Description
A refreshing and vibrant salad combining peppery arugula, juicy blackberries and blueberries, creamy avocado, crunchy cucumber, tangy feta cheese, and toasted hazelnuts, all brought together with a zesty lime and mint vinaigrette. Perfect for a quick, healthy lunch or a colorful side dish.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad Ingredients
- 5 cups arugula
- 1 cup blackberries
- ¾ cup blueberries
- 1 avocado, diced
- 1½ cups cucumber, thinly sliced
- ⅓ cup feta cheese (use vegan feta for a dairy-free option)
- ⅓ cup toasted hazelnuts, chopped
Vinaigrette Ingredients
- ⅓ cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup (or other liquid sweetener like agave or honey)
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh mint
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- Freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Vinaigrette: In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lime juice, maple syrup, finely chopped fresh mint, salt, and freshly cracked black pepper until well combined. Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed.
- Combine Salad Ingredients: In a large bowl, add the arugula, blackberries, blueberries, thinly sliced cucumber, diced avocado, feta cheese, and chopped toasted hazelnuts. Gently toss to mix the ingredients evenly without bruising the delicate fruits.
- Dress the Salad: Drizzle the prepared lime mint vinaigrette over the salad mixture. Toss gently to coat all the ingredients with the dressing. Serve the salad immediately for the freshest flavors and best texture.
Notes
- Use vegan feta cheese if you want a dairy-free option.
- To toast hazelnuts, bake them at 350°F (175°C) for about 8-10 minutes until lightly browned and fragrant.
- The salad is best served fresh to maintain the crispness of the greens and the freshness of the berries.
- You can substitute maple syrup with honey or agave syrup based on your preference.
- For additional protein, consider adding grilled chicken or chickpeas.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: blackberry salad, avocado salad, arugula salad, healthy salad, summer salad, berry salad, vegetarian salad
