I have loved this Summer Salad for as long as I can remember. Only recently did I decide to take this salad to the next level and make my own Poppy Seed Dressing and Spiced Sugar Pecans (and save lots of dolla dolla bills). And goodness gracious, this is now the ultimate lunch or dinner side. I think you'll agree with me after the very first bite.
Ingredients for the ultimate summer salad
Fresh Salad Mix - I really love a baby spring mix, but use any fresh salad mix or lettuce you like.
Spiced Sugar Pecans - These are my ultimate snacking nuts as well as my favorite salad topping. They add that perfect crunch, sweetness and hint of spice from the pepper.
Blue Cheese - I recently bought a container of blue cheese that weighs in at 1.5 pounds. Is that too much? I'm completely confident I'll use it up before it goes bad. I LOVE blue cheese. But you can also use feta or soft goat cheese if you prefer.
Fresh Apples - Gala, Fuji, Granny, Delicious, Jazz, whatever your favorite, it'll be amazing on this Summer Salad.
Poppy Seed Dressing - Quickly shake up this sweet and tangy salad dressing, full of crunchy little poppy seeds. So delicious and fresh! It really puts this salad over the top.
To make this sweet summer salad, simply...
FIRST, make these Candied Pecans. They are simply delicious—a bit spicy with lots of sweet sugar, and they're done in just minutes.
NEXT, mix up the Poppy Seed Dressing. As simple as combining and shaking up — and elevates this salad to a sweet summertime treat.
Now, its just a simple "throw it all together". Slice or dice up the apples and place on top of lettuce along with the pecans and blue cheese. I like to keep toppings in "stripes" or "sections" if I'm presenting it to others; it looks so pretty this way. Top it all off with the Poppy Seed Dressing. And now you've got the perfect Summer Salad. YUM!
I love making enough of the pecans and dressing so I can snack on this recipe all week long. Such a perfect lunch or a great side along grilled chicken, steak or pork.
Got any more healthy summer recipes? You bet!
- Blackened Fish Tacos - keep taco night going all summer long with this winner
- Italian Salad with Apricot Dressing - topped with bacon, pistachios and goat cheese
- Grilled Steak with Blue Cheese Salsa - tomatoes, corn, blue cheese and a special steak marinade make this a summer staple
- Homemade Seasoned Baked Fries — and blue cheese aioli
- Yellow Cake Mix Pineapple Upside Down Cake - Vegan and gluten free!
Love this Summer Salad recipe? Try these recipes to make it a full meal
Ultimate Summer Salad
Ingredients
Salad
- 6-8 cups torn lettuce or prepackaged
- 1 apple of your choice
- ½ cup spiced sugar pecans (see link in post for recipe or see below)
- ½ cup crumbled blue cheese or feta
- ½ cup poppy seed dressing (see link in post for recipe or see below)
Poppy Seed Dressing
- ½ cup canola or vegetable oil
- 1 tablespoon poppy seeds
- 1 tablespoon chopped shallots
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice plus 1 tsp
- ½ teaspoon dry mustard
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
Spiced Sugar Pecans
- 1 ¼ cups pecan halves
- ¼ cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼-1 teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Combine salad ingredients in a large bowl. Toss and enjoy!
- See recipes below for poppy seed dressing and pecan recipes.
Nutrition
Sugar Spiced Pecans
Ingredients
- 1 ¼ C pecan halves
- ¼ C granulated white sugar
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper more if you like it spicy
Instructions
- Combine sugar, salt and pepper. Set aside.
- Place a baking sheet nearby to transfer hot pecans when finished.
- In a skillet, heat pecans for about 1 minute on medium-high heat, until fragrant.
- Add half of the sugar mixture and mix until sugar melts and starts clinging to the pecans.
- Add remaining sugar mixture and continue stirring until sugar melts. The longer you heat, the harder the sugar gets and the spicier the pepper is.
- Immediately turn out onto a baking sheet.
- Once cooled, break the pecans apart.
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature. They'll keep fresh for up to 2 weeks.
Notes
Poppy Seed Salad Dressing
Ingredients
- ½ C vegetable or canola oil
- 1 tablespoon poppy seeds
- 1 tablespoon chopped shallots
- 2 tablespoon sugar
- 2 tablespoon lime juice plus 1 tsp
- ½ teaspoon dry mustard
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
Instructions
- In a jar with a lid, add all ingredients. Shake it up and you're done!
- Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
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