• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Health My Lifestyle
  • Meal Planner
  • Recipes
  • Learn
    • Nutrition
    • Lifestyle
  • Shop
    • Vegan Fat Loss Meal Plan
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Start Here
  • Meal Planner
  • Recipes
  • Learn
  • Shop
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • Start Here
    • Meal Planner
    • Recipes
    • Learn
    • Shop
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×

    Home » Recipes

    Summer Blackberry Salad with Cashew Ricotta (healthy + easy)

    Jul 28, 2020 · Modified: Oct 31, 2020 by Rachel · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe

    This easy summer salad is both healthy and delicious, mixed with quinoa, blackberries, a tangy balsamic vinaigrette, topped with pumpkin seeds and a vegan cashew ricotta.

    There's just something about a big fresh salad during the summer. I think it's the fact that so many berries are in season and provide a pop of flavor to the usual salad. Especially right now in mid to late summer when blackberries are in season.

    I find summer salads lean towards the sweeter side with addition of berries but also tend to have some tang to balance it out from a vinaigrette. This one does not disappoint. If you have time I highly recommend making your own vinaigrette at home. And by time I mean 3 minutes, because that's literally all you need to make this one. Just 3 minutes and 3 ingredients!

    This is the best summer lunch idea—refreshing and delicious! And takes less than 30 minutes to prepare, making it quick and easy!

    How to make

    The key components of this salad include:

    • Greens (preferably mixed greens or spinach but I only had lettuce)
    • Quinoa (for protein)
    • Blackberries (or any berry you prefer)
    • Cucumber
    • Pumpkin seeds (for some crunch)
    • Balsamic Vinegar
    • Cashew Ricotta

    You can customize this salad really easy if you don't have these exact components. You can use strawberries or blueberries in place of blackberries, zucchini in place of cucumber, and walnuts or slivered almonds instead of pumpkin seeds. And you can omit the Cashew Ricotta if you don't have time to make it but I highly recommend it.

    How to Make a Creamy Oil-Free Balsamic Vinaigrette

    There's a trick to making this without a blender or food processor that makes it just as smooth and creamy (no oil needed!). The key is in the order of ingredients and how much you add at once. Too much liquid at first and stirring at the wrong time will cause it to be lumpy. But don't worry, this trick I'm about to tell you results in smooth dressings every time!

    Here's my fool-proof process:

    1. Always start with the thickest ingredient. In this case I went with an oil-free hummus for a nice creamy base but you could also use dijon mustard. Measure it out into a small bowl.
    2. Then add the balsamic vinegar one tablespoon at a time, mixing it in with a spoon until well incorporated and smooth before adding the next.
    3. Lastly, add your choice of sweetener. I used agave syrup because that's what I had on hand but maple syrup would work too.

    Ta-da! Smooth, lump-free dressing without needing any fancy equipment!

    How to serve it

    I personally like to serve this salad as the main dish because if you know me, you know I love a big salad for a meal. Especially with the addition of quinoa to make it more filling and provide some extra satiating protein.

    As the main dish this makes 4 servings. As a side salad it makes 6-8 servings. This would be great on the side of any pasta or risotto dish like this Kale & Tomato Risotto.

    If you’re looking for more delicious and satisfying salad recipes the Health My Lifestyle Meal Planner is full of them! You can easily narrow down exactly what you’re looking for with the extensive filtering options, plan out your week in seconds or grab a pre-made plan, track your calories and goals, and more! Try it for free! Check out the Meal Planner here.

    This is the best easy summer salad-- both healthy and delicious, mixed with quinoa, blackberries, a tangy balsamic vinaigrette, topped with pumpkin seeds and a vegan cashew ricotta. #vegansalad #summersalad #easysaladrecipe #cashewricotta #cashewcheese #blackberries

    Summer Blackberry Salad with Cashew Ricotta

    This easy summer salad is both healthy and delicious, mixed with quinoa, blackberries, a tangy balsamic vinaigrette, topped with pumpkin seeds and a vegan cashew ricotta.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Pin Rate
    course: Appetizer, Main Course, Salad, Sauces & Dressings, Side Dish
    cuisine: American
    servings: 4
    prep time: 15 mins
    cook time: 15 mins
    total time: 30 mins
    Author: Rachel

    Ingredients

    • 1 cup quinoa, dry, rinsed
    • 1.5 cup water
    • 8 cups mixed greens
    • 1 large cucumber, chopped
    • 2 cups blackberries
    • ¼ cup raw pumpkin seeds
    • cashew ricotta, I used half this recipe and omitted the nutritional yeast for this salad

    Easy Balsamic Vinaigrette:

    • ¼ cup oil-free hummus
    • 6 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
    • 2 tablespoons agave syrup

    Instructions

    • Make the cashew ricotta and store in the fridge until needed. Time saver tip: You can soak your cashews while you continue with the rest of the salad then finish making the ricotta at the end and add it to the top of your salads.
    • In a skillet over high heat, add the quinoa and water and bring to a boil. Once boiling, turn down heat to a simmer and cover for 10-12 minutes until the quinoa is cooked and water has been absorbed. Set aside and allow to cool.

