35 Summer Salad Recipes

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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