Fun in the sun means looking for anything to keep you refreshed and energized this summer.

These beautiful and simple salads are the perfect way to keep things fresh and light in the summer heat!

After an entire year of struggle and a strange limbo trapped in our homes, we are finally beginning to see the light. Literally. This summer marks so much more than a vacation or break from school or warm weather, it signifies the return of living our lives with a much deeper appreciation for it. Being able to go outside again and make plans, whether it's a luncheon with friends you haven’t seen since last year or attending a festival, is a freeing and exciting opportunity to explore our lives with new eyes. Spending the season with close friends and family can help to build relationships that were placed on hold and to inspire making more memories. One of the best ways to spend time together is bonding over delicious food, which is where we come in!

Here at Mealfit, we specialize in food. Our mission is to make eating easier for everyone, especially people that live that on-the-go lifestyle which makes cooking and preparing healthy food options a luxury since there’s just not enough time in the day. That’s why we’ve created a system that makes delicious, healthy meal options available for people in this situation at an affordable price. Aside from providing quality ingredients in bulk to make delicious meals at home in half the time, and crafting one-of-a-kind meals to grab-and-go with our individual meal options, we also love to share amazing recipes we find! 

This week we are sharing three delicious and gorgeous summer salads that are perfect for sharing with friends and family. Cool down from the heat with crisp garden veggies, tangy dressings, and more flavorful ingredients! 

Image by Cooking For My Soul

Savory Salmon Cobb Salad

This salad is full of character! It perfectly blends the beloved flavors of Cobb salad like fresh tomatoes, greens, and more, with the smoky and delectable taste of salmon. Topped with tangy green goddess dressing, this salad is perfect for a family visit to the park or even a lakeside barbecue! 

Image by Cooking For My Soul

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients

Salad

• 3 large eggs
• 6 slices bacon
• 1 pound salmon filets, boneless and skinless
• 2 Tablespoon olive oil
• 8 cups mixed greens, chopped
• 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 avocado, pitted and sliced
• 1/2 cup crumbled blue cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste

Avocado Green Goddess Dressing:

• 2 scallions, chopped
• 1 cup Greek yogurt
• 1-2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 1/2 cup cilantro, lightly packed
• 1 avocado, pitted and diced
• 1 clove garlic, crushed
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1-2 Tablespoon water to thin out the dressing

Directions

1. In a medium saucepan, bring water to boil. Carefully place eggs in saucepan, making sure they are fully submerged in the water. Turn heat down to a low setting and let simmer for about 2 minutes while covered. 
2. Remove from heat and let sit in the hot water for another 10 minutes remaining covered (or 1-2 minutes longer if you want the yolks to be fully solidified). Once ready, remove eggs and run under cold water or place in a bowl with cold water and ice. After they’ve cooled for a few minutes, peel the eggs and cut into wedges or slices. 
3. Next, prepare the bacon in a large skillet over medium heat. Once cooked, place the bacon on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess grease, chop bacon, and set aside. 
4. Prepare salmon filets by sprinkling with salt and pepper on both sides. Heat 2 Tablespoons of oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once heated, cook salmon filets for about 4-5 minutes on each side. Transfer cooked salmon to a plate to cool for about 10 minutes and shred with a fork. 
5. Meanwhile, make the avocado green goddess dressing. In a blender or food processor, blend or process all the dressing ingredients. Add water as needed to thin out the dressing and set aside.
6. Arrange a bed of greens or lettuce on a large platter. For a more aesthetic presentation, arrange the ingredients in rows: tomatoes, salmon, eggs, bacon, avocado, and blue cheese. Drizzle with the avocado green goddess dressing. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Image by No Crumbs Left

Zesty Shrimp & Lime Caesar Salad

Energize your days with this zany, zesty take on creamy Caesar salad! It’s perfect for summer days by the pool or paired with a refreshing margarita on the beach! 

Image by Healthy Nut Chefs

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Yield: 2 servings 

Ingredients

• 1 Tablespoon olive oil
• 1 1/2 pounds large butterflied shrimp, shell-off 
• 3 Tablespoon butter
• 5–6 ounces baby romaine
• Kosher Salt to taste
• Pickled red onions
• 1 small cucumber, sliced
• 1 avocado, pitted and sliced
• 6 tbsp roasted, salted sunflower seeds

Lime Caesar Dressing:

• 1 large egg
• ¾ cup olive oil
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 2 anchovy filets
• 2 garlic cloves, pressed
• 4 Tablespoon lime juice
• ½ teaspoon lime rind

Picante Seasoning Blend:

• 2 Tablespoon smoked paprika
• 1 Tablespoon chili powder
• 1 Tablespoon oregano
• 2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes

