Summer salads are the best food for summer. They're easy to make and can be as simple or as fancy as you like.
Summer is a great time to load up on fresh ingredients, so why not try one of these five-ingredient salads?
These recipes take advantage of seasonal produce and let the ingredients speak for themselves. Add some protein if you want more substance; otherwise, they can be eaten straight out of hand.
The great thing about these salads is that they're incredibly easy to adjust based on what's in your kitchen, so it's hard to go wrong with them. Try one out this week!
1. ARUGULA SALAD WITH GRAPES AND ONION
This is a really simple side salad that you can make in five minutes. It's perfect for summer picnics, potlucks, and barbecues.
Ingredients:
6 cups arugula, washed and dried well
1 cup red seedless grapes, halved (I use small red grapes)
1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion (or scallion)
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil (or more for drizzling)
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
Combine all ingredients in a large bowl. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Toss well to combine. Serve immediately.
2. WATERMELON WITH RED ONION SALAD
Watermelon and cucumber salad is a simple summer salad that you can make with just five ingredients. It's refreshing and delicious!
Ingredients:
1½ cups watermelon, cut into 1-inch cubes (about 8 ounces)
½ cup feta cheese, crumbled
¼ cup red onion, thinly sliced
1/ 8 teaspoon salt
1/ 8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Instruction:
In a large bowl, combine the watermelon cubes, feta cheese, and red onion slices. Toss gently to combine. Season with salt and pepper and serve immediately.
2. GREEN PESTO SALAD
Green pesto pasta salad is one of the easiest recipes to make and it is not just delicious but it is also healthy, tasty, and best of all, very easy to make.
Ingredients:
1 pound whole-wheat pasta (penne or rotini works best)
6 cups mixed greens, roughly torn
1 cup grape tomatoes, halved
1 cup cucumber slices (about 1/2 a medium cucumber), halved lengthwise and sliced crosswise into thin strips
3/4 cup fresh basil pesto, store-bought or homemade.
Instructions:
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook until al dente according to package instructions. Drain and rinse under cold water. Let cool to room temperature. Transfer pasta from the pot to a large bowl. Stir in remaining ingredients until well combined. Season with salt and pepper and refrigerate until ready to serve (up to 3 days).
3. KALE WITH CHICKPEAS SALAD
This kale salad with chickpeas is one of my favorite summer salads. It’s simple, flavorful, and healthy. It’s also vegan, gluten-free, and low in calories. In this recipe, we are going to use raw kale, but you can also use cooked kale or any other leafy greens like spinach or lettuce.
Ingredients:
1 bunch kale, stems removed and sliced into ribbons
1/2 cup cooked chickpeas
1/4 cup chopped red onion
2 tbsp olive oil
salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
In a large bowl, combine the kale, chickpeas, red onion, and olive oil. Toss until well coated. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve immediately or refrigerate until ready to serve.
4. CORN AND TOFU SALAD
Corn salad is a simple way to use fresh sweet corn and it's really easy to make. It's a summertime side dish that goes well with grilled meats and seafood, or just as a snack on its own.
Ingredients:
1/2 cup corn kernels, fresh or frozen
1/4 cup tofu, cubed
1 small onion, thinly sliced
1/4 cup cilantro leaves, roughly chopped
juice of 1 lime
salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
In a large bowl, add all ingredients and toss together. Serve immediately.
5. STRAWBERRY, PECAN, AND MOZZARELLA SALAD
Strawberry, peanuts, and mozzarella salad is a delicious and easy-to-make salad. It can be eaten for breakfast or as a side dish with your dinner.
Ingredients:
1 cup fresh strawberries, sliced
1 cup fresh mozzarella cheese, cubed
1/4 cup chopped pecans, toasted
Instructions:
In a large bowl combine strawberries, mozzarella cheese, and pecans. Drizzle with honey mustard dressing and toss gently to coat. Serve immediately.
Summer salads are a great way to get your daily dose of veggies. They’re also the perfect way to use up all the fresh produce you have in your fridge.
If you’re not a fan of salads, think about what makes them so appealing: They’re easy to make, flavorful, and filling.
This article is created through collaboration with Premium Advantages, an online community platform that focuses on lifestyle experiences and exclusive offers. Learn more about Premium Advantages here.