Are you ready to step away from the stove and make the most of summer’s bounty? We have over 35 summer salad recipes to keep your dinner table teeming with fresh produce.
Packed with fresh, seasonal ingredients, these salads are perfect for any occasion, from backyard barbecues to light weekday lunches. Each recipe showcases a delightful blend of flavors and textures, featuring crisp greens, juicy fruits, and zesty dressings that will leave your taste buds dancing.
Whether you’re a fan of classic combinations or adventurous new creations, our summer salad roundup offers something for everyone. Dive in and enjoy a refreshing, healthy twist on your favorite dishes, and make this summer your most delicious yet!
Side Salads and Light Lunch Options
These recipes complement any main dish or stand alone as a light, satisfying lunch. Packed with crisp vegetables, wholesome grains, and vibrant dressings, these salads celebrate summer’s bounty. You’ll find the perfect recipe here, whether you need a quick, nutritious bite for a busy workday or a flavorful side to elevate your dinner plans.
Arugula Watermelon Salad
This Arugula Watermelon Salad flavor combo is beyond WOW and we take it to a whole new level with browned butter toasted walnuts, blackberries, and tangy feta.
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Spinach-Strawberry Salad
A fresh Spinach Strawberry Salad with Maple Candied Walnuts is one of the easiest ways to invite the spring season inside.
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Galia Melon Salad
Sweet melon and salty cheese top a bed of salad greens with a garnish of crisp prosciutto and toasted pine nuts.
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Caprese Salad
Caprese Salad with Buffalo mozzarella, garden fresh tomatoes and basil.
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Classic Caesar Salad with Homemade Dressing
Classic romaine lettuce dressed with a quick, 2-minute creamy Caesar dressing highlighting savory anchovy, lemon and Parmesan.
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Watermelon-Blueberry Salad
Feta cheese brings a balance of salt to the sweet watermelon and blueberries with a pop of cooling mint.
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Citrus Salad with Maple Candied Walnuts and Orange-Dijon Dressing
A bright, beautiful salad featuring ruby grapefruit and Cara Cara oranges tossed with kale, sliced fennel, pomegranate, and candied walnuts.
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Fried Goat Cheese & Grilled Beet Salad
Grilled beets with a golden disc of fried goat cheese over a bed of tender greens.
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Classic Coleslaw with Celery Seed Dressing
This delicious Classic Coleslaw with a creamy, tangy celery seed dressing is the perfect side with any BBQ or Picnic.
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Crunchy Fennel-Apple Slaw
A bright, slightly apple-sweet slaw with earthy notes of celery and fennel.
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Grilled Cabbage with Classic Caesar Dressing
Grilled cabbage wedges replace Romaine lettuce with classic Caesar dressing and crushed croutons.
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Marinated Heirloom Tomatoes
These marinated heirloom tomatoes capture summer’s most prized flavor. Summer tomatoes sit in a bright, bold marinade of olive oil, red wine vinegar, fresh garlic, and oregano.
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Hearts of Palm Salad with Avocado
Fresh and flavorful, this simple salad has to be one of the easiest recipes ever. It’s perfect for barbecues, potlucks, and when you find perfect avocados.
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Potato Salad with Bacon (No Mayo)
If you’re not a fan of mayo or want an alternative, this is a fantastic potato salad. It has bacon and a tangy mustard dressing, can be made ahead and served warm, at room temperature, or cold.
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Horiatiki (Classic Greek Salad)
A delicious salad that’s packed with flavor and fresh cucumbers, tomatoes, onion, Kalamata olives, feta cheese, and a light vinaigrette.
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Caprese Orzo Pasta Salad
An easy, light, and refreshing side dish made with orzo pasta, grape tomatoes, mozzarella, and fresh basil.
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Summer Tomato Salad with Goat Cheese
Summer Tomato Salad with Goat Cheese has loads of flavor from the Basil Vinaigrette and fresh herbs!
