15 Summer Salad Recipes to Try

Summer salad recipes are a must during those warmer days. Here’s a collection of 15 fresh, flavorful and wholesome ways to add vegetables into your meals. These healthy globally inspired salads are loaded with flavor!

I’ve got 15 summer salad recipes for you to try at home. From a quick pasta salad to a heartier entree salad with protein, it’s all here! These salads are packed with exciting ingredients inspired by seasonal farmers market ingredients and flavors from around the globe.

The key to a great salad is pairing the vegetable base with just the right dressing. You’ll become a pro with my tips for creating delicious homemade dressings by making the perfect emulsion.

There are so many different types of lettuce to try, and this roundup provides tasty salad ideas that highlight a variety of tender greens as well as heartier vegetables, for any occasion.  I can’t wait to hear which one you choose to make!

Summer Salad Recipes

#1) Salmon Greek Salad with Lemon Basil Dressing

Take a trip to Greece with this light, fresh and healthy grilled salmon salad recipe. Crisp vegetables, tomatoes, and feta cheese are tossed in a tangy lemon basil dressing and topped with flaky grilled salmon.

#2) Asian Chicken Salad with Ginger Sesame Dressing

This Asian chicken salad is loaded with crunchy toppings, fruit, and vegetables! A crowd-pleasing appetizer tossed in naturally sweetened ginger sesame dressing. Plus its Whole30 and Paleo diet friendly!

#3) Spiralized Vegetable Salad with Roasted Chickpeas

Take your salad game to the next level by “spiralizing” carrots, zucchini and summer squash into low carb vegetable ribbons. You could even make it a cucumber salad instead of zucchini. Don’t skip the irresistible crunchy chickpea topping for added protein and fiber to each serving.

#4) Crunchy Thai Salad with Creamy Peanut Dressing

Hearty kale and colorful cabbage are made tender by thinly slicing the vegetables and dressing them in a smooth, savory, and creamy peanut dressing. This Thai style coleslaw will make any traditional recipe more exciting and exotic!

#5) Easy Greek Pasta Salad

Greek pasta salad gets a tasty twist with tender Gemelli pasta added to the mix. It only takes 15-minutes to prepare this flavorful side dish. Each spoonful delivers sweet tomatoes, cucumbers, olives, bell peppers, feta cheese, tossed with a lemon herb dressing.

#6) Chicken Kale Caesar Salad with Croutons

All hail to the extremely popular Caesar salad! This version gets a healthier gourmet makeover with Tuscan kale, homemade whole wheat croutons, and tender sliced chicken. A light anchovy-based dressing adds an incredible depth of flavor to greens! Switch it up and add seafood to make it a shrimp salad.

#7) Summer Fruit Salad with Peach Poppy Seed Dressing

Take fruit salads to the next level! Summer is known for ripe berries and stone fruit, which are the stars of this sweet, savory and crunchy salad. To make a fruit dressing, sliced peaches are pureed with olive oil, lemon, and a touch of honey for luscious drizzle of flavor.

#8) Summer Succotash Salad

Hearty grilled vegetables like eggplant, zucchini, yellow squash, bell peppers, and corn are chopped and tossed together for the ultimate smoky salad. Snappy green beans can even be chopped and tossed in raw into the mix. A tangy citrus salad balances the charred notes of the barbecued vegetable salad.

#9) Broccoli Slaw and Kale Salad with Chicken

Broccoli salads never tasted so good! This coleslaw is packed with colorful superfoods and antioxidants like kale, red cabbage, carrot, cruciferous broccoli, and cranberries. Sprinkle some sunflower seeds or pine nuts on top. It all comes together with a creamy dijon dressing and topped with lean chicken for extra protein.

#10) Spiralized Apple Salad with Citrus Dressing

Vegetables do not always have to be the main ingredient in a salad. Sweet and tart Granny Smith and Fuji apples are cut into spiralized thin ribbons of fruit, for a crunchy and fun dish. The salad is dressed with a citrus vinaigrette and topped with savory cheddar cheese, crunchy pecan, sunflower seeds, and tart dried cranberries.

#11) Grilled Corn Salad with Creamy Lime Dressing

If you are a fan of elotes, try this grilled corn salad. The cobs are grilled until the kernels nearly pop and drizzled with tasty toppings, you will love this healthier salad version. Lightly charred fresh sweet corn combined with crunchy cucumber, red onions, cucumbers, avocado, and bell pepper for a fiesta for your taste buds. A lime dressing adds just the right amount of creaminess. Switch up to make a bean salad with pinto or black beans.

#12) Broccoli Salad

If you want a salad that will keep you energized throughout the day, this broccoli salad is loaded with nutrients for the boost you need! The florets are tossed with a creamy yogurt dressing and topped with sunflower seeds, red onion, cranberries, crumbled bacon and cheddar cheese. Blue cheese dressing would also be a tasty alternative if you like soft ripened aged cheese.

#13) Caprese Salad

This popular Italian tomato salad is loaded with fresh juicy vine-ripened tomatoes, and slices of mozzarella cheese. Make sure to add freshly picked basil leaves and drizzle with a sweet and tangy homemade balsamic vinegar.

#14) Asian Soba Noodle Salad With Soy Dressing

Add a little Asian flair to any boring pasta salad by using tender buckwheat noodles. Fresh sugar snap peas, bell peppers, cabbage, and cucumbers add and addicting crunch to the twisted noodles tossed in a soy dressing.

#15) Easy All-American Potato Salad 

I couldn’t resist adding a classic creamy potato salad perfect for summer barbecues and picnics. Tender russet potatoes mixed with hard boiled eggs, celery, red onions, mayonnaise, sweet pickle relish, and mustard for a tasty side dish. Greek yogurt can also be substituted for a lighter version.

Take advantage of all of the ripe seasonal fruits and vegetables during the summer season, and let them shine! Whether you are preparing meals for lunch, dinner, or bringing to a party, these healthy salads will provide a pleasing dish for any eating occasion.

Now that you have over two weeks of salad recipe ideas, which one will you try first? Leave me a comment below, I’d love to hear!