Breakfast Salad

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This easy-to-make Breakfast Salad is loaded with flavor thanks to the Everything Bagel Dressing. It’s a great way to start the day filled with protein, nutrients, and a couple of servings of veggies. It’s naturally gluten-free and dairy-free, and you’ll find my tips below for how to meal prep some of this recipe for easier mornings.

Straight down view of Breakfast Salad on a pottery plate topped with an over easy egg and sliced avocado.

Savory breakfasts didn’t come naturally to me, much less eating a full-blown salad first thing in the morning. I grew up like most people I know eating muffins, pancakes, waffles, and the like for breakfast, and always craving sweets.

But I noticed I’d be super hungry with an energy crash coming mid-way through the morning. And maybe that’s how I started naturally choosing savory protein-filled breakfasts.

So when I first heard the concept of a ‘breakfast salad’ I was definitely intrigued. I mean how can you go wrong with loads of veggies paired with your morning eggs and sausage/bacon?

Side view of Breakfast Salads on two plates topped with over easy eggs and sliced avocado.

This breakfast salad recipe is my favorite fresh-flavored combo. But when tomatoes aren’t in season, try subbing in roasted cubed butternut squash or Roasted Sweet Potatoes for my favorite winter variation.

Ingredients & Substitutions

Mixed greens, green onions, avocado, eggs, sausages, cherry tomatoes, basil, Dijon mustard, olive oil, garlic, and everything bagel dressing in bowls on a wood cutting board.
  • Greens – I like to use pre-washed mixed greens for the ultimate convenience. But you can use chopped and washed lettuce, arugula, spinach, or any combo you’d like. The mixed greens I get here locally have nasturtium flowers added in and they add a nice pop of color.
  • Sausage – any kind of breakfast sausage in links or in bulk works perfectly in this recipe. You can also use bacon, either cooked in the oven or diced up and cooked into crunchy bacon bits. Use can also use my Turkey Breakfast Sausage recipe here.
  • Eggs – can be cooked any way you’d like in this recipe. We prefer over easy eggs with a runny yolk to add to the dressing in this salad, but diced-up hardboiled eggs work great too.
  • Tomatoes – are perfect paired with the basil for a summer combo. But in the winter months try roasted cubed butternut squash or my Roasted Sweet Potatoes.
  • Green onion & basil – green onion adds a nice savory flavor, but chives are great as well when you have them around. Basil is a favorite in our house, especially with the tomatoes. But I omit it in the winter months and just use the green onion.
  • Avocado – ripe sliced avocado adds creaminess and a healthy fat. But you can omit it if you don’t have it on hand.
  • Everything Bagel Dressing – a classic vinaigrette with everything bagel seasoning added makes a really tasty dressing that is tasty with these breakfast flavors. You’ll find more dressing options below in the tips.

How to make this recipe step by step

Whisking the olive oil into the everything bagel dressing in a small pottery bowl.

Step 1: Start by whisking together the everything bagel dressing. Then set it aside to let the flavors develop while you make the recipe.

Cutting up the cherry tomatoes with a pairing knife on a wood cutting board.

Step 2: Next prep the veggies and herbs by cutting and chopping everything into bite-sized pieces.

Adding the greens and cherry tomatoes to two salad bowls.

Step 3: Add the greens, green onions, basil, and cherry tomatoes to a plate.

You can also add everything to a bowl to toss together. But if you’re making 2 servings, it’s easier to just plate the salad.

Adding the sausage links with a pair of tongs to the breakfast salad plates.

Step 4: Cook the sausage(s) and place them on top of a bed of greens.

I like to use my Air Fryer Sausage Links recipe because it’s the easiest mess-free way to cook sausages.

Topping the breakfast salads with over easy eggs.

Step 5: When you have everything else prepped, cook the eggs according to your liking and add them to the salad.

I like to have everything prepped so I can concentrate fully on the eggs to make sure I don’t overcook the yolk.

Drizzling the breakfast salads with everything bagel dressing.

Step 6: Finally add the sliced avocado and drizzle with the Everything Bagel Dressing, or serve the dressing on the side.

Straight down view of a pottery plate filled with breakfast salad topped with an over easy egg, sliced avocado, cherry tomatoes, and sausages on a white background.

Ways to serve this

FAQ’s

Are salads good for breakfast?

Yes! We love eating any kind of salad for breakfast, but especially this breakfast salad with its sausage and egg flavors. They’re also a healthy way to start the day with veggies, protein, and healthy fats.

What can I use instead of sausage in this breakfast salad?

Crispy cooked bacon makes the perfect substitute for sausage in this recipe. You can also dice up the bacon before you cook it to make bacon bits. This way of cooking bacon means you have a little bit of bacon flavor in every bite.

Storing leftovers

  • To store – store each part of this salad separately in sealed containers in the fridge for up to 4 days.
  • Make ahead – the everything bagel dressing keeps well refrigerated for 1 week. Also, pre-washed mixed greens keep well for up to 1 week. I also like to pre-cook the sausage links and then slice them thinly to briefly reheat them in a skillet before cooking the eggs fresh. This works even better if you use bulk ground sausage or bacon.
Straight down view of two breakfast salads on pottery plates on a white background with a blue and white striped linen in the background.

