Summer is here, and there’s no better way to cool down than with a crisp, delicious salad. But who wants to spend hours in the kitchen when it’s hot outside?
These 15 simple hacks will make your summer salads tastier and easier than ever. Get ready to impress your family and friends with your salad-making skills!
1. The Ice Bath Trick for Crisp Greens
The Ice Bath Trick For Crisp Greens Recipes |
????Tender-Crisp Green Greens from Hangry Miss. |
How To Blanch Vegetables from The Kitchn.
Rating: 5.
Ingredients: 5, 0(9).
|
Egg Salad Recipe from Mr Make it Happen. |
Source: Google.com
|
Don’t let your salad greens wilt in the heat! Give them an ice bath for 5 minutes before using. This will perk them up and make them extra crunchy.
2. Mason Jar Magic for On-the-Go Salads
Mason Jar Magic For On-the-Go Salads Recipes |
Mason Jar Greek-Style Watermelon Salads from The Pig & Quill. |
Southwest Mason Jar Salad from UnchainedTV. |
Asian Salad Jar with Tahini Miso Dressing from Danilicious Dishes. |
Source: Google.com
|
Layer your salad ingredients in a mason jar for an easy grab-and-go lunch. Start with the dressing at the bottom, then add hearty veggies, grains, proteins, and top it off with leafy greens. Shake and enjoy!
3. Herb Ice Cubes for Flavor Bursts
Herb Ice Cubes Recipes |
Herbal Ice Cubes from Food.com.
Cooking Time: 2 hr 10 min.
Rating: 5.
Ingredients: Fennel, boiling water.
|
How to Freeze Herbs from Ambitious Kitchen.
Cooking Time: 3 hr 20 min.
Rating: 5.
Ingredients: Ice cube tray, rosemary.
|
Frozen Herb Cubes from It’s a Veg World After All.
Cooking Time: 4 hr 15 min.
Rating: 5.
Ingredients: Ice cube tray, fresh herbs.
|
Source: Google.com
|
Don’t let leftover herbs go to waste! Chop them up and freeze them in ice cube trays with water or olive oil. Toss an herb cube into your salad for a burst of freshness and flavor.
4. Citrus Zest for Zingy Dressing
Citrus Zest For Zingy Dressing Recipes |
Citrus Salad Dressing from Salads with Anastasia.
Cooking Time: 10 min.
Rating: 5.
|
Lemon Vinaigrette from Love and Lemons.
Rating: 5.
Ingredients: 5, 0(424).
|
Citrus Salad Dressing (Easy Vinaigrette!) from A Couple Cooks.
Cooking Time: 10 min.
Rating: 5.
|
Source: Google.com
|
Add a little zest to your homemade salad dressing with lemon, lime, or orange zest. It’s a simple way to elevate the flavor and add a touch of sunshine to your salad.
5. Roasted Veggie Rainbow for Sweetness
Roasted Veggie Rainbow For Sweetness Recipes |
Easy Rainbow Roasted Vegetables from I Wash You Dry.
Cooking Time: 40 min.
Rating: 5.
|
Rainbow Roasted Vegetables from Nina Hendrick Food.
Cooking Time: 40 min.
|
Rainbow Roasted Vegetables from Averie Cooks.
Cooking Time: 25 min.
Rating: 5.
|
Source: Google.com
|
Roasting vegetables brings out their natural sweetness and adds depth of flavor to your salad. Toss roasted carrots, sweet potatoes, broccoli, and peppers with your greens for a colorful and nutritious meal.
6. Grilling Your Greens for a Smoky Touch
Grilling Your Greens For A Smoky Touch Recipes |
Smoked Collard Greens With Bacon from Grillseeker.
Rating: 4.6.
|
Smoky Vegetarian Collard Greens from Allrecipes.
Rating: 4.8.
|
Grilled Corn on the Cob with Smoky Lime Butter from BCfresh Vegetables. |
Source: Google.com
|
Grilled romaine lettuce? Yes, please! Grilling lettuce adds a smoky char and a unique flavor to your salad. Try it with other sturdy greens like radicchio or endive.
7. Pickle Power for Tangy Twist
Pickle Power For Tangy Twist Recipes |
Dill Pickle Popcorn from Eyes on the Fries. |
Pickle de Gallo from The Cozy Fork.
Rating: 5.
|
The Best Pickled Red Onions from The Balanced Kitchen. |
Source: Google.com
|
Pickled onions, cucumbers, or beets add a tangy kick to any salad. You can even make your own quick pickles by soaking sliced veggies in vinegar and spices for a few hours.
