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Make this 7 ingredient easy summer salad recipe for fun lunches or simple suppers. Tosses together in just minutes, and is full of texture and flavor!

Summer.
When my kids were young, it had a different feeling than it does now. When they were really little, our days were filled with trips to the pool, long naps, and evening bike rides. As they got older, we spent the days traveling to sports camps, practices, and summer jobs. Always busy, but the actual elements of summer changed as my family grew.
There were three constant elements though, and even though my kids are grown and gone, these elements still remain. Family, fun, and food. Summer is the time to kick back a bit, eat a little lighter, and limit your time in the kitchen. This 7 ingredient easy summer salad recipe helps with all of those things. It was inspired by a beach lunch we enjoyed on a Florida vacation we took a few years ago. It’s easy, quick, and the ingredients just go together so well.

Summer Salad Recipe Substitutions
As with any salad recipe, the ingredients and amounts can be adapted to fit your needs.
- When serving this summer salad recipe as a side dish, the ingredient amounts listed in the recipe card will feed 4 people. By adding your favorite protein, it can be served as a main course, and will feed 2 people.
- Using bagged shredded lettuce is convenient and quick, but any kind of lettuce can be used. Romaine or iceberg lettuce would be good substitutions.
The Mandarin Oranges
- Canned mandarin oranges are delicious, but naval orange slices, or clementine orange slices would be equally as good. The individual cups of mandarin oranges are convenient, and they allow you to use only what is needed, instead of opening a big can.
- The key ingredient in this summer salad recipe is the mandarin oranges…so I never skip them. However, the other ingredients can be adapted to fit your family’s tastes. We also love the red onion, but I realize many people don’t share that love! Sweet onion can be substituted, or it can simply be left out.
The Almonds
- The almonds can be added right out of the bag…or you can lightly roast them on your stovetop. Just add 1/3 cup of almonds to a small skillet. (No oil is needed.) Use medium heat, and watch them closely. Shake the skillet often, so the almonds are evenly roasted. The almonds take about 3 to 4 minutes to roast, and are done when they are fragrant and slightly browned.

7 Ingredient Summer Salad Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cups shredded lettuce (or finely chopped romaine)
- 15 grape tomatoes (cut in half)
- 1/2 cup feta cheese
- 1/2 cup Craisins
- 1/3 cup sliced almonds
- Red onion finely chopped (as much or as little as you want)
- 1 cup mandarin oranges (drained)
- dressing of your choice
Instructions
- Mix first 7 ingredients together in a large bowl.
- Add salt and pepper if desired.
- Top with your favorite dressing and serve.
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
If you make this summer salad recipe, and love it, I would be very grateful if you came back and left a 5-star review. It would help me so much!
Summer Salad Tools:
- large pyrex bowl
- salad server utensils
- blue plaid towel
- cutting board
- chef’s knife
- my favorite flatware
Thanks for stopping by…

Perfect recipe! Thank you!
This would be great with a fruity sweet dressing. Anyone have a simple dressing recipe?
Five stars in my book. Thank you, Ann, for a delicious and easy summer mealtime winner. A simple meal like this one leaves us more time to enjoy the season. Cheers!
Thank you for sharing Ann! I was trying to think of a refreshing salad to make tonight, this hits the spot.
Yum!
Sounds delicious. What dressing is your favorite for this salad ?
Hi Lynn…our favorite is a simple lemon juice & olive oil dressing. I’ve also used bottled poppy seed and it’s very good too. Enjoy!
Thanks !
Fixing tonight! Perfect for this hot and humid summer day!
Love it!
Thanks for sharing.
Ann! Yum! Between this and your watermelon with mint and feta cheese salad (I’ve pinned them both), I’ve gotten two new, refreshing summer salads to try! Sounds delicious with some left-over rotisserie chicken, (never know what to do the left-overs) I’d serve that for a luncheon with a few friends.
Such a pretty summer salad, Ann. Almost too pretty to eat but since I like all of the ingredients I could do it easily! Have a blessed week. hugs, Mary Beth
What a pretty, summery salad! Anything with feta cheese sounds good to me! :)
I try to eat a salad once a day. Thanks for the recipe!
Sounds delicious! Pinning!
Looks tasty!
Looks delicious and pretty! I’m going to have to try this one!
You had me at feta. Yum!
Pinning and sharing on FB> Can’t wait to make this.
I love salad – I’m one of those people that eat a salad at least once a day. Right now we have so much lettuce in the garden, I’ve been eating it twice a day! And nibbling on fresh lettuce for snacks. It is the best summer lunch! – Dori –
This sounds great. Any recommendations for dressing? Thinking maybe some sort of vinaigrette would go best?
Hi Diane…yes, a vinaigrette is delicious. I have also used bottled poppy seed dressing and it’s very good too. Enjoy!
Love the 7 ingredient salad. I’ll be doing it this weekend for dinner. It’s starting to get rather hot here in North Carolina. Can always count on you for something tasty and easy to prepare.
Oh this sounds delicious. I love a cool summer salad. The mandarin oranges are a great addition.
Ann, this salad looks delicious! I love mandarin oranges in a salad, especially if there are also almonds. You have both of those! And Craisins? Yes, please! It’s a great idea to use the individual cups of mandarin oranges–no waste. My son is living in East Asia this year. I got to visit him this spring, and many street vendors were selling fresh mandarin oranges. They were so pretty with the stems and leaves still attached!
Interesting combination of salad ingredients…..will have to give it a try. Thanks
Yummy Ann! Salads are my favorite lunch! Yours looks delicious and easy…. and we know that bloggers are ALWAYS busy so easy is good!
Ann, this looks so delicious! I love mandarin oranges in salads, but I’ve never put Craisins with them. I will definitely make this soon! Pinning and sharing! :)
Yummy and easy!
It looks wonderful! I’m always on the look out for different salad recipes, and this is definitely one I want to try. Thanks for sharing!
Looks totally yummy. In fact I could have it for breakfast right now. Do you deliver? :-)
Ha Kathy I would if I could! Thanks for stopping by!
Sorry about the misspelled words…trip & says
Looks so refreshing – and waistline friendly! Can’t wait to try it out!
:) Linda
This sounds absolutely delicious! My friend and I went to Sam’s last night and purchased Craisins and now you post a recipe that uses them. Lucky me, I’m all set to make this recipe.
That salad sounds so good . I will be having that for lunch today since I have all the ingredients that it calls for in my kitchen now. Love all your easy delicious recipes.
Jack would go crazy for this salad. You never have seen a kid love salad as much as he. Now throw in those craisins, WOW!
Sounds yummy! Can’t wait to try this! Thanks for the recipe Ann!
Xo,
Charlotte T
Yum, yum and yum. This looks and sounds sooo delicious, Ann! I’ve been eating lots of salads lately and I definitely be giving this one a try.
after a week in my bathing suit at the beach, i need this salad…everyday for 7 days.
Perfect on the go salad and no cooking required, even better. Pinning!
Ann, I’m adding this salad’s ingredients to my grocery list. My daughter loves mandarin oranges in her salads and I’ll share the recipe. Enjoy your weekend.