Directions

1. Prepare the Lime Caesar Dressing first by cracking an egg into a mason jar and whisk or use an immersion blender. Slowly add the olive oil and salt and pepper, as well as the anchovy filets, garlic cloves, lime juice, and rind. Blend until ingredients are well combined into a creamy dressing. Set dressing aside. 
2. In a medium saucepan, heat 1 Tbsp of olive oil over medium heat. 
3. While your oil is heating up, mix all the Picante Seasoning ingredients in a medium bowl and mix well. 
4. Once oil is heated, place the shrimp in the saucepan and sear for about 2-3 minutes on each side. Keep a close eye on the shrimp to make sure they are not overcooked. 
5. Remove from heat and let shrimp cool for about 2 minutes. Once cooled, add 3 Tablespoon of butter and coat the shrimp evenly by tossing. Then, coat shrimp in the 1.5 Tablespoon of the Picante Seasoning, also by tossing. Remove shrimp from pan and set aside. 
6. Prepare a platter by placing a bed of greens lightly salted with a drizzle of red onion marinade (from the pickled red onions). 
7. Place the shrimp on the platter and top salad with cucumber, avocado, sunflower seeds, and pickled red onions and drizzle with Lime Caesar Dressing. 

Notes

Homemade pickled red onions are incredibly easy and taste amazing. We’ve got a simple recipe linked in both the Zesty Shrimp & Lime Caesar Salad and Summertime Grilled Corn Salad for you to try yourself! 

Image by This Mess Is Ours 

Summertime Grilled Corn Salad

Nothing says summer nights like an ear of delectably grilled corn! It’s sweet, savory, and the mark of a memorable barbecue with loved ones. This salad combines the taste of home with the unique flavors of Mexican street corn that is sure to become a new favorite, guaranteed! 

Image by This Mess Is Ours

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients

• 2 heads Romaine lettuce, shredded
• 1 bunch Tuscan kale, shredded
• 1/2 cup pickled red onions
• 1/2 cup crumbled Cotija cheese
• 3-4 lime wedges
• 4 ears of white or yellow corn, shucked
• 2 Tablespoon olive oil
• salt and pepper to taste
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika

Dressing

• 1 cup Mexican Crema
• 1 medium-sized garlic clove, chopped
• 1 cup packed cilantro, roughly chopped
• juice of 1 lime
• cayenne pepper to taste
• salt and pepper to taste

Directions

1. Preheat a grill over medium-high heat.
2. Drizzle each ear of corn with olive oil, salt, pepper and 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika. Rub the spices and the oil all over each ear of corn.
3. Place the corn on the heated grill and cook, turning every 3 minutes for 10-15 minutes until the corn is charred and cooked through. Remove from the grill and set aside until cool enough to handle.
4. Meanwhile, prepare the dressing. In a high-powered blender combine the Crema, garlic, cilantro, lime juice, cayenne, salt and pepper. Blend until completely smooth then adjust seasonings to taste and set aside. 
5. Strip the corn kernels from the cobs. In a large salad bowl toss together the lettuce and the kale. Add in some of the dressing and toss well to combine (or serve dressing on the side). Top with pickled red onion, the corn kernels, and Cotija cheese. Serve immediately with lime wedges on the side.

Notes

Homemade pickled red onions are incredibly easy and taste amazing. We’ve got a simple recipe linked in both the Zesty Shrimp & Lime Caesar Salad and Summertime Grilled Corn Salad for you to try yourself! 

Want to make these recipes a more filling meal option? 

Add Mealfit’s Slow Smoked Tri-Tip Steak or Roasted Shredded Chicken, or both! 

Salads may be a delicious and healthy meal, but sometimes they just aren’t enough to keep us full. Luckily, Mealfit offers a number of options to make eating easier and more satisfying for everyone! One of these delicious and simple options is our Meals by the Pound selection! We hand-prepare all of our ingredients so that you can use them to speed up your meal-prepping every day! 

For these recipes, we recommend our delectable Shredded Chicken! 

“Slow Roasted all white meat chicken breast, hand pulled and seasoned to perfection. This is great as a protein by itself, or wonderful in soups, stews, casseroles, or tacos.” 

Looking for a bit more body? No problem! Try out our Slow Smoked Tri-Tip Steak! 

“Slow Smoked Tri-Tip Steak, marinated and seasoned to perfection. This goes good with just about anything.” 

These aren’t the only one-of-a-kind ingredients we provide. If you’re interested in high-quality pre-prepared ingredients, make sure to check out our other amazing options as well here! 

Make this summer one to remember and keep yourself and your loved ones relaxed and refreshed with these beautiful, delicious, and easily shareable summer salads! 

We hope you enjoy this article about 3 Refreshing and Simple Shareable Salads. If you tried incorporating these things into your regular routine, make sure to let us know! For more recipes, follow us on social media and make sure to check out our weekly blog posts where we share our new favorite recipes and must-know facts about food and living a healthy lifestyle! Check out the other meal options Mealfit provides such as our Weekly Specials, Individual Meals, and other Meals by the Pound.