Summer is all about warm weather, grilling and some of the Best Summer Salad Recipes to enjoy all season long! This collection includes everything from potato and pasta salad to coleslaw and Greek salad. You’re guaranteed to find the perfect salad for BBQs, picnics or any occasion!
I eat salads every day all year round, but summer is one of the best seasons to enjoy them because of the wide variety of produce that’s available.
Corn, tomatoes, cucumbers, figs and berries are all wonderful in salads, and this collection of 30+ Best Summer Salad Recipes is proof of that.
There are so many summer salad ideas that are refreshing and easy to make, and they’re perfect for BBQs, picnics, lunch or any occasion!
Looking for more salads that eat like a meal? You’ll find plenty of inspiration in my high-protein salad roundup.
Tips for the best summer salads
- Summer fruits and vegetables are the best ingredients to incorporate into your summer salads. Because they’re in season, they’re more than likely grown locally and will be much more fresh and flavorful. See the list of seasonal summer produce in the section below.
- Purchase your produce at a farmer’s market or look for signs that say locally grown in your market for maximum freshness.
- Select organic produce as its sustainably grown and doesn’t include harmful pesticides.
- Homemade salad dressings have a fresh flavor that will elevate any salad. See my collection of salad dressing recipes for inspiration.
Seasonal summer produce
The list below includes produce that is available anywhere from early to late spring. This list will vary based on the area that you live in.
- Apples
- Apricots
- Avocados
- Bananas
- Beets
- Bell peppers
- Berries (blueberries, blackberries, raspberries and strawberries)
- Carrots
- Celery
- Cherries
- Chili peppers (jalapeño, poblano peppers, shishito peppers, etc.)
- Citrus (lemons, limes)
- Corn
- Cucumbers
- Eggplant
- Figs
- Garlic
- Green beans
- Herbs
- Mango
- Melon (cantaloupe, honeydew, watermelon)
- Nectarines
- Okra
- Peaches
- Plums/pluots
- Summer squash
- Tomatillos
- Tomatoes
- Zucchini
More seasonal salad collections you’ll love:
Summer Salad ideas
I love that summer embodies all types of salads. Nothing is off limits, including potato, pasta, coleslaw, beans, fruit and so much more.
Most of them are super easy to prepare and are great for feeding a crowd, which is important because it’s the season for cookouts, picnics and gatherings of all kinds.
These recipes are refreshing, flavorful and guaranteed to be a hit whether you serve them for a gathering or for a family lunch or dinner. 🙂
Salads for dinner
It doesn’t get better than healthy salads for dinner on a hot day. They’re fresh and light, yet completely satisfying because they’re packed with protein, veggies and tons of flavor!
Most of them can also be made ahead of time for meal prep lunches to enjoy during the work week.
Chicken Cobb Salad
This Chicken Cobb Salad is loaded with juicy chicken breast, crisp bacon, blue cheese and creamy avocado. It makes a satisfying low carb dinner or meal prep lunch!
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Italian Chopped Salad
This Italian Chopped Salad is packed with salami, chickpeas, veggies and plenty of greens, and it's tossed in a flavorful homemade Italian dressing!
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Summer Grilled Steak Salad
This Summer Grilled Steak Salad is made with juicy grilled top sirloin, sweet corn, avocado, cherry tomatoes, blue cheese and pickled red onions tossed with a simple homemade red wine vinaigrette. It's a fresh, satisfying dinner that's perfect for summer!
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Salmon Nicoise Salad
Salmon Nicoise Salad is a twist on the French classic with a tender salmon filet instead of tuna. It's tossed with a savory dijon vinaigrette and it makes a satisfying lunch or dinner!
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Santa Fe Chicken Salad
Santa Fe Chicken Salad is crisp, refreshing and packed with protein! It's tossed in a zesty, flavorful lime dressing for one unforgettable salad!
