5 Super Easy 5-Ingredient Salad Recipes

Healthy and quick 5-ingredient summer salads

Salads are the perfect summer meal—they’re light, nutrient-dense, and incredibly easy to make. Whether you need a quick lunch or a light dinner, salads offer a delicious and nutritious option that fits into any busy lifestyle. The best part? You don’t need a long list of ingredients to create something amazing. If you want to incorporate more salads into your diet, try these super easy 5-ingredient salad recipes. These recipes are simple, fresh, and flavorful, making them ideal for anyone looking to eat healthier without spending hours in the kitchen.

1. Zucchini pea pasta salad

This hearty salad combines whole wheat pasta with fresh zucchini, basil and peas.

Ingredients:

16 ounces whole wheat pasta
1 cup frozen peas
3 medium zucchinis
4 tablespoons olive oil, divided
3 garlic cloves, minced
3 teaspoons grated lemon rind
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
Pinch of salt and pepper
1 cup fresh basil leaves

Directions:

Cook the whole wheat pasta according to the instructions on the package
Add frozen peas for the last 5 minutes
Drain and cool for 10 minutes
Place the pasta and peas in a bowl
Shave zucchini into ribbons
Heat a skillet on medium heat
Add 2 tablespoons of olive oil
Add the garlic and stir for 30 seconds
Throw in the zucchini, and cook for 1 minute
Add the zucchini mixture to the pasta mixture in the bowl
In a cup, combine the lemon rind, lemon juice, remaining olive oil, and salt and pepper
Drizzle over pasta salad and sprinkle with basil

2. Cucumber Greek salad

This low-carb Mediterranean salad consists of a cornucopia of healthy veggies.

Ingredients:

1 large cucumber, sliced and halved
3 cups of pearl tomatoes, halved
1 medium red onion, diced
1/2 cup balsamic vinegarette
4 tablespoons olive oil
1 cup crumbled feta cheese

Directions:

Slice up the cucumber and place it in a large bowl
halve the pearl tomatoes and add to the bowl
Dice up the red onion and place in the bowl
In a cup, mix together the olive oil and balsamic vinegar
Drizzle over the vegetables
Add the crumbled feta cheese
Mix all ingredients together

3. Watermelon vegetable salad

This refreshing summery salad combines watermelon with cucumber and mint.

Ingredients:

8 cups seedless watermelon, cubed
2 cucumbers, sliced
6 green onions, chopped
1/4 cup fresh mint, minced
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
1/4 cup olive oil
Pinch of salt and pepper

Directions:

Cube the watermelon and place in a bowl
Slice up the cucumbers and green onion, placing in the bowl
In a cup, whisk together the balsamic vinegar and olive oil
Drizzle on the salad
Toss with fresh mint, salt, and pepper

4. Brussels sprout walnut salad

This ultra-healthy salad combines shaved Brussels sprouts with Romano cheese and heart-healthy walnuts.

Ingredients:

1 pound Brussels sprouts
1/2 cup walnuts, chopped
6 tablespoons grated Romano cheese
1 lemon
4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
Pinch of salt and pepper

Directions:

Use an adjustable blade slicer to thinly slice Brussels sprouts in a bowl
On a cutting board, coarsely chop up the walnuts
Add the walnuts to the bowl
Grate the Romano cheese over the salad
Halve the lemon and squeeze its juice on the salad
Drizzle with olive oil and balsamic vinegar
Toss until combined

5. Grilled salmon grapefruit salad

This vitamin-c packed salad is rich in protein and essential fatty acids.

Ingredients:

2 6-ounce salmon fillets
1 large sweet onion, diced
8 cups mixed baby salad greens
1 24-ounce jar grapefruit sections, drained
Favorite dressing of choice
Pinch of salt and pepper
Cooking spray

Directions:

Start the grill
Sprinkle salt and pepper on the salmon fillets
Coat fillet and chopped onion with cooking spray
Place the salmon and onion on the grill
Cover and grill 5 minutes on each side or until salmon flakes
Onion should be tender
Break the salmon into chunks
Place baby greens in a bowl
Add the salmon chunks and diced onion
Combine the salad with grapefruit sections
Drizzle with your favorite salad dressing

6. Caprese Avocado Salad

This simple yet flavorful salad combines creamy avocado with fresh tomatoes and mozzarella.

Ingredients:

2 ripe avocados, diced
3 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
1 cup fresh mozzarella balls (bocconcini)
1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
3 tablespoons balsamic glaze
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
Pinch of salt and pepper

Directions:

Dice the avocados and place them in a bowl.
Halve the cherry tomatoes and add them to the bowl.
Add the fresh mozzarella balls.
Chop the basil leaves and sprinkle them over the salad.
Drizzle with balsamic glaze and olive oil.
Season with salt and pepper.
Toss gently to combine.

Eating healthier is easy peasy

Eating healthier is easy peasy with these delicious and nutritious salads. Salads are the perfect meal because they are versatile and provide all the essential nutrients your body needs quickly. The 5-ingredient salad recipes above are quick, easy, and satisfying, making healthy eating a breeze. So, the next time you’re looking for a healthy meal option, remember that a fantastic salad is just a few ingredients away. Happy eating!

References

“13 Five-Ingredient Salads You Can Make When You’re Feeling Lazy,” Tasty, August 6, 2018.
“5 Ingredient Salad Recipes,” Taste of Home, March 19, 2024.