This post is sponsored by Hebrew National. All opinions are my own.
If you're like me and you love entertaining but don't necessarily want to spend all day in the kitchen prepping meals, you'll love these two easy summer salad recipes.
I can't believe how fast summer is flying by. How is it already August tomorrow?
If your summer has been a whirlwind of activity, it's nice to find some time to slow down and enjoy an outdoor meal with the family, neighbors, and friends once in a while, isn't it?
In addition to summer being jam-packed busy, it's also been super hot. These easy summer salad recipes are quick to put together, require no more than four ingredients each, and don't require any cooking. And, if you're like most Pacific Northwesterners, you may even be growing some of these ingredients in your own garden, making these even easier to put together! I love homegrown cucumbers and mint fresh from the garden.
The only thing you have to grill up are those delicious hot dogs as your main summer staple, which also come together super quickly.
As I've written about before, I love Hebrew National All-Beef Franks. They contain only premium cuts of 100% kosher beef with no artificial flavors, colors, fillers, or by-products. And, I can attest, they taste absolutely delicious when served up with these two side dishes!
Easy Summer Salad Recipes: Watermelon Salad with Feta and Mint
As I wrote about recently, my family is on a total watermelon kick. This classic salad brings together the sweetness of watermelon, punches it up with some mint, adds some salty creaminess with little cubes of feta (or big cubes of feta - that's up to you!). It's such a refreshing summer side dish that complements almost any meal.
Ingredients
- 1 mini watermelon cubed
- 4 tablespoons mint leaves chopped
- ¼ cup cubed or crumbled feta cheese
- drizzle of balsamic vinegar
- 2 cucumbers peeled and thinly sliced
- ¼ cup finely chopped red onion
- 6 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- In a large serving bowl, place the watermelon cubes, then sprinkle feta cheese and mint leaves on top.
- Drizzle balsamic vinegar lightly over the salad.
- Mix slightly and serve immediately
- Put all ingredients together in a bowl and mix well.
- You can serve this immediately, or refrigerate for up to two hours before serving.
Nutrition information is a general estimate. Actual nutrition details may vary depending on the exact foods & brands you use to make this recipe. It does not take into account any substitutions, toppings, or optional ingredients.
What are some of your favorite easy summer side salads or side dishes?
More Summer Recipes
This post is sponsored by Hebrew National. The combination of franks and toppings shown here may not be Kosher. All opinions and photos are, as always, my own.
Iman says
Wish I found your blog sooner that watermelon salad looks great!
Kacey @ The Cookie Writer says
Summer has flown by! These salads look delicious. I have made a very similar cucumber one, but that watermelon salad, it just sounds amazing!
Debra @ Bowl Me over says
LOVE bright summer salads - lightens up those bbq meals, but of course a dog on the grill? Doesn't get much better than that!
Kaitie says
There is nothing better when you have a side dish that pairs perfectly with the main. Or even better when you think the side dish is just as good as the main… these refreshing salads look amazing, and are simple enough to make with out going overboard!
Love this!
heather @french press says
I could skip the dogs altogether - those salads look SO good!
Melinda says
These are great ideas! We eat a lot of salads during the summer as well, but they usually come out of bags! Sigh... I'm going to try these, though!
Meredith {MarthaChartreuse} says
These both look so delicious! I feel like these are not only refreshing and tasting, but an absolute necessity in this hot weather. Every drop of hydration counts!
Jane {In the Pink & Green} says
Both of these salads look delicious! We've actually been making a simple cucumber one like that quite a bit lately because we have cukes from our garden...in the summer, I think simple recipes are the best because they really let the freshness of the in-season produce shine through!
Jenni Kupelian says
Wow, so many good things in one blog post!
Ali from Home and Plate says
Two great salads for any BBQ. I love the combos of watermelon and feta especially when watermelon is so sweet this time of year.
Marye says
Salad in the summer is always my top choice for a side but I tend to be lazy and just chop greens. I love these salads! They looks so refreshing..
Pech says
Hey its a hot dog highlight day for both our blogs today! I think it was only a couple years ago I discovered the combination of watermelon and feta and I wonder why it took so long! Cucumber is also one of my favorite heat wave veggies to get in a meal since it's refreshing, both your side dishes sound very welcome on a summer day
Rachel Lloyd says
Aren't watermelon and feta just a match made in heaven?? So good!! Also I'm excited to see you at Feast!!! Glad we will be at the same events.
Jenni says
Love these! I'm always looking for a more exciting side for my summer staples than chips or a simple green salad. These are perfect!
Julia says
Those two salads look like the perfect summer sides. I especially love that watermelon salad. So light and flavorful.
Nutmeg Nanny says
I love Hebrew National! I also love all these delicious side salads...so much yum!