In-season Summer Salads, Dips and Marinades

Warm summer days call for refreshing ice-cold beverages and light summer salads. When it comes to a hot day, you don’t want to slave away cooking at the hot stove, you want to be able to stay cool but still enjoy a good meal. It can also be easy to fall into eating the same thing during the summer months, but it can get boring. Not everyone has the time to try something new, but it’s worth the effort! With creativity, you can make delicious summer salads, dips and marinades that will keep your taste buds happy all summer long.

Which Summer Sides are In Season?

If you thought that summer salads are boring and are only meant to be eaten to lose weight, think again! Salads are refreshingly light, healthy, and packed with delicious crunchy vegetables. The best thing about summer side salads is that they are easy and quick to toss together. Say hello to summer in the freshest way possible with these easy and delicious summer side recipes.

Roasted Butternut, Baby Corn and Avo Salad

Your mouth will be watering after taking a bite into this flavourful roasted beetroot, lentil and feta salad recipe. It combines the perfect balance of contrasted flavours from the garlic and rosemary roasted beetroot and creamy feta cheese. The lentils add in a nice dose of protein and complete the meal. This side summer salad recipe is perfect to serve alongside braai meat or to even toss into a wrap.

Crunchy Rainbow Salad with Red Cabbage, Soy, and Edamame Beans

When you eat healthy, nutritious food, you feel good about yourself. This beautiful rainbow-inspired summer salad recipe with bright and colourful veggies will leave you feeling happy and satisfied. An interesting twist to this summer side is the addition of edamame beans. Tossed and baked with Knorr Brown Onion Soup, it’s baked for 10 minutes until crunchy. Brimming with goodness, it’s finished off with a drizzle of Knorr Light Yoghurt & Herb Salad dressing.

Summer Dips and Dressings that Are a Hit this Season

Summer sides and salads aren’t complete without a dip or dressing. Apart from adding flavour and moisture to your salads, did you know that salad dressings can actually help in increasing the absorption of nutrients in your body? You do now! Get the most out of your summer sides by dressing it up with these top five multi-purpose Knorr Salad dressings.

Knorr Light Yoghurt & Herb: your perfect partner for leafy greens and fresh veggies. This versatile dressing can be used as a dip, dressing, or as basting for fish and chicken.

Knorr Light Greek: if you were looking for an all-round, versatile dressing, this is the one. It is packed with zesty Mediterranean flavours and can be used in salads, sides, basting or even as a marinade for olives and feta cheese.

Knorr French Salad Dressing: this classic vinaigrette can be used to dress leafy greens, drizzle over golden oven-roasted potatoes and as a marinade for chicken.

Knorr Creamy Blue Cheese: deliciously tangy and creamy, this dressing will elevate any potato salad recipe. It can even be paired with creamed spinach or as a tasty, convenient dip for basted chicken wings.

Knorr Creamy Sweet Chilli: add some sweetness and a tingle of heat to your summer sides with this sweet chilli salad dressing. Ideal for quick marinades, as a dip or for your favourite salad.

Marinades that are In-season this Summer

Marinades are essential when it comes to cooking. They’re not essential, but your taste buds will definitely thank you for going that extra step. They add flavour, extra moisture and tenderise the meat to make it softer, so that it melts in your mouth. Not all marinades are the same as the ingredients will differ for the type of meat you want to marinade, but they all share the same goal; to make your meat juicier and tastier.

Here are some quick marinades that are in season this summer for you to try out:
Spicy Mass Marinade for Roast Chicken: bring out the maas, it’s time to make your roast chicken taste even better. Using only four ingredients, follow this easy recipe to create a tender and satisfying roast chicken that will be the star of the show at dinner time.

Lamb Chops Curried Marinade: this marinade packs a punch. Transform your lamb chops with this spicy marinade and cook to perfection.

Summer Salad Recipes for Hosting Friends and Family

Say goodbye to basic green salads and hello to these colourful, vibrant, and fresh summer salads. The next time you’re hosting a dinner or even a lunch, you have to try these summer salad recipes to impress your guests.

Summer Avo, Feta and Couscous Salad

Buttery avo, creamy feta and fluffy couscous; what could be better? Taste a burst of freshness with this quick and easy summer avo, feta and couscous salad recipe. It’s packed with lentils for protein, rocket leaves for a peppery kick and dressed with Knorr Creamy Greek salad dressing for a tangy finish. Serve up alongside a braai or some roast chicken and you’re good to go!

Summer Rice Tuna

As a side or a full meal, this summer rice tuna salad recipe ticks all the boxes of pure deliciousness. It’s colourful, it’s bright, it’s bursting with flavour; your guests will love this healthy, filling salad. The brown rice offers healthy carbs, the tuna is high in protein and the veggies add a lovely crunch. This salad is then taken to the final level with a drizzle of Knorr Light Italian Vinaigrette salad dressing, bon appetit!