This summery salad makes the most of fresh produce with an arugula base, fresh blackberries, blueberries, cucumber, avocado, hazelnuts, feta and a lime mint vinaigrette.
If you haven't tried putting berries in a salad before, you're really missing out. They add pops of texture and just the right amount of sweetness. Blackberries and blueberries pair particularly well with refreshing cucumbers, creamy avocado and zesty arugula.
This is the perfect salad to enjoy all summer long because it's easy to make, packed with summer fruit, and is super refreshing on a hot day.
You can also add a grilled protein (tofu, chicken or shrimp), beans (white beans or chickpeas) or a grain (quinoa, wild rice) for a more filling meal.
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Blackberry, Avocado and Arugula Salad
For the salad:
- Arugula: baby arugula is the perfect choice for this salad.
- Blackberries and Blueberries: use both, or one or the other.
- Cucumber: we used mini cucumbers, which are super crunchy, and thinly sliced them into rounds. You can also make ribbons with a peeler.
- Avocado: the riper, the better! We sliced them in this salad, but you can also dice them to distribute them better.
- Feta: Any kind will work in this recipe! You can also use vegan feta to keep this recipe dairy free.
- Hazelnuts: chopped, toasted or un-toasted.
For the lime mint vinaigrette:
- Olive oil: Extra virgin will have the best flavor.
- Lime juice: be sure to use freshly squeezed.
- Mint: We used fresh, not dried mint in this recipe.
- Salt and pepper: Kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper for seasoniong.
- Sweetener: you can use maple syrup, agave, or honey.
How to make this Blackberry, Avocado and Arugula Salad
It's so easy, you don't even really need instructions, but here they are:
STEP 1: Whisk together all the ingredients for the vinaigrette.
STEP 2: Add all of the ingredients to a bowl, pour vinaigrette over, and toss. Enjoy!
Substitutions and Variations
Arugula: Feel free to substitute with spinach, baby kale, or another leafy green.
Blackberries and blueberries can be swapped with strawberries, raspberries, peaches, nectarines, apricots, or just about any other summer fruit.
Not a fan of hazelnuts? Try swapping with pine nuts, pistachios or pecans.
What to Serve with this Blackberry, Avocado and Arugula Salad:
To turn this blackberry avocado arugula salad into a meal: add a protein and/or grain. Cooked quinoa or wild rice both make fantastic additions.
I also love adding white beans for a bit of extra plant-based protein. I let them marinade in a few tablespoons of the vinaigrette to soak up extra flavor. You could also top with grilled tofu, or chicken, shrimp or steak.
Storage
You can make this salad and the dressing ahead of time, just make sure to keep them separate if you are storing for longer than a day or two, or else the salad will be too soggy.
Once dressed, this salad can be kept in an airtight container but should be eaten the next day.
Tips and FAQ
Top tip
Cutting everything into similarly-sized pieces will make this salad easier to toss, and easier to eat.
Absolutely! Since not everyone is used to eating feta, gorgonzola or tiny mozzarella balls can be substituted in.
More summer salad recipes
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📖 Recipe
Blackberry, Avocado and Arugula Salad
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This summery salad makes the most of fresh produce with an arugula base, fresh blackberries, blueberries, cucumber, avocado, hazelnuts, feta and a lime mint vinaigrette.
Ingredients
- 5 cups arugula
- 1 cup blackberries
- ¾ cup blueberries
- 1 avocado, diced
- 1 ½ cups cucumber, sliced thinly
- ⅓ cup feta cheese
- ⅓ cup toasted hazelnuts
Vinaigrette:
- ⅓ cup olive oil
- 2 tbsp freshly squeezed lime juice
- 1 tbsp maple syrup (or other liquid sweetener)
- 2 tbsp finely chopped fresh mint
- ¾ tsp salt
- Pepper
Instructions
- Whisk together all ingredients for vinaigrette. Taste and adjust seasoning as desired.
- Assemble salad ingredients and toss in vinaigrette. Enjoy fresh.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Salads
- Method: No Cook
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 Bowl
- Calories: 536
- Sugar: 9 g
- Sodium: 576.2 mg
- Fat: 51.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 21.1 g
- Fiber: 7.3 g
- Protein: 2.8 g
Gabriela says
Excellent salad. Added raspberries, toasted the hazelnuts and ate with grilled chicken and cilantro lime rice.
Michelle says
They only publish 5 star reviews.
This recipe is good basic ingredients but the dressing could be way better
I used a shallot vinaigrette and found it had more balanced flavour for this salad
Melissa Johnson says
Hi, I am planning on making this salad this week but I have a question. Is there no vinegar in the vinaigrette? Just don't want to leave out if supposed to be added. Thanks
Brent Harrison says
The lime juice replaces the vinegar!
Kathy says
Why so HIGH in calories & fat? For a simple salad?
Brent Harrison says
It has avocado and nuts in it, which are both high in unsaturated fats that can help support healthy cholesterol levels. But I get it might not be for everyone.
Cortney says
I made this last night for dinner and I have to say, it is easily one of the best salads I've ever had. I added some lemon juice to the arugula along with the dressing, and WOW. Such an unexpected combo of flavors. The mint really makes this salad sing. I will be making this again many more times for myself and friends and family. Thank you!
Lexi says
So glad to hear that, thank you so much!
Richie says
If you want the aesthetic of the pictures, it is best to arrange (rather than toss) the salad on each plate and then drizzle the plates with the dressing. Oh, and use fresh berries (not defrosted frozen ones).
Nina says
I added Artichoke Palm, Oranges and Apple cubes.
Gilded the Lily I know but great Salad.
Lexi says
Sounds like they made a great addition! Thanks so much for your comment!
Annie says
Gorgeous looking salad and delicious!!!
Personally I didn’t care for the maple syrup but everyone loved it.
Sharon says
What do you think of using Gorgonzola if you have no feta?...Would love to make this soon!
Lexi says
Yes, i'm sure that would work!
Debbie says
This salad is wonderful!! So good, My 2 adult kids and I really liked this. Yum!!
Brent Harrison says
Thanks Debbie! We have tons of salad recipes so feel free to try a few!
Sofia says
Fabulous salad, quick, easy, tasty and colourful. Can highly recommend.
Lexi says
Thank you so much, Sofia! We are so glad you enjoyed!
betsy says
So fast and easy! I took it to a cookout and they loved it.
Lexi says
So glad you enjoyed! Thanks so much for your comment!
Jamila says
Great salad, and pretty to look at too! My husband asked me to save the recipe and he's not usually a fan of salads so that says a lot!
Lexi says
That's the best feedback! Thanks so much!
Sheppard says
This salad is amazing! That dressing is one of the best I’ve made - and so simple. I made it for friends and one said it was the best salad she’d ever had in her life. (I switched the hazelnuts for pine nuts and added grilled salmon.) Thank you!
Lexi says
Thank you so much, I'm so glad you enjoyed!
Jeanne Rademacher says
This is a FABULOUS salad
I’ve made it for lots of friends and they love it!!
Stephanie says
I am IN LOVE with this salad! Genius….