It can be hard to stay hydrated in the hot summer sun! Next time you need a side dish for dinner, why not throw together something that’s as refreshing as it is delicious?

Say goodbye to boring salads by adding blueberries, watermelon, and even pineapple to all of your favorite salad greens! Follow our suggested recipes, or get creative and add your own ideas. The great thing about salads is that anything goes, as long as it tastes good!

Remember when making these, to only use fresh ingredients, though. Since it’s summer, try visiting your local farmer’s market for fresh lettuces and cucumber. Or take your kid’s berry picking for the day, and show them how well locally grown food can taste at dinner that night.

6 Simple and Hydrating Summer Salad Recipes

1. Watermelon Feta Salad

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cups sliced red onions
• 2 teaspoons lime juice
• 4 cups cubed watermelon
• 1 cup cubed cucumber
• 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
• Cilantro, salt, and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. In a small bowl, marinate sliced red onions in lime juice while you assemble the salad.
2. Mix cubed watermelon and cubed cucumber.
3. Toss in the marinated red onions and a crumbled feta cheese.
4. Top with fresh chopped cilantro, salt, and pepper.

2. Orange Slice and Mixed Green Salad

Ingredients:

• 4 cups of mixed greens
• 2 sweet oranges peeled
• Option: Cheese, walnuts, almonds

Dressing:

• 4 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
• ½ cup of orange juice
• Salt, pepper and a pinch of sugar

Instructions:

1. Put the mixed greens (romaine, kale, and bok choy are good options) in a bowl.
2. Peel and section sweet oranges and mix in.
3. Make the dressing.
4. Add cheese, walnuts, and almonds for some extra substance.

3. Melon and Pineapple Salad

Ingredients:

• Arugula salad
• 1/2 red/purple grapes
• 1 cup chopped pineapple
• 1 cup diced melon

Dressing:

• ¼ cup  of orange juice
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon vinegar
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds

Instructions:

1. To a fresh bed of arugula salad, add red or purple grapes, chopped pineapple, and diced melon.
2. In a blender, make the dressing.
3. Top with toasted sesame seeds.

4. Feta Cheese, Tomato, and Onion Salad

Ingredients:

• 2 large onions
• 1 cup feta or goat cheese
• 1 cup sliced baby tomatoes
• Optional: Salad greens
• Balsamic vinaigrette
• Toasted nuts

Instructions:

1. Thinly slice two large onions.
2. Combine with feta or goat cheese and sliced baby tomatoes.
3. Add to a bed of salad greens if you want, or eat the tomato, onion, cheese mixture on its own.
4. Dress with a balsamic vinaigrette and toasted nuts.

5. Zucchini Pasta Salad

Ingredients:

• 2 cups zucchini cut into fine ribbons
• 1 cup shredded/julienned carrots
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes
• Vinaigrette (bought or homemade pesto)
• Mint leaves
• Cheese (feta and goat cheese are good options)

Instructions:

1. Take the zucchini and cut into fine ribbons.
2. Mix in the shredded/julienned carrots and the cherry tomatoes.
3. Add a vinaigrette of your choice or homemade pesto.
4. Top the salad with mint leaves and a cheese of your choice (feta and goat cheese are good options).

6. Blueberry, Cucumber and Arugula Salad

Ingredients:

• 2 cups cucumber
• 3 cups arugula
• 1 cup blueberries
• Light vinaigrette
• Sunflower seeds

Instructions

1. Peel and slice two cups of cucumber.
2. Mix in the arugula.
3. Add the blueberries.
4. Dress with a light vinaigrette and top with sunflower seeds.

Try these salad recipes next!

• Butternut Squash & Apple Salad w/Tahini Dressing
• Orange Citrus Salad
• Delicious Beet Salad