There’s a lot to love about a healthy salad recipe that takes less than 10 minutes to prepare, tastes great and offers a range of nutrients. That’s why this Blueberry Almond Salad is a winner!
Whether you’re hosting an event, meal prepping your lunch for the week or crave something light during the dog days of summer, this sweet and savory salad is packed with a plethora of health benefits and full of flavor. Our take? There’s no reason not to add this salad to the menu.
Here are some things I think you’ll appreciate about this low-calorie salad recipe:
- No cooking required.
- Comes together in 10 minutes or less.
- Ripe blueberries are bursting with flavor.
- Quick and easy meal prep recipe.
- Nutrient-dense and full of heart-healthy fiber.
What’s more, this easy salad recipe is versatile and pairs well with just about any protein you can think of. I love to bulk up my salads with plant-based proteins like white beans or shelled edamame, while my husband is a big fan of adding salmon or grilled chicken.
Blueberry Almond Salad Recipe Ingredients
This plant-based salad is simple – and isn’t that how eating healthy should be? Ripe blueberries are sweet at their peak and a rich source of antioxidants while almonds boast healthy fats and fiber.
Consider the many health benefits of leafy greens and fresh herbs and you’ll understand how this salad provides our bodies with plant-forward fuel to help get us through the day. Here’s what you’ll need to make this gluten-free berry salad recipe.
- Mixed greens – Feel free to use a spring mix salad, seasonal chard, kale or baby spinach.
- Fresh herbs of your choice – Dill, Italian parsley and basil pair well with this salad.
- Fresh blueberries – Hello, berry season! Fresh is best in this recipe.
- Sliced almonds – Whole almonds or walnuts also work well here.
- Crumbled goat cheese (optional) – If you choose to add the goat cheese, herbed or honeyed varieties are absolutely delicious in this vegetarian salad recipe.
Recipe FAQs
Is this a gluten-free recipe?
Yes, this recipe leans on plant-forward whole foods that are naturally gluten free.
Can I make this a vegan salad?
Absolutely! This Blueberry Almond Salad is easily modified to make a whole foods, plant-based vegan salad recipe. Simply eliminate the crumbled goat cheese (feel free to use a vegan alternative).
What proteins pair well with this salad recipe?
Almost any protein would work well in this healthy salad recipe. My personal preferences include plant-based proteins like cannellini beans or edamame. You could also try great northern beans or chickpeas. The flavor profile of this salad also lends itself to grilled chicken, salmon, scallops or the white fish of your choice.
Is this a low-sodium recipe?
This recipe is naturally low in sodium with no added salt. Goat cheese does contain salt and most vegetables have trace amounts of sodium but, again, we have intentionally made this recipe without added salt.
Can I make this salad in advance?
Delicate salads are always best made fresh in terms of appearance, but you won’t compromise on quality or taste if you prepare the salad in advance. Store it in an airtight container until you’re ready to serve it. Add the crumbled goat cheese when you’re ready to serve this salad.
What kind of salad dressing should I use?
There are many options! I love a raspberry-walnut vinaigrette. This Blueberry Almond Salad is also tasty with a splash of balsamic vinegar and extra-virgin olive oil or a creamy balsamic dressing. It’s a fruit-forward salad, so sweeter dressings are delightful.
Blueberry Almond Salad
Spring lettuce mixed with fresh herbs, topped with ripe blueberries, sliced almonds and goat cheese crumbles – this Blueberry Almond Salad brings big flavor with very little effort. It’s a plant-forward salad recipe that’s vegetarian (easily modified for a vegan salad), based on whole foods and is naturally gluten free and low in sodium.
- Total Time: 10 mins.
- Yield: 2 1x
Ingredients
- 5 ounces mixed greens
- 1/4 cup loosely packed herbs, chopped
- 1 cup blueberries
- 1/4 cup sliced almonds
- 1/4 cup crumbled goat cheese (optional)
Instructions
- Divide the ingredients between two bowls, top with 1-2 tablespoons of your favorite vinaigrette, serve and enjoy!
- Prep Time: 10 mins.
- Cook Time: 0 mins.
- Category: Salads
- Method: By hand
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian