fresh summer salad recipes

Summer days are HERE! And that means sunshine, fun, and looking for something YUMMY and cool to eat.

Heavy meals just don’t cut it when it’s WARM outside. That’s where a GREAT salad comes in.

Salads are SO much more than just a boring side dish. They can be exciting, full of bright flavors, and super refreshing. Think crunchy, think colorful, think ABSOLUTELY delicious.

So, get ready to dive into a world of amazing summer salads! I’ve gathered 30 fresh ideas that are PERFECT for any hot day. Below, you’ll find plenty to keep your meals light, bright, and super tasty.

1. Broccoli Slaw

Broccoli Slaw

Broccoli Slaw offers a fun, fresh twist on the classic cole slaw recipe. This vibrant broccoli dish is the ultimate summer side, perfect for your backyard BBQs. It’s an inviting addition to any potluck spread.

Get the Recipe

2. Cornbread Salad

Cornbread Salad

This easy Cornbread Salad recipe is a delightful layered dish.

It’s bursting with fresh veggies, black-eyed peas, and hearty cornbread, offering a truly southern charm.

Get the Recipe

3. Easy Italian Pasta Salad

Easy Italian Pasta Salad

This Easy Italian Pasta Salad delivers a zesty Italian flair without the fuss. It’s a simple and colorful pasta dish, perfect for gatherings or a quick meal fix. Enjoy this inviting salad that comes together effortlessly.

Get the Recipe

4. White Bean Salad

White Bean Salad

Enjoy a light and refreshing White Bean Salad, quickly made with simple pantry staples. This easy recipe is tossed in a zesty lemon garlic dressing and ready in just 10 minutes.

Get the Recipe

5. Curry Chicken Salad

Curry Chicken Salad

This delicious Curry Chicken Salad features tender diced chicken, fresh veggies, and a mix of dried fruit and nuts, all coated in a creamy spiced dressing. It’s a quick, easy meal, perfect for sandwiches, crackers, or light lettuce cups.

Get the Recipe

6. The Best Mango Avocado Salad (Healthy & Nourishing)

The Best Mango Avocado Salad (Healthy & Nourishing)

This Best Mango Avocado Salad is a healthy and nourishing dish featuring sweet, salty, and citrusy flavors.

Enjoy the creamy and crisp texture of this colorful mango avocado salad recipe, perfect with chips, on tacos, or as a vibrant side.

Get the Recipe

7. Mexican Quinoa Salad

Mexican Quinoa Salad

Get ready to enjoy this vibrant Mexican Quinoa Salad, packed with colorful vegetables like red bell peppers, corn, and tomatoes. Black beans and a bright, fresh cilantro-lime dressing come together perfectly in this delicious quinoa mexican salad.

Get the Recipe

8. Cucumber Edamame Salad with Ginger Lime Dressing

Cucumber Edamame Salad with Ginger Lime Dressing

Brighten your meal with this delightful Cucumber Edamame Salad with Ginger Lime Dressing. This edamame salad is packed with fresh flavors and satisfying crunch, making it a perfect side or light lunch. It’s also fantastic for meal prep!

Get the Recipe

9. Simple Greek Salad

Simple Greek Salad

Whip up this delicious Simple Greek Salad in under five minutes for a fantastic side dish.

It brings restaurant-quality flavor to your table with ease.

This salad is also naturally gluten free, grain free, keto, and low carb, making it a perfect healthy choice.

Get the Recipe

10. Greek Zoodles Salad

Greek Zoodles Salad

This Greek Zoodles Salad offers a burst of fresh Mediterranean flavors.

Enjoy this vibrant zoodle salad recipe featuring juicy tomatoes, briny olives, and a bright lemony dressing.

Get the Recipe

11. Summer Peach Tomato Salad with Feta

Summer Peach Tomato Salad with Feta

Enjoy the vibrant flavors of Summer Peach Tomato Salad with Feta, a truly perfect summer dish.

Sweet peaches blend wonderfully with juicy tomatoes, all brought together by a bright lemon honey shallot vinaigrette.

This delightful salad is a fantastic accompaniment to any protein, even for those new to fruit in salads.

Get the Recipe

12. Tropical Chicken Salad

Tropical Chicken Salad

Tropical Chicken Salad offers a delightful mix of sweet and tangy flavors.

This bright pineapple chicken salad features tender shredded chicken, juicy pineapple, and crunchy macadamia nuts, all coated in a creamy Greek yogurt and lime dressing.

It’s a refreshing and flavorful choice for any meal.

Get the Recipe

13. Vegan Sushi Salad with Spicy Mayo Dressing

Vegan Sushi Salad with Spicy Mayo Dressing

Enjoy all the delicious flavors of sushi in an easy-to-eat bowl with this Vegan Sushi Salad with Spicy Mayo Dressing. It’s the perfect sushi salad when you’re craving sushi but don’t feel like rolling. The creamy, spicy mayo dressing brings everything together with a delightful kick.

Get the Recipe

14. Potato and Egg Salad

Potato and Egg Salad

This Potato and Egg Salad is a fresh and creamy dish that tastes incredible.

It’s a perfect potato and egg salad recipe, easily made in advance for any gathering.

This versatile potato salad recipe UK style is ideal for barbecues, parties, or picnics.