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Roasted Garlic Raspberry Salad
Made with fresh raspberry vinaigrette for a fresh, crispy, tart, and savory sweet salad.
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Spaghetti Pasta Salad
Perfectly cooked spaghetti mingled with crisp veggies and savory dresing, topped with parmesan cheese.
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Mediterranean Cucumber Tomato Salad
This vibrant dish combines the freshness of crisp cucumbers, juicy tomatoes, and the tanginess of Feta cheese, all brought together with a delightful mix of flavors all drizzled with a zesty Homemade Lemon Olive Oil dressing.
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Summer Peach Salad with Cherries, Goat Cheese, Honey-Balsamic Dressing
Juicy peaches with fresh cherries, crunchy almonds, creamy goat cheese and tangy-sweet dressing – an explosion of gorgeous flavors!
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Strawberry Spinach Salad with Strawberry Balsamic Dressing
You’ll love how simple this strawberry spinach salad with strawberry balsamic dressing is to make. It’s ready in under 20 minutes and is full of flavor.
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Halloumi Couscous Salad with Lemon
This easy, protein-packed vegetarian salad features a fluffy lemon herb couscous, crisp veggies, chickpeas, and crispy seared halloumi cheese. Delicious!
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Avocado Corn Caprese Salad
Avocado Corn Caprese Salad with heirloom tomatoes, basil, mozzarella, avocado, and grilled corn over mixed greens.
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Farmer’s Market Salad with Mustard Vinaigrette
This farmer’s market vegetable salad combines all of my favorites from my local market and is topped with a delicious homemade mustard vinaigrette! Gluten-free, dairy-free and vegetarian!
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Quinoa Black Bean Corn Salad
This Quinoa Black Bean Corn Salad is hearty and on the healthier side. Plus, it’s loaded with flavor and ready in less than 30 minutes!
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Everyday Kale Salad
Everyday Kale Salad is so simple and delicious, you’ll want to eat it every day! Serve this nutritious kale salad for lunch or as a side.
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Spinach Cranberry Apple Salad
A refreshing and simple salad perfect for any season or occasion.
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Protein-Rich Main Dish Salads
These recipes go beyond the ordinary, transforming traditional salads into complete, nutritious meals. Each salad is packed with protein, vibrant vegetables, and savory dressings for a quick, wholesome dinner.
Asian Sesame Chicken Salad Wrap
Soft wraps filled to the brim with fresh vegetables, tender chicken, crunchy peanuts, and a robust, tangy Asian dressing.
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BLT Turkey Salad with Creamy Yogurt Dressing
Crisp lettuce, juicy tomato, smoky bacon, and fresh avocado slices, all tossed in a creamy homemade yogurt dressing with leftover holiday turkey.
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Skillet-Seared Thai Duck Salad
This Skillet-Seared Duck Salad marries citrus, ginger, fresh herbs, and Thai chiles—the seared duck breast tops it off superbly. While it is lighter fare, it is a satisfying main-course salad.
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Berry Chicken Quinoa Salad with Strawberry-Balsamic Vinaigrette – Iowa Girl Eats
Packed with protein, vegetables, and berries then drizzled with a homemade Strawberry-Balsamic Vinaigrette.
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Chicken Avocado Pasta Salad
This Chicken Avocado Pasta Salad is loaded with fresh ingredients, has a simple dressing, and is ready in less than 30 minutes!
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Mexican Shrimp Salad
Shrimp, corn, tomatoes, jalapeños, avocado, pumpkin seeds, and is drizzled with a Mexican vinaigrette dressing!
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Gluten Free Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad
All the goods: ranch, bacon & carbs. This Gluten-Free Ranch Bacon Pasta Salad is what summer was made for. Dairy-free instructions too!
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Pesto Pasta Salad
Pesto Pasta Salad is a delicious and fresh summer side dish, full of chicken, tomatoes, mozzarella, and covered in a fresh basil pesto! Perfect for a summer potluck!
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