If you’re after meals that feel super fresh, light, and easygoing, summer salads are a great place to start. With all the crisp produce and bright flavors out there, I find these 17 recipes keep things tasty without getting heavy or boring.
1. Easy Caprese Salad with Fresh Basil and Balsamic Drizzle
Juicy tomatoes, creamy mozzarella, and a sprinkle of fresh basil are simple and classic. I add a bit of olive oil and a balsamic drizzle for the kind of flavor that screams summer every time.
Easy Caprese Salad with Fresh Basil and Balsamic Drizzle
Ten‑minute Caprese highlights peak‑season produce with minimal fuss — perfect for al fresco lunches, barbeques, or elegant starters.
2. Creamy Broccoli Salad with Cranberries and Sunflower Crunch
This one is a crunchy, creamy mix of broccoli florets, dried cranberries, and sunflower seeds. I toss everything with a light yogurt dressing, which keeps it bright and never too rich.
Creamy Broccoli Salad with Cranberries and Sunflower Crunch
This fresh broccoli salad mixes sweet cranberries, crunchy sunflower kernels, red onion, and a creamy yogurt dressing—quick to assemble and ideal for prep ahead.
3. Cucumber Tomato Salad with Zesty Lemon Herb Vinaigrette
I love this salad for how cooling and juicy it is. Sliced cucumbers and tomatoes soak up a lemony herb vinaigrette that’s simple to shake up in a jar, perfect when you want something easy and light.
Cucumber Tomato Salad with Zesty Lemon Herb Vinaigrette
Five‑minute cucumber‑tomato salad dressed in bright lemon‑herb vinaigrette—light, crunchy, and ideal for summer cookouts or weekday lunches.
4. Protein-Packed Quinoa Salad with Veggies and Citrus Dressing
Fluffy quinoa, crisp bell peppers, and some chopped greens get tossed with a fresh citrusy dressing here. I make this when I want a filling lunch that still feels fresh.
Protein‑Packed Quinoa Salad with Veggies and Citrus Dressing
Vibrant quinoa salad with crisp vegetables, chickpeas, and a triple‑citrus dressing—quick to prepare, perfect for lunches, and crowd‑pleasing at potlucks.
5. Summer Spinach Salad with Berries, Feta and Maple Vinaigrette
Sweet and savory work so well in this one. Tender spinach with fresh strawberries, blueberries, crumbled feta, and a quick maple vinaigrette makes for a salad that feels kind of luxe but easy enough for any day.
Summer Spinach Salad with Berries, Feta, and Maple Vinaigrette
Fresh spinach salad bursting with mixed berries, salty feta, toasted pecans, and a tangy maple‑Dijon dressing—quick, nutritious, and visually stunning.
6. Zesty Greek Orzo Pasta Salad with Feta, Olives and Herbs
When I want a salad with a bit more bite, I go for orzo tossed with ripe tomatoes, feta, olives, and loads of dill and oregano. This one goes along with pretty much any summer cookout spread.
Zesty Greek Orzo Pasta Salad with Feta, Olives & Herbs
Vibrant Mediterranean salad with orzo, cucumber, tomato, olives, feta, and lemon‑dill dressing—make ahead, travel friendly, and crowd pleasing.
7. Raw Pad Thai Salad with Crunchy Veggies & Tangy Peanut Sauce
Crispy cabbage, carrots, and bell peppers get coated in a homemade peanut dressing that’s brightened up with some lime and ginger. No noodles or cooking needed, and it’s seriously satisfying.
Raw Pad Thai Salad with Crunchy Veggies & Tangy Peanut Sauce
This Raw Pad Thai Salad transforms spiral‑cut vegetables into vibrant “noodles,” delivering vegan, gluten‑free pad‑Thai flavor without turning on the stove.
8. Mediterranean Couscous Salad with Chickpeas and Lemon Herbs
Tender couscous, chickpeas, cucumbers, and tomatoes hang out with a zesty lemon herb dressing in this salad. I find it’s just right when you want something hearty but not heavy.
Mediterranean Couscous Salad with Chickpeas & Lemon Herbs
Pearl couscous mixed with chickpeas, fresh vegetables, and a bold lemon herb dressing. Great hot or cold.
9. Creamy Avocado Corn Salad with Lime and Fresh Cilantro
Chunks of ripe avocado meet sweet corn and cherry tomatoes, with the whole lot finished by a squeeze of fresh lime and chopped cilantro. I love how quick this is to toss together, just a total taste of summer.
Creamy Avocado Corn Salad with Lime and Fresh Cilantro
Sweet corn, ripe avocado, tomatoes, and a lime‑herb dressing come together for a cool, nutritious side that pairs with grilled favorites or stands alone for a light lunch
10. Mediterranean Chickpea Salad with Cucumber, Tomato and Herbs
This is a go-to for me when I want some protein and crunch. Chickpeas, juicy tomatoes, cucumber, and fresh parsley get tossed in a lemony vinaigrette for a really fresh bite.