Get the Recipe

15. Easy Recipe for 3 Bean Salad

Easy Recipe for 3 Bean Salad

This Easy Recipe for 3 Bean Salad is a delightful, no-cook cold bean salad that’s ready without any fuss. It comes together with a rich, creamy herb dressing, making it a fiber- and protein-rich side dish or a great meal prep lunch.

Get the Recipe

16. Southern Coleslaw Recipe

Southern Coleslaw Recipe

This Southern Coleslaw Recipe is a fantastic tangy side dish. It’s super easy to make and versatile enough to pair with almost any meal.

Get the Recipe

17. Summer Grilled Shrimp Salad

Summer Grilled Shrimp Salad

The Summer Grilled Shrimp Salad is a light, crisp, and refreshing gluten free dinner. It features succulent grilled shrimp combined with fresh fruit, tangy goat cheese, and a bright Strawberry Lime Poppyseed Vinaigrette. This satisfying grilled shrimp salad is truly bursting with flavor.

Get the Recipe

18. Citrusy Kale Salmon Salad

Citrusy Kale Salmon Salad

Citrusy Kale Salmon Salad is a truly flavorful and delicious option.

This refreshing kale salad features tender salmon tossed in a bright citrusy dressing.

It’s a perfect choice for a light lunch or satisfying dinner.

Get the Recipe

19. Chopped Taco Salad with Chipotle Yogurt Dressing

Chopped Taco Salad with Chipotle Yogurt Dressing

Enjoy the vibrant flavors of this Chopped Taco Salad with Chipotle Yogurt Dressing.

It’s a fresh and satisfying meal, perfectly balanced with a zesty chipotle yogurt sauce.

This delicious chopped taco salad offers a light and convenient way to enjoy your favorite tastes.

Get the Recipe

20. Caprese Pasta Salad

Caprese Pasta Salad

Enjoy this Caprese Pasta Salad, a deliciously light and refreshing choice for any meal. It features tender pasta, fresh mozzarella, and sweet tomatoes, making it a perfect summertime salad.

Get the Recipe

21. Pesto Pasta Salad

Pesto Pasta Salad

This Pesto Pasta Salad is a vibrant dish featuring pasta, mozzarella, olives, tomatoes, and pine nuts. Everything is tossed with a fresh basil pesto, making it an incredibly easy and flavorful pesto pasta salad. It’s the perfect pasta salad to bring as an easy side dish to any potluck or picnic.

Get the Recipe

22. Pasta Seafood Salad

Pasta Seafood Salad

Enjoy this delicious Pasta Seafood Salad, a creamy blend of tender shrimp and succulent crab. Seasoned perfectly with Old Bay, this refreshing seafood pasta salad is ideal for any meal or gathering.

Get the Recipe

23. Mexican Fruit Salad

Mexican Fruit Salad

This Mexican Fruit Salad offers a delightful sweet and savory experience.

It combines fresh tropical fruit with a zesty chili lime seasoning.

This vibrant fruit salad is sure to be a crowd-pleasing addition to any gathering.

Get the Recipe

24. Mint Lentil Salad

Mint Lentil Salad

This refreshing Mint Lentil Salad is a delightful and nourishing meal, packed with plant protein and vitamins. Fresh mint and feta make this lentil salad delicious and truly satisfying.

Get the Recipe

25. Healthy Beet & Goat Cheese Salad

Healthy Beet & Goat Cheese Salad

Enjoy the Healthy Beet & Goat Cheese Salad, a vibrant and delicious dish.

This delightful gluten-free salad makes a perfect healthy meal, leaving you feeling light and truly satisfied.

It’s an easy way to bring a restaurant-quality beet and goat cheese salad right to your table.

Get the Recipe

26. Artichoke And Pesto Mediterranean Quinoa Salad

Artichoke And Pesto Mediterranean Quinoa Salad

Experience the delicious Artichoke And Pesto Mediterranean Quinoa Salad.

This vibrant dish perfectly combines tender artichoke hearts, fragrant pesto, and fluffy quinoa for a light and satisfying meal.

Get the Recipe

27. Tomato and Mozzarella Salad with Basil Vinaigrette

Tomato and Mozzarella Salad with Basil Vinaigrette

Enjoy this refreshing Tomato and Mozzarella Salad with Basil Vinaigrette.

It brings together juicy tomatoes, creamy mozzarella, and a bright, zesty basil dressing for a perfect light meal.

Get the Recipe

28. Broccoli Slaw

Broccoli Slaw

This Broccoli Slaw is a vibrant and easy side dish packed with flavor and satisfying crunch. It brings together crisp broccoli, savory bacon, and sweet cranberries, all tossed in a creamy dressing. Serve this versatile slaw alongside your favorite meat or seafood for a perfect meal.

Get the Recipe

29. Salad with Goat Cheese

Salad with Goat Cheese

Enjoy this crave-able Fried Goat Cheese Salad, a decadent treat that still tastes wonderfully light.

This goat cheese salad is made with fresh ingredients, offering a perfect blend of rich flavors and a fresh feel.

Get the Recipe

30. Cold Corn Salad

Cold Corn Salad

Enjoy a refreshing Cold Corn Salad that’s incredibly simple to make.

It’s ideal for a quick lunch or a wonderful corn side dish to share at a potluck.

Get the Recipe