21 Irresistible Summer Salads to Beat the Heat

Let's embrace the sunshine and warm weather with these Irresistible Summer Salads. These fresh and vibrant salads will leave you feeling cool, refreshed, and satisfied. From vibrant fresh vegetable salad like a lettuce free Greek salad to summer salads featuring fruit to hearty salads that eat like dinner featuring chicken and crisp greens this recipe collection showcases the best of summer ingredients.

Greek Salad Without Lettuce

Greek salad with peppers, tomato, feta, and black olives on a plate. — Image Credit: My Plant Based Bowl

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

Halved tomatoes in a bowl. — Image Credit: The Forked Spoon

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

A layered salad of green peas, tomato, celery, egg, bacon, and cheese. — Image Credit: Neighbor Food Blog

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

Kale salad on a plate topped with crispy chickpeas. — Image Credit: My Plant Based Bowl

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

Bowtie pasta salad in a bowl. — Image Credit: Chew Out Loud

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

Chopped salad in bowls with lettuce, tomato, cucumber, and corn. — Image Credit: Pipercooks

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

Orzo salad with greens and olives in a bowl. — Image Credit: Sunglow Kitchen

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

Creamy potato salad in a bowl. — Image Credit: Living Chirpy

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

Cucumber salad in a bowl with sauce and green onions. — Image Credit: Pipercooks

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

Cheese balls, peach slices, basil leaves, and prosciutto on a plate. — Image Credit: Its Not Complicated Recipes

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

Green leaf salad with sliced nectarines, cucumber, radish, and red onion. — Image Credit: The Healthful Ideas

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

Pasta salad in a bowl with sliced meat, tomatoes, balls of cheese, and basil leaves. — Image Credit: Pipercooks

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

Cucumber and shrimp salad in a bowl. — Image Credit: Garden in the Kitchen

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

Tomato and corn salad in a bowl. — Image Credit: Maricruz Avalos

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

Chickpeas and chopped tomato and cucumber in a bowl. — Image Credit: Pipercooks

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

A bowl with watermelon and strawberries topped with basil and crumbled white cheese. — Image Credit: The Yummy Bowl

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

Broccoli salad in a bowl topped with pumpkin seeds. — Image Credit: Pipercooks

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

Green, mango, and slivered almonds in a bowl. — Image Credit: Chew Out Loud

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

Salad with peppers, chicken and olives on a plate. — Image Credit: Maricruz Avalos

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

Cabbage salad in a bowl topped with fresh herbs. — Image Credit: Pipercooks

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

Broccoli salad in a bowl, topped with crumbled goat cheese and slivered almonds. — Image Credit: My Plant Based Bowl

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