16 Salad Recipes for Crisp and Cool Summer Noshing
At the beginning of summer, we can’t get enough of salads: simple lettuce dressed in vinaigrette, tomatoes sliced and served with just a splash of oil, a sprinkle of salt, a chiffonnade of fresh basil from the garden. But as the summer moves forward, the salads that were new and exciting in June become mundane and repetitive. But it doesn’t have to be this way! Take a look at some of our exciting salad recipes for a new twist on this summer staple.
Grilled Salads
When plain, cold salads get too boring, use the grill to make them more exciting. Grilling some (or all) components of your salads introduces a warm element, which can make them feel like more of a meal when you’ve been eating cold, raw veggies for days. Try our Grilled Squash and Orzo Salad with Pine Nuts and Mint. Our Grilled Salmon, Potatoes & Asparagus Salad is hearty, with the addition of healthful salmon… make sure yours is fished responsibly! Cool off and warm up with this light and tangy Grilled Endive Salad with Blood Orange Vinaigrette.
Grains and Legumes
Salads don’t just have to be about veggies. The addition of grains, like farro in our Farro Salad or lentils in our Easy Lentil Salad Recipe with Radicchio and Veggies can turn simple salads into a true meal. A quinoa Salad with Lime and Mint brings a hearty dose of protein to the table with quinoa, the wonder-seed.
Fruit Salads
Fruit salads are a picnic staple, but the addition of fruit to an otherwise savory salad can be a welcome change. Figs will be in season soon, and our Melon & Fig Salad with Basil Cream recipe is a great way to take advantage of these honey-sweet fruits. Fresh strawberries are combined with iron-rich spinach in our Fresh Strawberry & Spinach Salad recipe. Good old cole slaw is dressed up with the addition of dried cranberries in our Easy Organic Coleslaw With Dried Cranberries recipe. A Cucumber and Blueberry Salad is a surprising and delicious creation, with the welcome addition of feta cheese.
International Influences
Use influences from other cuisines to make your salads even tastier and more exciting. Our Chicken Tostada Salad Recipe is a great way to add Mexican flair to your summer menus, and our Cherry Tomato Salad with Burrata & Pesto Recipe is a perfect addition from Italy. Our Potato Salad Recipe With Artichokes, Feta Cheese & Olive Relish brings Mediterranean flavors to your table. This Thai Summer Salad offers a great combo of international flavors and fresh veggies!
Keep It Simple
When all else fails, keep your salad recipes simple, concentrating less on the recipe and more on the ingredients. Our Organic Heirloom Carrot Salad requires the best of heirloom carrots, which you will be able to enjoy at the peak of their perfection. A Summer Corn Salad brings out the best in this summertime staple, and crisp snap peas stand out with a simple Herb and Snap Pea Salad.
Top image: jules:stonesoup
