Description
Hot Girl Summer Salad is a fresh, vibrant, and colorful salad featuring a mix of crisp vegetables, creamy avocado, sweet corn, juicy cherry tomatoes, tangy feta cheese, and a bright, homemade lime dressing. This easy-to-make salad is perfect for warm weather meals, offering a light yet satisfying option that can be customized with your favorite proteins or add-ins.
Ingredients
Vegetables and Greens
- 1 cucumber, diced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 avocado, diced
- 1 small red onion, diced
- 1 bell pepper, diced
- 1 cup corn kernels (fresh or thawed if frozen)
- 4 cups mixed greens
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
Cheese
- 1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled
Dressing
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Prepare the Vegetables: Wash all the vegetables thoroughly. Dice the cucumber, bell pepper, avocado, and red onion into bite-sized pieces. Halve the cherry tomatoes for easier eating.
- Assemble the Salad Base: In a large bowl, add the mixed greens first, creating the foundation. Then add the diced cucumber, cherry tomatoes, avocado, red onion, bell pepper, corn, fresh cilantro, and crumbled feta cheese.
- Make the Dressing: In a small bowl or jar, whisk together the olive oil, fresh lime juice, apple cider vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper until well combined and emulsified.
- Toss the Salad: Pour the dressing evenly over the salad ingredients. Toss gently with salad tongs or large spoons until all the ingredients are evenly coated with the dressing.
- Serve Immediately: This salad is best served fresh to preserve the creamy texture of the avocado and the crispness of the vegetables. Enjoy it as a light lunch or a refreshing side dish.
Notes
- For added protein, include grilled chicken, shrimp, salmon, tofu, or chickpeas.
- Substitute feta cheese with goat cheese, cotija, mozzarella, or Parmesan if preferred.
- Add jalapeños, cayenne, red pepper flakes, or hot sauce to the dressing for a spicy kick.
- Use fresh or thawed-and-drained frozen corn.
- Add fruits like mango, strawberries, watermelon, or pineapple for a sweet contrast.
- Keep dressing and avocado separate if prepping ahead to prevent sogginess and browning.
- Store salad components separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
