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Summer Salad Recipe: The Ultimate Fresh & Flavorful Bowl

A refreshing Summer Salad Recipe featuring juicy peaches, crisp butter lettuce, cucumbers, tomatoes, feta, and a homemade lime cilantro dressing.
Ready in just 25 minutes.
Perfect for picnics, barbecues, and healthy summer meals.
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Prep Time 25 minutes
Course Salad
Cuisine American

Ingredients
  

For the Pickled Onion

  • 2 large limes divided
  • 1/2 small red onion thinly sliced
  • 1/4 teaspoon granulated sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

For the Dressing

  • Juice of remaining limes about 1/4 cup
  • 1 clove garlic minced
  • 1/4 cup fresh cilantro finely chopped
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

For the Salad

  • 1 medium head butter lettuce torn
  • 2 Persian cucumbers or 1 English cucumber thinly sliced
  • 6 ounces cherry tomatoes halved
  • 2 ripe peaches sliced
  • 4 ounces crumbled feta cheese
  • 1/4 cup roasted salted pumpkin seeds pepitas
  • Reserved lime zest
  • Fresh cilantro leaves
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • Additional kosher salt to taste

Instructions
 

  • Finely grate the zest from one lime. Reserve most of it for garnish and place about 1 teaspoon into a small bowl.
  • Add 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice, sliced red onion, 1/4 teaspoon sugar, and 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt. Toss well and let the onions pickle for at least 15 minutes.
  • Juice the remaining limes until you have about 1/4 cup of juice.
  • Whisk together the lime juice, garlic, chopped cilantro, olive oil, remaining sugar, and remaining kosher salt until smooth.
  • In a large serving bowl, combine butter lettuce, cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, peaches, and feta cheese.
  • Add the pickled onions, pumpkin seeds, reserved lime zest, and fresh cilantro.
  • Drizzle half of the dressing over the salad and gently toss to combine.
  • Finish with the remaining dressing, season with black pepper and additional salt if needed, and serve immediately. This Summer Salad Recipe tastes best when freshly assembled.

Notes

  • Nectarines can replace peaches.
  • Basil or mint work beautifully instead of cilantro.
  • Avocado adds extra creaminess.
  • Pair with grilled chicken, steak, fish, or sandwiches.
  • This butter lettuce salad is ideal for summer entertaining.