Summer and salad just go together. When the weather heats up and fresh ingredients are everywhere, there’s nothing better than a big, colorful bowl of something good.
These summer salads run the full range, from quick sides you can throw together in minutes to showstopper entrée salads that are worth every bit of effort.
They work as side dishes, light lunches and full dinners. A few are make-ahead friendly. Most are healthy. All of them are delicious.
This is the only summer salad list you’ll need this season. Take your pick and enjoy every bite!
15. Greek Panzanella Salad with Fresh Oregano Vinaigrette
If you love a classic Greek salad and a good panzanella, this recipe takes the best of both and turns them into something even better.
Crusty toasted ciabatta and pan-fried halloumi cheese are layered over crisp romaine with cherry tomatoes and cucumber, then finished with a tangy fresh oregano vinaigrette.
The halloumi gets golden and slightly crispy on the outside while staying soft inside, and the flavor is salty and totally addictive.
It works as a light dinner on its own or alongside grilled shrimp skewers for something more filling.
14. California Chicken Salad with Grapes
If you’re looking for a chicken salad that’s a little different, this is the one to make.
Tender chicken, juicy red grapes, crunchy celery and buttery pecans are tossed in a creamy poppy seed dressing that balances sweet and savory really nicely. It’s gluten free, low carb and ready in under 30 minutes.
Scoop it over a bed of greens for a full meal, roll it into lettuce wraps, or serve it in a croissant for something a little fun. Great for potlucks and meal prep, too.
13. Shaved Carrot Salad with Asian Dressing
You may have seen this one all over TikTok, and yes, it’s as good as it looks!
Thin carrot ribbons are tossed in a bold dressing made with soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, honey, grated garlic and chili crisp.
It comes together in 15 minutes and pairs well with teriyaki salmon, rice bowls, dumplings or just about anything with Asian-inspired flavors.
The dressing is the kind you’ll want to put on everything!
12. Black Bean, Corn and Avocado Salad
This is the salad that shows up at every summer cookout for good reason.
Black beans, sweet corn, creamy avocado, juicy cherry tomatoes and cilantro are tossed with a light honey lime dressing that ties everything together.
It goes with just about everything on the grill, and it doubles as a dip when you set out a bowl of homemade tortilla chips alongside it.
Make it ahead of time, but fold in the avocado right before serving so it stays fresh.
11. Creamy Cucumber Salad
If you’ve only ever had the vinegary version of cucumber salad, this one is going to change the story!
This is a Hungarian-style recipe made with Greek yogurt, fresh dill, red onion and a touch of lemon.
It’s cool, creamy and takes almost no time to put together. Salt the cucumbers first to pull out the excess moisture, then serve it well chilled.
It pairs perfectly with anything coming off the grill, from chicken and fish to burgers and ribs.
10. Spicy Asian Cucumber Salad with Ginger & Garlic
If you love bold flavor and a little heat, this cucumber salad delivers both.
Crisp cucumbers and sliced jalapeño peppers are tossed in a dressing of rice vinegar, sesame oil, fresh ginger, garlic and a touch of sugar. It’s low carb and on the table in under 15 minutes.
Serve it alongside grilled meats, Asian-style rice bowls or scoop it up with rice crackers for a light snack.
Best made the same day you plan to serve it, since cucumbers soften quickly once dressed.
9. Southwest Chicken Salad with Avocado Ranch Dressing
This layered salad is built like a 7-layer dip and just as fun to eat.
Shredded iceberg, cherry tomatoes, diced avocado, black beans, corn, seasoned chicken and scallions are stacked in a glass bowl and finished with a creamy avocado lime ranch dressing that is seriously hard to stop eating.
It’s gluten free, high in protein and totally satisfying.
Use a rotisserie chicken to keep prep minimal, and serve it in a trifle dish if you have one for a great presentation at parties.
8. Italian Antipasto Salad with Parmesan Peppercorn Dressing
This is the salad that becomes the main event without even trying.
