cold salads for summer

When summer brings the HEAT, sometimes the last thing you want is a heavy, hot meal.

That’s when a cool, crisp salad is EXACTLY what you need!

They’re refreshing, easy to make, and there are TONS of different kinds. From pasta salads to fruit salads, and everything in between.

We’ve rounded up 35 fantastic cold salad ideas for you to try. So get ready to discover some delicious ways to stay cool all summer!

1. Hearts of Palm Avocado Salad

Hearts of Palm Avocado Salad

This vibrant Hearts of Palm Avocado Salad is a fantastic, easy side dish. You will love this creamy avocado salad featuring tender hearts of palm. It’s a simple hearts of palm salad that pairs perfectly with any protein.

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2. Grilled Peach Salad Recipe

Grilled Peach Salad Recipe

The Grilled Peach Salad Recipe features sweet grilled peaches paired with luscious burrata cheese.

This delightful peach salad offers a fresh and inviting flavor experience you’ll truly savor.

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3. Gluten-Free Summer Pasta Salad

Gluten-Free Summer Pasta Salad

This Gluten-Free Summer Pasta Salad truly brings all the vibrant flavors of the season to your table.

Enjoy this delicious pasta dish packed with fresh vegetables and a zesty dressing.

It’s the perfect easy appetizer or side for any summer BBQ.

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4. Tomato Salad with Balsamic Vinegar

Tomato Salad with Balsamic Vinegar

This delightful Tomato Salad with Balsamic Vinegar is the perfect way to enjoy fresh heirloom tomatoes. Each bite is brightened by a light balsamic mint dressing, truly highlighting the tomatoes’ natural sweetness. It’s a simple, wholesome choice that fits many healthy lifestyles.

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5. Ramen Noodle Salad

Ramen Noodle Salad

Enjoy this vibrant Ramen Noodle Salad featuring crunchy noodles, fresh veggies, and a delightful sweet and tangy dressing.

It’s a perfectly cold and refreshing side, ideal for your next summer gathering, potluck, or BBQ.

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6. Ramen Noodle Salad

Ramen Noodle Salad

This easy Ramen Noodle Salad is packed with satisfying crunch from fresh cabbage, carrots, and toasted ramen noodles. It’s a fantastic, flavorful dish that’s perfect for potlucks and picnics.

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7. Easy Caprese Orzo Salad

Easy Caprese Orzo Salad

Enjoy the incredible flavors of this Easy Caprese Orzo Salad. This delightful caprese orzo salad brings together mozzarella pearls, sweet cherry tomatoes, and fragrant basil in a delicious balsamic dressing. It makes a wonderful side dish for any season.

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8. Famous Curried Chicken Salad

Famous Curried Chicken Salad

This Famous Curried Chicken Salad is a fantastic way to elevate your usual chicken salad. It’s bursting with flavor from a hint of curry powder, sweet raisins, and apricots. This delicious dish is sure to be a hit at any gathering or potluck.

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9. Burrata Caprese

Burrata Caprese

Enjoy a delightful Burrata Caprese, showcasing creamy burrata cheese.

This dish perfectly blends different varieties of fresh tomatoes, fragrant basil, and a hint of balsamic vinaigrette or glaze.

It’s a simple and inviting way to experience fantastic flavors.

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10. Berry Cheesecake Salad

Berry Cheesecake Salad

Enjoy this delightful Berry Cheesecake Salad, featuring a mix of fresh berries in a light and creamy cheesecake mixture. It’s the perfect berry salad to cool down with on a warm summer day.

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11. Chicken Fajita Salad Bowl

Chicken Fajita Salad Bowl

This Chicken Fajita Salad Bowl offers a delightful, lighter way to enjoy all the vibrant flavors of fajita spice. It’s a perfect Chicken Fajita Salad Bowl recipe for those warm summer days, giving you a fresh and satisfying meal.

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12. Best Potato Salad Recipe

Best Potato Salad Recipe

This Best Potato Salad Recipe is the perfect addition to any meal. You will love this classic potato salad for its creamy texture and fresh flavors. It’s a guaranteed hit for summer picnics, potlucks, or barbecues.

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13. Tuna Salad

Tuna Salad

This Tuna Salad is wonderfully creamy and packed with delicious flavor. A special secret ingredient makes this classic tuna salad extra yummy and unforgettable. Enjoy it on its own for a quick bite or piled high in a sandwich or wrap.

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14. Easy Antipasto Pasta Salad

Easy Antipasto Pasta Salad

Whip up an impressive Easy Antipasto Pasta Salad in no time. This amazing pasta salad is perfect for any gathering. Its vibrant colors and delicious taste will surely wow your guests.

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15. Watermelon Feta Salad

Watermelon Feta Salad

This Watermelon Feta Salad offers a perfectly refreshing taste.

It features juicy watermelon, fresh blueberries, and crisp cucumber alongside crumbly feta cheese.

This is the ultimate summer delight.

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16. Tarragon Potato Salad

Tarragon Potato Salad

This Tarragon Potato Salad offers a fresh and bright take on a classic summer side. You’ll love the creamy potatoes with delightful hints of lemon and herbs in every bite. This lemon tarragon potato salad recipe is sure to be a new favorite at your next gathering.

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17. Waldorf Salad

Waldorf Salad

This classic Waldorf Salad brings the famous taste of the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel right to your table.

You’ll love this refreshing salad for its sweet fruit and crunchy nuts, all mixed in a creamy, tangy dressing.

It’s a delightful blend of textures and flavors perfect for any occasion.

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18. Lacinato Kale Superfood Salad

Lacinato Kale Superfood Salad

This Lacinato Kale Superfood Salad is a delicious and nutritious option, brimming with fresh avocado, crisp apples, and crunchy pecans.

