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I Say Wendy’s Offers The Best “Fast Food” Salads Ever!

Thanks to Wendy’s for sponsoring this post. All opinions are 100% my own.

When you think delicious and healthy salads, you probably don’t think about finding them at a fast food restaurant. In fact, I was skeptical when the folks at Wendy’s invited me to learn more about their salad offerings. These salads are seriously amazing! I dare say they are the best fast food salads EVER! Frankly, these salads rival some that I’ve had at nice restaurants as well.

“I dare say they are the best fast food salads EVER!”

Best fast food salads at Wendy's

Choose Fresh, Choose Wendy’s

Opened in 1969, Wendy’s is the only quick service restaurant that boasts a fresh supply chain. Ingredients are shipped fresh to every location multiple times a week. Whole heads of romaine and iceberg lettuce, vegetables and seasonal fruits are all hand washed and chopped in house. Salads are made fresh for lunch and then again for dinner. As a result, you can really taste the difference!

Best fast food salads at Wendy's

Ideal vs. Real World

In an ideal world, I’d make myself a fresh salad every day. I’d wash and chop ingredients from my garden. Hmm, looking over my yard, I don’t see a fresh vegetable garden. How did that happen? Because carpools, dance lessons, soccer practice and more all get in the way of my ideal world. In my “real world,” I can pop over to Wendy’s for a perfectly made salad that is already waiting for me. Works for me!

Customizable Salads with Reasonable Calories

I had the pleasure of attending a special tasting event to learn more about each of Wendy’s salads. All salads are fully customizable. Dairy free like me? Ask for a salad without cheese. Don’t like onions? Ask for an onion-free salad. The Taco Salad comes with all extra ingredients like chips, salsa, chili, and sour cream on the side so you can choose how much you’d like to use.

Best fast food salads

Over the past year, I lost 20 pounds so portion control is especially important to me. Nearly all half-portion salads are under 500 calories. Packed with protein (even without chicken), these salads should keep you full for hours. Most of the full-size salads are around 600 calories. Say no to the cheese to reduce fat and calories even more.

The Salad Roundup

I tasted the following salads. Check your local restaurant for availability. Visit the Wendy’s website for their entire salad menu.

  • Fresh Mozzarella Chicken Salad
    Freshly chopped lettuce, slices of fresh mozzarella, a drizzle of creamy basil pesto, a juicy, marinated grilled chicken breast, grape tomatoes and seasoned croutons.
  • Taco Salad
    Top with Wendy’s famous chili, shredded cheddar cheese, diced tomatoes, chunky salsa, and yellow corn tortilla rounds.
  • POWER Mediterranean Chicken Salad
    Always-fresh-grilled chicken teams up with a savory ensemble of feta cheese, hummus, and sundried tomato quinoa blend
  • Strawberry Mango Chicken Salad
    Sweet & juicy diced mango, strawberries and honey roasted sunflower seeds. Warm grilled chicken breast and crumbly feta cheese and honey citrus vinaigrette dressing top it off.

Secrets of a Wendy’s Chef

Wendy’s takes creating new salads seriously. A Wendy’s Test Kitchen Chef explained the process for launching the new Strawberry Mango Chicken Salad. She tasted mangos shipped from all over the world for the entire summer of 2016 to ensure this new salad would be amazing this summer. That’s the dedication of Wendy’s to provide fresh and delicious ingredients. They also test salads with consumers to figure out what size bites are best. Yup, the size of strawberries, mangos, chicken bites and more are dictated by customer preferences.

Best fast food salads at Wendy's

My Favorite Salad

Drum roll please…. Of the 4 salads I tasted, the POWER Mediterranean Chicken Salad is just divine. Protein-packed, nutrient rich, savory and delicious! The Strawberry Mango Chicken Salad is a close second. I have a feeling the folks at Wendy’s will know me by name pretty soon. They won’t be able to keep me away.

Best fast food salads at Wendy's

Which salad would you like to try? You may agree that they are the best fast food salads ever!

Where to find the best fast food salads

Sharing is caring!

  1. Steven says:

    I will surely try out this recipe at my home to prepare this healthy salad for me. Thanks, Buddy for sharing.

  2. Paola says:

    I will now have to try a Wendy’s salad. It’s sounds so good!

