Our light and refreshing Summer Salad is the perfect option for an easy dinner that is packed with flavor on a hot summer day! Made with all the best fresh veggies, fresh fruits, burrata cheese, and a homemade salad dressing that is so good. Feel free to add any of your favorite salad toppings for an epic salad!
The Best Summer Salad Recipe
If you are looking for the best summer meal, look no further! This simple salad comes together in a matter of minutes and is the definition of summer food. It is a new favorite summer salad that will regularly be on our weekly meal plan during those summer months. And if you are feeling intimidated about making your own salad dressing, we are here to tell you that it is so easy! You probably already have the simple ingredients in your pantry and fridge. Can’t wait for you to try this go-to salad recipe!
Looking for more refreshing summer salads? Check out our complete list of 20+ Summer Salad Recipes!
What You Will Need
- fresh basil – we love growing fresh herbs in the garden every year!
- shallot – a mild onion flavor that is perfect in this homemade dressing.
- olive oil – nice base for any delicious salad dressing recipe.
- rice vinegar – adds the slightest little bit of tanginess to this dressing.
- honey – added for a touch of sweetness, feel free to adjust the amount to your liking.
- salt & pepper – simple seasonings that are always a must!
- grilled corn – simply shuck a couple ears of corn and grill over direct heat.
- romaine lettuce & arugula – this combination of fresh lettuce is so good, but feel free to switch it up with iceberg lettuce, baby spinach, other leafy greens, etc.
- avocado, fresh strawberries, red onion, juicy tomatoes, & English cucumbers – our favorite fresh produce, option to swap with any of your favorite in-season produce.
- feta cheese & fresh burrata cheese – every salad needs a little cheese on top and, in our opinion, these are the best! You can swap for goat cheese, gorgonzola cheese, fresh mozzarella, parmesan cheese, or any others, if you want.
How To Make An Ultimate Summer Salad
The first steps to making this chopped salad is to place all of the dressing ingredients in a small food processor and blend until fully combined.
Now bring your gas grill to a medium-high heat, clean grill grates, and place the seasoned corn on the cob directly on the grill to cook for 10-15 minutes.
Once the corn has cooled, use a sharp knife to cut the corn kernels off the cob. Divide the lettuce, arugula, corn, cucumbers, onion, strawberries, tomatoes, avocado, and fresh burrata between bowls.
Serve with the basil vinaigrette on top as the finishing touch! Option to add in some plain yogurt to make it a bit creamier or sub with another favorite dressing. We also love our sesame ginger dressing!
Best Way To Serve A Summer Salad
This fresh summer salad is so versatile and can be made any way you want! Enjoy this summer salad as a one bowl meal all on its own. But if you are looking for some side dishes, we love adding some grilled bread or a piece of crusty bread with butter on top.
Recipe FAQ
Other ingredients that would be great on this salad are bell pepper, hard boiled eggs, fresh blueberries, green onions, fresh dill, pine nuts, chopped walnuts, slivered almonds, etc.
You can absolutely meal prep this salad, just make sure you keep ingredients in separate containers until you are ready to serve.
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Ultimate Summer Salad
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 2 salads (4 servings) 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: Counter Top
- Cuisine: American
Description
A light and refreshing Ultimate Summer Salad recipe that is packed with fresh flavors and comes together easily! Serve with grilled bread!
Ingredients
Basil Vinaigrette
- 1oz fresh basil, roughly chopped
- 1 tablespoon shallot, minced
- 1/2 cup light olive oil
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1–2 teaspoons honey
- salt and pepper, to taste
Grilled Corn
- 2–3 ears of sweet corn, shucked (remove outer leaves and silk strands)
- extra virgin olive oil
- kosher salt
Other Salad Ingredients
- 2–3 cups romaine lettuce, chopped
- 1 cup argula
- 1 avocado, sliced
- 1/4 red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled
- 2 cups strawberries, quartered
- 1 cup English cucumber, sliced + half-moons
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 8oz fresh burrata
- cracked black pepper
Instructions
- Make Vinaigrette: Add ingredients to a small food processor. Blend until smooth. Taste and add any salt and pepper, as desired. Add additional honey to sweeten.
- Grill Corn: Ensure grill grates are clean and preheat grill to 450 degrees F. Place clean, shucked ears of sweet corn on a plate or baking sheet. Very lightly drizzle with olive oil and use your hands to massage oil into each ear of corn. Sprinkle lightly with salt. Grill sweet corn on direct heat for a total of 10-15 minutes, turning once or twice with grill tongs. Remove when corn is slightly charred. Let cool slightly and then cut kernels away from the cob.
- Build Salad: Between two bowls divide chopped romaine, arugula, grilled corn kernels, avocado, red onion, feta cheese, strawberries, cucumber and fresh burrata.
- Serve: Serve with the homemade basil vinaigrette and top with fresh cracked pepper. Feel free to serve with some grilled bread.
Notes
- Protein: feel free to add a grilled meat, like grilled chicken thighs, grilled chicken breast or even a grilled steak.
- Make it Creamy: feel free to add in a tablespoon or two of plain Greek yogurt to the basil vinaigrette if you want to make it a bit creamier.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6oz
- Calories: 366
- Sugar: 8.5 g
- Sodium: 656.4 mg
- Fat: 26.9 g
- Carbohydrates: 20.1 g
- Protein: 16.7 g
- Cholesterol: 17.9 mg
Sally says
I have an olive allergy. Would acocado oil work as a sub in the dressing?
Erin says
Yes, you could definitely sub in avocado oil!