36 Easy Summer Salads That Are Full of Seasonal Produce

Add a healthy dish to your next cookout!

summer salads   peach blue cheese and walnut salad
Con Poulos

Nothing highlights the long days, warm weather, and the crisp feeling of summer like a light, refreshing, nutrient-packed summer salad. Whether served as a barbecue side dish or alongside a grilled protein, or a vegetarian staple taking the spot of a filling protein, these easy-to-make summer salad ideas are as delicious as they are beautiful, and are sure to become a family favorite in no time at all.

Easy to include in a summer picnic recipe or to enjoy before, during, or after a summer family activity, salads have become far more complex (and as a result, far more delicious) than past generations' traditional salad options. Now, people are elevating their salad recipes by incorporating grilled proteins, grains, fruits, and seasonal vegetables to create a light, refreshing salad that can easily replace a more heavy meal while still giving you the nutrients you need to keep up with the summer festivities. And of course, any one of these summer salad ideas can be deliciously paired with a tasty non-alcoholic summer cocktail, truly giving you a recipe for culinary success.

During the hustle and bustle of the summer months, it can be difficult to whip up quick, healthy meal options. Thankfully, with these delicious and easy-to-make summer salad recipes, you'll never be at a loss for summer food options.

apple salad with caraway vinaigrette
Chelsea Kyle
1 of 36
Vegan Bratwurst-Apple Salad With Caraway Vinaigrette

Say "hi" to your go-to summer dinner! Perfect for hot nights, this light and fresh salad is packed with protein and antioxidants.

Get the Vegan Bratwurst-Apple Salad With Caraway Vinaigrette recipe.

summersalads
Woman's Day
2 of 36
Crispy Chicken Thighs with Buttermilk Fennel Salad

Stacking a weighted skillet on top of these chicken thighs ensures close contact with the hot skillet for shatteringly crisp skin — and we wouldn’t have it any other way.

Get the recipe for Crispy Chicken Thighs with Buttermilk Fennel Salad

summersalads
Woman's Day
3 of 36
Herbed Pork Meatball and Farro Salad

Short on time? Big flavors are the secret to this healthy, family-friendly meal. Top tip: double the meatball recipe and freeze for a fast weeknight dinner!


Get the recipe for Herbed Pork Meatball and Farro Salad

summersalads
Woman's Day
4 of 36
Mexican Skirt Steak and Avocado Salad

You don't need a lot of time to achieve a lot of flavor — this colorful steak recipe comes together in just 20 minutes!


Get the recipe for Mexican Skirt Steak and Avocado Salad

summersalads
Woman's Day
5 of 36
Mâche, Beet, and Orange Salad

Toss the delicate mâche leaves with the lemon-herb dressing just before eating so they don't get soggy.


Get the recipe for Mâche, Beet, and Orange Salad

summersalads
Woman's Day
6 of 36
Tomato & Watermelon Salad

Paired with basil and salty feta, this fruit salad makes a perfect side for grilled steak.


Get the recipe for Tomato & Watermelon Salad

summersalads
Woman's Day
7 of 36
Fresh Corn, Tomato, Herb, and Israeli Couscous Salad

Pasta salad is a tasty way to showcase summer veggies. Try this with grilled zucchini and onion!


Get the recipe for Fresh Corn, Tomato, Herb, and Israeli Couscous Salad

summersalads
Woman's Day
8 of 36
Spring Chopped Salad with Cider Vinaigrette

Hit the farmer's market to find spring green favorites (such as romaine, herbs, and fresh peas!) then pile them into your biggest bowl and top with a tangy and sweet cider vinaigrette.


Get the recipe for Spring Chopped Salad with Cider Vinaigrette.

summersalads
Woman's Day
9 of 36
Warm Roasted Cauliflower and Spinach Salad

Pumpkin pie spices add warmth to this easy vegetarian dinner.


Get the recipe for Warm Roasted Cauliflower and Spinach Salad

summersalads
Woman's Day
10 of 36
Spice-Dusted Pork with Crunchy Vegetable Salad

Invest in a mandoline to slice veggies super thin for a crisp salad that perfectly balances rich pork tenderloin.

Get the recipe for Spice-Dusted Pork with Crunchy Vegetable Salad

light dinner ideas pear and walnut salad
MIKE GARTEN
11 of 36
Pear and Walnut Salad

Add some extra flavor to this salad by sprinkling apple pie spice to it.

Get the recipe for Pear and Walnut Salad.

hearty salad recipes   korean steak salad with sugar snaps and radishes
Danielle Occhiogrosso Daly
12 of 36
Korean Steak Salad with Sugar Snaps and Radishes

This steak salad, which features caramelized red chile paste, will satisfy your hunger without making you feel too full.

Get the recipe for Korean Steak Salad with Sugar Snaps and Radishes.

hearty salad recipes   white bean and tuna salad with basil vinaigrette
Danielle Occhiogrosso Daly
13 of 36
White Bean and Tuna Salad with Basil Vinaigrette

Prep your own salad dressing for this recipe using shallots, basil, oil, vinegar, salt, and pepper.

