Soak up the sunshine with these irresistible summer salads. They’re fresh, colorful, and just what you need to stay cool and satisfied when it’s hot out. You’ll find crisp veggie salads like a lettuce-free Greek salad, bright fruit salads, and hearty salads loaded with chicken and crunchy greens — all celebrating the best summer produce.
Greek Salad Without Lettuce
Indulge in this refreshing and easy Greek salad recipe also called Horiatiki. This fresh salad features Mediterranean zest, crisp veggies, leaves out the lettuce but is generous with a simple dressing.
Get the recipe: Greek Salad
Cherry Tomato Salad
Made with fresh summer cherry tomatoes marinated in olive oil, balsamic vinegar, fresh garlic, and herbs, this Cherry Tomato Salad is light, bursting with flavor, and utterly delicious. It’s gluten-free, dairy-free, and low-carb, making it an ideal choice for a summer side dish or a refreshing light lunch.
Get the recipe: Cherry Tomato Salad
7-layer Salad
This creative layered salad features fresh vegetables and savory flavors. This make ahead salad is packed with lettuce, cheese, and bacon and a classic creamy dressing and keeps for days – perfect for summer BBQ and potlucks!
Get the recipe: 7-layer Salad
Kale Crunch Salad with Crispy Chickpeas
This refreshing Kale Crunch Salad blends crisp cabbage and tender kale, toasted pecans, and crunchy chickpeas. A made from scratch tangy apple-Dijon vinaigrette finishes it off.
Get the recipe: Kale Crunch Salad with Crispy Chickpeas
Italian Pasta Salad
This easy summer pasta salad is tasty and quick – perfect for picnics and cookouts. Featuring crisp bell peppers and cucumbers along with flavorful bacon, olives, and Parmesan cheese this recipe tastes great the day of and as leftovers!
Get the recipe: Italian Pasta Salad
Southwest Chopped Salad
This Southwest Chopped Salad features grilled sweet corn on the cob and a delicious blend of southwestern flavors, and includes tomatoes, jalapenos, lime, bell pepper, and diced avocado, tossed with crisp romaine.
Get the recipe: Southwest Chopped Salad
Mediterranean Salad with Orzo
Flavors of the Mediterranean feature in this homemade orzo salad. With orzo, cucumber, olives, feta cheese, fresh herbs, and a dressing made from scratch, this salad has flavor for days!
Get the recipe: Mediterranean Salad with Orzo
Sour Cream Potato Salad
With just a few simple ingredients, this tangy potato salad is a great side dish for summer cookouts. Using sour cream instead of the typical mayonnaise in the dressing makes this summer salad light and fresh!
Get the recipe: Sour Cream Potato Salad
Spicy Korean-Inspired Cucumber Salad
In this fresh and spicy salad, crispy, smashed cucumbers are coated in a sweet and spicy sauce, then topped with sliced green onions and toasted sesame seeds. The result is a delicious and refreshing side salad perfect for summer BBQs.
Get the recipe: Spicy Korean-Inspired Cucumber Salad
Peach and Prosciutto Salad
Indulge in the flavors of the summer with this fresh peach and salty prosciutto salad. Add creamy bocconcini and fresh basil leaves and bring the whole together with vinaigrette for an easy summer salad.
Get the recipe: Peach and Prosciutto Salad
Nectarine Salad
This summer salad has it all from sweet nectarines to cream tangy blue cheese and crunchy walnuts! A simple vinaigrette rounds out the flavors, and makes this fresh salad a great choice for your next backyard BBQ!
Get the recipe: Nectarine Salad
Zesty Italian Pasta Salad
For your next picnic or BBQ, make this zesty Italian pasta salad, featuring simple pantry ingredients like pasta, vinegar, oil, and spices, along with jarred artichokes, roasted red peppers, olives, and pepperoncini. It doesn’t get much easier!
Get the recipe: Zesty Italian Pasta Salad
Cucumber Shrimp Salad
There’s no shortage of flavor in this Cucumber Shrimp Salad! The simple chia salad with chia seeds ties the cucumber noodles, sautéed shrimp, and red peppers together with dynamic Asian-inspired flavors. It’s a fresh summer appetizer, side dish, or satisfying main.
Get the recipe: Cucumber Shrimp Salad
Mexican Tomato Salad
For a fresh taste of summer, make this Mexican Tomato Salad, also called ensalada de tomate. The vibrant summer produce bring bold flavor to the easy salad featuring, lettuce, tomato, grilled corn, jalapeño, avocado, red onion, and a homemade dressing.
Get the recipe: Mexican Tomato Salad
Tomato Chickpea Cucumber Salad
This salad is so easy to make, with simple and wholesome ingredients. Earthy chickpeas, juicy tomatoes, and crispy cucumber, are tossed with lemon juice and za’atar seasoning for a fresh and delightful summer salad.
Get the recipe: Tomato Chickpea Cucumber Salad
Watermelon Strawberry Salad
This fresh fruit salad has it all – fresh and fruity flavors, salty feta cheese, and a zippy lime dressing. This salad is light and refreshing, the perfect side for a summer BBQ.
Get the recipe: Watermelon Strawberry Salad
Broccoli Crunch Salad
This broccoli crunch salad is loaded with texture and flavor. Featuring crisp broccoli, crunchy pepitas, and a creamy chipotle mayo dressing, this salad is both delicious and satisfying!
Get the recipe: Broccoli Crunch Salad
Mango Salad with Manchego
Gorgeous mangoes star in this creative and beautiful summer salad. With a Spanish spin, sweet mangoes combine with shaved Manchego cheese and spicy hard chorizo. All tossed together in a sweet and tangy Sherry Vinaigrette, the flavor combination is unmatched!
Get the recipe: Mango Salad with Manchego
Salpicón de Pollo
Salpicón refers to a mixture or medley of ingredients in this traditional Mexican salad called Salpicón de Pollo. Shredded chicken is combined with fresh bell peppers, tomatoes, carrot, onion, jalapeño, and lettuce and dressed in an easy to make homemade dressing for a bold and refreshing dish!
Get the recipe: Salpicon de Pollo
Cabbage Crunch Salad
This cabbage crunch salad is ready in just 20 minutes, and combines crispy, crunchy vegetables with a creamy peanut butter dressing. It’s topped with sliced green onions, cilantro, and chopped peanuts, making it a deliciously fresh and flavorful dish.
Get the recipe: Cabbage Crunch Salad
Broccoli Quinoa Salad
Enjoy the satisfaction and nutrition of this roasted broccoli quinoa salad, bursting with delightful flavors and crunchy textures. The blend of fluffy quinoa and toasted quinoa provides a pleasing contrast in texture, while also offering a substantial source of protein to this wholesome and simple dish.
Get the recipe: Broccoli Quinoa Salad
Couscous Chickpea Salad
This Couscous Chickpea Salad is bright, fresh, and full of flavor. Whole wheat couscous, crisp veggies, and a zesty dressing come together in minutes. It’s quick to make and works perfectly as a light lunch or an easy side for a summer BBQ or picnic.
Get the recipe: Couscous Chickpea Salad
Carrot and Cucumber Salad
Crisp veggies and a creamy sesame dressing make this salad an easy favorite any night of the week. Tender carrot and cucumber ribbons tossed with a savory dressing keep it light, refreshing, and perfect for serving guests.
Get the recipe: Carrot and Cucumber Salad
