Summer is the perfect time for backyard barbecues, picnics, and potlucks. And salads are the perfect addition. Plus, they’re a fresh, versatile complement to grilled meats and seafood. Here are 20 vibrant and craveable summer salads that you’ll want to make again and again.
I love it when the weather starts turning warmer and I can entertain outdoors. Summer is definitely grilling weather and I can’t wait to fire up some of my fave recipes like Filipino pork bbq skewers and grilled salmon with lemon and herbs, along with some grilled asparagus.
But summer is also a great time to try out some fresh, new salads, packed with crisp seasonal veggies and mouth-watering dressings. Plus, summer salads are easy to customize. You can add your favorite proteins, juicy citrus, berries, and more, depending on your tastes.
To help inspire you, check out some of my favorite summer salad recipes to keep you going all season long.
Why you’ll love these summer salads
Whether you like salads that are hearty, ones that are light and colorful, or those you can whip up in just a few minutes, this list of delicious summer salads has you covered.
From ones loaded with fresh, seasonal vegetables and herbs to pasta salads to those featuring a sweet and savory mix of various fruits and proteins, you’ll find them all in this recipe collection!
And many take under 30 minutes to make. Which means more time to enjoy them — and the sunny summer weather!
🥗 20 Craveable Summer Salads
Looking for a unique summer salad to bring to your next backyard barbecue. Made with white beans and tossed in a zesty vinaigrette, this satisfying salad is full of bright citrus and herb flavors. And it's done in just 15 minutes.
Tender slices of juicy beef mingle with fresh herbs, crisp vegetables, and a tangy-sweet-spicy dressing in this summer salad that bursts with flavor. It's the perfect balance of textures and gorgeous, vibrant color.
A little smoky and a little bit spicy, this fresh summer salad is crisp and colorful. Plus, it's quick and endlessly customizable. It's a make-ahead side dish that’s great for picnics, barbecues, and beach days.
If you like egg salad, you're going to love this twist on the classic. The dill pickles add just the right amount of tangy, briny flavor, while fresh celery adds a satisfying crunch.
This balsamic chicken salad has everything—juicy grilled chicken, crunchy radishes, creamy avocado, tangy feta, and a homemade balsamic dressing that brings it all together.
This dish is one of those recipes that’s just too easy not to make. It’s light, fresh, and packed with flavor. And it pairs gorgeously with crisp white wine.
Filipino Fruit Salad
Ever wanted a fruit salad that makes you feel like you're on a warm, sunny island? This unique dish from the Philippines is full of tropical fruits like mango, pineapple, and guava, as well as coconut. Then a sweet cream ties it all together.
With fresh vegetables and basil pesto, this light, refreshing salad is balanced with chickpeas and orzo pasta. It’s the ideal addition to your next summer BBQ, potluck, or picnic.
If you’re craving a bright, light salad that’s easy and fast, you need to try this dish. Packed with fresh herbs, aromatics, and crunchy cucumbers, it's a refreshing, tasty salad you can make all summer long.
Packed with bold, fresh Mediterranean flavors, this hearty salad features a cool and creamy tzatziki dressing and is packed with protein. Great for meal prep or make-ahead lunches.
With sweet ripe mango, creamy avocado, succulent prawns, and a zesty lime dressing, this salad is bursting with bright, fresh flavors.
Featuring peppery arugula, juicy pears, crispy prosciutto, and crunchy almonds, and finished with a light lemon vinaigrette dressing, this summer salad is elevated and elegant.
Nourishing vegetables ✅ Loaded with protein ✅ Craveable creamy dressing ✅ This summer salad checks all the boxes and it's a delicious way to get some of your daily essential vitamins and minerals.
Prosciutto-wrapped melon is a classic appetizer that always makes me think of summertime in Europe. This play on the classic Caprese salad is the ideal balance of salty, sweet, and bright, fresh herbs.
It's hard to beat a fresh fruit salad on a warm summer day. This 15-minute recipe is full of berries, citrus, melons, and more. But you can easily customize it with your faves to make it your own.
This Thai-inspired salad is loaded with crunchy texture from the fresh veggies. And rich umami notes in the dressing add a depth of flavor that will have you going back for seconds.
I love a good pasta salad, especially when they aren't too rich or heavy. Enter this vibrant dish with avocado, tomatoes, and corn. It's light, satisfying, and perfect for summer.
Sweet and savory salads are what summers were made for. Full of in-season tomatoes, juicy peaches, zesty arugula, and tangy feta cheese, this is the summer side dish you've been waiting for.
This bright and refreshing salad is the ideal combination of succulent grilled chicken, crisp vegetables, and sweet mandarin oranges. And it’s all dressed in a tangy vinaigrette.
Shrimp Corn Salad
Plump, succulent shrimp dusted with paprika and nestled against sweet kernels of golden corn form the base of this yummy summer salad. A zesty lime dressing adds a citrusy punch that cuts through the richness of the seafood.
This smoky bbq chicken salad is hearty, crunchy, and satisfying. Plus, it's made with a delicious dairy-free buttermilk ranch dressing. So good it may become one of your summer go-tos.
This crunchy slaw is more than just a salad. It's what I make when I need something that works for more than one meal. The cabbage stays crisp, the dressing holds, and it can be used on a variety of dishes.
Easy Summer Salad Recipe FAQs
Popular seasonal summer vegetables include cucumbers, asparagus, carrots, peppers, and green beans. Tomatoes, though technically fruits, are also harvested during the summer. Each of these can make a great addition to any summer salad.
Many summer salads are enjoyed outside during barbecues or picnics. But because the salads often contain proteins like chicken, fish, or eggs, or are made with mayonnaise, you want to be mindful of how long they are left unrefrigerated. The typical safe zone is to keep them out no longer than one hour if the temperature is above 90° Fahrenheit and no longer than two hours at room temperature.
Summer salads are great dishes to make ahead of time. But not too far ahead of time. In general, leafy greens like lettuce or spinach that have been dressed should be eaten within a couple of hours, so they don’t become soggy. It’s best to avoid dressing your salads until right before you serve them to help prevent this. Other types, like chicken or pasta salads, can last in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.
Barbecue inspiration
Chicken Recipes
Hawaiian BBQ Chicken
Seafood Recipes
Prawn BBQ Skewers
Summer Recipes
BBQ Bacon Burger
Chicken Recipes
Grilled Bourbon Chicken with Peaches
Did you make any of these recipes? Don’t forget to leave a 5-Star 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 rating and comment below letting us know which one you made and how it turned out. Thank you!
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