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Strawberry Fields Salad
Strawberry Fields Salad is an addictive combination of fresh strawberries, chicken, bacon, feta cheese and greens tossed in a balsamic vinaigrette dressing!
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Grilled Shrimp Louie Salad
Grilled Shrimp Louie Salad is classic shrimp louie salad with smoky grilled shrimp and fresh, creamy homemade louie salad dressing!Â
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Green salads
Green salads are always a great choice because they’re so versatile. They’re crisp and refreshing with a foundation of nutritious greens such as butter lettuce, mixed greens, arugula and kale.
The sky is the limit on the combinations that you can come up with as they can be made with sweet and savory ingredients.
They can be served as a side dish or topped with air fryer chicken breast or blackened salmon.
They’re also wonderful served alongside skillet lasagna or a bowl of asparagus soup!
Butter Lettuce Salad with Avocado
This Butter Lettuce Salad is made with tender butter lettuce, creamy avocado, crisp radish, and a bright lemon vinaigrette. It's a simple side salad that goes well with just about any main dish!
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Insalata Mista (Italian Mixed Salad)
Insalata Mista, or Italian Mixed Salad, is fresh, vibrant and so easy to make! It's tossed in a sweet, tangy balsamic vinaigrette and you'll make it over and over again!
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Raspberry Salad Recipe
Raspberry Salad is packed with sweet and savory flavor! It's tossed in a raspberry dressing for the ultimate summer salad!
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Mediterranean Chopped Salad Recipe
Mediterranean Chopped Salad is packed with summer veggies, creamy feta cheese, kalamata olives and hearty chickpeas! It's tossed in a zesty Greek dressing for the ultimate summer salad!
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Kale Cherry Salad
Kale Cherry Salad with Goat Cheese is an addicting superfood kale salad with juicy cherries, almonds and a tangy, sweet balsamic vinaigrette!
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Broccoli Kale Salad with Lemon Poppy Seed Dressing
This Broccoli Kale Salad will be your new favorite! Hardy kale is tossed with crunchy broccoli florets, crisp apple and it's tossed in a lemon poppy seed dressing!
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Apple Fig Arugula Salad
Apple Fig Arugula Salad is packed with peppery arugula, crisp apple and sweet fig for an addictive sweet and savory salad!
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Strawberry Spinach Salad Recipe
This Strawberry Spinach Salad Recipe is a crave worthy summer salad that everyone will love! It's packed with sweet and savory flavor, it's tossed in a balsamic vinaigrette dressing, and it comes together in about 20 minutes!
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Slaws
Coleslaws may not be considered a salad by some, but I think they have to be included in this collection of summer salads because they’re a quintessential summer side dish.
They’re a must with grilled bbq chicken and make a wonderful topping for pulled pork and BBQ pulled chicken sandwiches!
Broccoli Slaw
Broccoli slaw is crunchy, addictive and a must for your BBQs! It's tossed in a creamy coleslaw dressing for the ultimate summer side dish.
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Classic Coleslaw Recipe
This Classic Coleslaw Recipe is the perfect side dish for grilled burgers and makes a great topping for pulled pork sandwiches!
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Kale Slaw
Kale Slaw is ribbons of kale with broccoli slaw, apple and dried cherries tossed in a sweet, tangy honey lime dressing!
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Pasta salads
Summer pasta salad recipes are a crowd favorite. They may be made ahead of time, so they’re perfect for entertaining.
They can be made gluten-free very easily by using gluten-free pasta, or by substituting with grains such as quinoa.
They’re perfect served with grilled burgers and grilled shrimp!
Lemon Orzo Pasta Salad
Lemon Orzo Pasta Salad is summer in a bowl! It's brimming with summer vegetables, basil, creamy feta cheese and it's tossed in a fresh, tangy lemon salad dressing!
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Greek Orzo Salad
This Greek Orzo Salad is fresh, vibrant and bursting with Mediterranean flavor! It's an easy summer side dish that can be made entirely in advance!
