This patriotic berry salad is loaded with fresh berries, crunchy maple walnuts and blue cheese. The red white and blue theme makes it perfect for the 4th of July.

All week I’ve been seeing fun patriotic recipes for the 4th and I couldn’t resist joining in on the fun. I thought about making a healthy flag cake or a berry trifle, but ultimately decided a patriotic salad had to happen. I’ll never turn down a chance to create another salad. Especially one that’s this fun!

Many of you probably already have your 4th of July menu planned, but just in case you don’t have a salad recipe picked out, this recipe is for you!

And the best part is that it’s quick, easy and uses ingredients you likely have on hand.

Even with toasting the walnuts and making the dressing, this salad takes about 15 minutes to prepare. Boom.

I went the easy route and used things we already had on hand — fresh berries, blue cheese and walnuts. I suggest you do the same. If you have raspberries or blackberries in your fridge, definitely use those! Any white cheese will work as well. We loved the funky blue cheese we used, but feta or goat cheese would be great too.

So festive, right?

Summer Berry Salad with Maple Walnuts

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Preparation 15 mins

Total Time 15 mins

Nutrition Facts
Serving Size	⅛th of recipe
Amount Per Serving	As Served
Calories 171 \| Calories from fat
% Daily Value
Total Fat 14g \|	22%
Carbohydrate 9g \|	3%
Dietary Fiber 2g \|	8%
Sugars 5g \|
Protein 5g

Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs:

	Calories	2000
Total Fat	Less than	65g
Sat Fat	Less than	25g
Cholesterol	Less than	300mg
Sodium	Less than	2,400mg
Total Carbohydrate		300g
Dietary Fiber		25g

Serves 8 adjust servings

Ingredients

10 oz baby greens (I used OrganicGirl Supergreens!)
1 cup fresh blueberries
1 cup fresh strawberries, quartered
1/2 cup crumbled blue cheese, feta or goat cheese
1/3 cup raw walnuts
1-2 teaspoons maple syrup
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
generous shake of sea salt
Dijon Dressing
1/4 cup olive oil
2 Tablespoons white balsamic vinegar
1 Tablespoon dijon mustard
2 teaspoons coconut sugar or brown sugar or maple syrup
sea salt and ground pepper, to taste

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°. Add walnuts to a baking sheet and toss with maple syrup, cinnamon and sea salt. Spread in a single layer and roast for 7-9 minutes. Remove from oven and allow walnuts to cool.
While walnuts are roasting, make the dressing by whisking together vinegar, mustard, sugar, olive oil, salt and pepper. Taste and add more salt and pepper if needed.
Add greens to a large bowl and top with berries, cheese and maple walnuts.
Add dressing and toss just before serving to leave dressing on the side and allow everyone to dress their own salad.

by Brittany Mullins

Nutrition Facts
Serving Size	⅛th of recipe
Amount Per Serving	As Served
Calories 171 \| Calories from fat
% Daily Value
Total Fat 14g \|	22%
Carbohydrate 9g \|	3%
Dietary Fiber 2g \|	8%
Sugars 5g \|
Protein 5g

Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs:

	Calories	2000
Total Fat	Less than	65g
Sat Fat	Less than	25g
Cholesterol	Less than	300mg
Sodium	Less than	2,400mg
Total Carbohydrate		300g
Dietary Fiber		25g

Need dessert ideas for the 4th as well? I highly recommend this Greek Yogurt Berry Tart or this Banana Split Chia Pudding. Both are red, white and blue themed and festive for the holiday!

Oh, and if you’re looking for some light reading while relaxing today, I’m sharing my food diary over on Self.com. Check it out here. And happy holiday weekend to all my American peeps out there. Have fun and be safe! <3