Get the recipe for White Bean and Tuna Salad with Basil Vinaigrette.

summer salads   peach blue cheese and walnut salad
Con Poulos
14 of 36
Peach, Blue Cheese, and Walnut Salad

The peaches and blue cheese in this recipe will create an explosion of flavor that you'll want to have again the next day.

Get the recipe for Peach, Blue Cheese, and Walnut Salad.

cookout menu   summer bean, corn, and radish salad
Con Poulos
15 of 36
Summer Bean, Corn, and Radish Salad

This salad makes a great side, but you can easily turn it into a main dish by adding some chicken or steak.

Get the recipe for Summer Bean, Corn, and Radish Salad.

hearty salad recipes   dill crusted pork and farro salad
Danielle Occhiogrosso Daly
16 of 36
Dill-Crusted Pork and Farro Salad

You can get your dose of grains, protein, and veggies with this recipe.

Get the recipe for Dill-Crusted Pork and Farro Salad.

hearty salad recipes   salmon niçoise salad
Con Poulos
17 of 36
Salmon Niçoise Salad

Sometimes you're craving some greens with your potatoes, so here's a recipe that combines the two perfectly.

Get the recipe for Salmon Niçoise Salad.

summer salads   ratatouille salad with fork and knife
Con Poulos
18 of 36
Ratatouille Salad

This veggie dish takes a new turn and gets made into a salad.

Get the recipe for Ratatouille Salad.

summer salads —chicken fajita salad
CON POULOS
19 of 36
Chicken Fajita Salad with Lime-Cilantro Vinaigrette

Replace the tortilla wrap with lettuce and you've got a salad!

Get the recipe for Chicken Fajita Salad with Lime-Cilantro Vinaigrette.

cookout menu   grilled watermelon salad with steak and tomatoes
Con Poulos
20 of 36
Grilled Watermelon Salad with Steak and Tomatoes

You haven't tasted anything as flavorful as a juicy steak that's been grilled with watermelon.

Get the recipe for Grilled Watermelon Salad with Steak and Tomatoes.

watercress salad with honey
MIKE GARTEN
21 of 36
Watercress Salad with Honey-Lime Vinaigrette

This watercress salad is so good, you could eat it on its own or as a side dish.

Get the recipe for Watercress Salad with Honey-Lime Vinaigrette.

kid friendly dinner ideas kale and romaine chicken caesar salad
Chris Court
22 of 36
Kale and Romaine Chicken Caesar Salad

Don't underestimate this Caesar salad. Kale contains folate which may boost memory, while Greek yogurt provides a significant source of protein, which curbs appetite and aids weight loss.

Get the recipe for Kale and Romaine Chicken Caesar Salad.

gluten free meals peach caprese salad
Con Poulos
23 of 36
Peach Caprese Salad

Fresh peaches will add a whole new layer of flavor to your favorite caprese recipe.

Get the recipe Peach Caprese Salad.

summer salads   fresh corn and chickpea salad
Steve Giralt
24 of 36
Fresh Corn and Chickpea Salad

Move over, lettuce: Combine some of the best flavors of summer in this hearty bowl.

Get the recipe for Fresh Corn and Chickpea Salad.

bbq side dishes   blistered pea salad with mint pesto
Con Poulos
25 of 36
Blistered Pea Salad with Mint Pesto

Break out the cast-iron skillet for this minty pesto pea salad. With hints of garlic, parsley, and lemon, this summer dish will tingle all of your tastebuds.

Get the recipe for Blistered Pea Salad with Mint Pesto.

summer salads   spinach, potato, and corn salad
Con Poulos
26 of 36
Spinach, Potato, and Corn Salad

This simple summer salad is fresh and filling — a.k.a. all you could ever want for a hot day.

Get the recipe for Spinach, Potato, and Corn Salad.

grilling recipes grilled smoked mozzarella salad
Con Poulos
27 of 36
Grilled Smoked Mozzarella Salad

The secret to this easy upgrade of a tomato-mozzarella salad? A piping-hot grill pan. The result: crisp crusts and gooey centers!

Get the recipe for Grilled Smoked Mozzarella Salad.

summer salads   shrimp salad with crispy chorizo and almonds
Con Poulos
28 of 36
Shrimp Salad with Crispy Chorizo and Almonds

Crispy bits of chorizo beat out croutons any day.

Get the recipe for Shrimp Salad with Crispy Chorizo and Almonds.

hearty salad recipes   steak with lentil and grapefruit salad
Con Poulos
29 of 36
Steak with Lentil and Grapefruit Salad

Prep this salad two days in advance and store in the fridge.

Get the recipe for Steak with Lentil and Grapefruit Salad.

summer salads   arugula, melon and prosciutto salad
Jonny Valiant
30 of 36
Arugula, Melon and Prosciutto Salad

Reinvent a familiar appetizer as a bright salad bursting with sweet and salty flavor from cantaloupe, prosciutto, arugula, and a red wine vinaigrette.

Get the recipe for Arugula, Melon and Prosciutto Salad.

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