Summer Berry Salad with Mixed Greens

Summer Berry Salad with Mixed Greens, summer fruit, tangy goat cheese, toasted pecans and a 60 second lemon basil vinaigrette.

This easy salad recipe is perfect anytime from Memorial weekend to 4th of July and every summer cookout in between.

Chopped lettuce or mixed greens, fresh strawberries, raspberries and blueberries, creamy goat cheese and some toasted pecans. The 60 second lemon basil vinaigrette whips up in a blender and ties these tasty fresh flavors together.

Why this recipe works:

It’s full of fresh summer flavor – shop Farmers Market if possible.

Add a protein, like grilled chicken breasts, shrimp, salmon, steak, even leftover rotisserie chicken to turn this side salad into a main dish.

What’s in this Summer Berry Salad?

The Salad:

• ​chopped lettuce, spinach or mixed greens
• fresh blueberries, strawberries and raspberries
• goat cheese
• pecans
• ​fresh basil leaves

The Dressing:

• ​shallot
• fresh basil leaves stems removed
• garlic clove
• olive oil
• honey
• lemon juice from fresh lemon
• red wine vinegar
• sea salt

How to make this Summer Berry Salad with Mixed Greens:

Salad dressing:

Add rough chopped shallot and garlic, basil leaves, olive oil, honey, lemon juice, red wine vinegar and salt to a blender. Blend on high speed about 1 minute or until smooth.

Toasting the nuts:

Warm a small dry skillet over medium-low heat.

Add nuts to the skillet then cook 2-3 minutes until lightly toasted, stirring or shaking so they don’t burn. Remove from heat and cool completely.

Assembling the salad:

To assemble the salad, add lettuce or greens to a large serving platter or bowl.

​Scatter berries over the top then add crumbled goat cheese, toasted pecans and thinly sliced basil.

Drizzle the vinaigrette dressing over the top. Toss and serve.

Subs and variations to this recipe:

• Baby spinach or other leafy greens.
• Try other fresh berries like fresh blackberries or other fresh fruit
• Slivered red onions
• Crumbled blue cheese instead of goat cheese
• Candied walnuts
• Try another type of nut such as pine nuts or even sunflower seeds
• A sprinkle of feta cheese instead of goat cheese

What to serve with this green salad:

Grilled Flank Steak – tender, juicy grilled flank steak loaded with delicious flavor.

Air Fryer Spareribs – cooks completely in the air fryer – lightly crisp edges with tender meat inside.

Grilled BBQ Chicken – 5 simple steps for juicy, bone-in grilled chicken breasts.

Lemon Garlic Grilled Shrimp– quick and easy for weeknights – gourmet level for entertaining.

Enjoy!

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