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Potato salads
There’s no going wrong with potato salad — it’s always a crowd pleaser!
It’s a versatile dish that can be made classic style with mayo, or tossed in a vinaigrette for a lighter, fresher take like the recipes below.
Dill Pickle Potato Salad
This Dill Pickle Potato Salad is creamy and herbaceous with hard boiled eggs, crunchy veggies and a light, creamy mayo sour cream dressing. It's so easy to make and it can be prepped entirely in advance!
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German Potato Salad Recipe
This German Potato Salad is the best potato salad recipe! Tender potatoes are tossed in a warm sweet, tangy dressing with crisp bacon and fresh herbs. Eat it warm or cold for the ultimate side dish!
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Grilled Potato Salad with Dijon Vinaigrette
Grilled Potato Salad is packed with smoky flavor, fresh herbs and is tossed in a tangy dijon vinaigrette. It's gluten and dairy free, and is the perfect summer side!
Vegetable salads
Vegetable salads don’t include any greens….they’re nice and rustic and contain some of summers best vegetables.
They’re great served with grilled tomahawk steak, tequila lime chicken or turkey burgers!
Caprese Salad Recipe
This Caprese Salad Recipe is perfect for summer! Juicy tomatoes, creamy mozzarella and fresh basil are finished with olive oil and balsamic for an easy appetizer or side dish that's guaranteed to impress!
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Fresh Corn and Tomato Salad
Fresh Corn and Tomato Salad is brimming with tender charred corn, sweet juicy cherry tomatoes, fresh basil and zesty flavor of fresh lime. It's an easy summer side dish that's ready in 20 minutes!
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Horiatiki (Greek Village Salad)
Horiatiki, or Greek Village Salad, will transport you to the islands of Greece! It's fresh, flavorful and finished with a simple drizzle of oil and vinegar for the perfect summer salad!
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Grilled Mexican Corn Salad
Grilled Mexican Corn Salad is packed with sweet, smoky charred corn and is bursting with fresh flavor. It's a versatile, easy side dish that's perfect for picnics and barbecues!
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Grilled Vegetable Salad
Grilled Vegetable Salad is packed with tender, smoky vegetables, feta cheese, fresh basil and is tossed in a tangy balsamic vinaigrette for the perfect summer side dish!
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Tomato Peach Burrata Salad
This Tomato Peach Burrata Salad is juicy heirloom tomatoes, ripe peaches and creamy burrata layered with fresh basil, extra virgin olive oil and balsamic glaze. It's an easy no lettuce salad that's perfect for entertaining or weeknight dinners!
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Bean salads
Bean salads are fresh and hearty, so they’re great served with air fryer hamburgers and air fryer pork chops.
If you’re looking for great summer lunch ideas, these recipes are for you!
Easy Three Bean Salad
Easy Three Bean Salad is packed with hearty beans, fresh green beans, veggies and a sweet, tangy dressing. It's an easy side dish that's perfect for picnics, potlucks or lunch!
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Mediterranean Bean Salad
Mediterranean Bean Salad is an easy summer salad that's packed with protein, fiber, fresh veggies and plenty of flavor! It comes together in about 20 minutes and makes a great side dish or meal prep lunch!
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Grain salads
Grain salads are hearty and satisfying all on their own, so they make a great vegetarian meal prep lunch or dinner.
They’re the perfect vehicle for all the summer produce or whatever type of protein, cheese or dressing that you have on hand!
Greek Quinoa Salad Recipe
Greek Quinoa Salad is bursting with Mediterranean flavor! It's a satisfying vegetarian meal that's great for meal prep!
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Fruit salad
It doesn’t get better than a refreshing fruit salad does it? They’re great for brunch, picnics, snacks or a light summer dessert.
Tropical Fruit Salad with Coconut
This Tropical Fruit Salad is chopped fresh tropical fruits tossed with lime juice and coconut flakes. There's no added sugar and it's a refreshing summer side dish or brunch option!
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