Summer eating is synonymous with salads, and we have a bowl for every occasion! From light and refreshing green salads to hearty and satisfying pasta salads, this collection of 25 Sensational Summer Salad recipes will brighten your meals with vibrant flavors and the freshest ingredients. Whether you’re a seasoned salad-making pro or just looking to try something new, we’ve got you covered with creative combinations of greens, veggies, proteins and pasta, plus unique dressings and unexpected twists.
Green Salads (with lettuce)
These salads are all about celebrating peak-season produce. Think crisp cucumbers, juicy tomatoes, sweet corn, and leafy greens galore. Drizzled with homemade dressings and often topped with a touch of something extra – herbs, nuts, seeds, or cheese – these salads are as healthy as they are delicious.
Seven Layer Salad with Creamy Salsa Vinaigrette
This show-stopper Seven Layer Salad is a twist on the classic and a real crowd pleaser. With a beautiful rainbow of vegetables, it's the perfect way to show off summer's bounty. Served with a unique and delicious creamy salsa vinaigrette dressing, instead of goopy mayo.
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Doritos Taco Salad
This version of the viral Doritos Taco Salad combines seasoned ground beef with black beans, corn, fresh lettuce, tomatoes, and cheese, all topped with crushed taco-flavored Doritos for the perfect crunch. The creamy zesty dressing brings everything together in this easy weeknight dinner that feeds a crowd. This twist on classic taco salad is absolutely irresistible and comes together in under 30 minutes.
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Brussels Sprouts Salad with Apple, Fennel, and Bacon
We might roast Brussels sprouts to their stinky potential for Thanksgiving, but did you know that they're actually a summer crop? And that the leaves, when raw, are sweet and delicious like cabbage (close relatives, they are)? Mix in some smoky bacon and umami-rich parmesan cheese, along with a lovely vinaigrette and this Brussels Sprouts Salad is a refreshing — yes, refreshing! — summer bite.
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Avocado Shrimp Salsa Salad
This unique summer salad is a fiesta of flavors, starting with a zesty salsa base bursting with fresh tomatoes, onions, and cilantro. Then, we take it to the next level by adding succulent shrimp and creamy avocado for a hearty and satisfying salad. Whether you scoop it up with chips or enjoy it as a light lunch, this Avocado Shrimp Salsa Salad is a guaranteed summertime hit.
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Summer Chopped Salad with Burrata and Dreamy Dill Buttermilk Dressing
Summer's bounty shines with our vibrant Summer Chopped Salad! This colorful salad is a celebration of peak-season produce, featuring juicy tomatoes, sweet peaches, crisp greens, and golden corn. We add roasted chickpeas for a protein-packed crunch and creamy burrata for a rich touch of indulgence. Our homemade dill buttermilk dressing ties all the flavors together. Perfect for any summer gathering.
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Vegetable Salads (no lettuce)
Not all salads involve lettuce, and in fact my favorite way to enjoy summer’s fresh produce is chopped into a scoopable salad (think, tortilla chips or crostini) tossed with my favorite dressing. However you present it, it’s sure to be a colorful bowl of nutritious veggies.
Tomato Peach Burrata Salad Recipe
Summer tomatoes deserve nothing but the most delicious treatment, and this elegant Tomato Peach Burrata Salad is a worthy purpose. This salad goes beyond the ordinary Caprese, showcasing the versatility of tomatoes alongside sweet peaches, creamy burrata, and a showstopping bacon vinaigrette.
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Broccoli Grape Salad Recipe
A retro, family-favorite summer recipe from my mom, Broccoli Grape Salad is the surprise hit of every cookout. Who knew broccoli could be so delish!
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Mediterranean Salad
Our no-lettuce Mediterranean Salad celebrates summer's finest vegetables, showcasing a colorful medley of juicy tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, sweet peppers, tangy olives, and salty feta. Tossed in a light, herbaceous vinaigrette, this refreshing dish is a burst of sunshine in every bite. Enjoy it as a light lunch with crusty bread, or serve it alongside grilled meats for a complete Mediterranean feast.
