22 Refreshing Summer Salads Inspired by the Garden

ByJacqueline Piper on
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Summer’s here, and it’s time to say goodbye to heavy meals and hello to fresh, tasty salads! These 22 summer salad ideas are perfect for keeping things light and delicious. From classic potato salad with a fresh dill kick to fun combos like chicken and strawberries, there’s a salad for every craving. Let’s dig in and enjoy the flavors of the season!

Greek Tzatziki Cucumber Salad

Salad in a bowl with cucumbers, red onions, and dill.
Image Credit: My Plant Based Bowl

Experience the light and refreshing taste of this Greek-inspired cucumber salad with creamy Tzatziki dressing. Ideal for summer, it pairs beautifully with pasta, sandwiches, grain bowls, or as a side to any grilled main course.

Get the Recipe: Greek Tzatziki Cucumber Salad

Creamy Chickpea Salad

Salad in a bowl with chickpeas and cucumber.
Image Credit: Let Us Munch Lettuce

This easy creamy chickpea salad is a great side dish for BBQs. This simple salad is a protein packed make a ahead option, great for summer entertaining.

Get the Recipe: Creamy Chickpea Salad

Spinach And Arugula Salad

Salad in a bowl with greens, sliced apples, pecans, and feta cheese.
Image Credit: Pipercooks

Whip up this simple spinach and arugula salad with crisp apples, tangy feta cheese, crunchy pecans, sunflower seeds, and pepitas. Drizzle with honey balsamic vinaigrette to tie it all together. This vibrant and flavorful salad is perfect for a warm summer day.

Get the Recipe: Spinach And Arugula Salad

Zucchini Mushroom Salad

Salad in a bowl with greens, zucchini, cucumbers, corn, and cheese.
Image Credit: With Thyme Nutrition

This fresh summer salad is easily customizable, great for using up produce at the end of the week. The best part is that it’s quick and easy – only the mushrooms are cooked.

Get the Recipe: Zucchini Mushroom Salad

Chicken and Strawberry Salad

Salad in a bowl with greens, strawberries, and chicken.
Image Credit: Haute and Healthy Living

This refreshing summer salad features savory grilled chicken and sweet summer strawberries. With feta, avocado, pecans, and a strawberry vinaigrette, this salad is packed with flavor in every bite.

Get the Recipe: Chicken and Strawberry Salad

Creamy Potato Salad With Dill

Salad in a bowl with potatoes, cucumber, corn, and dill.
Image Credit: Pipercooks

Made with only 7 ingredients, this creamy potato salad with dill is a breeze to whip up. It’s the ideal addition to your summer BBQ spread, complementing anything from veggie burgers to juicy meat patties. Or, enjoy it as a hassle-free weekday lunch.

Get the Recipe: Creamy Potato Salad With Dill

Watermelon Corn Salad

Salad in a bowl with watermelon, corn, and herbs.
Image Credit: Home Cooking Collective

This spicy watermelon salad features juicy watermelon chunks, charred corn, fresh herbs, corn nuts, and a spicy lime dressing. Quick and fresh and perfect for a summer side salad.

Get the Recipe: Watermelon Corn Salad

Ramen Salad

Salad in a bowl with noodles, tomato, greens, corn, and hard boiled eggs.
Image Credit: Chef Ja Cooks

This Cold Ramen Noodle Salad is a refreshing, tasty, and satisfying meal! Enjoy the blend of chewy noodles, crisp veggies, and flavorful sesame dressing!

Get the Recipe: Ramen Salad

Arugula Breakfast Salad

Salad in a bowl with greens, berries, nuts, toast, and a poached egg.
Image Credit: Pipercooks

Enjoy a nutritious breakfast salad by tossing arugula and spinach in olive oil, and adding a handful of blueberries, fresh mozzarella balls, and cherry tomatoes. Top it off with pecans and a perfectly poached egg for a delicious start to your day.

Get the Recipe: Arugula Breakfast Salad

Macaroni Dill Salad

Salad in a bowl with macaroni noodles and dill.
Image Credit: Simply Stacie

Everyone loves a classic macaroni salad – it’s a summer staple. This recipe features crunchy veggies, fresh flavors, and just a hint of spice!

Get the Recipe: Macaroni Dill Salad

Mango Cucumber Salad

Salad in a bowl with tomatoes, mango, and cucumber.
Image Credit: Maplevine Kitchen

This light and refreshing salad makes the most of the refreshing natural flavors of crisp cucumber, sweet mango, creamy avocado, and fresh mint.