8. Avocado Crema for Dreamy Dressing
Avocado Crema For Dreamy Dressing Recipes |
5-Minute Avocado Crema Sauce (Easily Vegan) from Plays Well With Butter. |
Dreamy, Creamy Avocado Cilantro Sauce from Host The Toast.
Rating: 5.
|
Avocado Crema from The Butter Table. |
Source: Google.com
|
Blend avocado with lime juice, cilantro, and a pinch of salt for a creamy and flavorful dressing. Drizzle it over your salad for a taste of summer in every bite.
9. Spice Things Up with Chili-Lime Nuts
Spice Things Up With Chili-Lime Nuts Recipes |
Spicy Chili Lime Peanuts from Jo Eats.
Cooking Time: 45 min.
|
Chilli and lime macadamias from Taste.
Cooking Time: 20 min.
Rating: 4.5.
|
Chili Lime Cashews from Meg’s Everyday Indulgence -.
Cooking Time: 35 min.
|
Source: Google.com
|
Toss your favorite nuts in a mixture of chili powder, lime zest, and a pinch of salt. Roast them in the oven until they’re fragrant and crunchy. These spicy nuts add a fun kick to your salad.
10. Fruit Fusion for a Sweet Surprise
Fruit Fusion For A Sweet Surprise Recipes |
Nutrient-Boost Berry-Cherry Smoothie from JulietKitchen.com.
Cooking Time: 5 min.
Rating: 5.
|
Hwachae (Korean Fruit Bowl) from Ms Shi and Mr He.
Cooking Time: 15 min.
|
Avocado and Star Fruit Fusion Bites from DishGen. |
Source: Google.com
|
Summer fruits like berries, peaches, and mangoes add a burst of sweetness to your salad. Pair them with salty cheeses or tangy vinaigrettes for a balanced flavor combination.
11. Leftover Chicken or Fish for Protein Boost
Leftover Chicken Or Fish For Protein Boost Recipes |
High-protein recipes from BBC Good Food. |
25 high-protein meals from Olive Magazine. |
Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta | High-Protein Meal Prep | MYPROTEIN™ from Myprotein.
Cooking Time: 30 min.
|
Source: Google.com
|
Turn last night’s dinner into today’s lunch! Shred leftover chicken or fish and add it to your salad for a protein boost that will keep you feeling full and satisfied.
12. Grain Gains for Energy
Grain Gains For Energy Recipes |
Energy-boosting dinner recipes from BBC Good Food. |
Mediterranean Grain Bowl from Camille Styles.
Rating: 5.
|
5mins Extra Easy Thermomix Grain-Free Coconut Bread from Authentik Spoon. |
Source: Google.com
|
Quinoa, farro, or brown rice add healthy carbs and fiber to your salad, giving you energy to power through your day. Cook a big batch at the beginning of the week and use it in different salads throughout the week.
13. Seed Sensations for Crunch
Seed Sensations For Crunch Recipes |
4-Ingredient Sunflower Seed Chocolate Bites from Nadia’s Healthy Kitchen.
Rating: 5.
|
The Secret Ingredient (Sesame): Sweet Sesame Brittle Recipe from Serious Eats. |
Crunchy Super Seed Clusters from Be Good Organics. |
Source: Google.com
|
Sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, or sesame seeds add a satisfying crunch and a dose of healthy fats to your salad. Sprinkle them on top for a simple flavor and texture boost.
14. Edamame Delight for Plant-Based Protein
Edamame Recipes |
Spicy Garlic Ginger Edamame from Inspired Taste.
Cooking Time: 10 min.
Rating: 4.9.
|
Edamame recipes from BBC Good Food. |
Crispy Edamame from Allrecipes.
Cooking Time: 20 min.
Rating: 4.5.
|
Source: Google.com
|
Edamame beans are a great source of plant-based protein and fiber. Toss them into your salad for a nutritious and delicious addition.
15. Edible Flowers for a Fancy Touch
Edible Flowers Recipes |
Using edible flowers from BBC. |
Edible Flowers from 101 Cookbooks.
Rating: 5.
Ingredients: 5, 0(4).
|
Edible flower recipes that are almost too pretty to eat! from Taste. |
Source: Google.com
|
Add a touch of elegance to your salad with edible flowers like pansies, nasturtiums, or calendula petals. They’re not only beautiful but also add a subtle flavor to your dish.
With these simple hacks, you’ll be a salad master in no time! Don’t be afraid to experiment with different flavor combinations and create your own signature salads. The possibilities are endless, and the rewards are delicious!