Crispy roasted chickpeas, Italian meats, sharp cheeses, briny artichokes, black olives, hard-boiled eggs and roasted red peppers are arranged over romaine and finished with a creamy, peppery Parmesan dressing.
Every forkful is a little different, and it never gets old. Serve it on a large platter with crusty bread and a great bottle of wine for a proper Italian spread.
7. Caesar Salad with Sourdough Croutons
This Caesar salad is the real deal, and once you try it, you’ll never want another version.
The dressing is a restaurant-style tableside recipe with anchovies, garlic, Dijon, Parmesan, lemon juice and red wine vinegar.
The sourdough croutons are slow-baked until perfectly crispy and nearly impossible to stop snacking on before the salad even hits the table.
Top it with blackened salmon or grilled chicken to turn it into a full dinner.
6. Arugula Salad with Lemon Honey Vinaigrette
If you want a fast, fresh side salad that works with almost anything, this is it.
Peppery arugula is tossed with toasted sourdough breadcrumbs and shaved Parmesan in a simple lemon honey vinaigrette.
The natural bite of arugula cuts right through rich, heavy mains like pasta or pizza, making it a great go-to side dish all summer long.
Don’t skip the toasted breadcrumbs! They add the best crunch and a little something extra that makes this feel special.
5. Superfoods Salad with Green Goddess Dressing
If you want a salad that actually keeps you full and makes you feel good about what you’re eating, this is the one.
Kale, roasted sweet potatoes, blueberries, pecan halves, feta cheese and chia seeds are served over a creamy, garlicky green goddess dressing made with Greek yogurt and fresh herbs. Every ingredient earns its place.
The dressing is blended smooth with parsley, tarragon and chives, and it’s the kind of recipe you’ll come back to all season long.
4. Good Fats Salad with Ginger Miso Dressing
This is the salad for anyone who needs a real dinner but wants to keep things healthy.
Roasted salmon, avocado, hard-boiled eggs, edamame, slivered almonds and flax seeds are arranged over spring mix and dressed in a creamy, dairy-free ginger miso vinaigrette.
The miso dressing is rich and umami-forward without being heavy, and it ties everything together perfectly.
It’s a full dinner that actually feels like a reward.
3. Fried Goat Cheese & Cherry Salad with Roasted Shallot Vinaigrette
If you’ve never had fried goat cheese on a salad, you’re in for something special.
Warm, panko-crusted goat cheese rounds sit over spring mix with ripe cherries, salted pistachios and pretty cucumber ribbons.
The dressing is a roasted shallot vinaigrette with Dijon and honey that brings a little sweetness and a little tang to every bite.
Freeze the goat cheese for 30 minutes before frying so it holds its shape, and be gentle when you flip the rounds. The golden crust giving way to warm, tangy cheese inside is completely worth it.
2. Seared Tuna Nicoise Salad with Creamy Tarragon Vinaigrette
The classic French Nicoise gets a serious upgrade here, and it’s everything you want in a summer dinner.
Seared ahi tuna, crispy roasted red potatoes, hard-boiled eggs, black olives and red leaf lettuce are finished with a creamy tarragon vinaigrette made with buttermilk and fish sauce.
The tarragon is a natural match for the tuna and gives the dressing a fresh, herby flavor that pulls the whole salad together.
Start your potatoes in the oven first, then sear the tuna right before serving. The result is absolutely worth it!
1. Healthy Mediterranean Shrimp Salad
This is the salad that started showing up on repeat in our house, and it’s easy to understand why.
Grilled jumbo shrimp over fresh spinach with juicy grape tomatoes, kalamata olives and creamy feta cheese, all dressed in a sun-dried tomato vinaigrette that brings everything together beautifully.
It’s low carb, gluten free and ready in about 25 minutes.
The vinaigrette also works as a marinade for chicken and fish, so it’s worth making a big batch.
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