Brighten up your salad game with these fruit-forward recipes.
Incorporate a little summertime sweetness and fresh, in-season color with these delicious side and dinner salad recipes. Some new, some old, but all of these are easy + delicious.
Corn, Strawberry + Avocado Salad
Quick, easy, naturally gluten-free and vegetarian.
This summer salad is delicious and it’s loaded with fresh fruits and veggies. Corn, tomatoes, cucumbers, strawberries and herbs! The ingredients are seasonal (and hopefully locally grown), so everything bursts with flavor.
Ingredients
1 ear of corn, husk removed
1 English cucumber, chopped
2 cups cherry tomatoes (vine-ripened if possible)
1/2 avocado, cubed
2 cups fresh strawberries, quartered
1/2 cup fresh basil, chopped
1/3 cup crumbled feta (optional, only if tolerated)
1/2 lemon, juice only
2 Tbsp olive oil
salt + pepper to taste
ADD: Grilled chicken, shrimp or quinoa for a protein-packed one-dish meal.
Make it vegan and leave out the feta (it’s so flavorful, you won’t miss it).
Directions
Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Once boiling, add the corn and cook for 5 minutes. Slice the kernels off the corn cob into the bowl. Chop all other ingredients into the bowl. Crumble the feta. Chop the fresh basil. Toss everything to combine. Top with lemon juice, olive oil and salt + pepper. Enjoy this salad immediately.
Peach, Tomato, Basil, Mint + Feta Salad
Modified from betterfoodguru.com
Beautiful, gluten-free and vegetarian, this salad tastes like summer in a bowl. It’s sweet and juicy and the peaches and tomatoes pair SO well with the salty feta and fragrant herbs. The crunch and kick of shallots is an added bonus.
Salad
3 large peaches, pits removed + cut into 6-8 wedges per fruit (or nectarines, make sure they’re ripe!)
1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
Half a small shallot, peeled + sliced thinly
1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled (optional)
10 large leaves fresh basil, chopped
10 large leaves fresh mint, chopped
ADD: Chicken, salmon or quinoa for more protein and a one-dish dinner.
Dressing
2 Tbsp olive oil
1 Tbsp red wine vinegar (can sub white wine vinegar)
1/2 lemon, juice only
1 tsp honey (or maple syrup for vegan)
1 garlic clove, minced
salt + pepper, to taste
Directions
Add all salad dressing ingredients to a small bowl. Whisk or shake together until well combined. Set aside. Add sliced peaches, cherry tomatoes, shallots, feta, basil, and mint to a large bowl. Toss with dressing. Season with salt + pepper.
Four-Ingredient Watermelon Salad
A simple, fast throw together that’s gluten free, dairy free and vegan.
I love how juicy watermelon is. It’s delicious with herby basil, the tartness of lime and acidity of balsamic. So simple, so good. A great summer classic.
Ingredients
1⁄2 medium-sized watermelon (roughly 7-8 cups cubed)
1⁄4 cup fresh lime juice
1 cup fresh basil, chopped
Balsamic glaze
Optional add-ins: cucumber, strawberries, feta
Directions
Cut the watermelon into roughly 1″ cubes. Chop the basil. Add lime juice. Drizzle on the balsamic. I recommend adding the balsamic glaze right before serving. The glaze will eventually soak into the watermelon and dampen its freshness. Drizzle on as much or as little as you like.
ADD: This is a very light dish, so serve it as a side with a green salad and grilled chicken, or egg or tuna salad for an al fresco dinner. Adding feta cheese will give the salad a salty creaminess. Use only if dairy is tolerated.
Strawberry Salsa
Modified from cookieandkate.com
The flavors in this salsa are so unexpected. It’s sweet, savory and spicy in every bite. It’s perfect.
Ingredients
Juice and zest from 1 medium lime
1 ½ teaspoons honey or maple syrup
1 pint of strawberries, hulled and diced
1 jalapeño pepper, seeded and chopped (use a smaller jalapeño for less heat, or leave in some seeds for more heat)
½ small red onion, chopped
½ cup chopped fresh cilantro
freshly ground black pepper, to taste
pinch of fine sea salt
Directions
Mix the lime juice and zest, honey and salt. Combine the chopped strawberries, jalapeño, onion and cilantro. Add pepper, to taste, and mix well. Adjust seasonings as needed.
If your strawberries aren’t sweet enough, add a touch more honey. If you need more tart, add a little more lime juice. Bring out the flavors and add a bit more salt. If the combined salsa sits for a time, the flavors will marry and the dish becomes juicier. Letting the ingredients mingle for 30 minutes makes a big difference.
ADD: Grilled chicken breast, shrimp or other fish and use the strawberry salsa as a topper. Serve with a simple green salad. Vegetarian? Put the salsa on a simple bed of quinoa. Yummy! This is also a great appetizer served with almond crackers.
For more healthy, easy dinner ideas, visit our blog at healthynestnutrition.com/blog. Reach out for a complimentary consult with a holistic nutritionist to see if Healthy Nest Nutrition is right for you.
