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30 Minutes or Less

Watermelon Salad with Feta, Mint, and Lime

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overhead image of watermelon salad in a bowl.

Fresh and delicious watermelon salad! This easy summer side dish is finished off with a tangy 3-ingredient lime dressing. Make this watermelon salad with feta, mint, and lime for your next summer party or barbecue!

close-up image of watermelon salad with mint, feta, and lime

What You’ll Need to Make Watermelon Salad

Watermelon – Fresh watermelon is in peak season from May through September, so get your watermelon fix in while you can! Need help with how to cut a watermelon? Follow my step-by-step how to cut a watermelon post here. Or, save some time and buy pre-cut watermelon from the store.

Cucumber – Half an English cucumber adds to the freshness of this delicious summer salad. Dice or slice your cucumber however you’d like for this recipe.

Red Onion – Thinly sliced red onion adds a nice, tangy bite to this sweet and savory salad. However, if you’re not a fan of raw onion, you can totally leave this out.

Feta – Add as much or as little crumbled feta to your salad as you’d like! Feta is deliciously creamy and salty, and tastes incredible in this watermelon salad recipe.

Mint – Fresh mint takes this salad over the top! Not sure mint in a salad will taste good? Just give it a try, trust me.

Lime Juice – The acidity in fresh lime juice brings out the freshness of all ingredients in this dish. A 3-ingredient lime dressing may sound simple, but it does a lot for this salad!

lime dressing being poured over watermelon salad.

Tips and Tricks

  • Feel free to prep this salad ahead of time! Make the salad, then whisk together the dressing, and store them separately. When ready to serve, pour lime dressing over the salad and enjoy.
  • Have fun with this watermelon salad, and customize it however you’d like. Add or remove any ingredients you prefer. I’ll sometimes add a small handful of chopped pistachios to this salad, and it’s delicious!

Adjust This Recipe to Your Dietary Needs

Make it Dairy-Free/Vegan: Either leave out the feta, or use your favorite vegan feta (I recommend VioLife Vegan Feta) for a vegan watermelon salad!

Watermelon Salad with Feta, Mint, and Lime
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Watermelon Salad with Feta, Mint, and Lime

5 from 1 vote
Recipe by Samantha Course: SidesDifficulty: Easy
Servings

3

servings
Prep time

10

minutes
Cooking time

0

minutes
Total time

10

minutes

Fresh and delicious watermelon salad! This easy summer side dish is finished off with a tangy 3-ingredient lime dressing. Make this watermelon salad with feta, mint, and lime for your next summer party or barbecue!

Ingredients

  • 3 cups watermelon, cubed

  • 1/2 English cucumber, diced

  • 1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced

  • 1 cup feta, crumbled

  • 1/2 cup fresh mint, roughly chopped

  • For the lime dressing:

  • 1/4 cup olive oil

  • 2 tablespoons lime juice

  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

Directions

  • Add all salad ingredients to a large bowl and gently toss to combine.
  • In a separate small bowl, whisk together all dressing ingredients.
  • Dress this watermelon salad right before serving.

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30 Minutes or Less

Jennifer Aniston Salad

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close-up image of jennifer aniston salad in a serving bowl

The viral Jennifer Aniston salad is super easy to make! Loaded with fresh ingredients – cucumber, red onion, parsley, mint, and feta – all tossed in simple lemon dressing. It’s not just healthy, but totally delicious too!

overhead image of Jennifer Aniston salad with pistachios and dressing on the side.

Jennifer Aniston recently described her perfect salad as, “bulgur wheat, cucumbers, parsley, mint, red onion, garbanzo beans, feta cheese, and pistachios.” And OMG the internet went CRAZY for it! Recipes similar to the salad the Friends actress described quickly popped up all over TikTok. The Jennifer Aniston salad went viral. So, as a foodie and fellow salad-lover, I had to give it a try for myself.

My version of the salad contains everything Jennifer described – bulgur wheat, cucumbers, parsley, mint, red onion, garbanzo beans, feta cheese, and pistachios – my only addition is a simple lemon, olive oil, salt, and black pepper dressing. Since Jen didn’t offer up a dressing herself, this is what I envisioned a salad like this being tossed in. And let me tell you, it TOTALLY lived up to the hype!

