Looking for an easy, crowd-pleasing 4th of July salad? This fresh and colorful recipe comes together in minutes and is naturally red, white, and blue. It's light, flavorful, and perfect for summer gatherings, whether you're hosting a big cookout or bringing a dish to share, this 4th of July salad makes holiday entertaining feel effortless.
I'm a huge fan of themed foods, especially for the 4th of July, but I've never loved using artificial food dyes in my cooking. That's why I love this 4th of July salad. It delivers all the festive red, white, and blue vibes using fresh, naturally colorful ingredients. Sweet strawberries and blueberries, creamy mozzarella, and vibrant basil come together in a simple yet stunning dish that looks beautiful on your holiday table and actually tastes amazing.
It's quick to assemble, easy to make ahead, and feels just a little more special than the usual fruit platter or pasta salad. Plus, it's light and refreshing, perfect for balancing out all the burgers, hot dogs, and barbecue favorites. If you're looking for an easy 4th of July salad that's both festive and genuinely delicious, this one's a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
Enjoy, and happy 4th of July!
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Equipment
- Cutting board and knife
- Small skillet
- Mason jar and lid (optional): For shaking up the dressing. I love my 8 oz Ball Mason Jars.
- Serving Bowl
Ingredients & Substitutions
For the Maple Balsamic Vinaigrette
- Olive oil: Use a good quality olive oil for the best results.
- Balsamic Vinegar
- Garlic: I recommend using freshly crushed garlic but you can omit if preferred.
- Pure Maple Syrup: Substitute with date syrup or honey if you prefer.
- Dried Thyme: You can also use fresh.
- Salt & pepper
For the 4th of July Salad
- Lettuce: Romaine or a spring mix works great.
- Fresh Blueberries and Strawberries: You could also throw in some raspberries or blackberries if you'd like.
- Mozzarella: I love using fresh mozzarella for this recipe but it's also great with blue cheese or gorgonzola. Or leave out altogether for a dairy free option.
- Pine nuts - I highly recommend toasting the pine nuts. It gives great depth of flavor.
- Fresh Basil
Frequently Asked Questions
I wouldn't recommend mixing it all up until you are ready to serve. But you can definitely prep the ingredients ahead of time. Make the dressing, toast the pine nuts, cube the mozzarella, etc. Don't slice the berries until just before serving so they stay firm.
I recommend using fresh mozzarella. You can use pearls or small balls (bocconcini) for easy bite-sized pieces, or just cut mozzarella log or ball into cubes if that's what you have on hand.
Absolutely! While strawberries and blueberries give that classic red, white, and blue look, you can also mix in raspberries or blackberries depending on what's fresh and available.
No, pine nuts add a nice crunch and a little richness, but you can easily swap them for sliced almonds, chopped pecans, or leave them out entirely if there are allergy concerns.
Yes! Simply omit the mozzarella or replace it with a dairy-free cheese alternative.
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Made this 4th of July salad recipe? Let me know what you think in the comments!
Recipe
4th of July Salad
Equipment
- Cutting board and knife
- small skillet
- mason jar with lid (optional, to mix the dressing)
- serving bowl
Ingredients
For the Balsamic Maple Dressing
- ½ cup olive oil
- ¼ cup balsamic vinegar, good quality
- 1 clove garlic, crushed
- 2 tablespoon pure maple syrup
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- pinch of salt & pepper
For the Salad
- 8 cups lettuce, mix of spinach and butter lettuce feel free to use a your favorite lettuce or salad mix
- 1 cup fresh blueberries
- 1 cup fresh strawberries, quartered
- 8 oz fresh mozzarella, sliced and cut (or hand torn) into 1 inch pieces you can substitute mini mozzarella balls if preferred
- 4 tablespoon pine nuts
- ¼ cup fresh basil, thinly sliced
Instructions
Toast the pine nuts
- Heat a skillet over medium heat. Do not add oil or cooking fat. Add pine nuts to the skillet and cook on medium heat for 2-3 minutes until lightly toasted, shaking constantly so they do not burn. Remove from the heat and allow to cool completely before adding to the salad. *Note* If the pine nuts burn they will taste very bitter in the salad so watch them closely.
Make the Maple Balsamic Vinaigrette
- Combine all ingredients in a mason jar or other jar with lid. Screw the lid on tight and shake the dressing until well combined. Set aside.
Assemble the 4th of July Salad and serve
- Add lettuce to a serving bowl. Arrange blueberries and strawberries evenly over the top. Then add mozzarella pieces. Sprinkle with slivers of fresh basil and (cooled) toasted pine nuts. Serve with Maple Balsamic Vinaigrette or your favorite balsamic dressing. Enjoy!
Notes
Geetanjali Tung
The salad was delicious! Everyone in my family loved this.
Kayla DiMaggio
Wow! This salad looks so delicious! I am definitely adding it to my menu for the fourth!
Lillie Burnett
I made this salad for a gathering with friends who were visiting. Fresh, delicious. Perfect for Summer. I think I will make for the 4th this year too. ??
Marie
Delicious!!!
Will definitely make again.
Tom
Really easy and delicious! We loved it! Perfect for 4th of July!
Andrea
Using this for a baby shower!!
jamjarkitchen
Yay! Hope you enjoy!
Lisa
I made this salad for the 4th of July and my family loved it! The dressing is just delicious!!
jamjarkitchen
Yay! So glad y'all liked it!
Rhonda
I love the dressing it's the perfect combination of sweet and tangy. We make this every year for my 4th of July picnic.
jamjarkitchen
So glad you like it!
Lilly
This is such a fresh and easy summer salad for the 4th of July. Love the red, white, and blue colors, and it feels perfect for bringing to a cookout!
Leelah
I love the mix of flavors here. The pop of the blueberries is so good.
Gia
This salad is perfect for summer! My friends loved it and asked for me to make it again for Memorial Day weekend. SO good!