There’s no better way to celebrate fresh fruit and vegetables than in a delicious summer salad. We’ve brought together a few of our favorite salads for you to try. All take advantage of produce harvested at peak ripeness, which means they’re big on flavor and nutrition.
While you’re in the salad-making frame of mind, here are a few tips:
How to prepare a great summer salad:
Wash and dry your greens thoroughly. Tear the greens into bite-sized pieces and then season lightly with salt and pepper for added flavor. Use a variety of greens with textures–micro-greens, herbs, romaine, even baby kale or Swiss chard. Add uniformly chopped (bite-sized) veggies or fruit, along with your protein of choice (plant-based or otherwise). Add a crunchy topping such as nuts or homemade croutons and then toss with a store-bought or homemade dressing. Try making a homemade vinaigrette:1 part something acidic such as vinegar or lemon juice to 3 parts olive oil. (Tip: Use the most expensive olive oil you can afford–it makes a difference.) Depending on the vinaigrette flavor–add extra seasonings–anything from minced garlic or shallots to chopped herbs or Dijon mustard or honey. Here’s a good recipe.
5 Summer Salad Recipes
Strawberry Salad

Toss spinach with cucumbers, tomatoes, sliced onions and basil.
If using, toss with strawberry vinaigrette (or another fruity vinaigrette).
Sprinkle with Crispy Fruit freeze-dried strawberries.
Ingredients
Directions
Toss spinach with cucumbers, tomatoes, sliced onions and basil.
If using, toss with strawberry vinaigrette (or another fruity vinaigrette).
Sprinkle with Crispy Fruit freeze-dried strawberries.
Notes
Chopped Chicken Salad

Chop chicken and place in a large bowl.
Chopped all veggies to a uniform size and add to the chicken.
Sprinkle with herbs and drizzle with dressing. Toss thoroughly and serve.
Ingredients
Directions
Chop chicken and place in a large bowl.
Chopped all veggies to a uniform size and add to the chicken.
Sprinkle with herbs and drizzle with dressing. Toss thoroughly and serve.
Notes
Caprese Salad

Slice tomatoes and arrange on a plate.
Add slice of mozzarella cheese on each tomato slice and then top with a piece of fresh basil.
Optional: Drizzle with your favorite extra virgin olive oil and balsamic glaze.
Ingredients
Directions
Slice tomatoes and arrange on a plate.
Add slice of mozzarella cheese on each tomato slice and then top with a piece of fresh basil.
Optional: Drizzle with your favorite extra virgin olive oil and balsamic glaze.
Notes
Watermelon Feta Salad

Cut watermelon pieces into 1-2 inch cubes.
Toss with shredded basil and feta cheese.
Optional: Add a light vinaigrette for extra flavor.
Ingredients
Directions
Cut watermelon pieces into 1-2 inch cubes.
Toss with shredded basil and feta cheese.
Optional: Add a light vinaigrette for extra flavor.
Notes
Tomato Salad

Core tomatoes and then quarter into wedges. Place in a salad bowl.
Add basil through oregano. Toss thoroughly. Add more seasonings such as salt to taste.
Ingredients
Directions
Core tomatoes and then quarter into wedges. Place in a salad bowl.
Add basil through oregano. Toss thoroughly. Add more seasonings such as salt to taste.
Notes
—Gabriella Costantini