Refreshing Salad Ideas for When It’s Hot Out
When temperatures soar and produce is particularly glorious, we find ourselves craving salads just about every day. While there’s nothing wrong with a pile of arugula drizzled with Gwyneth’s go-to vinaigrette (we keep a jar of it on hand in the fridge), sometimes it’s fun to go all in on an elaborate salad. We’re talking both cooked and raw elements, crunchy toppers, and dynamic dressings. These five salads will make for quite the food week.
Classic Cobb Salad
An oldie but a goodie, this is one of our favorite ways to use up leftover roast chicken. Roast turkey bacon in a 400°F oven for 20 to 30 minutes to get it perfectly crispy with minimal mess.
Kale and Avocado Salad with Roasted Carrots
This will be your new potluck or packed-lunch go-to. The veggies are roasted and the kale is sturdy, so it’s a make-ahead dream. The key is to hit the hot veggies with sherry vinegar right when they come out of the oven, so they really absorb that tangy flavor.
Grilled Veggie Salad with Chermoula
We love an herby sauce over here. Like pesto, salsa verde, and chimichurri, North African chermoula is herby and bright but with smoky and earthy notes from all the warm spices.
Thai-Style Slaw
An ode to the green papaya salad we always go for at our favorite Thai restaurants. It’s fresh, spicy, crunchy, and a little sweet. A super satisfying lunch on its own, but we would not be mad at you if you paired it with fried chicken thighs and sticky rice for dinner.
Shrimp Louie
A country club classic that’s the perfect mix of cool and crunchy with some heat.
