Ultimate Summer Salad (Printable)

Vibrant mix of seasonal greens, vegetables, and fruits with tangy vinaigrette. Ready in 20 minutes.

# What You'll Need:

→ Vegetables & Fruits

01 - 2 cups mixed salad greens (arugula, baby spinach, romaine)
02 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
03 - 1 cup cucumber, sliced
04 - 1 cup watermelon, cubed
05 - 1 ripe avocado, diced
06 - 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
07 - 1/4 cup radishes, thinly sliced

→ Cheese & Nuts

08 - 1/3 cup feta cheese, crumbled
09 - 1/4 cup toasted almonds or pistachios, chopped

→ Fresh Herbs

10 - 2 tablespoons fresh mint, chopped
11 - 2 tablespoons fresh basil, torn

→ Vinaigrette

12 - 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
13 - 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
14 - 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup
15 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
16 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

# How To Make:

01 - In a large salad bowl, gently combine the salad greens, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, watermelon, avocado, red onion, and radishes.
02 - Sprinkle the crumbled feta cheese and toasted nuts evenly over the salad.
03 - Add the chopped mint and torn basil for a burst of fresh flavor.
04 - In a small bowl or jar, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper until emulsified.
05 - Drizzle the vinaigrette over the salad just before serving. Toss gently to combine and serve immediately.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The salty feta and sweet watermelon create this incredible flavor contrast that makes people forget they're eating something healthy
  • It comes together in literally 20 minutes but looks like something from a restaurant
  • Everything can be prepped ahead except the dressing, making it perfect for last-minute summer gatherings
02 -
  • Dress the salad right before serving or the greens will start to wilt, especially the delicate arugula
  • The watermelon releases water as it sits, so if youre making this ahead, keep it separate until the last minute
  • Room temperature ingredients make a huge difference in flavor absorption from the dressing
03 -
  • Dry your greens completely after washing, either with a salad spinner or by spreading them on towels
  • If your watermelon isn't very sweet, add another pinch of honey to the dressing
  • Making this for a crowd? Double the herbs and nuts but not the dressing, people always pick those out first

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