Have you tried the viral hot girl summer salad that’s blowing up on TikTok? I couldn’t resist giving this refreshing and colorful creation by Jayria, aka, @herdresscode, a try!
It’s a perfect blend of crisp vegetables, tangy peppers, and protein-packed eggs, all tied together with a zesty Italian dressing.
What I love most is how satisfying and substantial it is while still feeling light and energizing.
It’s my new go-to lunch, and eating it always puts me in a good mood!
Why You’ll Love This Hot Girl Summer Salad
Viral Sensation: It’s taken TikTok by storm, garnering millions of views and becoming a must-try for food enthusiasts.
Quick and Easy: This salad is incredibly simple to prepare, requiring minimal effort and time. It’s perfect for busy days.
Crunchy Delight: The combination of cucumbers, bell peppers, and sunflower kernels provides a satisfying crunch.
Budget-Friendly: Made with affordable, readily available ingredients, this salad is a budget-friendly choice for feeding a crowd or meal prepping.
Ingredients
- Cucumbers: The cool, refreshing base of this summer salad. They’re peeled and diced for a satisfying crunch in every bite.
- Green Bell Peppers: They add a burst of freshness to the mix.
- Red Onion: The zesty kick complements the other flavors.
- Hard Boiled Eggs: Chopped eggs provide a creamy texture and savory taste.
- Pepperoncini Peppers: They bring a unique flavor dimension to the salad.
- Roasted Sunflower Kernels: Their nutty crunch elevates the salad’s texture.
- Garlic Powder, Smoked Paprika, Black Pepper: The ultimate seasoning trio.
- Zesty Italian Dressing: The flavorful finishing touch ties it all together.
How to Make Hot Girl Summer Salad
This salad comes together in a matter of minutes!
1. Prepare the vegetables. Chop the cucumbers, bell peppers, red onion, and hard-boiled eggs. Add them to a large bowl.
2. Add the seasonings. Add the sliced pepperoncini peppers, sunflower kernels, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and black pepper to the bowl. Toss until evenly combined.
3. Dress the salad. Drizzle 1/4 cup of zesty Italian dressing over the salad. Toss again until the salad is evenly coated with the dressing. Add more dressing to suit your taste preferences.
4. Chill or serve. Chill the salad for 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld, or serve it immediately. Enjoy!
Tips for the Best Hot Girl Summer Salad
Here are some tips to make this salad shine.
- Get a step ahead. Chop the vegetables and hard boil the eggs in advance to save time when assembling the salad.
- Peel the cucumbers. While not required, peeling the cucumbers can improve the overall texture of the salad.
- Taste and adjust. Start with less dressing and add more to taste to avoid an overly dressed salad.
- Don’t skip the seeds! The sunflower kernels add a satisfying crunch. Don’t skip this ingredient!
- Switch it up. Customize the salad by using different colored bell peppers, or add chopped, grilled chicken for protein. You can also swap the Italian dressing for your favorite vinaigrette.
How to Store
Keep your salad fresh with these easy steps.
To Store: Place in an air-tight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. For best results, keep the dressing separate and add it just before serving to maintain the vegetables’ crispness. If already dressed, the salad will become slightly soggy but will still be safe to eat within the 3-day timeframe.
Hot Girl Summer Salad
4
servings10
minutes174
kcalThis hot girl summer salad recipe went viral on TikTok for good reason! The combo of cucumbers, peppers, onions, and eggs in a zesty dressing is irresistible.
Ingredients
2 medium cucumbers, peeled and diced
2 green bell peppers, seeded and diced
1/2 red onion, finely diced
4 hard-boiled eggs, peeled and chopped
1/2 cup sliced pepperoncini peppers
1/4 cup roasted sunflower kernels
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 cup zesty Italian dressing (or more to taste)
Instructions
- Chop the cucumbers, bell peppers, red onion, and hard-boiled eggs. Add them to a large bowl.
- Add the sliced pepperoncini peppers, sunflower kernels, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and black pepper to the bowl. Toss until evenly combined.
- Drizzle 1/4 cup of zesty Italian dressing over the salad. Toss again until the salad is evenly coated with the dressing. Add more dressing to suit your taste preferences.
- Chill the salad for 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld, or serve it immediately. Enjoy!
Notes
- Feel free to use any color of bell peppers you prefer. Red, orange or yellow bell peppers can add a nice pop of color.
- Adjust the amount of Italian dressing to your liking. Start with 1/4 cup and add more if desired for a more heavily dressed salad.
- To save time, you can use pre-cooked hard-boiled eggs from the grocery store. Or cook the eggs in advance.
- For extra protein, add some chopped grilled chicken to the salad.
