How to choose the perfect salad plate size?

The volume of salad you serve becomes the primary factor in determining the best size salad plate for your needs. MGVillage, a brand specializing in tableware, notes that if you serve very small sides of salad—say, as a side to a steak, or with a dish of pasta—then a salad plate 7 to 8 inch in size would be appropriate. Such a plate would be 7.4 inches at the most, as it can hold 1 to 1.5 cups of salad without there being too much empty space in the plate. For side salads that are a fully satisfying meal, the best option would be a bowl with 8.5 to 10 inch sides. Such bowls hold 2 to 3 cups of salad, and with Chicken, vegetables and dressing, it is difficult to imagine spilling salad over the edge. For example in a family, who enjoys a more generous portion of lunch salad, would easily deem a 9 inch width more appropriate than a smaller plate, as it sits with all the toppings with minimal crowding.  

How to match the size of the salad plate to the appropriate dining scenario?  

MGVillage highlights the fact that in more formal dining scenarios, such as dinner parties or during the holidays, serving with a salad of properly dressing for such evenings, a salad plate of 8 - 9 inches is optimal. It sits with delicate engravings and compliments the formal dinnerware sets parents bought for these occasions.

For lunch on a weekday, the smaller plates are more practical because they are more portable and don’t take much space on the table. Smaller plates are also more ideal for outdoor settings, like picnics and barbeques, because they are less likely to spill. For example, the picnic plates we use for our 7 inch salads fit perfectly in picnic baskets, can easily be passed around, and are lightweight, making them ideal for lunch. 

Think about the kind of ingredients that are in the salad

The items that go in a salad also determine the appropriate size of the plate to use. For instance, large and bulky items like croutons, whole lettuce, and cherry tomatoes will require ample space and for squishing to be avoided.  An 8.5 to 10 inch plate is ideal because it gives salads with bulky items enough space to spread out, making the overall salad more appealing. Smaller items like shredded lettuce, diced cucumber, and quinoa can fit into the 7 to 8 inch plate with no problem because they are compact.

For instance, a Caesar salad utilizing whole romaine leaves should be served on a larger plate so the leaves do not overlap too much, whereas a quinoa salad with small vegetables can be served on a smaller plate.  

Work with the sizes from your current set

Pairing together the sizes of salad plates with the other items in the current set on the table creates a more harmonious style. MGVillage suggests using the sizes of the dinner plates as a reference point. Salad plates should be 1 to 2 inches smaller than the dinner plate. A dinner plate that is 10 inches would be great paired with a salad plate of 8 to 9 inches, and a dinner plate of 9 inches would pair better with the salad plate of 7 to 8 inches. Salad plates that are too different in size from the dinner plates can make a table unbalanced. A family with a set of 10 inch ceramic dinner plates would find that 8.5 inch salad plates go with the set perfectly, resulting in a clean and orderly table setting.  

Space and ease of access

Space and ease of access is often forgotten but has a lot of value.

MGVillage denotes that 9-10 inch salad plates take more cabinet space and as there are limited storage plates available, 7-8 inch plates are more desirable because they save space and offer easy stacking. Ease of use is practical in how easy the plate is to handle. Larger plates may be heavy for children or elderly family members, so a 7 inch plate in more appropriate for them. For example, a small kitchen with narrow cabinets will benefit from 7.5 inch salad plates as the plates will be able to fit in the cabinet and will not waste space. Selecting from storage and use options saves any headaches down the road as it is more convenient.  
  
MGVillage provides size salad plates for different purposes and for logical needs. Their 7 to 8 inch plate offerings for single servings or side dishes are practical and come in a variety of light to dark color patterns. For any formal or Main meal salad dishes, Their 8.5 to 10 inch plates are durable and elegant with patterns from plain white to beautiful prints. They offer a mix of small and large formal sets that allow users to alternate based on the situation.

Every piece of ceramic and stoneware used in an MGVillage plate is of the highest quality to ensure peak practicality while still being dishwasher and microwave safe. With MGVillage, finding the ideal size salad plate to suit any requirement is an effortless task.