Perfect Summer Salad

A wooden bowl filled with a fresh salad of greens, strawberries, cucumber, feta cheese, and nuts, with wooden salad servers. Glasses of white wine and small bowls of cheese and nuts are nearby on a light, textured surface.

5 from 1 vote

This Perfect Summer Salad is a mix of juicy strawberries, crisp cucumbers, nutty farro (or quinoa), buttery pistachios, peppery arugula, and a sprinkle of creamy cheese, all tied together with a bright, minty vinaigrette. It’s easy, quick to assemble, and perfect for BBQs, picnics, or a light dinner at home.

Prep Time15

Total Time15

Course: Appetizer, lunch, Salad

Cuisine: American, Mediterranean

Diet: Low Calorie, Low Fat, Vegetarian

Keyword: Summer Salad

Servings: person

Ingredients

For the Salad

2 cups strawberries chopped
2 cups cucumbers chopped
1 cup quinoa or farro cooked, room-temperature
½ cup pistachios chopped
½ cup fresh mint
½ cup ricotta salata, feta, or goat cheese crumbled
12 ounces arugula

For the Dressing

⅓ cup olive oil
2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
2 tablespoons honey
½ small shallot
½ teaspoon Dijon mustard
¼ cup orange juice
3 tablespoons fresh mint
½ teaspoon kosher salt

Instructions

Add all of the salad ingredients to a large bowl.
Add all of the dressing ingredients to a blender and blend on high until the dressing is smooth.
Pour the mint vinaigrette over the salad and toss all the ingredients gently until everything is evenly coated.
Serve immediately and enjoy!

Nutrition