30+ Summer Salads

This collection of Best Summer Salad Recipes features all of the best savory salads, sweet salads, pasta salads, and dressings to enjoy during the summer months when seasonal produce is at it’s peak!

More Collections: Favorite Summer Recipes, Summer Desserts, Summer Drinks, Summer Dinner Ideas, Summer Slow Cooker Recipes

Tips for Summer Salad recipes

I always love a good salad, but especially in the summertime when produce is fresh and in season, I tend to REALLY crave a refreshing salad.

A delicious salad is like the supporting character in a movie. It’s not the star of the meal, but it serves to elevate the entire experience. Whether you’re serving a simple green salad or a fancy sweet Ambrosia salad here are a few tips in creating the best “supporting cast”.

Dressings: Depending on the type of salad served you can offer different kinds of dressing options.

Hearty: One way to make hearty and filling salad is to include protein. This can be any type of protein such as beans, boiled egg, bacon, shrimp, chicken, ham, beef, salmon

Make ahead of time: Salads are nice to be able to make ahead of time. Sometimes you want to prep the ingredients and store them separately until it’s time to assemble and serve. Either way anytime you can save time by doing it ahead is a win!

How much:  Plan to serve ½-1 cup or 4-6 oz of fruit salad and pasta salad. For a vegetable salad, plan for 1-2 c or 2 ½ -5 oz per person. 

Storage: See the individual recipe posts for storage information and other specific tips and tricks.

Seasonal Produce

In season produce is not only cost effective, but typically gives the freshest best tasting fruits and veggies 

Produce comes in so many colors! Use those colors to your advantage to create a feast for your eyes before you feast with your mouth. 

Fruit:

• Apples, Apricots, Avocado, Cantaloupe, Cherries, Figs, Grapes, Limes, Mangos, Nectarine, Peach, Pear, Plums, Tomatoes, Watermelon
• Berries: Blackberries, Blueberries, Raspberries, Strawberries

Vegetables:

• Bell Pepper, Beets, Carrots, Corn off the cob, Cucumbers, Garlic, Green beans, Red Onion, Peas, Radishes, Zucchini
• Greens: Chard, Collard, Romaine lettuce, Spinach
• Fresh herbs: from Basil to Rosemary

Serving salad outside

Summer time often brings backyard barbeques and picnics. With a bit of preparation transporting and serving salads outside is easy. 

• I suggest keeping your salad in a cold cooler while you travel. This also ensures that it stays cold until you’re ready to serve it. . 
• When serving, only set out as much as can be eaten within 30 minutes. Refill the salad bowl as needed. 
• Setting platters and bowls on a tray of ice will help keep them cool while sitting out.

Savory Salads

The salad recipes are endless, but we definitely have our favorites for summer time, including:

Favorite Broccoli Salad – This Sunny Broccoli Salad is a simple, tasty and hearty broccoli salad served with bacon, cranberries, sunflower seeds, and mixed with a delicious, homemade mayonnaise-vinegar based dressing that is perfect for BBQs and get togethers.

Summer Corn Salad – This Summer Corn Salad is a light, flavorful salad filled with corn, tomatoes, feta, basil and cucumber. It’s so simple and quick that it’s perfect for get togethers and BBQs.

Tuna Salad – Chopped Tuna Salad is the perfect summer side dish. Filled with fresh crisp veggies the color of the rainbow, protein packed tuna, and tossed in a light and refreshing lemon vinaigrette.

Easy Coleslaw – This quick and Easy Coleslaw makes the perfect side dish for any picnic or BBQ. It takes just minutes to put this classic coleslaw recipe together, and it can easily be customized with the spices and flavors you love most.

Arugula Salad – Fresh Arugula salad is loaded with healthy greens, juicy tomatoes, and parmesan shavings with pine nuts and creamy avocado on top!

Cucumber Tomato Avocado Salad – Tomato Cucumber Avocado Salad – a simple, delicious and quick salad perfect for dinner or for BBQs and get togethers. So many great flavors!

Homemade Potato Salad – Our all-time favorite Potato Salad – it’s simple, flavorful and filled with chunks of potatoes, eggs and olives! It’s the perfect addition to any BBQ or picnic and is so creamy and tasty, it will wow everyone who tries it.

Chicken Caesar Salad – Ultimate Caesar Salad with grilled chicken, croutons, tomatoes, bacon, hard-boiled eggs, Parmesan cheese and tomatoes.

Asian Coleslaw – Easy Asian Coleslaw is filled with crushed crunchy ramen noodles and covered in a light yummy Asian dressing!

7 Layer Salad – 7 Layers of Goodness in this delicious layered Salad. This recipe isn’t only delicious, but is easy to customize and is great to make ahead of time too!

Strawberry Harvest Salad – Strawberry Harvest Salad tastes just like the salad at Zupa’s! It’s topped with a homemade Strawberry Vinaigrette dressing.

Chicken Taco Salad – Crunchy and fresh chicken taco salad is a weeknight dinner dream! Easy, flavorful, and a recipe that everyone will enjoy.

Southwest Salad – Simple and delicious Southwestern Chopped Salad filled with chicken, peppers, beans, corn, tomatoes, avocado and topped with a homemade cilantro ranch dressing.

Applebee’s Oriental Chicken Salad – This delicious Copycat Oriental Chicken Salad from Applebees is made with breaded chicken, cabbage, romaine, sliced almonds, and more tossed in a flavorful Asian dressing!

Waldorf Salad – Waldorf Salad is filled with texture and flavor. Tossed in a homemade poppyseed dressing, it’s perfect for any lunch, dinner or appetizer.

