Fresh Summer Salad

This refreshing summer salad brings together the season's best produce with zippy lime, creamy feta, and crunchy pumpkin seeds for a perfect light meal or side dish. The quick-pickled red onions add a tangy bite that balances the sweetness of fresh peaches and juicy tomatoes.

I first created this salad for a backyard gathering when temperatures hit 95 degrees, and it was the first dish to completely disappear. My neighbor actually requested the recipe before leaving and now makes it weekly for her family's Sunday dinners throughout summer.

Ingredients

• Butter lettuce: provides a soft, tender base that doesn't compete with the other ingredients while still providing structure
• Fresh limes: essential for both the dressing and quick-pickled onions, providing bright acidity that wakes up all other flavors
• Red onion: quickly pickled in lime juice to soften the sharpness while adding beautiful color and zing
• Persian cucumbers: offering a refreshing crunch with thin skins that need no peeling
• Cherry tomatoes: look for a multicolored mix for visual appeal and varying levels of sweetness
• Fresh peaches: choose ones that yield slightly to gentle pressure for perfect ripeness
• Feta cheese: adds creamy saltiness that balances the sweet elements beautifully
• Pumpkin seeds: toasted for maximum flavor and providing essential texture contrast
• Fresh cilantro: brightens the entire dish with its distinctive herbaceous notes

Step-by-Step Instructions

Pickle the onions:

Combine thinly sliced red onion with lime juice, zest, sugar and salt in a small bowl. This quick pickling process softens the raw onion bite while infusing it with bright citrus flavor. Allow at least 15 minutes for the onions to soften and turn slightly pink, tossing occasionally to ensure even exposure to the lime juice.

Make the dressing:

Combine fresh lime juice, finely chopped garlic, cilantro, olive oil, sugar, and salt in a jar or small bowl. The garlic and cilantro infuse the oil with flavor, while the sugar helps balance the acidity. Shake or whisk vigorously until fully combined and slightly emulsified. The dressing should appear bright green with tiny flecks of cilantro throughout.

Assemble the salad base:

In a large bowl, combine torn butter lettuce, sliced cucumbers, halved cherry tomatoes, sliced peaches, and crumbled feta. The key is tearing the lettuce rather than cutting it to prevent browning on the edges and creating more natural, rustic pieces that hold dressing well. Arrange ingredients with an eye for color distribution.

Finish and dress:

Top the salad with toasted pumpkin seeds, pickled onions, reserved lime zest, and fresh cilantro leaves. The seeds add essential crunch, while the onions provide vibrant color and tang. Season with salt and pepper, then drizzle half the dressing over the salad and gently toss. Add remaining dressing just before serving for maximum freshness.

Save

The pickled red onions completely transform this salad. I discovered their magic by accident when trying to mellow the sharpness of raw onion and now make extra batches to keep in my refrigerator for everything from tacos to grain bowls. Their bright pink color and tangy flavor make this salad truly special.

Perfect Peach Selection

Choosing the right peaches makes all the difference in this summer salad. Look for fruits that yield slightly to gentle pressure but aren't soft or mushy. The skin should have a matte finish rather than a shiny appearance, indicating it was picked at peak ripeness. I prefer yellow peaches for their perfect balance of sweetness and acidity, but white peaches work beautifully too if you prefer a more delicate, floral sweetness. Always let peaches ripen at room temperature rather than in the refrigerator for the best flavor development.

Make Ahead Strategies

This salad shines brightest when freshly assembled, but several components can be prepped ahead to streamline the process. The lime dressing will keep for up to three days in the refrigerator, and the pickled onions actually improve with time, developing more complex flavor after 24 hours. Wash and dry the lettuce up to two days ahead, storing it wrapped in clean kitchen towels inside a sealed container. The morning of serving, you can slice the cucumbers and store them in cold water in the refrigerator to maintain crispness. Tomatoes, peaches, and feta should be prepped just before serving for optimal texture and flavor.

Seasonal Variations

While this salad celebrates summer produce, you can adapt it year-round with seasonal substitutions. In spring, try strawberries or raspberries instead of peaches, and add tender pea shoots. Fall versions work beautifully with thinly sliced apples or pears, substituting toasted walnuts for the pumpkin seeds. Winter adaptations might include sectioned citrus fruits and pomegranate seeds for bright pops of color and flavor. The versatile lime dressing complements all these variations, though you might adjust the sugar slightly depending on the sweetness of your fruit.

Save

Recipe FAQs

→ Can I make this salad ahead of time?

For best results, prepare the components separately but assemble just before serving. The dressing and pickled onions can be made up to 3 days in advance and stored in the refrigerator. Bring the dressing to room temperature and rewhisk before using. Wash and dry the lettuce ahead of time, but wait to chop fruits and vegetables until you're ready to serve to maintain freshness and texture.

→ What can I substitute for peaches if they're not in season?

When peaches aren't available, try other stone fruits like nectarines or plums. In winter months, pears or apples make excellent substitutions. For a different twist, mango or strawberries would also complement the other flavors nicely. The key is using ripe, sweet fruit to balance the tangy dressing and salty feta.

→ How can I make this salad more substantial for a main dish?

Transform this into a hearty main by adding protein like grilled chicken, shrimp, or salmon. For vegetarian options, add chickpeas, quinoa, or lentils. You could also include avocado for healthy fats and additional creaminess. Crusty bread on the side makes it a complete meal.

→ Is there a dairy-free alternative to the feta cheese?

For a dairy-free version, substitute the feta with a plant-based feta alternative, which are increasingly available at grocery stores. Alternatively, add extra avocado for creaminess, or use marinated tofu cubes. Nutritional yeast sprinkled on top can provide a savory flavor that complements the other ingredients well.

→ What's the best way to store leftover salad?

If you anticipate leftovers, keep the dressing separate and only dress the portion you'll eat immediately. Store undressed salad components in an airtight container with a paper towel to absorb moisture. The dressed salad will become soggy, but undressed components will stay fresh for 1-2 days. Pickled onions and dressing will keep well refrigerated for up to 3 days.

→ Can I make the dressing creamier?

Yes! As mentioned in the recipe notes, you can blitz the dressing in a blender for a creamier texture. For even more richness, add a tablespoon of Greek yogurt or mayonnaise to the dressing ingredients before blending. This creates a more substantial dressing that still maintains the bright lime-cilantro flavor profile.