    Easy Balsamic Dressing:

    • Meanwhile, make your dressing. In a small bowl measure out the hummus. Then add the balsamic vinegar one tablespoon at a time, mixing it in with a spoon until well incorporated and smooth before adding the next. Lastly, add your choice of sweetener. I used agave syrup because that's what I had on hand but maple syrup would work too.

    Assemble Your Salad:

    • Divide the greens into bowls. Add the quinoa, chopped cucumber, blackberries, and raw pumpkin seeds, and cashew ricotta. Drizzle the balsamic vinaigrette over top and enjoy!

    Notes

    As the main dish this makes 4 servings. As a side salad it makes 6-8 servings.
    I made half the cashew ricotta recipe for this salad.
    Store leftovers separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

    Nutrition Per Serving

    Sodium: 96mg Calcium: 96mg Vitamin C: 46mg Vitamin A: 1216IU Sugar: 19g Fiber: 11g Potassium: 871mg Calories: 420kcal Saturated Fat: 2g Fat: 14g Protein: 15g Carbohydrates: 62g Iron: 5mg
    Want to eat healthier but don't know where to start?Get a free customizable meal plan and stop the struggle!

    Pin this for later:

    This is the best easy summer salad-- both healthy and delicious, mixed with quinoa, blackberries, a tangy balsamic vinaigrette, topped with pumpkin seeds and a vegan cashew ricotta. #vegansalad #summersalad #easysaladrecipe #cashewricotta #cashewcheese #blackberries
    Share this:

    More Plant Based Recipes

    • Blackberry Strawberry Banana Smoothie
    • 50+ Meatless Monday Recipes Even Meat Lovers Will Love!
    • Kiwi Juice
    • Ginger Shot Recipe (Immunity Booster)

    Did you grab your free meal plan yet?

    Sign up here to download it instantly!

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    I'm Rachel and I'm here to help you transition to a healthy plant-based diet in the easiest way possible. I share simple recipes and tips you can implement today to make it practical and approachable. Read more about my plant-based journey

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest

    HML Favorites

    three healthy pita pizzas with lots of veggies and toppings

    Easy Pita Pizzas 3 Ways

    Coconut crusted vegan shrimp on a plate with lemon wedge.

    The Best Coconut Vegan Shrimp

    Fork holding a piece of marinated crispy air fried tempeh.

    Crispy Marinated Air Fryer Tempeh

    Collage of four vegan stews.

    30+ Best Vegan Stew Recipes

    Don't Miss Out!

    Sign up to receive recipes, tips, and more!

    Privacy Policy & Disclosure

    Top Recipes

    Homemade Pea Protein Powder (Easy + Vegan)

    Just 5 ingredients and 5 minutes to whip these up. These bars are so easy to make, you'll never buy store-bought granola bars again. They are very filling, boasting 9g of protein using only whole food ingredients, and are vegan and gluten free! #granolabar #vegansnack #easysnack #vegan #glutenfree #healthysnack

    5-Ingredient No-Bake Granola Bars (Vegan + Gluten Free)

    Healthy Vegan Snickers Overnight Oats are going to have you wondering if you're eating breakfast or dessert. They're filling, delicious, high protein, and taste like candy! They're also gluten-free and sugar-free. #snickers #overnightoats #veganbreakfast #postworkoutsnack

    Vegan Snickers Overnight Oats

    This carrot bacon recipe is so easy and great for when you want the delicious sweet and smoky-ness of bacon! Just 8 simple ingredients, a peeler, and an oven or air-fryer is all you need. Vegan bacon can be made in many ways but this carrot bacon is one of the simplest and most similar looking to actual bacon. And did I mention delicious? #carrotbacon #veganbacon #plantbased #vegan #veganrecipe #veganbreakfast #plantbasedbreakfast #meatfree #meatlessmeals

    Carrot Bacon

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    Enjoying these recipes?
    Now you can Buy Me a Coffee to help support the creation of new ones. Thank you!

    About

    • Privacy Policy & Disclosure
    • Accessibility Policy
    • About

    Shop

    • My Favorites
    • Vegan Fat Loss Meal Plan & Nutrition Guide

    Stay Connected

    • Sign Up! for a free meal plan and updates
    • Contact
    • Meal Planner Support

      Featured In

      Logos of publications that Rachel from Health My Lifestyle has been featured in including Eat This Not That, Everyday Health, Greatist, MSN, My Fitness Pal, Vegan Life Magazine, and One Green Planet.

      As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

      Copyright © 2022 Health My Lifestyle LLC