Crispy and colorful, a Peach Valley salad sounds good any time of the year here in Florida — but it’s especially refreshing during the warmer, sun-soaked summer months! This wholesome staple pairs perfectly with hot days and all the activities the summertime brings, from fishing to sightseeing, boating, beachin’ it, and so much more. Below, find Peach Valley Gainesville’s guide to what makes a perfect summertime salad, plus how to enjoy one… at our place or yours!

Color Counts

Every great salad starts with the right ingredients. In addition to being fresh (and locally sourced, whenever possible), they should be colorful! Colorful salads don’t just look pretty, but they also pack a nutritious punch with feel-good ingredients like lycopene (found in tomatoes, watermelon, and other red produce), brain-boosting folate in dark, leafy greens, and more. With fresh mixed greens, mandarin oranges, strawberries, blueberries, and other mix-ins, our classic Summer Salad is a great example of colorful fusion at work!

Opt For A Fun Medley Of Textures, Too

In addition to assembling a vibrant variety of colors, you should also opt for an array of textures for a salad that is as fun to eat as it is to look at! The best way to achieve balance is to complement your ingredients — fats with acids, smooth with crunchy. The fun thing about salads is that you can experiment with new, fresh foods you haven’t tried before without much risk!

Looking to see how Peach Valley Gainesville incorporates texture in our salads? Try our Santa Fe Chicken Salad, which blends together char-grilled Southwest chicken breast, fresh mixed greens, and a smooth, refreshing black bean corn salsa with crispy tortilla strips for a balance of textures you’re sure to love.

The Superhero Salad

One of the reasons we love salads is because they are so versatile. With greens and a few mix-ins, they make for a delicious side to your U Pick 2 meal. Add your choice of protein (char-grilled chicken, char-grilled or blackened salmon, or char-grilled or blackened shrimp) to make it a full, fueling meal! At home, you can even experiment with blending together your DIY salad and dressing to create a zesty salsa or dip.

Treat Your Greens To A Refreshing Ice Bath

Speaking of salads at home…

One of our top tips for a truly refreshing salad is to treat your greens to an ice bath before serving! This helps your produce stay fresh and crispy, instead of wilting before you’re even able to dig in.

For Effortless Meal Prep…

Salad makes the perfect pairing to virtually any protein, which is why we love it as a meal prep go-to! However, if you’re meal-prepping salad at home, you will want to store the dressing separately from the greens so that they’re as crisp as possible when it’s time to dig in.

The Perfect Locale

Nothing pairs with the perfect salad like the perfect place to enjoy it — and here in Gainesville, we’ve no shortage of picturesque spots to choose from! One of our favorite go-to picnic spots is Devil’s Millhopper, where you can enjoy an afternoon of adventure interspersed with plenty of leisure time to chill out with a tasty salad, too.

We hope that these tips and tricks help you enjoy delicious, refreshing salads this summer and all year long! When you’re craving a vibrant dish minus the dishes, Peach Valley Gainesville’s got you covered. Swing by and enjoy your favorite salad soon.