Dressing being poured over the Jennifer Aniston salad.

What You’ll Need to Make the Jennifer Aniston Salad

Bulgur Wheat or Quinoa – In keeping this super authentic to Jen’s recipe, I used bulgur wheat in my salad. However, bulgur wheat can be hard to come by, so I also offer up the option to use quinoa instead. Both are hearty, protein-rich, super nutritious grains. Never had bulgur wheat? It’s most similar to farro or barley, but smaller grain. Bulgur wheat has a nice nutty flavor, and will keep you full without feeling weighed down.

Garbanzo Beans/Chickpeas – What’s the difference between garbanzo beans and chickpeas? Literally nothing! They’re two names for the exact same thing. Jennifer Aniston called them “garbanzo beans,” but I call them “chickpeas,” so that’s what we’re sticking with. Chickpeas are an excellent source of protein, especially in this salad recipe!

Feta Cheese – Greek brined white cheese, made from sheep’s milk. Feta adds the perfect salty bite to this salad! And because it’s made with sheep’s milk, it has a lower lactose content. Meaning, those whoe are lactose intolerant (aka ME!), may have an easier time tolerating feta cheese. I, personally, can enjoy it in small amounts without any issue. However, if you can’t tolerate feta, or simply need a dairy-free option, check out my “make it vegan” section below!

Parsley and Mint – Don’t skimp on the fresh herbs! Fresh parsley and mint are my favorite parts of this salad. They add a super fresh and vibrant component to this recipe. Therefore, don’t leave ’em out!

close-up overhead image of Jennifer Aniston salad.

Adjust This Recipe to Your Dietary Needs

Make it Gluten-Free: Yes, bulgur wheat contains gluten. Therefore, opt for quinoa instead of bulgur wheat to make this Jennifer Aniston salad entirely gluten-free.

Make it Vegan/Dairy-Free: For a vegan/dairy-free salad, either leave out the feta cheese, or replace it with your favorite vegan feta. I love the Violife Vegan Feta, it tastes and crumbles just like the real thing!

Jennifer Aniston Salad
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Jennifer Aniston Salad

4 from 14 votes
Recipe by Samantha Course: MainDifficulty: Easy
Servings

4

servings
Prep time

10

minutes
Cooking time

15

minutes
Total time

25

minutes

    The viral Jennifer Aniston salad is super easy to make! Loaded with fresh ingredients – cucumber, red onion, parsley, mint, and feta – all tossed in simple lemon dressing. It’s not just healthy, but totally delicious too!

    Ingredients

    • For the bulgur wheat/quinoa:

    • 1 cup bulgur wheat or quinoa, dry

    • 2 cups water or vegetable broth

    • For the salad dressing:

    • 1/2 cup olive oil

    • 1/2 cup lemon juice

    • 1/2 teaspoon salt

    • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

    • For the salad:

    • 1 (15 ounce) can chickpeas, drained and rinsed

    • 1 cup English cucumber, chopped

    • 1 cup feta cheese, crumbled

    • 1/2 red onion, diced

    • 1/2 cup roasted salted pistachios, roughly chopped

    • 1/2 cup fresh parsley, chopped

    • 1/4 cup fresh mint, chopped

    Directions

    • Add either bulgur wheat or quinoa to a small saucepan, along with water or vegetable broth. Bring to a simmer, then cover and cook over low heat for 12-15 minutes. Once bulgur wheat or quinoa has absorbed all liquid, remove from heat and let stand covered for an additional 5 minutes. Then, remove lid and fluff with a fork.
    • While the bulgur wheat or quinoa cooks, make the salad dressing by adding all ingredients to a bowl and whisking to combine.
    • Add cooked bulgur wheat or quinoa to a large bowl, along with the remaining salad ingredients. Pour dressing over salad and toss, then either serve immediately or let chill in the fridge for a few hours before serving.

