Blueberry Sunshine Salad

A salad that once you make it, you’ll make it over and over— all summer long. With a zippy sweet and vinegary dressing, Blueberry Salad is da bomb diggity because it’s quick and easy. Adapted from Southern LIving.

The Blueberry Salad Story

Ever noticed how summer is associated with lots of “S” words? DIrty you, not the swearing kind, but words that start with “s”. Sun, sandals, sunscreen, screened porches, swimming, slip n’ slides—summer doesn’t just start with “s”; it embodies it. And one of the best summer “s” words is salads. I don’t mean lettuce with some bottled ranch dressing. I mean potlucks and picnic-lined tables with big bowls of salads loaded with lots and lots of ingredients. I’m talking second-serving kind of salads that make guests go “I don’t know what’s in this but it’s SO GOOD.” This Blueberry Sunshine Salad is no exception.

The best part about Blueberry Salad in addition to its big flavor is how easy it comes together. Fresh romaine, salty feta, red onions (that are optional but look pretty here) and of course, fresh blueberries at the perfect point of ripeness. These are the main ingredients. Oh and some salty bacon or foolproof chicken might be good here because the people in your life just might want this salad to be the main event. And it is up to the challenge.

One Winning Dressing

Another scene stealer in this blueberry salad is the dressing. If you added some vodka to it, the dressing might qualify as a cocktail shrub.  Hmmmm…future blog post? Part balsamic vinegar, part blueberry preserves with some olive oil thrown in to make it all salad-like, this blueberry balsamic dressing just works.

salad Dressing intel

For the dressing, keep these blueberry preserves (or these) on hand all the time because this salad will just become part of your summer. It has a way of doing that. One jar will make two batches of dressing. I typically don’t use the whole recipe for a salad depending on the size of the crowd I’m feeding. Being overdressed always is better than being underdressed except when it comes to salads. Don’t overwhelm your salad with loads and loads of dressing. Unless you like it like that of course.

I’ll step away now. Got some salad to get working on.

tips

For a few: Buy ingredients for the full recipe but use half of the recipe for one meal and use the remaining for another. make the full dressing recipe and use throughout the week. Top with your favorite grilled protein!

For a crowd: Make small individual cups of salad for a party buffet or bridal or baby shower. Guests love eating personal servings of their favorites as it gives them the chance to try a lot of yummy dishes!

Print

Blueberry Sunshine Salad

The bite and colors of summer—fresh blueberries, salty feta and sweet almonds amped up with the tangy, sweet dressing.

Course dressings, Salad

Cuisine Barbecue

Keyword blueberries, blueberry salad, summer salads

Prep Time 15 minutes

Total Time 15 minutes

Servings 8

Author Southern Living

Ingredients

For the dressing

• 1/2 cup blueberry preserves
• 1/3 cup balsamic vinegar
• 1/3 cup olive oil
• salt/pepper to taste

For the salad

• 1 head of romaine / or one container of washed greens cleaned, washed and torn into pieces
• 1/2 red onion (optional) quartered and sliced thin
• 3-4 slices of cooked, crisp bacon cut into big pieces
• 2 oz block of feta cheese crumbled || feel free to use more
• 1/3 cup honey roasted almonds from Trader Joes (can also use sweet/spicy pecans)

Instructions

1. Combine the preserves and vinegar in a small lidded jar or bowl.

2. Add the oil and either shake in the jar (lid on) or whisk to emulsify.

3. Place prepared lettuces in a wide shallow bowl.

4. Top with remaining ingredients except nuts. Toss with dressing and then add nuts.

Recipe Notes

Adapted from Southern Living