Perfect for using up fresh produce you have on hand from the farmers market or grocery store, here is a roundup of 20 fresh and easy salad recipes for summer.
One of my secrets to maintaining long term weight loss success is eating a wide variety of vegetables throughout the year. Not only does this provide my body with a mix of vitamins and antioxidants, but it prevents boredom in the kitchen. After all, if you eat the same bland salad greens with dried grilled chicken on top, you’ll get bored with healthy eating really quickly.
The truth is, creating a delicious salad packed with flavor doesn’t have to be difficult. Whether it’s adding in fresh herbs, topping it with crunchy nuts, finishing with shaved nutty Parmesan, or with a splash of toasted sesame oil, I have lots of little tips and tricks for creating a salad recipe that tastes nothing like health food.
Prepping ahead:
If the salad base is made of lettuce. I don’t recommend dressing the salad more than 5 minutes before you plan to serve. You’ll wilt the greens if you dress the salad too far in advance. To save time, you can prep the vinaigrette up to 3 days beforehand and simply toss with the greens right before serving. If you’re dressing a cabbage-based salad or a village salad that doesn’t have lettuce, you can dress it a bit more ahead of time.
Once you’ve added the dressing, many of these salads will only last a few hours. I highly recommend waiting to dress the salad until you’re ready to enjoy it. Other salads will last longer in the refrigerator, including many with grains. As the grains absorb the dressing, the salad will become even more flavorful.
Frequently asked questions:
What grains work best for absorbing salad dressing?
Brown rice, quinoa, bulgur, spelt, farro or freekeh. These are great for adding fiber and protein. They’re also filling and help keep you satisfied. I find that if I enjoy a really hearty salad for lunch, I’m less inclined to want to snack throughout the day.
Which salad dressings are the healthiest?
I’m proud to say that I never purchase store bought salad dressings. I grew up eating homemade salad dressings, and no store bought dressing will ever see the light of day in my refrigerator. Homemade dressings are easier to prepare than you think. Many of them require just a few ingredients which you most likely already have in your pantry. They’re also way more nutritious than anything you could find at the store. Some of my favorites include my Honey Mustard Vinaigrette, Japanese Ginger Salad Dressing, and Healthy Ranch Dressing.
As you can see from the following list, salads don’t have to be boring. The salads on this list are extremely flavorful and packed with vitamins and nutrients. Enjoy this roundup of 20 fresh salad recipes for summer!
Recipes:
Avocado Green Goddess Salad Dressing
Lebanese Fattoush Salad
Greek Brown Rice Salad
Italian Garden Salad with Fennel
Kale Salad with Apples and Walnuts
Lebanese Chopped Salad
Arugula Salad with Shrimp
Chicken Caesar Salad Bowls with Quinoa
Taco Salad Bowls with Ground Beef
Traditional Greek Salad
Fruit Salad with Honey Yogurt Dressing
Tuna Nicoise Salad with Green Goddess Dressing
Strawberry Arugula Salad
Cucumber Zucchini Salad
Grilled Corn and Zucchini Salad with Feta and Basil
Healthy Asian Chicken Chopped Salad
Middle Eastern Syrian Salad
Ginger Salad Dressing
Fresh Mushroom Salad with Lemon Parmesan Vinaigrette
Lemon Tahini Salad Dressing
Want more healthy salad recipes? Head over to Pinterest!