There's something magical about a perfectly composed summer salad - one that captures the essence of the season in every vibrant, crisp bite. This isn't just any salad; it's your ticket to effortless summer entertaining and nourishing weeknight dinners that celebrate the abundance of the season.
When the temperature rises and the garden overflows with nature's bounty, there's no better way to honour the season than with a salad that showcases summer's finest offerings. This Ultimate Summer Garden Salad has become my family’s summer evening ritual - a canvas of colours, textures, and flavours that transforms simple ingredients into something extraordinary.
The Art of Summer Salad Making
What sets this salad apart isn't just its stunning visual appeal (though those jewel-toned vegetables certainly don't hurt), but rather the thoughtful technique behind its creation. By building the dressing directly in the serving bowl and allowing the heartier vegetables to marinate while you prepare your protein, you're creating layers of flavour that penetrate every component.
The secret lies in the dressing - a harmonious blend that begins with BeBe Premium Apple Cider Vinegar, whose artisanal quality and complex flavour profile elevate this from ordinary vinaigrette to something truly special. Made from whole apples and aged up to one year, this premium vinegar brings depth and sophistication that mass-produced varieties simply cannot match.
The Perfect Summer Salad Recipe
For the Dressing:
- 1 clove garlic, minced or finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 3 tablespoons honey (adjust to taste)
- ¼ cup nutritional yeast
- ¼ cup BeBe Premium Apple Cider Vinegar
- ½ cup extra-virgin olive oil
- Pinch of kosher salt
- Freshly cracked black pepper to taste
For the Salad:
- 2 ears fresh corn, steamed and kernels removed
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup cucumber, diced
- 1 cup frozen peas (they thaw quickly - obviously fresh peas if you have them)
- 2 ripe avocados, cubed
- ½ cup old cheddar cheese, roughly cubed
- 6-8 cups mixed lettuce, torn into bite-sized pieces
- ½ cup slivered almonds, toasted
Instructions:
Create the Foundation: Begin by whisking together your dressing directly in your serving bowl. Start with the minced garlic and Dijon mustard, then slowly incorporate the honey, nutritional yeast, and BeBe apple cider vinegar. Gradually stream in the olive oil while whisking continuously until you achieve a smooth, emulsified consistency. Season with salt and freshly cracked pepper.
Build the Base: Add the corn kernels, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, peas, avocado, and cheddar cheese to the dressing. Gently fold to combine, allowing these ingredients to marinate and absorb the flavours while you prepare your protein of choice.
Toast the Almonds: In a cast iron pan over medium heat, warm a drizzle of olive oil. Add the slivered almonds and stir constantly until they're golden brown and fragrant. Sprinkle with a pinch of salt, stir once more, and remove from heat.
The Final Assembly: Just before serving, arrange the torn lettuce over the marinated vegetables without tossing. Sprinkle the warm toasted almonds over the top. When your protein is ready, toss everything together and serve immediately.
The Magic of Marination
This technique of allowing the vegetables to marinate in the dressing serves multiple purposes. The acids in the BeBe apple cider vinegar gently "cook" the vegetables slightly, softening their texture while infusing them with flavour. The nutritional yeast adds a subtle umami depth, while the honey balances the vinegar's acidity with natural sweetness.
Versatility at Its Finest
This salad is your summer entertaining solution. It pairs beautifully with grilled chicken breast, cedar plank salmon, perfectly seared steak, or any protein that strikes your fancy. The combination of textures - crisp vegetables, creamy avocado, sharp cheese, and crunchy almonds - creates a satisfying meal that feels both indulgent and virtuous.
A Note on Quality Ingredients
When creating something this simple, every ingredient matters. BeBe Premium Apple Cider Vinegar, with its artisanal quality and complex flavour profile, transforms this dressing from ordinary to extraordinary. Founded by Tiffany Mackay French and rooted in three generations of Atlantic Canadian apple farming heritage, BeBe represents the kind of thoughtful, quality-focused approach that makes every day cooking feel special.
The beauty of this salad lies not just in its visual appeal or nutritional benefits, but in its ability to make summer eating feel effortless and elegant. It's the kind of recipe that becomes a ritual - one that celebrates the season's abundance while creating something truly memorable for your table.
Live beautifully, shine brightly - one perfect summer salad at a time.