Summer is the season for salads, and we have the freshest, most exciting salads to whip up for tonight’s dinner. Whether you’re grilling out or looking for lighter lunch options, these crisp, refreshing salads are far from boring.
Blackberry Mango Salad
Tangy blackberries and juicy mango are the stars of this salad. Begin with a bowl of crisp mixed greens, then add washed blackberries, cubed mango, feta cheese, candied walnuts, and thinly sliced red onion.
Dress with a poppy seed dressing––this is the perfect side salad for grilled chicken or savory salmon dishes!
Berry And Feta Salad
With an abundance of fresh berries in the produce section of our grocery stores, it’s no wonder this berry-heavy salad would make it to our list!
Start with a bowl of freshly washed spinach or your favorite variety of mixed greens. Next, add some plump blueberries, sliced strawberries, slivered almonds, crumbly feta, and crispy bacon, and dress with a raspberry vinaigrette.
Tex Mex Salad
This Tex-Mex salad is perfect for hot summer nights when you want to stay away from the heat of the kitchen. Packed with vegetable protein, this savory salad can be an entree or a nice side salad to a perfectly grilled steak.
Start with a large bowl of fresh mixed greens or crisp romaine lettuce. Top with diced onions, tomatoes, green peppers, and a can of washed and drained black beans and corn. Add creamy shredded cheddar cheese and crunchy tortilla strips for some added texture.
Top with a smokey ranch dressing and serve. Make this a meal by adding extra protein from diced chicken breast for a filling yet refreshing meal.
Tomato Cucumber Salad
This tomato and cucumber salad really comes in handy once your garden starts producing more tomatoes than you know what to do with! Crips, fresh, and tangy are the best ways to describe this simple salad.
Dice tomatoes and cucumbers into bite-sized pieces, slice a fresh red onion thinly, toss it all together, and dress with your choice of Italian dressing. Although this salad is simple, it’s easy to say it’s a summertime favorite for a quick side that can pair with any meal.
Spinach And Bacon Salad
If you love fresh spinach salad, this is sure to become your new favorite. Topped with tender sliced mushrooms, tangy and sweet onion slices, and hickory-smoked bacon, this salad sounds simple but is absolutely delicious.
The honey mustard dressing you pair it with takes this salad to the next level. Mix ¼ cup of Dijon mustard, ½ cup of mayo, the juice of ½ lemons, and ⅓ cup of honey for a homemade dressing that is better than store-bought.
Final Thoughts On This Summer’s Best Salads
Salads don’t need to be lacking in flavor—they’re quite the opposite. Play around with different flavors, and be sure to add tons of extra textures to keep your salads from being far from boring.