Photo Credit: "© [noirchocolate] / Adobe Stock
As the weather gets hotter, you start craving fresh summer salads. It’s out with sweet potato stews and lentil soups and in with crunchy, colourful vegetables and juicy fruit. But although you want to love salads, something is holding you back. You just find them a bit…boring.
Stay tuned if you’re put off by dry, bland salads. In this article, we’re giving you refreshing tips on how to make the best summer salads.
Add a delicious summer salad seasoning
Photo Credit: "© [weyo] / Adobe Stock
A classic mistake people make when putting together a salad is choosing their leafy greens (like spinach or kale) and then leaving it dry. No oils to soften the leaves or seasoning to give it some zing. So, here are our top recommendations for a summer salad dressing or seasoning.
Lemon and pepper seasoning
Evoke your summertime senses with an aromatic blend of rejuvenating Lemon And Pepper Seasoning. Sprinkle over the top and mix in well to make refreshing summer salads or use the blend to give zesty flavour to your proteins.
Read more: Recipes For Lemon Pepper Seasoning.
A splash of hemp seed oil
Photo Credit: "© [New Africa] / Adobe Stock
Hemp seed oil is brimming with omega-3 fatty acids, which are good for heart health. The oil also has a light, nutty taste that can freshen up dry salads. Add half a teaspoon to your salad for a subtle, mellow flavour.
A zing of cider vinegar
Balsamic vinegar is a salad classic, but why not shake things up with Organic Cider Vinegar? Made from fresh, cold-pressed organic apple juice, this stuff packs a punch. So, start with a few drops in your salad leaves and give your summertime salad a zip of vinegar.
Mix in a variety of nuts
Photo Credit: "© [Oleksiy] / Adobe Stock
The best summer salad ideas usually contain nuts, which add crunch, protein, and great taste to salads. Nuts are also abundant in amino acids, which help build collagen for glowing skin and fibre for a healthy gut.
Honey-glazed walnuts
Add summertime sweetness to your salads with mouth-watering honey-glazed walnuts. They’re easy to whip up and make a luxurious lunch. Here’s how:
Pop Walnut Halves and Pieces into a bowl and coat them with golden honey (we love the Manuka Australian Honey). Toss until fully covered, then remove the walnuts and place them in the oven heated to 180C. Bake for 10-15 minutes, peel off the baking sheet and decorate your salad with crunchy honey-glazed walnuts.
Not a fan of honey? Try one of our summer salad recipes for walnuts: Grilled Courgette And Walnut Salad With Macadamia Feta.
Salted peanuts
Photo Credit: "© [Touchr] / Adobe Stock
If your salad tastes plain, it just needs a dash of salty goodness. Grape Tree’s Original Salted Peanuts give crunch and a lightly salted flavour that perfectly complements microgreens and rocket leaves. Chop the peanuts up or leave them whole for a simple, mouth-watering salad.
Crushed almonds
Almonds have a delicately sweet taste, and you can add them to any salad—whether you're having tofu, chicken, or watermelon! Toss Flaked Almonds into your salad bowl or crush Supreme Californian Almonds for a rich, golden flavour.
Sprinkle with salad seeds
Photo Credit: "© [weerasak] / Adobe Stock
Seeds are a simple addition to make easy summer salads. Sprinkle seeds in raw or season and toast them for blissful flavour.
Herb-tossed nut kernels
Pairing herbs with seeds is a definite summer salad winner. Toast our mellow Pine Nut Kernels in a skillet with a dash of Herbs De Provence and Natural Sea Salt until the kernels are golden brown. Top your salad with these stunning aromatic seeds for a taste explosion.
Toasted pumpkin seeds
Photo Credit: "© [Iremia] / Adobe Stock
We understand you may not have the time to stand over a frying pan, making toasted seeds every lunchtime. So, we’ve done the work for you. Our toasted pumpkin seeds have an emboldened, nutty flavour. Scatter them onto your salad for an enjoyable and healthy crunch.
Salt and pepper sunflower seeds
Add a drizzle of olive oil to your sunflower seeds and toss them in a bowl of Natural Sea Salt and Cracked Black Pepper. Next, scoop the seeds onto your salad and use any leftover oil to liven up your greens.
Extras to make great summer salads
Photo Credit: "© [vaaseenaa] / Adobe Stock
Dried cranberries
You made a salad with honey-glazed walnuts, aromatic pine kernels and a drizzle of hemp seed oil. But you really want to push the boat out and create a mind-blowing salad for you and your summertime guests. Take a look at the following ingredients for lavish summer side salads:
- Organic Kimchi - Kimchi is fermented vegetables that add tangy goodness to any salad. It’s also a probiotic, which is fantastic for gut health.
- Sauerkraut With Ruby Beetroot - Swap out traditional grated beetroot in salads for sauerkraut with beetroot. The fermented cabbage gives a hint of sharpness with the juicy sweetness of beetroot.
- Dried berries - You may have heard of raisins in salads, but have you ever tried dried berries? Goji Berries deliver a sweet and sour pop, while Cranberries have a sharp and delectable tang.
Best drinks to go with summer salads
Photo Credit: "© [cook_inspire] / Adobe Stock
Another way to enhance the taste and quality of your salads is to brighten them up with a stunning summertime drink. Here are our favourites
- Pomegranate Juice - Invigorate your senses with the rich tartness of pomegranate juice. Have a small glass with your salad for an extra dose of antioxidants and vitamin C.
- Wild Berry Kombucha - Remedy’s Kombucha is a refreshing sparkling drink made from fermented black tea for gut health. It’s naturally infused with blueberry, blackberry, strawberry, and lemon juice to revitalise your senses.
- Fresh spring water - You can’t go wrong with a cold, refreshing glass of cool water. Tarka Springs Still Water and Sparkling Water come straight from the rolling hills of Devon for unmatched freshness.
Elevate your summertime salads with Grape Tree
Liven up your healthy summer salad recipes with a tasty range of nuts, seeds, and seasonings. If you want to go the extra mile, add a spoonful of tangy kimchi or sprinkle of Goji berries. Make plain and lifeless salads a thing of the past and discover a world of mouth-watering flavours with Grape Tree.
