Bright Summer Medley Salad Recipe: Refreshing & Joyful Mix

Summer brings a burst of colors and flavors that dance on summer medley salad recipe plates, creating a refreshing symphony of fresh ingredients.

Crisp vegetables mingle with bright herbs, offering a cool respite from the blazing heat.

Each bite promises a delightful crunch and vibrant taste that captures the essence of sunny days.

Light, nutritious, and wonderfully simple, this salad turns ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary meal.

The combination of textures and tastes will energize your palate and cool you down instantly.

Seasonal produce becomes the star, turning an everyday dish into a celebration of summer bounty.

You’ll fall in love with this easy, delectable salad that brings the garden’s best directly to your table.

How to Serve Summer Medley Salad at Picnics or Parties

• Garnish with Fresh Herbs: Sprinkle chopped fresh basil or parsley over the salad to enhance its vibrant colors and add a burst of aromatic freshness.
• Pair with Crusty Bread: Serve alongside warm, toasted ciabatta or baguette slices to soak up the delicious pesto and vegetable juices.
• Create a Complete Meal: Transform this salad into a satisfying main course by adding grilled chicken, shrimp, or chickpeas for extra protein and substance.
• Chill for Maximum Flavor: Let the salad rest in the refrigerator for 15-20 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld together and intensify the taste experience.

Keeping Summer Medley Salad Crisp and Cool

• Store Smartly: Keep the salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days, separating wet ingredients from crisp vegetables to maintain texture.
• Prep Ahead: Chop vegetables and store separately in sealed containers to quickly assemble the salad when hunger strikes, saving time during busy weekdays.
• Freshness Tip: Add mozzarella and avocado just before serving to prevent browning and maintain the vibrant colors and crisp textures of the summer medley.
• Customize Easily: Experiment with protein additions like grilled chicken or chickpeas to transform this light salad into a more substantial meal that satisfies different dietary needs.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time:

Total Time: 15 minutes

Calories: 280 kcal

Servings: 5

Summer Medley Salad Ingredient List

• Tomatoes: Juicy and vibrant base that adds a burst of summer sweetness and tangy brightness.
• Cucumber: Crisp and refreshing element that provides a cool, hydrating crunch to the salad.
• Red Onion: Sharp and zesty ingredient that delivers a punchy flavor and beautiful purple color contrast.
• Avocado: Creamy and rich component that brings a smooth, buttery texture and healthy fats.

• Mozzarella Balls: Soft, milky cheese that adds a delicate, melt-in-your-mouth richness to the salad.

• Basil Pesto: Aromatic herb sauce that infuses the salad with a vibrant, garlicky green flavor profile.
• Lemon Juice: Bright, citrusy liquid that cuts through the richness and adds a tangy, fresh kick.
• Salt and Pepper: Essential seasoning duo that enhances and balances all the other ingredients' natural flavors.

Tools for Tossing a Perfect Summer Medley Salad

• Large mixing bowl: Essential for combining and tossing all ingredients together.
• Cutting board: Needed for chopping vegetables and preparing ingredients.
• Sharp knife: Perfect for dicing tomatoes, cucumbers, and onions with precision.
• Measuring spoons: Helpful for adding the right amount of salt and pepper.
• Serving spoon or tongs: Great for mixing and serving the salad.

Instructions for Making Summer Medley Salad Fresh & Fun

• Fresh Garden Harvest

Gather ripe, colorful produce from your kitchen counter or local farmers market. Chop juicy tomatoes, creamy avocados, crisp cucumber, and vibrant red onion into bite-sized pieces.

• Cheese Delights

Gently fold in soft, pearl-like mozzarella balls that add a creamy texture to the colorful vegetable mix.

• Flavor Explosion

Drizzle a zesty basil pesto across the salad, allowing the herbal notes to dance through each ingredient. Squeeze fresh lemon juice to brighten the entire dish and create a tangy backdrop.

• Final Touch

Sprinkle a pinch of sea salt and a dash of freshly ground pepper to enhance the natural flavors. For those wanting an extra punch, add another swirl of basil pesto to intensify the herbal notes.

Creative Add-Ins for Summer Medley Salad

• Swap mozzarella balls with crumbled feta, burrata, or goat cheese for a unique tangy twist that complements the fresh vegetables.
• Boost the salad's nutritional value by adding grilled chicken, seared shrimp, or crispy chickpeas for a more substantial and satisfying meal.
• Sprinkle toasted pine nuts, sunflower seeds, or crispy breadcrumbs on top to introduce a delightful crunch that contrasts with the soft vegetables and creamy cheese.

Vibrant Summer Medley Salad

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4.7 from 33 reviews

• Total Time: 15 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Refreshing summer medley salad combines crisp greens, heirloom tomatoes, and cucumber with a zesty lemon vinaigrette. Mediterranean-inspired ingredients create a light, perfect dish for warm afternoons when you crave something fresh and nutritious.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 avocados, diced
• ½ lb (227 g) red cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
• ½ lb (227 g) yellow cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
• 1 cucumber, sliced
• 8 oz (226 g) small fresh mozzarella cheese balls
• ⅓ cup (53 g) red onion, diced
• ¼ cup (60 ml) basil pesto
• 1 tbsp (15 ml) lemon juice
• Salt to taste
• Pepper to taste

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Assemble fresh tomatoes, avocados, cucumber, red onion, mozzarella balls, basil pesto, lemon, kosher salt, and black pepper in a spacious mixing bowl.
2. Vegetable Composition: Meticulously dice tomatoes into uniform cubes, slice avocados into elegant wedges, chop cucumber into thin translucent rounds, and finely mince red onion to create a harmonious Mediterranean-inspired foundation.
3. Flavor Layering: Distribute miniature mozzarella balls evenly throughout the vegetable medley, then generously drizzle basil pesto to infuse the salad with herbal complexity and rich texture.
4. Citrus Enhancement: Squeeze fresh lemon juice across the ingredients to introduce bright, zesty undertones that will elevate and balance the salad’s overall flavor profile.
5. Final Integration: Gently toss all components using a large spoon, ensuring complete coating and seamless blending of textures and flavors, then season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
6. Optional Refinement: For enthusiasts seeking an intensified herbal essence, add an extra dollop of basil pesto to amplify the salad’s aromatic dimensions.

Notes

• Ingredient Freshness Matters: Select peak-season, ripe produce for maximum flavor and vibrant colors, transforming an ordinary salad into an extraordinary summer experience.
• Precision in Chopping: Uniform vegetable cuts ensure balanced texture and even pesto distribution, creating a harmonious bite in every forkful.
• Lemon Juice Tip: Add citrus just before serving to prevent avocado browning and maintain the salad’s bright, fresh appearance.
• Pesto Power Boost: Drizzle extra pesto strategically for enhanced herbal notes and a luxurious Mediterranean-inspired finish.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: None
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 280
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 200 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 20 g
• Fiber: 6 g
• Protein: 8 g
• Cholesterol: 25 mg