4 Summer Salads You Need to Try

The temperatures are warming up, and you can almost smell the scent of summer in the air. Flowers are starting to bud, and the trees are blanketed in leaves once more. Summer is near, and what better way to start it than with some epic summer salads? Summer salads are a beautiful way to embrace seasonal produce and show off the vibrancy, textures, and flavors of it all.

They’re simple to toss together and taste amazing. If you’re not already salad-obsessed, you will be by the end of this article. We’re sharing all the details for four summer salads you need to try! So get your apron on and start chopping your veggies because we’re making colorful, juicy, and fantastic-tasting salads today!

1. Watermelon Salad with Feta and Mint.

Watermelon salad with feta and mint is an incredible salad for summer. Because watermelons are more than 90% water, the salad is juicy, with a mix of refreshing mint and savory feta. It takes roughly ten minutes to throw it together, making it the perfect salad for nearly any occasion. It’s cool, juicy, sweet, and savory in every bite. 

Ingredients:

• ⅓ cup of extra-virgin olive oil.
• 3 tbsp. of fresh lemon juice.
• 2 tsp. of Kosher salt.
• 1 teaspoon of Tabasco.
• ½ tsp. of fresh ground black pepper.
• 1–8 pound seedless watermelon scooped into balls with a melon baller.
• ½ pound of crumbled feta cheese.
• 1 small sweet onion.
• 1 ¼ cups of pitted Kalamata olives.
• 1 cup coarsely chopped mint leaves.

Directions:

1. Gather all the necessary ingredients and supplies. (Measuring spoons, bowl, and ingredients.)
2. In a large bowl, whisk together the oil, lemon juice, salt, Tabasco, and pepper.
3. Add the watermelon ball pieces, feta cheese, onions, and olives, and toss gently.
4. Finish by garnishing the salad with mint, and serve!

2. Sugar Snap Pea Salad.

If you’re after an invigorating mix of sweetness with an irresistible texture, then the sugar snap pea salad is for you. It’s crunchy, light, hearty, and looks gorgeous. This sugar snap pea salad is exploding with color, combining sweet with cool and juicy for a satisfying flavor. Ready to indulge?

Ingredients for the salad:

• 4 cups of washed sugar snap peas.
• ½ large English cucumber sliced into rounds.
• 1 small red bell pepper, cut into thin slices.
• ¾ cups canned mandarin oranges drained.
• 1 small red onion, sliced thinly.
• ½ teaspoon of sesame seeds

Ingredients for the dressing:

• 3 tablespoons of soy sauce.
• 3 tablespoons of seasoned rice vinegar.
• 1 tablespoon of honey.
• ½ teaspoon of minced garlic.
• ½ teaspoon of freshly grated ginger.
• ¼ teaspoon of black pepper.
• 1 tablespoon of sesame oil.
• 2 tablespoons of either vegetable, peanut, or avocado oil.

Directions:

1. Combine the sugar snap peas, red bell pepper, mandarin oranges, and red onion in a large bowl.
2. Set the bowl aside, or if the salad is going to be enjoyed at a later time, cover and refrigerate.
3. Using a medium bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey, garlic, black pepper, and ginger.
4. Drizzle the sesame and peanut oil slowly while whisking until fully combined. 
5. Drizzle the dressing generously over the salad and toss to mix.
6. Garnish the salad with sesame seeds, and enjoy!

3. Green Mango Salad.

The green mango salad is sweet, juicy, and luscious. It’s bright, bold, and refreshing. Crisp lettuce dances with slices of bright yellow mango while being coated in a perfect, lightly spicy dressing. The balance of sweet and spicy, accompanied by irresistible texture, makes this green mango salad perfect for a hot summer day!

Ingredients for salad:

• 6 cups of your favorite kind of lettuce.
• 2 mangoes, sliced very thin.
• ¼ red onion, sliced very thin.

Ingredients for dressing:

• 2 teaspoons of your favorite lightly flavored olive oil.
• 2 tablespoons of lime juice.
• 2 teaspoons of honey.
• 1 teaspoon of white vinegar.
• ¼ teaspoon of chile powder.
• ⅛ teaspoon of fine-grain sea salt.

Directions:

1. In a small bowl or jar, combine the olive oil, lime juice, honey, white vinegar, chile powder, and fine-grain sea salt. Whisk well or shake to combine. 
2. In a bowl, combine the lettuce, mangoes, and red onion.
3. Drizzle the dressing over the salad and taste test to see if it’s enough dressing for your liking. 
4. Serve and enjoy!

4. Carrot and Chickpea Salad.

Anything with chickpeas is awesome. They’re so hearty and filling, and they pair amazingly well with bold flavors. This carrot and chickpea salad will be one you have on repeat all summer. It’s a perfect make-ahead salad and great for potlucks and backyard barbeques. And if there are leftovers, it tastes even better the next day! It makes a great side dish and even a light meal. It’s simple, looks delicious, and tastes even better.

Ingredients:

• ½ pound of dried chickpeas, soaked overnight.
• 1 bay leaf.
• 1 carrot, cut into 3-inch pieces.
• 1 onion, split in half.
• 1 celery stalk cut into 3-inch sticks.
• Kosher salt.
• ½ cup pepitas.
• 1 large carrot, peeled and grated.
• 1 medium garlic clove, finely minced.
• ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil.
• 1 ½ teaspoon of sherry vinegar.
• ½ cup of chopped fresh dill leaves.
• Freshly ground black pepper.

Directions:

1. Drain the chickpeas and place them in a large pot with the carrot, onion, celery, and bay leaf. Fill with cold water (approximately 2 inches) and sprinkle with salt. Bring to a boil.
2. Reduce the temperature to a simmer and cook the chickpeas until they are tender.
3. Discard the bay leaf, carrot, onion, and celery.
4. Drain and rinse the chickpeas under cold water until they’re chilled.
5. Allow the chickpeas to drain in a colander while you make the rest of the salad.
6. Put pepitas in a large microwave-safe place and microwave on high for 2 minutes. Stir and microwave for another two minutes. Repeat in 30-second increments until the pepitas are toasted.
7. Combine the chickpeas, carrots, pepitas, olive oil, garlic, dill, and vinegar, and toss to coat. Finish by seasoning to taste with salt and pepper. 

The Final Take

Salads are an effortless way to embrace healthy eating and in-season produce. These salads are quick, simple, and packed with both flavor and nutrients. Juicy, bold, colorful, and delicious, these four summer salads are great for every event during the summer or to simply enjoy on your own. So go check your fridge and start making some salads out of your produce! 

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