Mediterranean Chickpea Salad with Cucumber, Tomato and Herbs
This Mediterranean Chickpea Salad weaves together creamy chickpeas, crisp vegetables, fragrant herbs, and a tangy citrus dressing into a filling dish that delivers nourishment and bright, unforgettable flavor in every bite.
11. Tropical Mango Quinoa Salad with Black Beans and Lime
Sweet mango, fluffy quinoa, and black beans with red onion and cilantro is the definition of bright flavors. A squeeze of lime gives it a sweet and tangy twist I keep coming back for.
Tropical Mango Quinoa Salad with Black Beans and Lime
This Tropical Mango Quinoa Salad interlaces sweet fruit, wholesome grains, hearty legumes, and Caribbean‑inspired toppers into a refreshing dish that delivers balanced nutrition and beach‑holiday flavor in every bite.
12. Watermelon Feta Mint Salad with Lime – Ultimate BBQ Cooler
When I want to cool off, I go straight for juicy watermelon, salty feta, and fresh mint. A quick squeeze of lime tops off this salad that’s honestly the best BBQ side dish.
Watermelon Feta Mint Salad with Lime – Ultimate BBQ Cooler
Watermelon Feta Mint Salad with Lime mixes juicy melon cubes, briny feta crumbles, fresh mint ribbons, and a zippy lime‑honey dressing into an effortless side that dazzles taste buds, balances grill‑heavy menus, and leaves guests sighing for seconds.
13. Mexican Street Corn Salad with Cotija and Smoky Chili Lime
Roasted or grilled corn gets tossed with cotija cheese, fresh cilantro, and a bit of chili powder for smokiness. This one pulls me back to those flavors from classic elote, no cob necessary.
Mexican Street Corn Salad with Cotija and Smoky Chili Lime
Mexican Street Corn Salad tosses charred kernels with tangy yogurt, zesty lime, smoky spices, fresh cilantro, and crumbly cotija, creating an elote‑inspired dish that serves all the flavor without the cob‑side chaos.
14. Lemony Kale Salad with Parmesan, Garlic and Crunchy Croutons
This kale salad gets a bright, lemony dressing, shaved parmesan, and some homemade croutons for crunch. The addition of garlic gives it a slight kick that really makes it pop.
Lemony Kale Salad with Parmesan, Garlic and Crunchy Croutons
Massaged kale mingles with bright lemon, pungent garlic, and clouds of Parmesan, while golden croutons add irresistible crunch. This salad softens the greens, amps the flavor, and keeps its textural spark long after assembly—perfect for make‑ahead lunches or lively dinners.
15. Kale Caesar Salad with Greek Yogurt Dressing and Crunchy Seeds
I like swapping classic Caesar dressing with a Greek yogurt version for a lighter, tangier taste. Toss in toasted pumpkin or sunflower seeds and you get extra crunch and nutrition, too.
Kale Caesar Salad with Greek Yogurt Dressing and Crunchy Seeds
Sturdy kale meets tangy Greek yogurt dressing, savory anchovies, and toasted pumpkin‑sunflower seeds to create a nutrient‑packed Caesar salad that crackles with crunch and bright flavor in every forkful.
16. Tomato Avocado Salad with Red Onion, Basil and Olive Oil
This salad is super simple but always a crowdpleaser. Sliced ripe tomatoes and creamy avocado, plenty of fresh basil, thin red onion, and good olive oil. Sometimes simple really is best. If you want to change it up, add a splash of red wine vinegar or some capers for more zing.
Tomato Avocado Salad with Red Onion, Basil and Olive Oil
This Tomato Avocado Salad marries juicy tomatoes, rich avocado, crisp red onion, and aromatic basil under a lush veil of olive oil and citrus, delivering a fresh, nutrient‑packed side that tastes like a vacation on the Amalfi coast.
17. Loaded Healthy Taco Salad with Black Beans and Creamy Salsa
Greens get topped with black beans, corn, diced tomatoes, and a creamy salsa dressing. I like adding bell peppers and some crushed tortilla chips for a salad that’s kind of like eating nachos with a fork. Trust me, that’s never a bad thing!
Loaded Healthy Taco Salad with Black Beans and Creamy Salsa
Crisp romaine supports layers of seasoned black beans, charred corn, ripe tomatoes, crunchy bell pepper, and crushed tortilla chips, all glossed with a tangy yogurt‑salsa dressing for a nourishing salad that delivers fiesta vibes in every forkful.
So many of these salads come together fast and don’t require any actual cooking, which is always a bonus when it’s hot out. I’ve found swapping in whatever looks good at the farmer’s market or what’s already in my fridge makes these recipes super forgiving, too. Using different dressings, proteins, or grains means you’re never far from a lunch or side dish that feels new and satisfying. To make these salads even more of a meal, just pair with some grilled chicken, shrimp, or tofu, depending on your tastes. And don’t forget that leftovers often taste even better the next day after the flavors have had a chance to mix. Time to check out what’s in your crisper drawer and let it rip with a new summer salad. Wrapping up, summer’s all-in-one salads are a top pick for keeping things fresh, filling, and full of flavor any day of the week.
