Name: Summer Chopped Salad with Creamy Herb Dressing
Prep time: 25 min
Total time: 25 min
Ingredients: 1 large head romaine (or other mixed greens of choice); 1 cucumber; 1 orange bell pepper (or carrot); 6 oz. grape tomatoes; 1/3 cup red onion (or green onion for milder flavor); 1 1/2 cups cooked sweet corn; Optional additions: garbanzo beans, sugar snap peas, sprouts, purple cabbage, sunflower seeds, etc.; 1 small avocado (or 1/2 large); 1/3 cup fresh parsley (thick stems removed); 1/3 cup fresh basil (stems removed); 3 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice (about 1 1/2 lemons); 1-2 cloves garlic (minced); 1 1/2 tsp. white wine vinegar; 1 tsp. agave (or other sweetener); 1/8 tsp. salt (more to taste); 3 Tbsp. water to thin (more as needed to desired consistency)

Garden-fresh summer salad tossed in a deliciously creamy herb dressing! Plus super easy to customize with your own favorite veggie combos. (Vegan, gluten-free, oil-free)

Plate of summer chopped salad tossed in creamy herb dressing

This nutrient-packed summer salad is bursting with bright colors and fresh garden flavors! It’s an adaption of the Southwestern Chopped Salad with Cilantro-Lime Dressing that we simply adore.

Ingredients for Summer Salad

This recipe is highly customizable. I encourage you to modify it based on your own favorites or what’s available in your area. (We love our local food co-op and farmer’s market for fresh produce.) So please feel free to mix it up with your own creative veggie combos or leafy greens. Sunflower seeds and beans are also lovely additions.

Creamy vegan garden herb dressing in a jar

Creamy Garden Herb Dressing

The star of the show is really the creamy herb dressing made with avocado and two types of herbs. It’s oil-free, slightly tangy, and packed with so much flavor. We find it to be the perfect pairing when we’re craving something super fresh. Hope you enjoy as much as we do – happy summer!

PS – come join The Garden Grazer on Instagram and share a pic if you make or adapt this! I love seeing your beautiful recreations. (Or leave a review/star rating below if you give it a try – your feedback is very appreciated!)

Vegan summer chopped salad tossed with herb dressing on a plate with spoon

Print Pin

4.8 from 5 votes

Summer Chopped Salad with Creamy Herb Dressing

Garden-fresh summer salad tossed in a deliciously creamy herb dressing! Plus super easy to customize with your own favorite veggie combos.

Author: Kaitlin – The Garden Grazer

Prep Time:25 minutes

Total Time:25 minutes

Category: Main Dish, Salad, Side Dish

Cuisine: Gluten-Free, Oil-Free, Vegan

Servings:4 medium bowls

Ingredients

1 large head romaine (or other mixed greens of choice)
1 cucumber
1 orange bell pepper (or carrot)
6 oz. grape tomatoes
1/3 cup red onion (or green onion for milder flavor)
1 1/2 cups cooked sweet corn
Optional additions: garbanzo beans, sugar snap peas, sprouts, purple cabbage, sunflower seeds, etc.

For the Creamy Garden Herb Dressing:

1 small avocado (or 1/2 large)
1/3 cup fresh parsley (thick stems removed)
1/3 cup fresh basil (stems removed)
3 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice (about 1 1/2 lemons)
1-2 cloves garlic (minced)
1 1/2 tsp. white wine vinegar
1 tsp. agave (or other sweetener)
1/8 tsp. salt (more to taste)
3 Tbsp. water to thin (more as needed to desired consistency)

Instructions

MAKE THE DRESSING:

Puree all dressing ingredients in a small food processor or blender until smooth (scraping down sides with spatula as needed.)
Add more water if needed, a little at a time, until it reaches your desired consistency. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. (More salt, lemon juice, sweetener, etc.)

PREPARE THE SALAD:

Roughly chop romaine and place in a large bowl.
Dice cucumber and bell pepper. Halve/quarter tomatoes. Finely dice red onion. Add to bowl.
Add corn to bowl. Then pour desired amount of dressing over top and toss well to combine. (Alternatively, you can store salad and dressing in separate containers in the fridge until ready to serve.)

Notes

Can also serve about 6 as a small side dish.

This salad is incredibly versatile – have fun trying out your own favorite veggie combinations. (We love adding garbanzos and clover sprouts.)

Try it with grilled or fire-roasted corn for added flavor!

Nutrition Per Serving (estimate)

Did you make this recipe?Tag @thegardengrazer on Instagram and hashtag it #thegardengrazer. I love seeing your recreations!

vegan summer chopped salad photo collage

Enjoying this summer salad? Also feel free to check out this Vegan Italian Pasta Salad for more fresh, summery goodness!