When it comes to summer, there’s plenty for us to eat. From delicious grilled meat to freshly picked fruit and homegrown veggies, the healthy things we’re able to come up with never seem to end. Summertime is a busy time for most of us, though. From work and social commitments to getting the kids to wherever they need to go, time for meal prepping can be hard to come by!
So, what happens when we’re simply too busy to come up with a whole meal? And what about those days when it just feels like it’s too hot to turn on the stove or oven?
Simple. Make a salad!
Now, if you’re gluten-free, this can sometimes feel like a daunting task because the idea of reading more ingredient labels always comes to mind. Guess what? With a salad, you won’t have to read many labels at all, and if it’s the dressing you’re worried about, you can make your own most of the time.
It’s hard to pass on a salad when there’s little time for anything else, so here are some great-tasting (and crazy delicious!) gluten-free salad recipes for those days when you’re in need of something easy and quick.
1.)Â Quinoa Salad with Asparagus, Goat Cheese and Black Olives:
Known as the “supergrain of the future,” quinoa is one of the most protein-rich foods we can eat! It contains fiber, magnesium, and lysine–all essential vitamins and nutrients for proper body function. Total Prep Time: 55 minutes
2.)Â Apple Pecan Detox Salad:
This salad is perfect, not only because it’s quick and absolutely delicious, but because it helps detox your body, too! Plus, you get all of the added health benefits from apples and pecans. Yum! Total Prep Time: 5 minutes
3.)Â Potato, Tomato, Corn and Basil Salad:
Potatoes are nutrient powerhouses! Packed with vitamins B6, C, and K, as well as magnesium, fiber, potassium, and protein, this salad will keep you going all day long. Light, delicious, and perfect as a “snack salad” or for a full meal, you’ll love how simple it is! Total Prep Time: 35 minutes
4.)Â Crunchy Avocado Salad:
Avocados are versatile and go great in everything–especially salads! They’ll promote a healthier heart, lower cholesterol levels, and even have anti-inflammatory properties, plus, they taste great! This salad has a little spice, but it’s chock full of foods that are great for you and your family. Total Prep Time: 15 minutes
5.)Â Coconut Chicken Salad:
Coconut boost immunity and is rich in antioxidants. Coat chicken with it and serve it over a salad, and you’ve got one of the best tasting salad recipes around! (It’s one of my favorites!) Total Prep Time: 35 minutes
6.)Â Radiance Fruit Salad:
If you’re a big fan of fresh fruit, this one’s a true winner! Bursting with flavor and delivering vitamins A, C, and K, plus potassium, manganese, folate, and fiber, this fruit salad is a quick and tasty cool treat for everyone! Total Prep Time: 20 minutes
7.)Â Buckwheat Noodle Salad:
Also called “soba noodles,” buckwheat noodles help regulate blood pressure and cholesterol, and are an amazingly delicious source of protein! Mix in those healthy vegetables, plus cilantro and ginger, you’ve got an easy-to-make noodle salad the whole family will love. Total Prep Time: 25 minutes
8.)Â Chicken Salad:
This recipe has tons of flavor, not to mention tons of health benefits. Vegetables, red wine, vinegar, and juicy chicken make this salad a sure winner wherever you take it! Total Prep Time: 45 minutes
9.)Â Arugula and Strawberry Salad:
Why arugula? Because it has 8 times the calcium and 5 times the vitamin (A, C, and K) content of regular lettuce! And those strawberries? They’re healthy powerhouses! Strawberries are low-calorie, high-fiber fruits that can help boost your short-term memory, as well as enhance your bone and eye health. Total Prep Time: 10 minutes
10.)Chicken Taco Salad:
If you’re a fan of taco salads, you’ll definitely love this one! Packed with greens (including avocados!) and other vegetables, plus the added chicken protein, this taco salad is a delicious winner. Total Prep Time: 40 minutes
Do you have any favorite summer salad recipes that are gluten-free? We’d love to hear about them! Leave a comment below and let us know what you’re eating this summer.
Thanks go out to The Food Network, Cassidy’s Craveable Creations, Live Free, Gluten Free, and Gluten Free Shortcuts for the recipes and photos.
