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Fresh 4th of July Salad Recipe Easy Patriotic Summer Side Dish

4th of July Salad - featured image
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A light, colorful, and easy-to-make summer salad featuring patriotic colors with fresh berries, mixed greens, and a tangy-sweet homemade vinaigrette. Perfect for 4th of July cookouts and summer gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 6 cups mixed greens (baby spinach, arugula, romaine)
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 cup fresh blueberries
  • 1 cup strawberries, sliced
  • 1 medium cucumber, diced (preferably English cucumber)
  • ½ cup feta cheese, crumbled
  • ¼ cup red onion, thinly sliced
  • ¼ cup fresh basil, chiffonade
  • 2 tbsp fresh mint, chopped (optional)
  • 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tsp honey or maple syrup
  • 1 tsp Dijon mustard
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Rinse all fresh ingredients under cold water and pat dry. Halve the cherry tomatoes, slice the strawberries, dice the cucumber, and thinly slice the red onion. Chiffonade the basil and chop the mint if using. (About 10 minutes)
  2. In a small bowl or jar, combine olive oil, lemon juice, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper. Whisk or shake vigorously until emulsified, about 1-2 minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
  3. In a large bowl, add mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, strawberries, blueberries, cucumber, and red onion. Gently toss to combine, being careful not to crush the berries.
  4. Sprinkle crumbled feta evenly over the top, then add fresh basil and mint. Toss lightly once more to distribute ingredients without breaking them down.
  5. Pour dressing over the salad just before serving. Toss gently to coat all ingredients. Keep dressing separate if making ahead to maintain freshness.

Notes

Handle berries gently to avoid bruising. Keep dressing separate until serving to prevent sogginess. Can swap feta for goat cheese or vegan cheese alternatives. Fresh herbs preferred but dried oregano or Italian seasoning can be used in a pinch. For vegan version, use maple syrup instead of honey and dairy-free cheese.

Nutrition

Keywords: 4th of July salad, patriotic salad, summer salad, berry salad, easy salad recipe, healthy side dish, fresh salad, mixed greens salad

Find it online: https://larameals.com/fresh-4th-of-july-salad-recipe-easy-patriotic-summer-side-dish/