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Easy Mashed Potato Salad
This popular summer salad is made with, as the name implies, mashed potatoes rather than chunks, and is enhanced with classic summer salad add-ins, such as celery, sweet pickles, red onions, mayo, and mustard — all served chilled. Made with prepared mashed potatoes, Easy Mashed Potato Salad is an almost effortless side dish that takes only minutes from cutting board to refrigerator, and is big on flavor.
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Tomato Lover’s Tomato Salad
Tomato season is upon us, and there's no better way to celebrate than with a salad bursting with the ripest, juiciest tomatoes! Our Tomato Lover's Tomato Salad is a love letter to this summer fruit (yes, it's a fruit!). We pile high the freshest heirloom tomatoes, showcasing their rainbow of colors and flavors, then drizzle them with our homemade smoky tomato vinaigrette for a flavor explosion in every bite. This salad is a simple yet stunning centerpiece for any summer meal.
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Eat Your Veggies Salad
This vegetable chopped salad is packed with colorful veggies, fresh herbs, and your favorite dressing. Perfect for meal prep, this healthy salad recipe requires no greens and stays fresh in the fridge for days.
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Sweet Corn Salad
Enjoy the sweetness of summer with our Sweet Corn Salad! This vibrant salad showcases the season's freshest flavors, starting with a base of crisp, raw corn kernels. We then add a medley of crunchy bell peppers, refreshing cucumbers, and a sprinkle of herbs for a taste of the garden in every bite. A light and creamy dill dressing adds the perfect finishing touch to this vibrant salad. Each bite is a taste of sunshine, perfect for picnics, potlucks, or simply enjoying al fresco.
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Protein Salads
Heartier salads with generous servings of proteins are meal-level marvels in the summertime. Serve with a side of toasty bread, and you’re good to go for dinner!
Italian Antipasto Salad
Craving the vibrant flavors of an Italian antipasto platter but in a lighter, fresher format for summer? This Italian Antipasto Salad is your answer! Filled with fresh mozzarella, cured meats, and a medley of vegetables and olives on crisp romaine lettuce, it's meal-worthy showstopper for your next picnic or potluck.
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Chili Crisp Chopped Chicken Salad
This Chili Crisp Chopped Chicken Salad earns its spot on any warm-weather table. A heap of colorful veggies and rotisserie chicken get coated in a creamy chili crisp dressing that's tangy from rice vinegar, savory from soy sauce, and finished with toasted sesame oil. No cooking, maximum payoff.
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Herbed White Bean Picnic Salad
Pack your picnic basket with this crowd-pleasing Herbed White Bean Picnic Salad! Bursting with fresh veggies, protein-packed white beans, and a bright lemon-dill miso dressing, this salad is a flavorful symphony in every bite. Whether you're heading to a park, the beach, or just enjoying lunch al fresco, our Herbed White Bean Picnic Salad is the perfect make-ahead dish that's both hearty and refreshing.
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Hot Honey Tuna Salad (No Mayo)
If you've written off tuna salad as boring, this Hot Honey Tuna Salad is about to change your mind. Cottage cheese takes the place of mayo for a protein-rich, creamy base, and a drizzle of hot honey adds a sweet, spicy kick that makes it genuinely hard to stop eating.
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Summer Cauliflower Power Salad
Celebrate the nutritional power of vegetables with our Summer Cauliflower Power Salad! This vibrant salad is a celebration of fresh, seasonal produce, starring cauliflower florets, crisp cucumbers, and sweet-tart apples. We toss in protein-packed chickpeas for added texture and nourishment, then drizzle everything with a zesty lemon-dill dressing. Whether you're enjoying a leisurely lunch or a festive dinner, this beautiful salad is a delicious and nutritious way to fuel your body and delight your taste buds.
