And it’s all simply fun! Have your children help you out, which will encourage them to eat healthier, teach them how to make their own meals, give them a sense of pride, and boost their confidence.

You can make each salad your own or come up with your own ideas from scratch, but here is some inspiration.

5 Desert Themed Salad Ideas

1. Mango and Avocado Salad

Salads quite often require many ingredients, but not this one. A few basic ingredients are all you need for a delicious and refreshing mango and avocado salad.

Try Sunny Anderson’s Mango and Avocado Salad recipe.

2. Tropical Fruit Salad

The beauty of fruit salads is that you don’t have to follow many rules. It’s all about what you happen to have in your refrigerator or pantry. Chop up the fruits and toss them with some sort of juice, such as sweetened orange juice. You also may want to throw in some nuts or coconuts for an added crunch.

Try this tropical fruit salad recipe from Cooks.com. The papaya, guava, prickly pear, and pineapple make it the perfect desert themed salad to make on a busy day, and the beautiful colors will make the salad look mouthwatering.

3. Arugula, Papaya, and Avocado Salad with Pomegranate-Lime Vinaigrette

Once you know how to make your own special vinaigrette, the rest is easy. You’ll find yourself experimenting with a variety of desert themed salad ingredients to see what works with your dressing, and that’s part of the fun!

Try this salad with pomegranate-lime vinaigrette recipe by Diane Henderiks.

4. Shrimp, Mango, and Jicama Salad with Pineapple Vinaigrette

A variety of flavors and textures that work surprisingly well together is what makes a salad go from good to great.

Try this Shrimp, Mango, and Jicama Salad recipe from Epicurious.com. The shrimp gives it a savory bite, the jicama gives it that special crunch, and the pineapple vinaigrette and mango add a sweetness to make the salad just right.

5. Mexican Chicken Avocado Salad

There are plenty of ways to make heartier, full-course salads with a tropical theme. Combine your favorite dressing with grilled chicken, shrimp, or steak and complementary fruits or vegetables, and you’ll have a full meal all in one dish.

Try this Mexican Chicken Avocado Salad from Recipe Tin Eats.com, which features a variety of Southwest themes and flavors.

Added Inspiration

At JK Cabinets & Design, we believe the design of your Arizona kitchen not only beautifies your overall home, but also enhances your lifestyle. An efficient, creatively designed kitchen can both amplify and simplify your lifestyle at the same time.

For additional cooking, kitchen organization, and kitchen design tips, see our blog page.