Delicious summer green salad that is jam packed with fresh berries, avocado, tomatoes, peaches, quinoa, and grilled chicken with a refreshing cream poppy seed dressing.
Summer is peak season for fresh berries, peaches, tomatoes and lettuce greens, making it the perfect time to make this summer salad recipe. While it seems odd to add fresh berries to this salad, I can guarantee you with the combination of flavors and dressing, that this one is absolutely delicious.
This recipe is loaded with protein from the chicken and quinoa and overflowing with antioxidants from all of the fruit making it guilt free, similar to my Chicken Taco Salad Recipe.
CHEF NOTE: As for most of my recipes it is my recommendation to use it as a guide and swap out ingredients as you see fit.
WHAT IS IT
A summer salad is any recipe using in season produce to help create it. Whether it’s fresh vegetables like zucchini or green beans, or fruit such as peaches or cherries, summer is bursting with fresh produce and it’s the perfect time to make a leafy greens salad with all of your favorite toppings.
HOW TO COOK QUINOA
Quinoa is a complete protein with all of the essential amino acids and you don’t have to worry about the long term effects of animal protein fat or animal growth hormones. Think of it like this, quinoa is a grain that is just as loaded with protein as the steak you may be consuming but is WAY healthier for you.
STEP 1: Rinse quinoa with a fine mesh strainer and add it to a pot with water. CHEF NOTE: Quinoa cooks at a ratio of 1 part quinoa to 2 parts liquid.
STEP 2: Bring to a boil and then cover and simmer on low heat for 15-20 minutes
STEP 3: Set it aside from the heat for 5 minutes then fluff with a fork. CHEF NOTE: The quinoa needs to be cold for this salad so chill after cooking.
CHEF TIPS: Quinoa can also be subbed out for things such as farro, bulgur, or even cracked wheat.
HOW TO MAKE A POPPY SEED DRESSING
For the dressing I made a really simple creamy poppy seed dressing that is delicious and really easy to make using this method.
- Add the yogurt, lemon, white balsamic vinegar, a touch of honey, avocado oil and poppy seeds to a mason jar and shake it up like crazy until it is emulsified, or combined.
CHEF TIPS: You can absolutely do this the old fashioned way in a bowl using a whisk, however this vigorous shaking will almost always lead to it being perfectly combined.
SALAD INGREDIENTS
With my leafy greens, I usually like to incorporate fruits into it. Doing this seasonally of course makes the most sense and because tomatoes, fresh berries and peaches are peaking then why not load up a salad with all that goodness. If it were winter I would add things like apples or pears, but since it’s summer I am trying to make it linger extra hard. Other ingredients might include:
- zucchini
- squash
- watermelon
- radicchio
- fresh herbs
- corn
- cucumbers
Since I like protein, I also wanted to add some grilled chicken into this salad for a bit more flavor and because grilling just screams summer.
CHEF NOTES: Please also feel free to add grilled salmon or grilled steak to it.
HOW TO SERVE IT
Serving it is best either plated up individually, presented in a large bowl all together with the dressing on the side, or as a bar with the individual ingredients laid out separately. It’s important if you are serving a bowl of salad to start with the leafy greens first and then add the other ingredients on top for all to see and decide what they like and don’t like.
Since this was just for my family I went with the second option where you can take a large scoop and take as much as you want.
One of my favorite things about making salads is that you can put in it whatever you’d like, just always be sure to stay seasonal. Nothing worse than eating a salad loaded with ingredients that don’t taste like they should when they’re in peak season.
By doing this you will save money since things like fresh berries are ridiculously expensive during those winter months, and definitely aren’t worth the money you will spend on them. Well I hope this recipe helps inspire you and motivates you to take better care of your body if you aren’t already.
STORING AND FREEZING: This salad will hold in the refrigerator for up to 2 days covered in plastic. You cannot freeze this recipe. Be sure to keep the salad dressing on the side to prevent wilting.
*If you’re loving this summer salad recipe then you absolutely have to check out my Green Goddess Salad and be sure to drop me a comment below and a rating if you’ve had the chance to make this amazing bread recipe*
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Summer Salad Recipe with Quinoa and Creamy Poppy Seed Dressing
Ingredients
For the Dressing:
- ¼ cup of whole fat yogurt
- juice of 1 lemon
- 2 tablespoons of white balsamic vinegar
- 1 tablespoon of honey
- ½ cup of avocado oil
- 1 teaspoon of poppy seeds
- Kosher salt and fresh cracked pepper to taste
For the Salad:
- 2 cups of cooked and chilled Bob’s Red Mill Quinoa
- 8 cups of packed leafy greens
- 2 cooked chicken breasts sliced, or 1 cup of pulled rotisserie chicken
- ½ cup of blackberries
- ½ cup of raspberries
- ½ cup of blueberries
- ½ cup of strawberries
- ½ cup of pitted assorted cherries
- 1 peeled seeded and sliced avocado
- 1 cup of sliced assorted cherry tomatoes
- micro greens for garnish
- Kosher salt and fresh cracked pepper to taste.
Instructions
- Dressing: Whisk all of the ingredients together in a medium size bowl or shaken in a mason jar until combined. Chill before using.
- Salad: Combine all of the ingredients together in a large bowl and dress with dressing.
- Serve!
Notes
- As for most of my recipes it is my recommendation to use it as a guide and swap out ingredients as you see fit.
- The quinoa needs to be cold for this salad so chill after cooking.
- Please also feel free to add grilled salmon or grilled steak to this salad.
Nutrition
Krissy Allori says
Holy smokes! This is a great salad that is perfect for a summer BBQ!
Katerina @ diethood .com says
Oh my, this looks sensational!! A MUST try!!
Beth Pierce says
Such a great salad recipe! I know what I will be having for lunch today! Yum!
Cyd says
This is my favorite kind of salad for summer – love this dressing!
Taylor says
This is the perfect summer salad! Love all the fresh fruit included!