These are my favorite summer salads because salads are super refreshing and satisfying in the summer, and also because
FOOD IS MEANT TO BE ENJOYED.
There’s nothing better than enjoying a fresh, crisp salad during a hot summer day. They can be so refreshing.
But food is also meant to be enjoyed and tbh, sometimes salads can be a little sad and boring.
That’s why I’ve rounded up my favorite 20 salads for the summer that are refreshing, nutritious, flavorful and, most importantly, satisfying. These salads utilize some of my favorite seasonal fruit and vegetable produce like tomatoes, cucumbers and corn.
They’re for all your summertime get-togethers, cookouts, bbqs, or even just to mix up into your regular weekday dinner routine.
DON’T WASTE ANY TIME SEARCHING – USE THIS LIST FOR ALL YOUR SUMMER TIME SALAD NEEDS.
1. Mexican Street Corn Salad
Summer BBQ coming up? This salad is perfect for it. The corn is charred and then cut off of the cob. You can use a grill or grill pad here. The charred corn is then mixed with Cojita cheese and scallions. Everything comes together with the most delicious dressing. It’s made with mayo (I used Primal Kitchen), lime juice and zest, and garlic. So simple, but so flavorful.
2. 15-Minute Black Bean, Corn, and Avocado Salad
Just 15 minutes and this delicious salad is ready to go. When making it ahead of time, simply wait to add the avocado until you’re ready to eat. Because the salad doesn’t have lettuce, you can add the dressing any time – it’ll get even more flavorful the longer it marinates, too.
3. Crispy Chicken Caesar Salad
The salad is simple: romaine lettuce, fresh parmesan, and the Caesar dressing that you made to marinate the chicken. I like to add tomatoes for a little extra pop of flavor and color, but if you’re a Caesar salad purist, you do you 🙂
4. Strawberry Burrata Salad with Toasted Pine Nuts
There’s nothing not to love about this incredibly delicious salad. If you’re at all skeptical about fruit in salad (or even if you already love it!), this is a great place to start.
5. Smashed Cucumber Salad with Marinated Feta
This salad is loaded with flavor. If you’re looking for something totally satisfying and refreshing as the weather gets warmer, this is it.
6. Baked Kale Salad with Crispy Quinoa
With warm components and fresh flavors, this Baked Kale Salad with Crispy Quinoa is the perfect bridge between winter and spring.
7. Broccoli Caesar Salad with Crispy Chickpeas and Toasted Breadcrumbs
Meet your new favorite way to eat broccoli: Broccoli Caesar Salad with Crispy Chickpeas and Toasted Breadcrumbs.
8. Charred Corn & Spiced-Rubbed Chicken Salad
This Charred Corn Salad is SO full of flavor. It starts with sweet corn that’s gently charred in a skillet. The chicken is made with olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and plenty of spices for a flavorful, almost blackened chicken. The salad also has cojita cheese – a delicious, salty cheese that adds a little Mexican flair – plus fresh green bell peppers and red onion for crunch. Everything is tied together with a creamy, smoky yogurt dressing.
9. Greek Farro Salad with Seared Salmon
There’s no better salad than a Greek salad. But, add a hearty grain like farro to a Greek salad and it gets even better. This simple grain salad is not only beyond easy to make and super delicious, it’s also perfect to make ahead for the week, too.
10. Rainbow Crunch Salad with Peanut Dressing
Full of so many flavors and textures, this sweet and savory salad does not disappoint. It’s a winter staple.
11. 20 Minute Mediterranean Hummus Bowls
Meet what I know will be one of your new go to weekday meals: 20 Minute Mediterranean Hummus Bowls. These delicious bowls are so easy to throw together and are super filling, too.
12. Salmon Caesar Salad Pita
Meal prep a lot at once or make one just for yourself when you’re ready to eat – these Salmon Caesar Salad Pitas are an ideal lunch or dinner.
13. Edamame & Peanut Crunch
This salad also comes together with plenty of fresh crunchy veggies and add ons. It uses a crisp green lettuce as the base, plus julienned carrots, crunchy cabbage, edamame, roasted peanuts, and crispy wontons.
14. Viral Green Goddess Salad
This salad is one of the freshest tasting meals I’ve ever made and eaten. It seriously hits the spot when I’m craving veggies. Add some roasted chickpeas or some grilled salmon or chicken with it to add a little more protein if you’d like.
15. Spring Orzo Salad with Peas and Feta
Orzo is such an underrated grain. It’s fluffy, versatile, and easy to prepare. This recipe pairs it with crunchy nuts, savory peas and salty feta for a delicious mix of textures and flavors.
16. Chopped Greek Salad with Crispy Quinoa
Greek salads are easily my favorite salads. And have you tried crispy quinoa yet? It’s so delicious.
17. Summer Pasta Salad with Tomatoes, Cucumber and Corn
Pasta salads are perfect for meal prep. You don’t even have to heat them up to eat them. This one has fiber from the pasta, tomatoes, and cucumber, plus protein from the corn and cheese. It’s a delicious and nutritious mix.
18. BBQ Salmon with Avocado and Corn Salad
I love a lettuce-less salad, especially in the summer. And something about the corn/avocado/tomato salad is always so good. The addition of snap peas to the salad adds such a fun crunch and new flavor. In fact, the salad is so flavorful that it doesn’t need much on top. Just a simple squeeze of lemon, honey, and salt.
19. Caesar Salad Pizza
If you like pizza, cheese, and Caesar salad, there aren’t even words for how much you’re going to love this Caesar Salad Pizza.
20. Easy Panzanella Salad with Burrata
If you love tomatoes, you have to make this Easy Panzanella Salad with Burrata. And honestly even if you don’t like tomatoes, you still have to make this salad.
