Summer Berry Salad

Get ready to fall in love with this summer berry salad! The combination of crisp greens, crunchy pecans, and tangy feta with a burst of juicy berries is the perfect addition to any summer meal or backyard get-together. Refreshing, crisp, and absolutely delightful!

Why I Love This Recipe

You know those days when you want something refreshing and delicious that doesn’t require 45 minutes of chopping veggies? That’s the perfect time to make this vibrant summer berry salad!

The combination of crisp greens with juicy berries, tangy cheese, crunchy pecans, and a bold vinaigrette is absolutely delightful. Seriously, this salad has the ultimate texture profile: crispy, crunchy, and refreshing all in one!

Each berry-packed bowl is perfect for dinner on the patio or backyard picnics. If you’re transporting the salad, you can simply pack the berries in a separate container and then pour them over the greens right before serving to keep everything fresh. Great for entertaining or potlucks!

Summer is my favorite season for cool, refreshing salads packed with crisp greens. And with all the flavors, textures, and, of course, those fresh seasonal berries, this is one of those salads you’ll crave all summer long.

What’s In Summer Berry Salad?

The star of the show is absolutely the bright summer berries! I love getting my blueberries and strawberries from the local farmer’s market, but you’re welcome to pick yours up wherever you like. Just as long as they’re fresh!

Next, we have the crumbled feta. The tang balances the sweetness of the berries so beautifully, you won’t believe it until you try it. They’re a match made in flavor heaven.

And the crunchy roasted pecans? The texture they add is out of this world, and the sweet, nutty flavor is irresistible. There’s a reason everybody loves a good peanut butter and jelly sandwich: nuts and berries complement each other so well!

Finally, we have our wonderful basil balsamic vinaigrette. This dressing takes about 5 minutes to whip up, and it’s worth every second of effort! Earthy basil, bold balsamic vinegar, and a touch of sweetness from the honey makes this vinaigrette absolutely sing.

Variations For Your Summer Berry Salad Recipe

Want to make this a more hearty meal? Adding grilled salmon or chicken gives you a super satisfying bowl and pairs so well with the flavor profiles of the salad. 

Have some other berries or fruits you want to try? I’m very partial to berries, so raspberries or blackberries are usually my go-to, but don’t be afraid to try peaches, apricots, or any other fruits you like!

You can always swap out the feta for something like goat cheese that’s creamy and crumbly. I do recommend sticking to a cheese with a little tang to balance the sweetness of the berries.

Don’t have pecans on hand? Roasted walnuts, sliced almonds, or even pistachios would still give you that amazing crunch!

Finally, while I highly recommend topping off this salad with my basil balsamic vinaigrette, you’re always welcome to finish your salad with the balsamic vinaigrette you already have. But pinky promise me you’ll give the homemade basil version a try at least once — you’ll thank me!

What to Serve with Berry Summer Salad

• Blood Orange Mocktail — Bright, spicy flavor with a hint of lime and fresh basil is perfect for sipping alongside your berry salad.
• My OG Grilled Chicken — Want to add a little protein to your bowl? Try this fool-proof method for grilling chicken!
• Peach Chicken Salad — You can never have too many dishes that put summer fruit to good use!
• Stuffed Squash Blossoms — These edible summer flowers are filled with ricotta, boursin, herbs, and lemon zest and fried to golden perfection. 

Can You Store Mixed Berry Salad?

Salads are best served right away. Otherwise, the dressing can cause the greens to get soggy and the berries can lose some of their freshness.

For easy prep, you can always store the greens, feta, and roasted pecans in a container. Once you’re ready to enjoy, just add the berries and dressing! 

Other delicious salad recipes

• Chicken Cobb Salad
• Grilled Steak Ceaser Salad
• Panzanella Salad
• Spring Pasta Salad

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