  3. Sherry says:

    My favorite Wendy’s salad has always been the taco salad. I do want to try the strawberry mango salad though. It looks really good.

  4. Annemarie LeBlanc says:

    Wendy’s Taco Salad is my favorite! I have always wanted to try the other salads, but I always end up ordering my favorite. I would love to try the Strawberry Mango salad (without chicken). I have to pick some up soon.

  5. reesa says:

    I love Wendy’s salads! When I want a quick meal that isn’t full of grease and fat, that is where I go!

  6. Randa says:

    I’d try the Power Mediterranean Salad first. It is filled with yummy ingredients that I love. Heading to Wendy’s….

  7. Sarah says:

    I haven’t been to Wendy’s in a long time but this salad sure does look good! I’ll have grab this one day when I’m out.

  8. Pamela says:

    I have to agree. Wendy’s does have great salads that don’t skimp on ingredients

  9. Emily says:

    I love that you can customize the salads! I did not know this about them. We struggle at times if we do get fast food (which we try to limit) but my daughter is vegetarian and there is not a lot of meat-free food options. So this would be a great idea for her!

  10. Sinisa says:

    Wendy’s does have creative options. They do strive to be a leader. Can’t beat their taste.

  11. Danielle says:

    We are a loyal Wendys family. It’s been a while since I had one of their salads, but it sounds really great right now. Definitely a lighter option that I need.

  12. Jeni says:

    Wendy’s salads are so tasty, and quick to grab when you are on the go. I love them after a workout. They definitely have the best fast food salads, I completely agree!

  13. TColeman says:

    I am also a HUGE fan of the salads from here. If I have to choose I will definitely go for the varieties that they have.

  14. I love stopping in for a Wendy’s salad when I’m on the go. I’ve had a lot of salads from a lot of different restaurants, and Wendy’s has always been the most fresh and crisp.

  15. Wendy’s salads are the best! They are never all wilted and weird like so many other fast food salads are.

  16. Sarah says:

    I’ve only been to Wendy’s a few times and never noticed they have salads before. I think it would be good to get a salad, so then I can make up for it with a Frosty afterwards, laugh.

  17. Rebecca Swenor says:

    I have to admit that I have never had a Wendy’s salad before. These salads all sound amazing and I would will have to try all of them. The Taco salad is the one I would love to try first because I love their chili. Thanks for sharing these awesome salads.

  18. Jona says:

    Coudln’t agree more! I love Wendy’s salad too! We may not yet have the salad choices but with all the fast food available here, Wendy’s is my number one for salad.

  19. It’s difficult to find a healthy salad from fast foods. I’ll surely think of Wendy’s when I look for salads.

  20. Wendy’s definitely is leveling up their game with these new salad recipes! The one with the mangoes sound amazing and I’d love to drive over to their nearest branch and give these a try!

  21. I don’t usually eat at fast food but I like these salads from Wendy’s. This is an easy and affordable way to get your salad fix without having to make it yourself.

  22. Neha Saini says:

    I am a salad lover. I liked all these recipes and would try them one by one. Thanks for sharing.

  23. rika says:

    I cant’ wait to check out these menu items! I used to buy chili soup from Wendy’s!

  24. I have always thought that Wendy’s salads looked decent. The combination of mozz and chicken is one of my favorites, I bet that salad is tasty.

  25. Claudia Krusch says:

    The Fresh Mozzarella Chicken Salad is my new favorite. It is so delicious and quick to pick up on the go.

  26. Love Wendy’s salads they truly are the best ones I’ve tried from fast food places. They are just so good. I might just go get one now that you mention it!

  27. Jeanette says:

    Wendy’s always has the best salads. I remember their Asian Chicken salad when I was growing up. I loved it!!

  28. I didn’t realize Wendy’s salads looked so good. The next time we stop in for Frosty’s I’ll have to pick some up.

  29. Danik says:

    I been to that side of the pond twice and when doing road trips, I always stop of in Wendy’s. Compared to McD’s and Bugger King, I rather have the salads from here. Not completely fat free etc but its still a lot healthier than other fast food joints as they offer salads. Still I love Wendy’s for their burgers also (not the best meat I know, all those chemicals…but once in a blue moon doesn’t hurt) 😛

  30. Robin rue says:

    Wendy’s really does have the best salads. I haven’t had one in a while, but they are definitely my favorite.

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