Summer Salad Recipe: How to Make One Fresh from the Garden

Let's face it, salad just tastes better in the summer.

Today I'm sharing with you a few ideas on how you can make the perfect delicious summer salad for dinner tonight or for your next get together with friends and family.

Yes, you can add salad as a main meal to your Weekly Meal Plan!

Plate of Lettuce on Red Dish Towel FEATURED photo from Walking on Sunshine Recipes

How to Make the Perfect Delicious Summer Salad

I think it has to do with the fact that the lettuce is fresh and usually fresh from our garden. The tomatoes are fresh, the herbs are fresh, I think we understand now why there's nothing more delicious than a salad for dinner during the hot summer months.

Beyond the usual bag of lettuce and bottled salad dressing from the grocery store, let's make it fresh for dinner tonight. That's right, let's make our own salad dressing, our own croutons and stop at the farmer's market for fresh lettuce, tomatoes and what other vegetables you enjoy in a salad.

Lettuce

What types of lettuce should you use for a summer salad? Well, obviously, fresh lettuce. That's right, don't use the bag of salad mix that are so readily available all year long.

Take the extra step to go to the farmer's market or if you're lucky enough to grow lettuce in your backyard garden. My favorite is romaine lettuce but I also love the taste of butter lettuce or bibb. I love to add red leaf lettuce also to salads for the added color.

Wooden Bowl full of a Variety of Lettuce from Walking on Sunshine Recipes

Tomatoes

Summer is the ideal time for tomatoes. They're fresh from the vine and amazing in salads. I love the ease of using grape tomatoes in a salad!

Croutons

Don't forget croutons for your salad! And yes, you can make them yourself too! Just cut up day old Italian or French bread into cubes. Sprinkle the cubes with a few teaspoons of olive oil.

Check out my recipe on How to make Croutons in the Oven.

Homemade Croutons are best for a summer salad from Walking on Sunshine Recipes.

Homemade Salad Dressing

Making your own salad dressing really isn't hard. I have two recipes on the blog that you can try. I love the homemade ranch salad dressing because you put all the herbs and spices together and keep them in a jar. Then when you want to make the dressing you add the wet ingredients. Easy, fresh and delicious. Click on each photo for the recipe.

Homemade Ranch Salad Dressing

Copycat Olive Garden Dressing

Salad Extras

It wouldn't be a salad if I didn't add roasted red peppers, olives and even artichoke hearts. My family loves them! Don't forget the sprinkle of fresh ground pepper and, of course, Parmesan cheese. AND if you wanted to make your salad into a real meal, add some grilled chicken or steak on top.