BYO (Build Your Own)
A salad is a mix of various ingredients (cooked or raw) served cold. There are several ways to make a salad; thus, get creative with the following salad variety breakdowns:
Leafy Salad: raw greens (such as lettuce) often combined with other vegetables and toppings and served especially with dressing.
- Elements of a leafy salad include lettuce, fruit and/or veggie, protein, crunch (nuts, bacon bits, croutons, etc.) with a dressing of your choice.
Fruit Salad: various mixed fruits with toppings and dressing.
- Elements of a fruit salad include a mix of 3 or more various fruits with a dressing of your choice.
- May squeeze lemon/lime juice when using bananas – this will help prevent browning.
Pasta Salad: small pieces (i.e., pasta, meat, fruit, or vegetables) usually mixed with a dressing.
- Elements of a salad include pasta, fruit and/or veggie, diary with a dressing of your choice.
May pair a lean protein with any of your salads. Get inspired by our salad recipes and start building your (BYO) salad tonight!
A salad bar is an excellent way for everyone to join in and build their own (BYO) Salad. However, it’s essential to follow all food safety precautions before laying out your salad bar. Learn more below:
Clean and sanitize all surfaces, prep utensils, and containers before and after each service. Plus, wash all fresh produce.
Separate all ingredients into different containers, and each container should have its own serving utensil(s).
Cook eggs, meat (cook to correct temp), and pasta before chilling and serving in the salad bar.
Chill: Salad bar items must be kept at a temperature below 41 degrees Fahrenheit – may place ingredients over ice to help keep at the correct temperature.
Learn more about how to avoid cross-contamination.
References:
Gordon Food Service Contributors. (2018, August 21). Salad Bar Safety: The Cold Truth. Gordon Food Service. https://www.gfs.com/en-us/ideas/salad-bar-safety-cold-truth
Merriam – Webster. (1828). Salad – Definition. Merriam – Webster Dictionary. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/salad
Partnership for Food Safety Education. (2021). The Core Four Practices. Fightbac.Org. https://www.fightbac.org/food-safety-basics/the-core-four-practices/
Team, B. V. T. (2020, March 11). Salad Bar Food Safety: 10 Critical Ways to Protect Customers. Hitchcock Farms. https://www.hitchcockfarms.com/blog/salad-bar-food-safety
Dinner Tonight Links:
https://dinnertonight.tamu.edu/wash-fresh-produce/
