Hot Girl Summer Salad
Listen, this isn’t just another salad. This is the TikTok viral sensation that’s been blowing up everyone’s feed – and for good reason. It’s the kind of salad that makes you actually want to eat a salad, which is saying something.
The beauty of this salad is its simplicity. No fancy culinary techniques, no obscure ingredients you’ll use once and forget about. Just fresh, crunchy vegetables, a zesty dressing, and enough flavor to make you forget you’re eating something healthy.
Seriously, this salad is like the cool girl of lunch – effortless, confident, and impossible to ignore. It comes together in about 15 minutes and feeds a crowd, which means minimal prep and maximum enjoyment.
What You’ll Need
- 4 hard boiled eggs, peeled and chopped
- 2 cucumbers, peeled & diced
- 2 green bell peppers, diced
- ½ red onion, finely diced
- ½ cup sliced pepperoncini peppers
- ¼ cup roasted sunflower kernels
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Dressing Ingredients
- ¾ cup extra virgin olive oil
- ¼ cup red wine vinegar
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup or honey
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
Steps
- Combine all dressing ingredients in a small bowl or jar and stir to mix thoroughly.
- Add all salad ingredients to a large bowl.
- Drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss to coat. Start with half the dressing and add more as desired.
Substitutions That Actually Work
- No sunflower kernels? Try toasted almonds or pumpkin seeds
- Swap bell peppers for whatever crisp veggies you have
- Use agave instead of maple syrup for the dressing
Making It Diabetes-Friendly
- Reduce maple syrup/honey
- Use a sugar substitute
- Increase protein with extra eggs or grilled chicken
Tips & Storage
- Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4-5 days
- Keep dressing separate if meal prepping
- Best served chilled
