TikTok's Hot-Girl Salad Will Be a Summer Staple
TikTok's Hot-Girl Salad Will Be a Summer Staple
Salads are what you make of them, and in this viral TikTok recipe, lettuce need not be included. The "Hot Girl Salad," originally shared by TikTok creator Jaryia Daniel (@herdresscode), is a refreshing mix of finely-diced cucumbers, green bell peppers, pepperoncini peppers, hard-boiled eggs, and sunflower seeds tossed together in a tangy vinaigrette. The end result is a highly nutritious, low-calorie salad that requires no lettuce and minimal prep time (especially if you have a vegetable chopper on hand).
Unsurprisingly, the Hot Girl Salad has taken on a life of its own, but out of the multitude of variations shared on TikTok since the salad's conception, there's one that's been living rent-free in my mind for a few reasons. For one, this take on the Hot Girl Salad, shared by TikTok creator @thesaladlab, calls for cold water-soaked red onions, which I love because the cold water bath significantly reduces the onion's potent smell and taste. And, of course, the homemade spicy vinaigrette had my mouth watering from the moment I saw it.
It's hard to say if the best part of this salad is how flavorful it is or how easy it is to make entirely from scratch, but either way, it's definitely a new staple in my salad repertoire. In this kitchen, "Hot Girl" season lasts all year long. Keep reading for a step-by-step on how to make it.
Salads are what you make of them, and in this viral TikTok recipe, lettuce need not be included. The "Hot Girl Salad," originally shared by TikTok creator Jaryia Daniel (@herdresscode), is a refreshing mix of finely-diced cucumbers, green bell peppers, pepperoncini peppers, hard-boiled eggs, and sunflower seeds tossed together in a tangy vinaigrette. The end result is a highly nutritious, low-calorie salad that requires no lettuce and minimal prep time (especially if you have a vegetable chopper on hand).
Unsurprisingly, the Hot Girl Salad has taken on a life of its own, but out of the multitude of variations shared on TikTok since the salad's conception, there's one that's been living rent-free in my mind for a few reasons. For one, this take on the Hot Girl Salad, shared by TikTok creator @thesaladlab, calls for cold water-soaked red onions, which I love because the cold water bath significantly reduces the onion's potent smell and taste. And, of course, the homemade spicy vinaigrette had my mouth watering from the moment I saw it.
It's hard to say if the best part of this salad is how flavorful it is or how easy it is to make entirely from scratch, but either way, it's definitely a new staple in my salad repertoire. In this kitchen, "Hot Girl" season lasts all year long. Keep reading for a step-by-step on how to make it.
INGREDIENTS
For the salad:
2 cups cucumber, finely chopped
1 cup bell pepper, finely chopped
½ cup red onion, finely chopped
⅛ cup pepperoncini peppers, finely chopped
¼ cup sunflower seeds
1 egg, boiled
For the dressing:
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
1-2 lemons, juiced
2 cloves of garlic, finely chopped
1 teaspoon maple syrup
¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
¼ teaspoon paprika
¼ teaspoon black pepper
Salt, to taste
DIRECTIONS
Prepare vinaigrette by whisking together oil, vinegar, lemon juice, maple syrup, crushed garlic, red pepper flakes, paprika, black pepper, and salt. Set aside.
Fill a small saucepan with water and bring to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, carefully place the egg into the water and boil for 16 minutes. After 16 minutes, remove the egg from the water and place it in a bowl of ice water until cool enough to handle.
Once cooled, remove the shell from the egg and chop it into small pieces.
Finely chop or grate red onion and place in a bowl with cold water. Set aside while you prepare the remaining ingredients.
Chop cucumber, bell pepper, and pepperoncini peppers into small, bite-sized pieces, then place in a large bowl.
Add the egg, drained red onions, and sunflower seeds to the bowl.
Drizzle dressing atop the salad and toss until all the ingredients are thoroughly combined.
Serve and enjoy!
INFORMATION
Category Salads, Main DishesYield 3 servingsPrep Time 15 minutesCook Time 16 minutesTotal Time 30 minutes, 59 seconds
How to Make Baked by Melissa's Viral Garlic Iceberg Salad
Frequently overshadowed by lettuce varieties like romaine and kale, iceberg lettuce rarely gets its time in the sun. However, some fierce foodies on TikTok have incorporated this underrated lettuce into deliciously refreshing recipes. Melissa Ben-Ishay, the owner of Baked by Melissa, recently turned heads when she shared her go-to salad recipe, which calls for just a fresh head of iceberg lettuce and a simple vinaigrette made from olive oil, vinegar, garlic, and lemon juice.
In the video, Ben-Ishay emphasizes that the bowl of chopped greens and vinaigrette are extremely satisfying and thirst-quenching. I, of course, wasted no time in trying it — and I have to say that she isn't wrong. The salad is incredibly hydrating, with every crisp bite resulting in the delightful burst of water that iceberg lettuce is known for delivering. Read ahead for instructions on how to make this delectable salad that's perfect for summer.
INGREDIENTS
1 head of iceberg
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons white vinegar
Juice of 2 lemons
2 cloves of garlic, minced
Pinch of salt
DIRECTIONS
Whisk together olive oil, vinegar, lemon juice, minced garlic, and salt in a small measuring cup or pourable bowl.
Prepare your iceberg lettuce by removing wilted leaves and the stem, then coarsely chop.
Place the chopped lettuce in a large bowl, then pour the vinaigrette on top.
Toss using tongs until the vinaigrette is thoroughly dispersed, then serve.
INFORMATION
Category Salads, Main DishesYield 6 servingsTotal Time 9 minutes, 59 seconds
