The "Hot Girl Summer" trend, popularized by Megan Thee Stallion, is all about living your best life. This extends to food, with the Hot Girl Summer Salad becoming a popular recipe for a refreshing and light meal. This article explores the original recipe, variations, and tips for making your own delicious and healthy version.
What is Hot Girl Summer Salad?
The Hot Girl Summer Salad is a simple, crunchy, and tasty salad perfect as a side dish or a light meal. Jayria originally developed the recipe as a way to slim down for summer, claiming it helped her lose and keep off 20lbs. It's a healthy and flavorful meal idea that can be enjoyed daily.
Original Hot Girl Summer Salad Recipe
This salad features a refreshing mix of vegetables, protein, and a zesty dressing.
Ingredients:
- Cucumbers
- Green bell peppers (any color bell pepper can be substituted)
- Red onion
- Hard-boiled eggs
- Sunflower kernels
- Pepperoncini peppers
- Zesty Italian Dressing (or oil and vinegar, or your favorite vinaigrette)
- Paprika
- Garlic powder
- Ground black pepper
Instructions:
- Chop the vegetables and hard-boiled eggs.
- Combine all ingredients in a bowl.
- Toss to combine.
- Serve immediately or chill for later.
Key Ingredients Explained
- Cucumbers: American slicing cucumbers are a great choice for this salad.
- Pepperoncini: These chili peppers are mild and slightly sweet, adding a unique flavor. They have a low Scoville Heat Unit (SHU) ranking of 100-500, much lower than jalapenos (2,500-8,000 SHU).
- Dressing: While Zesty Italian Dressing is common, feel free to experiment with other options like olive oil and vinegar, balsamic dressing, or a lemon vinaigrette.
Variations and Additions
One of the best things about the Hot Girl Summer Salad is its versatility. Here are some ideas to customize it to your liking:
High-Protein Hot Girl Summer Salad
Adding protein can make the salad more filling and satisfying.
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- Grilled Chicken: Grilled chicken breasts are a popular addition.
- Tinned Fish: Tinned fish, such as mackerel, sardines, or tuna in olive oil, provides flaky texture and a boost of protein and healthy fats.
- Eggs: Hard-boiled eggs are a classic addition, contributing protein and a creamy yolk that enriches the dressing when mashed in.
Hot Girl Summer Salad with Quinoa
Adding quinoa transforms this salad into a more substantial meal.
- Quinoa: Success Tri-Color Boil-in-Bag Quinoa is a convenient option. Prepare according to package directions and fold into the salad. Quinoa adds protein, all nine essential amino acids, and fiber.
Hot Girl Summer Bean Salad
This variation incorporates beans for added fiber and protein.
- Beans: White beans, chickpeas, or other beans of your choice can be added.
Other Vegetables
- Arugula: Adding arugula right before eating transforms the salad into a more complex chopped salad.
- Corn: Grilled, frozen, or raw corn adds sweetness and texture.
- Fennel: Shaved fennel bulb or chopped stems offer a subtle anise flavor.
- Beets: Roasted golden beets can add a touch of sweetness.
Other additions
- Mozzarella balls: Add mozzarella balls for fun.
- Banana peppers: Banana peppers can be substituted for pepperoncini.
Tips for Making the Best Hot Girl Summer Salad
- Peel the cucumbers: While optional, peeling the cucumbers can improve the overall texture.
- Chop vegetables to a similar size: This creates a more visually appealing and texturally balanced salad.
- Make your own dressing: Homemade Italian Dressing allows you to control the ingredients and flavors.
- Massage the kale (optional): If using kale, massaging it with the dressing can help tenderize it. Alternatively, let the dressed salad sit for a while to allow the acid in the dressing to soften the kale.
- Adjust the dressing to your taste: Add more lemon juice or other seasonings to create your perfect flavor profile.
- Don't be afraid to experiment: Have fun with the recipe and add more of what you like, less of what you don't.
How to Store Hot Girl Summer Salad
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-5 days.
- This salad is great for meal prep. Make it ahead of time and store it in a single container or individual containers.
Hot Girl Summer Salad Dressing Variations
- Balsamic Dressing: Combine balsamic vinegar, olive oil, salt, and pepper.
- White Bean Dressing: Blend white beans with parsley, garlic, lemon juice, salt, pepper, olive oil, and water. This creates a creamy, dairy-free dressing.
The "Hot Girl" Philosophy
The "Hot Girl Summer" concept is about embracing your best self and having fun. This salad aligns with that philosophy by being a healthy, customizable, and enjoyable meal option. Whether you're aiming for a "bikini bod" or simply want a refreshing and nutritious meal, the Hot Girl Summer Salad is a great choice.
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