Fresh Stories Detail

A great salad is so much more than lettuce and tomato tossed together at the last minute. The best salads are fresh, balanced, colourful and full of interesting flavours and textures. Whether you love a crisp vegetable base or prefer a fruit-forward summer bowl, building a standout salad is easy once you know the basics — and summer is the perfect time to get creative.

START WITH FRESH, SEASONAL PRODUCE

Freshness is everything. Seasonal produce delivers the best flavour, texture and nutritional value — and it means your salad feels vibrant and exciting.

Here are two great base directions to start with:

VEGETABLE-BASED IDEAS:

• Baby spinach, kale, rocket, watercress, mix leaves or fresh herbs
• Cherry tomatoes, broccoli, beans, cucumbers and capsicum
• Shaved fennel, red onion, beetroot or radish for brightness
• Avocado or roasted pumpkin for creaminess and depth

FRUIT-BASED IDEAS:

• Mango, melon, pineapple or grapes for tropical sweetness
• Pear, apple or fresh figs for crunch and elegance
• Stone fruit like peaches, nectarines or apricots for seasonal richness
• Lychees, berries or citrus segments for juicy bursts of flavour

ADD TEXTURE — IT MAKES EVERY BITE BETTER

Texture turns a simple salad into something memorable. Consider adding a mix of crunchy, chewy, and creamy elements to complement your base.

TRY INCLUDING:

Nuts: almonds, macadamias, pistachios or walnuts

Seeds: pepitas, sesame, chia or sunflower

Crispy elements: toasted tortillas, croutons or fried shallots

Creamy elements: feta, buffalo mozzarella, ricotta or yoghurt

LAYER IN PROTEIN

Protein makes your salad satisfying enough to enjoy as a meal — and adds flavour and substance. Some great options include:

• Grilled chicken, prawns, salmon or tofu
• Hard-boiled eggs
• Prosciutto, chorizo or smoked trout
• Tinned tuna or chickpeas for a quick pantry fix

DRESS IT WELL — YOUR SALAD’S FINAL SIGNATURE

A good dressing ties everything together. It adds flavour, moisture and balance — mainly when your ingredients include both sweet and savoury notes.

Here are six dressing ideas to keep things interesting:

Classic Lemon Vinaigrette – lemon juice, olive oil, Dijon mustard, salt and pepper

Honey Mustard Dressing – honey, Dijon, apple cider vinegar and olive oil

Balsamic Fig Vinaigrette – balsamic vinegar, olive oil, crushed fresh figs and pepper

Tahini-Yoghurt Dressing – yoghurt, tahini, lemon juice and garlic

Asian Sesame Dressing – soy sauce, sesame oil, rice vinegar and ginger

Coconut Lime Dressing – lime juice, coconut milk and a touch of chilli

SALAD INSPIRATION TO TRY

• Summer Peach Caprese: ripe peaches, cherry tomatoes, basil, buffalo mozzarella, toasted almonds and balsamic glaze.
• Green Goddess Bowl: spinach, cucumber, avocado, edamame, pepitas and grilled chicken with a herby dressing.
• Tropical Lychee & Prawn Salad: lychees, coriander, cucumber, red onion, peanuts and grilled prawns with a sesame-lime dressing.
• Roast Pumpkin & Pear Salad: roasted pumpkin, sliced pear, kale, feta and walnuts with honey mustard dressing.

CREATE YOUR BEST SALAD YET

Building a great salad is all about balance — fresh ingredients, thoughtful textures, satisfying protein and a dressing that brings everything together.

Whether you’re entertaining, packing lunch or simply craving something fresh and delicious, the options are endless.

Find fresh, seasonal produce in-store at Fruitezy Pyrmont, or shop online and have summer salads delivered straight to your kitchen.