Description
Hot Girl Summer Salad is a vibrant and refreshing dish combining mixed greens, fresh berries, creamy avocado, crunchy vegetables, and feta cheese, all tossed in a bright, homemade lemon dressing. Perfect as a light lunch or a colorful side, this salad is both nutritious and flavorful, embodying the essence of healthy summer eating.
Ingredients
Salad Ingredients
- 6 cups mixed greens
- 1 cup strawberries, sliced
- 1 cup blueberries
- 1 cucumber, sliced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 avocado, diced
- ½ cup corn
- ¼ small red onion, thinly sliced
- ½ cup crumbled feta cheese
- ¼ cup pumpkin seeds or sunflower seeds
- 2 tbsp fresh mint, chopped
Dressing Ingredients
- 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tbsp honey or maple syrup
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ¼ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Prepare the Salad Base: Add the mixed greens to a large salad bowl as the foundation for the salad.
- Add Fresh Ingredients: Top the greens with sliced strawberries, blueberries, cucumber slices, halved cherry tomatoes, diced avocado, corn, thinly sliced red onion, crumbled feta cheese, pumpkin or sunflower seeds, and freshly chopped mint for a vibrant mix of textures and flavors.
- Make the Dressing: In a small bowl or jar, whisk together extra-virgin olive oil, fresh lemon juice, honey or maple syrup, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper until the mixture is smooth and emulsified.
- Dress the Salad: Drizzle the freshly made dressing over the salad ingredients just before serving to keep the greens crisp.
- Toss and Serve: Gently toss the salad to evenly coat all the components with the dressing, then serve immediately to enjoy the freshest flavors.
Notes
- For a vegan version, use maple syrup instead of honey and omit the feta cheese or substitute with a vegan feta alternative.
- Add grilled chicken, shrimp, or chickpeas to boost the protein content for a more filling meal.
- Seasonal fruit variations such as peaches, raspberries, or watermelon work wonderfully as refreshing additions.
- If preparing ahead, keep the dressing separate and refrigerate the undressed salad ingredients for up to 2 days to maintain freshness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Salad, Side Dish
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
