The Elements of a Perfect Summer Salad
The greens, the crunch, the sweet and savory—how to make the season's easiest meal with Shipt.
It’s this time of year when salads get their main character moment. On hot days, a chilled, hearty bowl of greens and toppings can be an entire, satisfying meal or a complementary sidekick to grilled meats or fish. And the success of a summer salad comes down to how you layer the ingredients. It should be fresh and filling, and light yet layered with flavor. So before you begin shopping, try breaking down the different elements into categories—something green, something crunchy, something sweet—and so on.
Then get started with Shipt. With a Target Circle 360 membership, Shipt offers same-day delivery with no price markup from Target, as well as other grocery stores they partner with, such as Lidl, Food Bazaar, and Stop & Shop (excluding select alcohol retailers and items; terms apply). That means you can get fresh vegetables and fixings delivered straight to your door. Now, let's start layering those flavors: Here are some of our top picks from every key category in the perfect summer salad.
If you’re not sure off the bat what direction your salad might go in, or if you’re trying to pair a fresh green with ingredients you have at home, you can’t go wrong with an organic mix of baby lettuces as your base.
The only downside here: You’ll have to resist snacking on these too much before you make your salad. Refreshing and hydrating, mini cucumbers have a way of disappearing quickly in the summertime.
Feta adds a salty, tangy flavor, and this crumbled version makes it easy to sprinkle wherever you want it.
Always go with fruit that’s in season in your area. Juicy strawberries add different texture and a sweet yet slightly tart flavor that contrasts beautifully with the more savory elements of your salad.
Almonds add a heartiness and crunch that takes a salad from satisfying to standout.
When it’s too hot to turn on the oven or stand near the grill, these flavorful strips can be heated up quickly in the air fryer. Sprinkle on some herbs and you have a perfect protein topper to balance your salad’s bold elements.
A dressing should wrap all the elements of your salad together in a loving embrace—not a crushing bear hug. A simple Mediterranean-inspired vinaigrette made with olive oil, mustard, lemon juice, and spices does the trick nicely.