    Recipe Video

    Notes

    • Leaving the salad to chill for a few hours before eating will increase the flavor!
    • Leftover salad will stay fresh in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. No need to store the dressing separately.

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    30 Minutes or Less

    Citrus Salad with Avocado and Pistachios

    By
    overhead image of citrus salad on a serving platter

    Deliciously bright and zesty citrus salad with avocado and pistachios! Put this season’s best produce to good use in a fresh and healthy salad. Quick and easy to make in just three steps, and under 10 minutes!

    overhead image of citrus salad on a platter with fresh mint on the side

    What You’ll Need To Make Citrus Salad

    Blood Oranges – While they most certainly add flavor, they just as importantly add a stunning deep red color to this side dish. Less tangy and more tart than most other oranges, blood oranges diversify the overall recipe. However, if you can’t find blood oranges or they’re simply not your thing, feel free to replace them with any other type of orange you’d like.

    Cara Cara or Navel Oranges – I know many people rave about cara cara oranges this time of year, and for obvious reasons – they’re freaking delicious! Though for this citrus salad recipe I used navel oranges, due to the simple fact that they were on sale. And let me tell ya, there wasn’t a thing I’d change about how this plant-based dish turned out.

    Avocado – Peak avocado season is January through March, which coincidentally is also peak citrus season. So I figured, since we’re on a seasonal produce kick over here, why not use as much winter produce in this salad as possible?! And that’s exactly what I did. While not necessary, avocado does add in some healthy fats and mild flavor.

    Pistachios – Every salad needs a good crunch, and this citrus salad is no exception! Unsalted pistachios play perfectly with the other textures in this dish.

    Sherry Vinegar – Either sherry vinegar, apple cider vinegar, or lemon juice would taste delicious in this citrus salad dressing. Feel free to use whichever you have on-hand and/or like the most!

    dressing being poured over citrus salad

    Tips and Tricks

    • Avoid serving this citrus salad right away, and instead leave it to sit for at least 10 minutes before eating. This time will allow the flavors to develop and marinate, making for an even more delicious salad!
    • If not gluten-free, serve this citrus salad with a side of toasted crusty bread! Bread is the perfect pairing to this fresh and bright recipe, and ideal for soaking up that orange and grapefruit juice.
    • You can either peel then segment your citrus fruit, or peel then slice it for this dish. For instructions on how to segment and slice oranges, check out this video I posted!
    close-up image of citrus salad with avocado and pistachios

    Adjust This Recipe To Your Dietary Needs

    Make it Nut-Free: Replace the pistachios with either unsalted sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds for a nice, nut-free crunch!

    Make it Vegan: This recipe is already almost completely vegan! The only thing that’s not is the honey in the dressing, so to make it 100% vegan, simply replace the honey with maple syrup.

    Citrus Salad with Avocado and Pistachios

    0 from 0 votes
    Recipe by Samantha Course: Sides, Appetizers, Salads
    Servings

    6

    servings
    Prep time

    10

    minutes
    Total time

    10

    minutes

    Deliciously bright and zesty citrus salad with avocado and pistachios! Put this season’s best produce to good use in a fresh and healthy salad. Quick and easy to make in just three steps, and under 10 minutes!

    Ingredients

    • 2 blood oranges, peeled and sliced

    • 2 cara cara or navel oranges, peeled and sliced

    • 1 pink grapefruit, peeled and sliced

    • 1 avocado, sliced

    • 1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced

    • 1/4 cup pistachios, unsalted

    • For the citrus salad dressing:

    • 3 tablespoons olive oil

    • 1 tablespoon sherry vinegar, see Notes

    • 1 teaspoon honey, or maple syrup

    • squeeze of fresh lime juice

    • salt and black pepper, to taste

    • For serving:

    • fresh mint leaves

    Directions

    • Assemble all salad ingredients on a large platter.
    • Whisk together all dressing ingredients in a small bowl.
    • Drizzle dressing over salad, garnish with fresh mint leaves and serve immediately or let sit for 10-20 minutes to let flavors marinate.

