P.F. Chang’s New Salad Kit Tastes Exactly Like the Restaurant’s Famous Dish — And Is Way Cheaper

I have two modes of getting vegetables into my daily life: farmers market finds, and pre-washed bagged salad kits. I am a high-low kind of gal in that regard; I know that if I buy the gorgeous lettuce at the market, I am less apt to want to wash and prep it for a lunchtime salad, but that the flavor of locally grown squash will be better than the plastic-wrapped ones at the grocery store. 

Bagged salads allow me an easier, faster way to eat more vegetables — or a quick side for a dinner party — and are always on my weekly shopping list.

Shortcut salad kits can be hit or miss in quality, though. Some have too many ingredients, and others have too few. Oftentimes the dressing is lackluster, so I make my own vinaigrette or creamy concoction to amp up the flavor. That is, until I finally found some newbie kits with everything I want in a salad: great mix of textures, refreshing and light yet filling, and with a quality dressing to tie it all together. 

And they come from a surprising place: P.F. Chang’s (not my usual go-to chain restaurant for salads).

I was shopping at H Mart recently when I spotted them amongst the mixed greens (I’ve since spotted one on Kroger’s website, although it’s currently listed as “unavailable”). The P.F. Chang’s salad kits are made by Mann’s Fresh, a popular salad company I’ve purchased from before, and come in two flavors: Asian Caesar and Mandarin Crunch. The Asian Caesar is on the current menu at P.F. Chang’s, and it costs $9.49 for a small salad without protein ($16.79 for a large); both 10-ounce bags cost me $2.99 each. 

The suggested serving size is 1 cup, with three servings per bag. It is enough for a side salad for three people (or smaller portions if you’re feeding a family of four) or a main salad for two with a protein.

This twist on a Caesar mostly comes from the dressing, which is enhanced with lime juice, fish sauce, sesame oil, and soy sauce to add even more umami to the creamy Parmesan and garlic base. It has a brightness and lightness because of this, and I made mine with cooked shrimp; chicken, steak, salmon, or even tofu could also be great. There are wonton strips are in place of croutons, which add a satisfying crunch, and extra Parm (because cheese is life). 

The Asian Caesar uses chopped romaine, while the Mandarin Crunch Salad has shredded romaine. I usually only use shrettuce on sandwiches, but the fluffy texture of shredded lettuce was a nice change-up in texture when mixed with shredded green and Napa cabbages and carrots. The crunch factor is strong here, with almonds, chow mein noodles, and wonton strips — none of which get soggy when tossed with the pucker-up citrus bomb of mandarin vinaigrette. 

There’s a nice sweet, zingy, and savory balance with this dressing, and I’m currently trying to recreate it in case this salad kit ever goes off the market. I loved it most with chicken, but could also see this being a great way to use a can of tuna for a budget-friendly and quick salad, as the citrus complements fish so well. And next time I have a dinner party, I know what I’ll be serving first — party planning is in the bag!

Find it in stores: P.F. Chang’s Asian Caesar (or Mandarin Crunch) Salad Kit, $2.99 for 10 ounces

Have you tried these new P.F. Chang’s salad kits? Tell us about it in the comments below.