Tips & Tricks

  • Meal prep the dressing and sausage ahead of time to make this breakfast easy in the morning.
  • Or meal prep this the night before to take with you to work by making hardboiled eggs for the salad rather than over-easy eggs.
  • For the winter variation try roasting up cubed butternut squash or my Roasted Sweet Potatoes ahead of time. Then reheat them in the skillet alongside the sausage before cooking the eggs.
  • Omit the basil and use my Basil Vinaigrette instead. Or if you don’t want to use the everything bagel dressing, try my 2 Ingredient Balsamic Dressing (especially good with the sweet potato & butternut variations) or my Homemade Italian Dressing.

Dietary Options & Substitutions

  • The over-easy eggs are really nice in this salad, but they can still be omitted if you can’t have eggs.
  • Be sure to look over the labels for any sausage or bacon you choose to make sure they fit your dietary needs. Sausage can sometimes have dairy added.
  • For Whole30 make sure any sausage or bacon you choose is compliant and with no added sugar.
  • I like to use Simply Organic for all my spices but especially blends like everything bagel because they have just spices and nothing else added. Be sure to check the labels of whatever you choose to make sure it works with any dietary needs.
Side view of breakfast salad topped with an over easy egg, sliced avocado, and sausages on a white background.

I hope you enjoy this Breakfast Salad! If you do get a chance to make this recipe, I’d love to hear from you in the comments.

Straight down view of a pottery plate filled with breakfast salad topped with an over easy egg, sliced avocado, cherry tomatoes, and sausages on a white background.

Breakfast Salad


5 from 16 votes
Author: Kari Peters
Total Time 30 minutes
Yield: 2 salads
Course: Breakfast

INGREDIENTS  

Everything Bagel Seasoning Dressing:

  • 2 tbsp white wine vinegar - or freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 1 tsp Dijon mustard
  • 1 tbsp everything bagel seasoning - see notes
  • 1/4 tsp sea salt - or to taste
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 1 clove garlic - small clove, minced
  • 1/4 cup olive oil

Breakfast Salad:

  • 4 cups mixed greens - arugula, or baby spinach, 3-4 ounces
  • 1/4 cup thinly sliced green onions
  • 1/4 cup basil - chopped, optional
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes - halved
  • 1/2 ripe avocado - thinly sliced, see notes
  • 6 small breakfast sausages - cooked, see notes
  • 2 eggs - cooked over easy, add more if desired
  • Extra everything bagel seasoning to sprinkle over the top of each salad.

INSTRUCTIONS 

  • Add all the ingredients for the everything bagel dressing except the oil to a small bowl. Whisk together to combine.
  • Next whisk in the oil in a thin steady stream until completely combined. Or shake the dressing together in a mason jar with a lid. The dressing may separate as it sits, simply whisk or shake it back together.
  • Next, prep the veggies and divide the greens, green onions, basil, and cherry tomatoes between 2 plates.
  • Cook the sausage of your choice as well as 1-2 over easy eggs per person. When the sausage and eggs are done, place them on top of the salad.
  • Sprinkle with a little everything bagel seasoning, add the sliced avocado, and drizzle as much of the dressing as you'd like over each salad. Serve immediately.
Bonus StepIf you made this recipe, please leave a rating/comment. Ratings really help us continue to bring you high-quality free recipes. Rate This Recipe!

NOTES

To make your own everything bagel seasoning combine: 1 Tablespoon poppy seeds, 1 Tablespoon sesame seeds, 1 Tablespoon black sesame seeds, 1 Tablespoon dried minced garlic, 2 Tablespoons dried minced onion, and 1 Teaspoon sea salt. This makes 1/3 cup which is around 5 Tablespoons.
Depending on your appetite you can use more avocado. If we have a super active day ahead we sometimes use a whole avocado for 2 salads.
I’ve been using chicken breakfast sausages, but you can use any breakfast sausage links or patties. I figure on 3-4 ounces per salad, but you can go with as little as 2 ounces since you’re also adding eggs to the salad. If you want a lighter salad, use half the amount of sausage and reduce the avocado.
Try doubling the dressing recipe to have on hand for your next breakfast salads.
Category: Breakfast
Cuisine: Amercian
Keywords: Breakfast Veggies, Easy Breakfast Salad, Healthy Breakfast Salad, Salad for Breakfast

nutrition facts

Calories: 603kcal | Carbohydrates: 12g | Protein: 18g | Fat: 55g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 7g | Monounsaturated Fat: 33g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 207mg | Sodium: 1193mg | Potassium: 816mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 1915IU | Vitamin C: 44mg | Calcium: 76mg | Iron: 3mg
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This recipe was originally published in 2018 and updated in 2023 with new photos, more tips, and more information.

36 thoughts on “Breakfast Salad”

  1. 5 stars
    this is a killer salad. an dhe dressing is stellar! so easy to make. definitely will do again! me and my roommate did itr dinner instead and used cube sirloin instead b cah was all that we had in the moment. so happy to have found thi recipe. thank you!

    Reply
  2. 5 stars
    I love greens for breakfast! What a gorgeous plate. Lots going on, but as you suggested, it can be prepped and prepared quickly with a little planning. Looks delicious!!!

    Reply
  3. 5 stars
    Everything Seasoning is a BIG hit in our house! We love it on roasted veggies and deviled eggs! I bet we’d love this dressing, too!

    Reply

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