    Notes

    • Sherry Vinegar: You can use apple cider vinegar or lemon juice in place of sherry vinegar.

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    30 Minutes or Less

    Strawberry Spinach Salad

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    overhead image of strawberry spinach salad on a plate with a fork

    This strawberry spinach salad is both light and satisfying! Sweet strawberries, hearty farro, fresh mint, and healthy spinach are tossed together in a simple honey balsamic vinaigrette. Enjoy this strawberry spinach salad as a quick and nutritious lunch or serve it alongside your favorite protein for a well-rounded lunch!

    overhead image of strawberry spinach salad on a plate with a fork

    I am SO here for strawberry season! I’ve challenged myself to eat as many strawberries in as many different ways as possible before this delicious season is over. And as someone who loves a good sweet and savory combo, I will forever be pro-fruit in salads. There’s also just something about a strawberry and balsamic combo that is SO incredibly perfect. Also, as someone who loves and needs more quick and easy salad options in her life – this strawberry spinach salad checks all my boxes!

    What You Need To Make Strawberry Spinach Salad

    Farro – Farro is a grain that’s full of fiber, iron, protein, and magnesium. I know, it’s the total package. If you’ve never had farro before, I highly recommend you give it a try. It tastes like a heartier brown rice. Though it has more than twice the amount of protein as rice! Follow the instructions on the package for how to cook the farro. The method is typically similar to pasta or rice. You’ll boil it in water for about 10-15 minutes, then strain it and let it cool for this recipe.

    Spinach – Spinach is another major superfood in this recipe! Along with protein, iron, vitamins, and minerals – spinach is chock-full of antioxidants. The antioxidants found in spinach have been shown to reduce the risk of common diseases and even cancer. Yup, Popeye was seriously on to something with the whole spinach thing…

    Walnuts – Here we go again with another superfood! Walnuts are also rich in antioxidants, are an incredible source of heart healthy omega-3s and have also been studied and found to reduce the risk of some cancers. Not only are they good for you, but walnuts give this salad a delightful crunch. I’m telling you, this strawberry spinach salad is the most well-rounded salad in both flavor and nutrition!

    Adjust This Recipe To Your Diet

    • Add Protein: Feel free to add a flakey salmon filet or your favorite grilled/roasted chicken to increase the protein in this strawberry spinach salad recipe.
    • Make it Vegan: You can easily make this salad vegan by using maple syrup in place of the honey.
    • Use a Different Grain: Swap the farro for your favorite grain if you’d like! Cooked brown rice, quinoa, or even barley would taste great in this recipe.
    • Add Dairy: Sprinkle some crumbled feta over the top of your strawberry spinach salad.
    Strawberry Spinach Salad
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    Strawberry Spinach Salad

    0 from 0 votes
    Recipe by Samantha Russo Course: MainCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy
    Servings

    4

    servings
    Prep time

    10

    minutes
    Cooking time

    10

    minutes
    Total time

    20

    minutes

    This strawberry spinach salad is both light and satisfying! Sweet strawberries, hearty farro, fresh mint, and healthy spinach are tossed together in a simple honey balsamic vinaigrette. Enjoy this strawberry spinach salad as a quick and nutritious lunch or serve it alongside your favorite protein for a well-rounded lunch!

    Ingredients

    • For the salad:

    • 1 cup farro

    • 1-2 cups fresh strawberries, sliced

    • 3 cups spinach, sliced

    • 1/2 cup walnuts, chopped

    • 1/4 cup fresh mint leaves, sliced

    • 1 tablespoon lemon juice

    • For the honey balsamic dressing:

    • 3 tablespoons olive oil

    • 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

    • 1 tablespoon honey

    • 1 teaspoon dijon mustard

    • 1/2 teaspoon salt

    Directions

    • Cook farro according to package instructions then set aside to cool completely.
    • Toss all salad ingredients together in a bowl, including cooked and cooled farro.
    • Whisk together salad dressing ingredients in a small bowl, then drizzle over salad and toss again to coat.

    Recipe Video

    Notes

    • If you don’t have strawberries, fresh blueberries or sliced apples would taste great in their place!

