3 Refreshing Summer Salad Recipes You Can Whip Up in 15 Minutes or Less

During the summer, life tends to get busier than usual, which leads some people to turn to fast food as an immediate solution when they get hungry. If you want to avoid compromising your health for a quick bite to eat, try these three refreshing summer salad recipes that you can whip up within 15 minutes.

1. Strawberry Summer Salad

Nothing says summertime better than plump, ripe strawberries. Here’s how you can incorporate them into a refreshing summer salad.

Ingredients:

• 1 Tbsp. red wine vinegar
• 1 pinch salt
• 1 pinch ground black pepper
• ½ shallot, diced
• 2 baby cucumbers, sliced
• 2 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 cups strawberries, hulled
• 4 cups mixed greens

Directions:

1. Put the shallot, red wine vinegar, and salt and pepper in a bowl. Add olive oil to the mixture while whisking to create a dressing.
2. In a separate bowl, toss cucumbers and mixed greens together.
3. Pour the dressing over the salad mixture. Toss to coat.
4. Add strawberries to the salad and toss lightly.
5. You can whip this salad up in a matter of minutes.

2. Shaved Cucumber Salad

This shaved cucumber salad can cool you down on a hot summer day while giving your immune system a boost.

Ingredients:

• 2 English cucumbers
• 2/3 cup pitted Castelvetrano olives (or black olives, if you prefer)
• ½ lb. grape tomatoes, cut into wedges
• ½ cup sliced green onions
• 3 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
• 1/3 cup feta cheese, crumbled
• 2 Tbsp. white wine vinegar
• 2 tsp. fresh oregano leaves
• ½ tsp. cracked green peppercorns
• 1/8 tsp. sea salt

Directions:

1. Using a vegetable peeler, shave cucumbers into long strips.
2. Place cucumber strips, tomato wedges and olives in a large salad bowl, then sprinkle with feta, oregano and green onions.
3. Drizzle oil and vinegar on top of the mixture, then sprinkle salt and green peppercorns on top.
4. Alternatively, you can place all of the dry ingredients in a bowl, then put the oil and vinegar in a dressing dispenser. That way you and your guests can choose how much dressing to add to your individual salads.

3. Classic Caesar Salad

If you’re looking for a crowd-pleasing salad to whip up, you can’t go wrong with this Classic Caesar Salad.

Ingredients:

• 1 head romaine lettuce, shredded
• 2 slices prosciutto
• 2 Tbsp. fresh parsley, chopped
• ½ cup light mozzarella, shredded
• 1 lb. grilled chicken, cut into strips
• Dressing ingredients;
• 1 Tbsp. milk
• 3 Tbsp. parmesan, grated
• 6 Tbsp. plain yogurt
• 2 tsp. lemon juice
• 2 tsp. garlic, minced
• 2 tsp. capers, chopped
• Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350⁰F.
2. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
3. Place the prosciutto slices on the baking sheet and bake for 8 to 10 minutes, until the prosciutto is crispy and golden brown. Allow to cool for a few minutes, then break the prosciutto into pieces.
4. Whisk the dressing ingredients together in a salad bowl.
5. Add the romaine lettuce, chicken, parsley, prosciutto and mozzarella to the bowl and toss.

These three salads are delicious, healthy and quick enough for your busy summer days. For an additional health boost, you may also want to look into some of the nutritious eating plans Newport Medical Health and Wellness offers.