These are my 5 favorite healthy summer salads. Summer is the best time to get all of the freshest ingredients and it’s a great time to eat salad when you want something light and don’t want to heat up the house. Often times we forget what’s on my blog, so here’s a little reminder of these delicious salads. Keep reading for some helpful food prep tips for salad.
Ideas for food prep for salad
- Have grilled chicken frozen on hand in 1 cup packages in your freezer. It’s super easy to add the cooked chicken on a moment’s notice.
- Make up the dressing the day before
- Buy your melons a few days before you want to serve them so they will be ripe and ready to eat
- Don’t “dress” the salad – meaning – allow everyone to add the dressing to their portion. That way if you have left over salad, you can easily eat it the next day.
Summer Watermelon Tomato Salad with Burrata, Mint and Basil
Need a taste of summer? Try my Summer Watermelon Tomato Salad! It’s a delightful combination of fresh tomatoes, watermelon, burrata, mint and basil with a hint of balsamic. The perfect watermelon tomato salad in my opinion! Fresh tasting and surprisingly filling. The burrata adds a slight richness without being too heavy.
Summer Melon Caprese Salad with Basil Port Wine Vinaigrette
This Summer Melon Caprese Salad is such a unique balance of sweet and savory – with the cantaloupe and Basil Port Wine Vinaigrette and the prosciutto, arugula and pine nuts (paid link). Be sure to find a nice ripe cantaloupe for this one, it makes a big difference! Serve it in a pretty bowl or plate individually.
You will love this Summer Grilled Peach Salad! Luscious grilled peaches over a bed of arugula, spring mix and fresh basil leaves with chicken, dried cherries, and almonds; crowned with mild goat cheese crumbles. Savory peach perfection!
Summer Chicken Salad with Tomatoes, Grilled Peaches and Cumin Lime Vinaigrette
This Summer Chicken Salad with Tomatoes, Grilled Peaches and Cumin Lime Vinaigrette came about because of my love for tomatoes. I can not even tell you how much I love fresh tomatoes. This love affair began when I moved to California until then, I don’t think I really knew how good tomatoes could be.
Grilled Napa Cabbage Salad with Blue Cheese, Bacon and Mushrooms
Creamy tangy blue cheese over chicken, warm cabbage, and mushrooms with a hint of bacon. Yum, says it all! It makes the perfect summer salad as you can do most of it on the grill and not heat up the house! Serve it as a main dish or leave the chicken out and serve it as a side dish.