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Pasta Salads
Perfect for picnics, potlucks, and easy weeknight meals, pasta salads are a summertime staple. My recipes feature everything from classic Italian flavors to zesty Mediterranean twists. I use a variety of pasta shapes and load them up with fresh veggies, herbs, and protein for a satisfying dish that’s sure to please everyone at the table.
BLT Pasta Salad Recipe
Transform your BLT cravings into a crowd-pleasing pasta salad with our BLT Pasta Salad! This hearty dish is a delicious medley of all your favorite BLT flavors – crispy bacon, juicy tomatoes, and fresh lettuce – tossed with creamy pesto dressing, crunchy croutons, and ripe avocado. It's a guaranteed hit at any potluck, barbecue, or summer gathering!
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Summer Shrimp & Pancetta Pasta Salad Recipe
Transport your tastebuds to the Italian coast with our Summer Shrimp and Pancetta Pasta Salad! This vibrant dish is a symphony of textures and flavors, featuring succulent shrimp, crispy pancetta, and a medley of fresh summer vegetables. We toss it all in a luxurious creamy pesto dressing for a truly unforgettable taste experience. Whether you're enjoying a backyard barbecue or a light lunch, this Summer Shrimp and Pancetta Pasta Salad is sure to impress.
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Cold Spaghetti Salad
Beat the heat with our refreshing Cold Spaghetti Salad! This make-ahead marvel is a symphony of textures and flavors, featuring perfectly cooked spaghetti tossed with a vibrant medley of crisp vegetables and your favorite vinaigrette. Simply stash it in the fridge to chill, then serve with crusty bread for a satisfying meal that's perfect for busy weeknights, potlucks, and picnics.
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Italian Pasta Salad
No summer meal is complete without a tasty, colorful pasta salad. Carb pasta, fresh veggies and olives, a few savory deli meats — Italian Pasta Salad is a welcome dish on a hot day. The perfect light lunch with toasty bread on the side.
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Summer Tortellini Salad
Summer is synonymous with vibrant, fresh flavors, and there’s no dish that captures this essence more than a refreshing pasta salad. This Summer Tortellini Salad is packed with fresh vegetables, including juicy cherry tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, and sweet corn, plus, of course, wonderfully carby pasta, to celebrate the goodness of summer produce.
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Grilled Salads
Fire up the grill and take your salads to the next level! These recipes embrace the smoky char of grilled greens, vegetables, and fruit. They’re perfect for showcasing the flavors of summer and adding a unique twist to your usual salad routine.
Grilled Romaine Salad with Shrimp
The smoky char of grilled romaine hearts adds a whole new dimension to this classic salad, creating a crisp, savory base that's simply irresistible. We top it with succulent grilled shrimp, sweet corn kernels, juicy tomatoes, creamy avocado, and thinly sliced fennel for a symphony of textures and flavors. This Grilled Romaine Salad with Shrimp is a show-stopping dish that's perfect for summer entertaining or a light and satisfying meal.
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Grilled BBQ Blue Cheese Chicken Salad
This hearty salad is a barbecue lover's dream, featuring tender grilled chicken breast, charred seasonal vegetables, and a medley of crisp greens. Our rich and tangy barbecue blue cheese dressing perfectly complements the smoky flavors and adds a creamy, indulgent touch. This Grilled BBQ Blue Cheese Chicken Salad is a hearty salad that's sure to become a summertime favorite.
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Grilled Peach, Fennel and Tomato Salad
Capture the essence of late summer with our Grilled Peach Fennel Tomato Salad. This elegant dish showcases the smoky sweetness of grilled peaches and fennel, perfectly balanced by the bright acidity of fresh tomatoes. We add creamy burrata for a luxurious touch, creating a salad that's both visually stunning and incredibly delicious.
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I hope this collection of Summer Salads has inspired you to explore summer’s beautiful produce and create a salad of your own! It’s the perfect light and healthy lunch, or as a side to yummies from the grill! If you need tips and advice from a salad-making pro, check out my 10 Tips for Making Sensational Salads for creating bowls your family love (and you’ll love serving!).
