Summer salads to celebrate strawberry season

As Wimbledon season is approaching, why not allow the strawberries to take centre stage on your table? Not only in the classic strawberries and cream tradition, but why not consider trying these attention-grabbing savoury summer salads that capture the essence of the season?

The strawberry and courgette summer salad combines the sweetness of strawberries with the crispness of the courgettes, parmesan adds a creaminess, and the thyme and lemon complete the dressing. 

An Asian-inspired summer salad is another family favourite where strawberries mix with avocado, cucumber, and finely chopped spinach. For extra protein, edamame and prawns are added before tossing them in the tangy Asian-style dressing. Both salads are perfect for al fresco dining, offering a light, satisfying, and nutritious meal that celebrates the vibrant flavours of summer.

Courgette and strawberry summer salad

This simple salad is a celebration of British summer flavours, combining the crisp courgettes with the sweet strawberries. This is mixed with the smooth creaminess of butter beans dressed with thyme flowers from the garden and a tangy lemon dressing. This dish is light, refreshing, and perfect for warm-weather dining.

Ingredients:

Serves 4

• 400g courgettes, thinly sliced with a potato peeler or spiralised.
• 200g fresh strawberries, sliced.
• 100g butter beans, cooked and drained.
• 50g parmesan cheese, shaved using a potato peeler for a rustic aesthetic.
• 1 lemon, juiced.
• 30ml extra virgin olive oil.
• 10g fresh thyme flowers or leaves.
• Salt and black pepper to taste.

Method:

• Prepare vegetables and fruit by thinly slicing courgettes into ribbons or spiralising them. Combine these with sliced strawberries in a large bowl. Stir in cooked and drained butter beans.
• Drizzle the vegetables and fruit with freshly squeezed lemon juice and extra virgin olive oil. Toss gently to coat evenly.
• Sprinkle thyme flowers over the salad and top with large shavings of parmesan cheese.
• Season with salt and black pepper.
• Allow the salad to sit for 10–15 minutes in a cool place before serving.

Asian-inspired summer salad

This Asian-inspired salad is a perfect summer dish with its sweet, creamy, crunchy, and savoury elements. The strawberries add a natural sweetness that pairs beautifully with avocado, edamame, prawns, and the tangy soy and ginger dressing.

Ingredients:

Serves 4

• 200g spinach leaves, baby or large leaf, chopped finely.
• 200g shredded cabbage
• 200g strawberries, quartered.
• 1 large avocado (about 200g), diced.
• 1 cucumber (about 300g), thinly sliced at an angle with the seeds removed by using a teaspoon.
• 150g shelled edamame beans, cooked and cooled.
• 300g cooked prawns, peeled and halved.
• 50g sesame seeds, toasted.

For the Asian-style dressing:

• 60ml rice vinegar.
• 30ml soy sauce.
• 15ml sesame oil.
• 15ml honey.
• 1 tbsp grated fresh ginger.
• 1 clove garlic, minced.

Method:

• In a large bowl, combine the shredded cabbage and spinach leaves as the base of your salad. Add the quartered strawberries. Stir in the diced avocado, sliced cucumber, cooked edamame beans, and prawns.
• Whisk together rice vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil, honey, grated ginger, and minced garlic to create a tangy-sweet Asian-style dressing. Drizzle the dressing over the salad just before serving and toss gently to coat all ingredients evenly.
• Sprinkle toasted sesame seeds on top for added crunch and nutty flavour.

The healthy bit

Strawberries are full of vitamin C, and support immune function and skin health. They are rich in antioxidants like anthocyanins and ellagic acid, and help protect the body from free radical damage. They're low in calories and high in fibre. What's more, their high water and fibre content make them excellent for hydration and digestive health.

Courgettes are low in calories and high in antioxidants. They are an excellent source of vitamin C and beta-carotene and contribute to healthy digestion due to their high water and fibre content. Courgettes also contain potassium, which helps maintain healthy blood pressure levels.

Butter beans provide plant-based protein and fibre; they aid digestion and promote satiety. 

Thyme contains oils with antimicrobial properties and is a good source of vitamins A and C, supporting overall health and immunity.

Lemon juice is high in vitamin C and boosts the immune system whilst also enhancing the absorption of iron from plant-based sources.

Extra virgin olive oil is a healthy monounsaturated fat, it may help reduce inflammation and support heart health.

Parmesan cheese is a good source of calcium and protein, supporting bone health and muscle function.

Spinach and cabbage: Both are low-calorie, nutrient-dense vegetables high in vitamins A, C, and K, as well as folate and iron. They provide fibre for digestive health and antioxidants for overall well-being.

Avocado is rich in healthy monounsaturated fats, supporting heart health and aiding the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins.

Cucumbers have a high water content, for hydrating and improving skin health.

Edamame are young soybeans that are a complete protein source and provide fibre, vitamins, and minerals.

Prawns are low in calories and high in protein, and also provide omega-3 fatty acids, which are beneficial for heart and brain health.

Sesame seeds are a good source of healthy fats, protein, and minerals like calcium and zinc. They also support bone health and immune function.

The Asian-style dressing, with ingredients like ginger and garlic, adds not only flavour but also potential anti-inflammatory and immune-boosting properties to the salad.

Both recipes use strawberries as a versatile summer ingredient that brings a sweetness to fresh seasonal salads, along with significant nutritional benefits like heart health support, antioxidant protection, and anti-inflammatory effects. Infrequently seen as savoury, they are a perfect addition for attention-grabbing summer dining!

This article was published in Happiful Magazine (Issue 82). You can order print copies online, or read the e-magazine for free on the Happiful app. 

Looking for more inspiration? Visit our Recipe hub.