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    30 Minutes or Less

    Pineapple Mojito (Low-Sugar)

    By
    club soda being poured into a pineapple mojito

    This pineapple mojito is incredibly light and refreshing! This recipe features an easy-to-make pineapple simple syrup that takes this summer cocktail to the next level. Fresh mint leaves, plenty of lime wedges, and a splash of white rum quickly come together to create this effortlessly delicious beverage.

    club soda being poured into a pineapple mojito

    I almost forgot how much I love mojitos. As you guys already know, I’m a big margarita girl. But that doesn’t mean stop me from craving ice cold mojitos in the summer! There’s just something about the literal sparkle in a mojito that makes it one of the most refreshing cocktails of all time. And because I’ve been on a pineapple kick lately (pineapple mimosa, I’m looking at you) I figured, why not add one of my favorite fruits to one of my favorite drinks?

    I attempted making a pineapple mojito by simply muddling fresh pineapple chunks into the bottom of a glass. And while it was good, the pineapple really struggled to shine through. Therefore, I quickly and easily solved that problem by whipping up a homemade pineapple simple syrup. The incredible thing about this pineapple simple syrup is not just that it adds more delicious pineapple flavor, but that it adds extra sweetness without any extra sugar!

    What You Need To Make a Pineapple Mojito

    Fresh Pineapple – Pineapple’s peak season is anywhere between April and July, so enjoy it while it tastes best! Avoid any pineapples that are too green and very hard when gently squeezed. I like to tell if my pineapple is ripe or not by smell. It’s ready for this recipe when it smells like mildly sweet pineapple!

    Mint – The magic ingredient that makes this pineapple mojito irresistibly refreshing. I actually used mojito mint leaves for this recipe, but any fresh mint leaves will work. And if you’re feeling adventurous, mint is a pretty easy plant to grow so I highly recommend you plant some! Your own mint plant = mojitos all day every day.

    White Rum – White rum is traditional for any mojito recipe. I also prefer white rum for its more mild flavor over dark rum. If you’re in a pinch and only have dark rum, you can use it in this recipe. However, be sure to avoid using spiced rum or flavored rum – those simply won’t work.

    Make it a Mocktail

    • Leave out the rum and add a touch more club soda for a refreshing pineapple mojito mocktail!
    Pineapple Mojito
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    Pineapple Mojito

    5 from 1 vote
    Recipe by Samantha Russo Course: DrinksCuisine: CubanDifficulty: Easy
    Servings

    1

    drink
    Total time

    5

    minutes

    This pineapple mojito is incredibly light and refreshing! This recipe features an easy-to-make pineapple simple syrup that takes this summer cocktail to the next level. Fresh mint leaves, plenty of lime wedges, and a splash of white rum quickly come together to create this effortlessly delicious beverage.

    Ingredients

    • For the pineapple simple syrup:

    • 1 cup fresh pineapple

    • 1 cup water

    • 1/4 cup sugar, see Notes

    • For a single pineapple mojito:

    • 8 fresh mint leaves

    • 2 line wedges

    • 2 pineapple chunks

    • 1 1/2 ounces white rum

    • 2 tablespoons pineapple simply syrup (recipe included)

    • club soda, see Notes

    Directions

    • For the pineapple simple syrup:
    • Blend pineapple and water until smooth, then add to a saucepan with the sugar.
    • Simmer for 30 minutes then cool and transfer to the refrigerator to chill for at least 1 hour before using in the recipe below.
    • For the pineapple mojito:
    • Add the fresh mint leaves, lime wedges, and pineapple chunks to the bottom of a glass and muddle to release flavor.
    • Fill cup with ice then add in white rum, pineapple simple syrup, and finish off with club soda. Stir before serving.

    Recipe Video

    Notes

    • Sugar: I used coconut sugar to keep this pineapple mojito refined sugar-free, though white or cane sugar will work as well!
    • Club Soda: I love using a pineapple flavored club soda for this cocktail recipe to boost that delicious pineapple flavor, however plain club soda will taste great too.
    • Pineapple simple syrup will keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to one week.

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