Get the Recipe: Mango Cucumber Salad

Pearl Couscous Salad

Salad in a bowl with pearl couscous, tomatoes and herbs.
Image Credit: Pipercooks

Made with chewy pearl couscous, fresh vegetables, and fragrant chopped herbs, this pearl couscous salad is bursting with freshness. Dressed with the zesty tang of lemon juice, it’s an effortless cold salad, ideal for preparing ahead.

Get the Recipe: Pearl Couscous Salad

Sushi Salad

Salad in a bowl with rice, vegetables, and nori.
Image Credit: The Cinnamon Jar

This sushi salad recipe pays tribute to Japanese sushi while giving it a playful twist. This salad tastes just like sushi but without the rolling! Great for a quick and easy summer side dish.

Get the Recipe: Sushi Salad

Burrata Caprese Salad

Salad in a bowl with with tomatoes, basil leaves, and burrata cheese.
Image Credit: Maple and Mango

Image a summer salad with creamy burrata, juicy tomatoes, and fresh basil topped with rich olive oil and tangy balsamic vinegar. That’s what you get with this creamy burrata caprese salad.

Get the Recipe: Burrata Caprese Salad

Chopped Mexican Salad

Salad in a bowl with greens, tomatoes, avocado and tortilla strips.
Image Credit: Pipercooks

This Mexican inspired chopped salad features a hearty mix of corn, creamy avocado, and cilantro, tossed in a zesty olive oil, lime and Mexican oregano dressing. Topped with tangy pickled onion and crispy corn tortilla strips.

Get the Recipe: Chopped Mexican Salad

Chickpea Taco Salad

Salad in a bowl with greens, taco filling, black olives, corn, tomato, black beans, and tortilla chips.
Image Credit: Pipercooks

Chickpea Taco Salad is an ideal weeknight dinner that’s quick, easy, and fresh. This easy salad is loaded with fresh vegetables and topped with savory chickpea taco filling, making it light yet satisfying. Perfect for summer evenings!

Get the Recipe: Chickpea Taco Salad

Summer Bounty Salad

Salad in a bowl with greens, berries, and radishes.
Image Credit: Justine Celina

Summer Bounty Salad with Saskatoon Cider Vinaigrette is inspired by the abundant seasonal produce and herbs available at our local markets (and in the wild!) at the height of summer! This colourful, local, ultra fresh salad can be on your table in 15 minutes and is brimming with incredible, heart-healthy, antioxidant-rich superfoods and nutrients.

Get the Recipe: Summer Bounty Salad

Hearts of Palm Salad

Salad in a bowl with avocado, tomato, and greens.
Image Credit: A Latin Flair

Hearts of palm bring a crispness to this light summer salad, complimenting the juicy tomatoes, creamy avocado, and peppery arugula. This salad is quick and easy to make.

Get the Recipe: Hearts of Palm Salad

Grilled Halloumi Salad

Salad in a bowl with greens, tomatoes, and grilled halloumi cheese.
Image Credit: My Gorgeous Recipes

Grilled halloumi brings it’s unique squeaky texture and a salty vibe to this simple summer salad. With fresh vegetables and herbs, the halloumi cheese, and an easy dressing, this salad is a winner.

Get the Recipe: Grilled Halloumi Salad

Cucumber Strawberry Salad

Salad in a bowl with strawberries, cucumber, and mint leaves.
Image Credit: The Yummy Bowl

This simple 6 ingredient salad is big on flavor with fresh cucumbers and strawberries and a honey lime vinaigrette.

Get the Recipe: Cucumber Strawberry Salad

Arugula Spinach Salad

Salad in a bowl with greens, avocado, seeds and cheese.
Image Credit: Sunglow Kitchen

This Arugula Spinach Salad is a vibrant and flavorful side dish that goes with anything. Packed with fresh greens, creamy avocado, and crunchy sunflower seeds, it’s tossed in a tangy sumac dressing for an extra kick.

Get the Recipe: Arugula Spinach Salad

Chicken And Kale Salad

Salad in a bowl with greens, cucumber, herbs, and sliced chicken.
Image Credit: Pipercooks

This chicken and kale salad is bursting with flavor, featuring savory air fried cumin chicken, crisp cucumbers, kale, and romaine lettuce, topped with a creamy avocado cilantro dressing. It’s an excellent option for lunch, dinner, and meal prep.

Get the Recipe: Chicken And Kale Salad

Hi, I'm Jacqueline Piper, the author of PiperCooks. I am a food blogger with a focus on easy, delicious, and (mostly) healthy recipes. I like using fresh ingredients for simple family recipes and I love cooking + sharing recipes to help you put healthy, homemade dinners on your table.

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