Pizza Salad – Delish Pizza Salad is hearty & refreshing. All of the flavors of pizza on a bed of greens, topped with a homemade herb dressing!

Ramen Noodle Salad – With toasted almonds, sesame seeds, and ramen noodles, this green salad has the perfect crunch to it. Top it all off with a simple homemade dressing, and this Ramen Noodle Salad will win everyone over!

Cobb Salad – This simple cobb salad is so full of tasty ingredients it’s a meal all on it’s own. It is quick to make and utterly delicious.

Antipasto Salad – Antipasto Salad Is the perfect summer salad! It’s filled with tomatoes, cheeses, cured meats, veggies and more and can be topped with your favorite dressing.

Tomato Mozzarella Salad – Fresh, light, and healthy tomato mozzarella salad! Perfect for lunches with friends or a side salad to dinner!

PASTA SALADS

Can you beat a pasta salad in the hot summer months? They’re one of our go-to sides for all summer BBQs, get togethers and holidays!

Easy Tortellini Salad – Super YUMMY and easy Tortellini Salad filled with tortellini, salad, ranch, tomatoes and bacon bits – perfect for summer time!

Macaroni Salad – A simple, creamy macaroni salad loaded with pasta, peas and ham. It’s perfect for parties, family dinners, and potlucks!

Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad – Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad is filled with spicy buffalo wings and topped with a tangy blue cheese dressing. It is easy and delish!

Caprese Pesto Pasta Salad – Caprese Pesto Pasta Salad is a light dish with a bold flavor, making it perfect for potlucks, parties, BBQ’s, and get togethers!

Asian Pasta Salad – Easy & Delicious Asian Pasta Salad topped with a sweet and tangy dressing is packed with veggies and flavor!

Asian Noodle Salad – Asian Noodle Salad – coleslaw, linguine, chicken, and fried wonton strips covered in a delicious homemade Asian dressing!

Greek Orzo Salad – Orzo Salad is a Greek pasta salad loaded with Orzo, veggies, and feta topped with a Greek dressing.

Easy Pasta Salad – Easy and delicious Italian Pasta Salad recipe that includes Rotini pasta, olives, tomatoes, & cheese in Italian dressing! It takes minutes to make and is perfect for any get together including BBQs and holidays.

Chinese Pasta Salad – Chinese Pasta Salad – filled with lettuce, noodles, fried wontons and more tossed in a delicious homemade dressing.

Fresh Mozzarella Pasta Salad – Easy & Fresh Mozzarella Pasta Salad is light, delicious and flavorful. This simply dressed salad is a new favorite!!

SWEET SALADS

Pistachio Salad – Everyone loves this Pistachio Salad! This cool side salad is perfect for summer or any holiday get together.

Strawberry Jello Pretzel Salad – Strawberry Jello Pretzel Salad is the ultimate combination of sweet and salty. This classic treat is always a crowd pleaser!!

Cheesecake Fruit Salad – This Cheesecake Fruit Salad is the perfect combination of creamy, light, and fresh! Fresh berries tossed in a cream cheese pudding mixture—it’s the perfect side, or crepe filling!

Easy Fruit Salad – A fresh fruit salad that makes the perfect side dish to any meal! Colorful, healthy, delicious, and filled with all your favorite fruits!

Snicker Apple Salad – Delicious Apple Snickers Salad that is so good and so easy to make! Layers of apples, snickers, and caramel in a creamy topping made from cool whip, milk, and vanilla pudding mix.

Ambrosia Salad – This ambrosia salad will take your straight back to your childhood. The best creamy fruit salad with mini marshmallows mixed in!

DRESSINGS FOR YOUR SUMMER SALADS

Strawberry Vinaigrette – Quick and simple, this strawberry vinaigrette is delicious. It’s sweet, tart, and goes wonderfully on top of a bed of greens.

Lemon Poppy Seed Dressing – A delicious salad with tomatoes, chicken, craisins, sunflower seeds and a delicious homemade lemon poppy seed dressing. The dressing only requires 4 ingredients and takes minutes to make!

Caesar Salad Dressing – Delicious Homemade Caesar Salad dressing with crispy Homemade Croutons. This simple salad dressing will become your new go-to for salads!

Cafe Rio Cilantro Ranch Dressing – Copycat recipe for Café Rio Cilantro Ranch Dressing is fresh and creamy with a hint of spice. We LOVE this stuff!

Cilantro Lime Dressing – Easy, creamy and delicious Cilantro Lime Dressing that is great for salads, but also served over veggies, meat or even in tacos and burritos!

Chipotle Ranch – Chipotle ranch has just the right amount of kick. Drizzle it over salads, dip tortilla chips, or serve it on the side of your Mexican entrees.

Creamy Pesto Dressing – This simple creamy pesto dressing is delicious on any salad! Plus, it only requires 5 ingredients and 5 minutes to make.

Greek Dressing – Flavorful homemade Greek dressing is perfect for salads and marinades! It comes together quickly with only a handful of ingredients.

Homemade Ranch Dressing – Delicious homemade buttermilk ranch dressing is made in minutes and is better than any store bought version!

Cilantro Lime Vinaigrette – Cilantro lime vinaigrette is light and refreshing. The lime adds a brightness and cilantro a flair of flavor!

Honey Mustard Chicken Salad – Honey Mustard Chicken Salad is one of the heartiest, most delicious salad recipes you’ll try! With greens, fruits, nuts, and a tangy dressing, it’s a real winner.

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the complete list

Here are the picture cards for ALL of the incredible Summer Salads listed above. No need to heat up your oven this summer with so many quick, easy, and delicious salad recipes to choose from!

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More Collections: Healthy Dinner Ideas, Spring Salad Recipes, Pasta Salad Recipes