
June 26, 2025
When You Want Something Fresh—But Not Just Another Salad
by Serene Hayes
1. Mango & Avocado Salad with Lime Honey Dressing
This tropical salad is vibrant, fresh, and a great mix of creamy, sweet, and tangy.

Ingredients:
- 2 ripe avocados, diced
- 1 ripe mango, diced
- 1 cucumber, thinly sliced
- 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
- Fresh cilantro leaves, chopped
- 1/4 cup crumbled feta (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Dressing:
- 2 tbsp lime juice
- 1 tbsp honey
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Toss together the avocado, mango, cucumber, red onion, and cilantro.
- Whisk together the dressing ingredients until smooth.
- Drizzle the dressing over the salad, toss gently, and sprinkle with feta (if using).
- Serve immediately and enjoy the tropical flavors!
2. Roasted Beet & Goat Cheese Salad with Walnuts
A colorful and earthy salad with a lovely combination of sweet, tangy, and crunchy textures.

Photo credit: once upon a chef
Ingredients:
- 2 medium beets, roasted and sliced
- 1/4 cup goat cheese, crumbled
- 1/4 cup walnuts, toasted
- Arugula or mixed greens
- 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves (optional)
Dressing:
- 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- 1 tbsp honey or maple syrup
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Roast the beets in the oven at 400°F (200°C) for about 45 minutes, then peel and slice them.
- In a large bowl, mix the arugula or greens with the roasted beets, goat cheese, and walnuts.
- Whisk together the dressing ingredients and drizzle over the salad.
- Sprinkle with fresh thyme and serve.
3. Chickpea & Cucumber Salad with Tahini Dressing
A hearty, plant-based salad that’s satisfying, creamy, and refreshing at the same time.

Ingredients:
- 1 can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 1 cucumber, chopped
- 1/2 red onion, finely diced
- 1/4 cup parsley, chopped
- 1/4 cup olives (black or green), pitted and sliced
- 1 tbsp sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds
Tahini Dressing:
- 3 tbsp tahini
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp cumin
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Water to thin (if needed)
Instructions:
- In a large bowl, mix the chickpeas, cucumber, red onion, parsley, and olives.
- Whisk together the tahini dressing ingredients. Add water if the dressing is too thick.
- Pour the dressing over the salad and toss to combine.
- Sprinkle with seeds and serve chilled or at room temperature.
4. Roasted Sweet Potato & Quinoa Salad with Maple Balsamic Vinaigrette
A hearty and filling salad with a balance of sweetness, earthiness, and nuttiness.

Ingredients:
- 1 medium sweet potato, cubed
- 1 cup cooked quinoa
- 1/4 cup dried cranberries
- 1/4 cup pumpkin seeds or sunflower seeds
- Mixed greens or baby spinach
- 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
Dressing:
- 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- 1 tbsp maple syrup
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Roast the sweet potato cubes at 400°F (200°C) for 20–25 minutes until soft and slightly caramelized.
- In a large bowl, combine the quinoa, roasted sweet potato, dried cranberries, seeds, and red onion.
- Whisk together the dressing ingredients and pour over the salad.
- Toss gently, add greens, and serve warm or at room temperature.
5. Spicy Thai Mango Salad
A tangy and spicy salad with crunchy veggies and a burst of freshness.

Photo credit: little spice jar
Ingredients:
- 1 ripe mango, julienned
- 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
- 1 cucumber, julienned
- 1 small carrot, julienned
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1-2 small red chili peppers, finely sliced (optional)
- 1/4 cup peanuts, chopped
Dressing:
- 2 tbsp fish sauce (or soy sauce for vegetarian version)
- 1 tbsp lime juice
- 1 tbsp honey or brown sugar
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tsp sesame oil
Instructions:
- In a large bowl, mix together the mango, bell pepper, cucumber, carrot, and cilantro.
- For the dressing, whisk together the fish sauce, lime juice, honey, rice vinegar, and sesame oil.
- Toss the salad with the dressing and sprinkle with chopped peanuts and red chili peppers for a bit of heat.
- Serve chilled, garnished with extra cilantro.
6. Watermelon, Feta, and Mint Salad
A refreshing, sweet, and savory salad perfect for hot days.

Photo credit: Something Nutritious
Ingredients:
- 3 cups cubed watermelon
- 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
- 2 tbsp fresh mint, chopped
- 1 tbsp balsamic reduction (optional)
Instructions:
- In a large bowl, toss the cubed watermelon with crumbled feta and chopped mint.
- Drizzle with a little balsamic reduction for added flavor (optional).
- Serve immediately and enjoy the sweetness with the salty and refreshing combo!
7. Crispy Chickpea & Kale Salad
A crunchy, nutritious salad with roasted chickpeas and hearty kale.

Photo credit: Minimalist Baker
Ingredients:
- 1 can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 4 cups chopped kale (stems removed)
- 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup toasted almonds or sunflower seeds
Dressing:
- 2 tbsp tahini
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Toss the chickpeas with olive oil, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Roast for 25-30 minutes, shaking halfway through.
- Massage the kale with a bit of olive oil and salt to soften it.
- Toss the kale with the roasted chickpeas, red onion, and nuts/seeds.
- Whisk together the dressing and drizzle over the salad.
- Toss everything together and serve!