Enjoy this vibrant salad as a perfect stand-alone meal or a delightful side dish, finished with a bright citrus tahini dressing.

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19. Vegan Couscous Salad with Chickpeas and Charred Corn

Vegan Couscous Salad with Chickpeas and Charred Corn

Enjoy a vibrant Vegan Couscous Salad with Chickpeas and Charred Corn, bursting with fresh veggies and a zesty chili-lime vinaigrette. This easy vegan couscous salad is a bright and satisfying meal, perfect for a quick and delicious plant-based option.

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20. Honey Dijon Chicken Salad with Apples

Honey Dijon Chicken Salad with Apples

This Honey Dijon Chicken Salad with Apples offers a fresh and flavorful take on a classic.

It’s perfect for kid-friendly meals and makes a wonderful gluten-free lunch option.

Enjoy this delicious mustard chicken salad anytime!

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21. Best Spinach Salad Recipe

Best Spinach Salad Recipe

The Best Spinach Salad Recipe is perfect for busy days.

You can prep every delicious part of this spinach salad ahead, making it ideal for a quick work week lunch or dinner.

Enjoy a complete meal that needs no side dishes.

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22. Mandarin Orange Salad

Mandarin Orange Salad

This vibrant Mandarin Orange Salad features crisp mixed greens, juicy orange slices, and sweet candied pecans, all tossed with a delicious homemade dressing. It’s a quick, easy, and fresh salad that perfectly complements chicken or seafood dishes.

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23. Creamy Balsamic Summer Pasta Salad

Creamy Balsamic Summer Pasta Salad

Creamy Balsamic Summer Pasta Salad is the ideal cold pasta salad recipe for any summer gathering. This delightful vegetarian dish is perfect for a BBQ, picnic, or even a light lunch. It’s a wonderful healthy choice, being dairy-free, oil-free, and refined sugar-free.

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24. Quinoa Tabbouleh

Quinoa Tabbouleh

Quinoa Tabbouleh offers a delightful, fresh take on a classic Middle Eastern dish.

This light and healthy gluten-free version is perfect for any meal.

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25. Easy Recipe for 3 Bean Salad

Easy Recipe for 3 Bean Salad

This Easy Recipe for 3 Bean Salad offers a delightful, no-cook solution for any meal. Enjoy this refreshing cold bean salad, featuring a rich, creamy herb dressing tossed with beans and veggies. It’s a perfect fiber- and protein-rich side dish or a convenient meal prep lunch.

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26. Tuscan Kale Salad

Tuscan Kale Salad

Enjoy a fresh and vibrant Tuscan Kale Salad, featuring crisp kale, grilled chicken, creamy avocado, and sweet tomatoes. This healthy and easy meal is complete with almonds and feta cheese, all tossed in a simple lemon dressing.

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27. White Bean Salad

White Bean Salad

Enjoy a light and refreshing White Bean Salad, perfect for any meal. This easy salad comes together in just 10 minutes, featuring simple pantry staples and a zesty lemon garlic dressing.

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28. Ranch Potato Salad

Ranch Potato Salad

Ranch Potato Salad offers a creamy, flavorful twist on a classic side dish. This delightful salad combines tender potatoes with a zesty ranch dressing, making it a delicious addition to any meal.

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29. Hearts of Palm Salad with a Simple Lemon Vinaigrette

Hearts of Palm Salad with a Simple Lemon Vinaigrette

Enjoy this incredibly flavorful Hearts of Palm Salad with a Simple Lemon Vinaigrette.

This delightful hearts of palm dish comes together in mere minutes with just a few simple ingredients.

It’s a quick and easy way to add a refreshing touch to any meal.

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30. Roasted Sweet Potato Salad

Roasted Sweet Potato Salad

This Roasted Sweet Potato Salad is a truly delicious and healthy addition to your table.

Enjoy the delightful mix of tender sweet potatoes, creamy avocado, and crunchy pecans.

It’s an easy sweet potato salad that brings vibrant flavor to any meal.

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31. Keto Broccoli Salad

Keto Broccoli Salad

This delicious Keto Broccoli Salad offers a fresh take on a classic side. You’ll love its creamy dressing combined with crunchy textures like fresh broccoli, crispy bacon, and sunflower seeds. It’s the perfect low-carb choice for any summer gathering or barbecue.

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32. Amish Macaroni Salad

Amish Macaroni Salad

Amish Macaroni Salad is a true potluck classic.

This beloved side dish recipe features tender macaroni and a rich, creamy dressing everyone will enjoy.

It’s the perfect creamy macaroni salad recipe for any gathering.

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33. Chopped Taco Salad with Chipotle Yogurt Dressing

Chopped Taco Salad with Chipotle Yogurt Dressing

This Chopped Taco Salad with Chipotle Yogurt Dressing is a vibrant and flavorful meal perfect for any day. It comes together quickly, making it an easy choice for a delicious lunch or dinner. The creamy chipotle yogurt sauce adds a wonderful kick that makes every bite exciting.

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34. Cherry Fluff

Cherry Fluff

Cherry Fluff is an incredibly easy, no-bake recipe that’s perfect for any time.

This delightful fluff salad blends sweet cherries and pineapple with fluffy, creamy, and wonderfully crunchy textures.

It’s the ultimate summer salad, offering a simple and refreshing treat.

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35. Burrata Salad

Burrata Salad

This Burrata Salad is a true showstopper, bringing fresh and vibrant flavors to your table.

It’s loaded with beautiful colors and textures that make it a visual delight.

Best of all, this burrata recipe comes together easily with just a handful of simple, flavorful ingredients.

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