Salads make an ideal summer meal. They’re relatively fast and easy to throw together, you can fill them up with delicious seasonal produce, they don’t heat up the kitchen, and there are SO many delicious options out there! We’ve rounded up 15 of our favorite summer salad recipes. Whether you’re looking for dinner inspiration, a potluck pleaser, or a simple side salad to round out a meal- we’ve got you covered!
Why These Summer Salads Shine:
- Kid-friendly textures & flavors: Mix of crunchy, creamy, sweet, and savory
- Prep ahead & stay cool: Most recipes can chill in the fridge before serving
- Flexible ingredients: Easy to swap proteins, grains, or dressings
- Great for gatherings: Feed a crowd without heating the kitchen
Tips & Substitution Ideas:
- Protein swaps: Add shredded chicken, canned tuna, beans, or chickpeas for extra staying power
- Cheese variety: Try feta, goat cheese, or dairy-free options
- Grain flexibility: Replace quinoa or pasta with farro, couscous, or leave as all-veggie
- Make it green: Add spinach, arugula, kale, or romaine as a base
- Kid customization: Let kids top their bowls with extras like nuts, fruit, seeds, or tortilla strips
Satisfying Main Dish Salads
Sweet and Savory Peach Quinoa Salad
Fresh and delicious, this hearty Peach Quinoa Salad is full of some of the best foods out there! Light enough to serve for lunch, but filling enough to be a dinner meal.
Southwest Summer Salad
Need a quick, no-fuss dinner that’s full of color and kid-approved flavors? This Southwest Summer Salad delivers every time. It’s crisp, hearty, a little zesty, and so easy to customize with ingredients you already have at home. Plus, it’s a great way to get veggies, fiber and protein into one big bowl!
Mango Chicken Pasta Salad
This Mango Chicken Pasta Salad bursts with summery flavor in every bite—sweet grapes, juicy mango, crisp celery, and tender chicken all tossed with a creamy basil-lime dressing. It’s a refreshing, wholesome meal that’s perfect for potlucks, picnics, or a light family dinner.
BBQ Chicken Salad
Savor the smoky and tangy flavors of a BBQ Chicken Salad with tender grilled chicken, crisp lettuce, sweet corn, creamy avocado, and juicy cherry tomatoes drizzled with a tangy barbecue ranch dressing.
Cobb Salad with Savory Shallot Dressing
Savor the timeless charm of Cobb Salad with crisp salad greens, tender chicken, crispy bacon, sweet juicy cherry tomatoes, creamy avocado, and tangy blue cheese. Our Cobb Salad recipe is topped with a savory shallot dressing, making it a true culinary masterpiece.
Avocado Pasta Salad
There is a whole lot to love in this bright and flavorful salad. It’s easy to make, nutritious, filling but not too heavy, and tossed in a delicious cilantro lime dressing. Creamy avocado is combined with sweet and juicy tomatoes, chewy pasta, crunchy cucumber, and salty feta. And the dressing is easy and absolutely packed with flavor.
Homemade Chicken Caesar Salad
This classic Chicken Caesar Salad is made with crisp romaine lettuce, shaved Parmesan cheese, juicy grilled chicken, and perfectly crunchy homemade croutons tossed in an easy and delicious creamy caesar dressing.
Tortellini Pasta Salad
This Tortellini Pasta Salad is a delicious combination of tender and cheesy tortellini pasta tossed with juicy cherry tomatoes, crunchy cucumbers, crispy bacon, savory chicken and sweet mandarin oranges drizzled with a sweet and tangy dressing for a light but amazingly satisfying meal.
Super Side Salads
Citrus Avocado Salad
With just a handful of ingredients and zero cooking required, this Citrus Avocado Salad is a vibrant, tangy-sweet combo that hits all the right notes. Whether you’re serving it as a light lunch, a refreshing side for grilled fish, or a brunch showstopper- this dish is sunshine in a bowl!
Favorite Spinach Salad
This delicious Spinach Salad recipe is one that I have been making for years! Crispy bacon, creamy cottage cheese, and a sweet and tangy poppyseed dressing make this salad a satisfying dish that goes well with almost any meal. It’s also easy to make with ingredients I always have on hand. One taste and you’ll understand why it’s our favorite!
Broccoli Salad
This healthy Broccoli Salad is made with savory bacon pieces, crunchy sunflower seeds, chewy craisins, cheddar cheese and fresh crisp broccoli tossed with a sweet-tangy homemade dressing without mayo! Fresh, crunchy and delicious, this is a perfect side dish for potlucks, and get togethers and one of my personal favorite ways to eat broccoli.
Chopped Kale Salad
Feel free to add in nuts, chicken, swap out the cheese for different type or add spinach! This Chopped Kale Salad is made to be messed with!
Fast and Fresh Fruit Salads
Honey Lime Fruit Salad
A simple honey and lime dressing elevates this beautiful fruit salad into something special. Perfect for brunch or special occasions, but easy and delicious enough that you’ll want to add it to your weekly line up.
The Best Ever Fruit Salad
Treat your family and friends to a refreshing, colorful blend of fruit and grains! This delightful Fruit Salad recipe is the perfect side dish for your spring meals and celebrations.
Watermelon Mint Salad
Some recipes are so simple and refreshing, you wonder how you ever lived without them — and this Watermelon Mint Salad is one of those! It’s the perfect sweet-and-salty combo for hot days, backyard dinners, and family picnics. And it comes together in just minutes!
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