15 Summer Salad Recipes That Go Beyond Lettuce

Summer and the warm weather call for light, healthy and delicious meals. What screams summer more than a fresh, nutritive and colourful salad. But, contrary to the common belief, salad doesn’t have to be all about just lettuce. You will be surprised about how creative and at the same time delicious a salad can be, especially now that our body is constantly asking for refreshing ways to beat the heat. Here are 15 summer salad recipes that go beyond lettuce.

1. Shrimp salad with almonds

If you have been thinking for your entire life that salad is all about lettuce and green stuff, this shrimp and almonds salad will definitely prove you wrong. For this recipe, your main ingredient, and also source of protein are the shrimps, so make sure they it’s well seasoned with salt, pepper and lime juice. Once your fish is seasoned, you can them move on and assemble your delicious salad. Use either lettuce or green rocket and finish it off with toasted almonds to give that crunchy taste to your meal.

2. Melon and prosciutto salad

This is a reinvented version of the popular melon and prosciutto appetizer. Since these two ingredients turn out to be a perfect combo, why not make a salad out of it. With this recipe your salad will be bursting with sweet and salty flavors from cantaloupe, prosciutto, arugula and a red wine vinaigrette. Fresh and tasty, exactly what you need for the summer.

3. Grilled corn salad

This salad is the perfect meal for a day at the beach or a picnic in the park. For this recipe, the corn is going to be the centre of the meal, for you to enjoy the sweet flavour. You can pair it with your favourite lettuce, pumpkin seeds and cheese. Then finish it up with few drops of extra virgin olive oil, salt, pepper and squeezed lemon juice. This is one of the most delicious summer salad recipes!

4. Arménienne Salad

The Armenienne salad is made of finely chopped lettuce, finely chopped Lebanese cucumbers, tomatoes, guess how? Also finely chopped. Once these three ingredients are put together it will be a sauce made of cumin, squeezed lemon, olive oil and pepper that will lift up all your flavours in one delicious salad bowl.

5. Classic Panzanella salad

This is an Italian bread and tomato salad, perfect for a quick and refreshing launch this summer. All you need to make this delicious salad is ciabatta or rustic sourdough bread, fresh tomatoes nicely chopped, extra virgin olive oil, garlic and basil leaves. Make sure your tomatoes are well marinated with salt and olive oil and that your bread is well toasted.

6. Salmon Greek salad

This salad recipe will instantly give you a free trip to Greece with this fresh and healthy grilled salmon salad recipe. Add a bit more taste with crisp vegetables, tomatoes, and feta cheese, all tossed in a tangy lemon basil dressing and topped with grilled salmon. This is one of the most refreshing summer salad recipes!

7. Chicken Kale Ceasar salad

All hail Ceasar! Despite being overly popular, this salad can get quite boring sometimes. Get an innovative and healthier makeover with kale, homemade whole wheat croutons, and tender sliced chicken. Add your favourite dressing but remember to keep it light and fresh.

8. Broccoli, kale and chicken salad

Broccoli are not the most tastiest vegetables but it does taste well in salads. Add up other delicious veggies such as kale, red cabbage, carrot, cruciferous broccoli, and cranberries. Once you’ve got all your taste together, add a creamy dressing and top with roasted chicken breast.

9. Thai Salad with Creamy Peanut Dressing

All you need for a delicious Thai salad is cabbage, thinly sliced, tomatoes, cucumbers. Then dress all vegetables in a smooth, savoury, and creamy peanut dressing. This Thai style dressing makes any traditional recipe more exciting and exotic!

10. Grilled smock mozzarella salad

You can easily upgrade the traditional tomato-mozzarella salad simply by introducing the so called “grill”. Get your mozzarella crispy and golden on the grill and it will be reader top your leaves and vegetables. Dressing is not required but will make no harm if you really feel like adding some. If you love cheese, this is definitely one of the summer salad recipes for you!

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11. Asparagus and fried eggs

This a vibrant salad that can also be enjoyed at brunch. Just top asparagus and your favourite veggies with a hearty egg, then dress simply with extra virgin olive oil, pepper and vinegar.

12. Fresh Corn and Chickpea Salad

The fresh corn and chickpea salad is literally the combination of summer freshness into one bowl. Add more flavours to it with finely chopped cucumbers, scallions and fresh cilantro leaves. Viola, ready to enjoy.

13. Spinach, potato and sweet corn

Easy, quick and refreshing. Toss potatoes and corn in a dressing made of olive oil, vinegar, mustard, salt and pepper, then fold in spinach, scallions, and bacon. As easy as that. Enjoy!

14. Summer Succotash Salad

All you need for this summer salad is grilled vegetables like eggplant, zucchini, yellow squash, bell peppers, and corn, all chopped and tossed together for an ultimate smoky salad. Dress with a tangy orange and lime sauce.

15. Spiralized Apple Salad with Citrus Dressing

This time around the main ingredient doesn’t always need to be vegetables. Cut some Fuji apples into spiralized thin ribbons, add to cabbage or lettuce, tomatoes, carrots and cucumber. Then, dress the salad with a citrus vinaigrette and topped with savoury cheddar cheese, crunchy pecan and tart dried cranberries.

Have you tried any of these summer salad recipes before?Comment which one in the section below.

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