I’ll admit it, I have a weakness for over-the-top restaurant salads that are double the portion size of everyone else’s meal. The ones I order typically have the most ingredients on the menu, from piping hot, juicy blackened chicken to extravagant toppings like sugar-coated pecans. Sometimes they’re so hearty and presented so beautifully, I wonder if they should even be considered salads.
Sure, there’s nothing wrong with my love of salads – that is, until I try to recreate one at home. Sigh. My chopping methods are never as impressively smooth, my lack of organizational skills in the kitchen make for a big mess I dread cleaning up, and the resulting appearance never seems to be up to par.
But of course, there are plenty of tools, clever gadgets, and convenient storage solutions to help me upgrade my game. I’ve tried most of the products on this list, and I can attest to their brilliance – especially in comparison to other models on the market that lack in comparison. Seriously, I’ve yet to operate a salad spinner as smooth as the design from Sur La Table; whip up a dressing in a portable blender as lightweight and powerful as the Ninja Blast; or pit an avocado as seamlessly as I do with OXO’s $10 Good Grips Slicer.
Ahead, scope out my ultimate salad shopping guide that will lead you to produce restaurant quality bowls and impress all of your guests in a pinch.
