Get inspired with these 50 stunning summer salad ideas, featuring everything from classic favourites to unique twists. These recipes will add a fresh, healthy touch to your meals and make entertaining a breeze.
Jump to: ℹ️ Overview |☀️Best Summer Salads |🍅 Seasonal Produce |🍝Pasta Salads |🍓Salads With Fruit 🍖 For BBQ | 👨👩👧👦 For A Crowd |🍗With Chicken |🌽With Corn |🥒Green Salads |🥬Vegetarian Salads |🥗More Summer Salads
Salad Ideas To Try This Summer
My collection of summer salad recipes includes vibrant pasta salads, refreshing fruit salads, and hearty options for a crowd. With easy recipes that highlight seasonal ingredients, you’ll find perfect options for dinner, lunch, or BBQs.
Whether you’re craving a vegetarian delight or a protein-packed chicken salad, these ideas offer something for everyone. Enjoy the simplicity and deliciousness of these healthy salads all summer long.
I’ve grouped the salads into handy categories, and of course, I always pick the absolute best recipes for you!
Seasonal Summer Produce
Cucumber Dill Salad
This cucumber dill salad delivers in the flavour department. It’s made with sour cream, which when mixed with the cucumber juice, salt, pepper and herbs, creates the dreamiest salad dressing. Calories: 66 Carbs: 6g Protein: 2g Fat:4g Fiber: 2g
Tomato Ricotta Salad
This Italian-inspired tomato ricotta salad is perfect as a side dish, appetizer or a light meal. Sweet, nutritious tomatoes are topped with creamy ricotta, sea salt and zesty gremolata. Calories: 141 Carbs: 6g Protein: 5g Fat: 11g Fiber: 2g
Zucchini Salad With Lemon & Mint
This raw zucchini salad with lemon, mint, and olive oil is a perfect paleo, Whole30, keto and vegan-friendly side dish. The best part is that it only takes about 5 minutes to make. Calories: 98 Carbs: 7g Protein: 2g Fat: 8g Fiber: 2g
Strawberry Arugula Salad
This salad is loaded with strawberries, radishes, red onion, basil, jalapeño, toasty sunflower seeds, and fresh arugula, topped with goat cheese and a balsamic vinaigrette to round out the sweet-and-slightly-spicy flavours. It’s an unexpected combination that works.
Three Herb Tomato Zucchini Salad
Made with fresh summer produce, this salad is nutritious and comes together in minutes! Perfect side for barbecues, picnics, dinners, and everything in between. Calories: 84 Carbs: 1.9 g Protein: 0.5 g Fat: 8.8 g Fiber: 0.6 g
Summer Salad with Fruit
A light and filling meal on a hot day! It makes an easy, healthy vegetarian lunch idea, or serve as a side or at a backyard barbecue. Calories: 577 Carbs: 45g Protein: 14g Fat: 42g Fiber: 10g
Summer Salad With Corn, Strawberries & Avocado
If summer was a flavour, this salad from Walder Wellness would be it! This reader-favourite summer salad is made with corn, strawberries, avocado, tomatoes, cucumbers, feta, and basil.
Summer Abundance Salad
This salad from Half Baked Harvest is so incredible, light yet filling and it gets better the longer it sits. Got to love a salad that can be made in advance and genuinely tastes better the next day.
Caprese Salad
A classic Italian salad made with alternating slices of juicy, ripe tomatoes, and creamy mozzarella. It’s topped with fresh basil leaves, drizzled with olive oil and balsamic vinegar, and sprinkled with salt and pepper. Calories: 255 Carbs: 7g Protein: 13g Fat: 20g Fiber: 1g
Pasta Salads
Mediterranean Pasta Salad
Fusilli pasta is combined with baby spinach, cherry tomatoes, and cucumbers. Crumbled feta cheese and a homemade Mediterranean dressing add tons of flavour. Calories: 292 Carbs: 35g Protein: 8g Fat: 13g Fiber: 3g
Summer Pasta Salad with Baby Greens
This pasta salad from Skinny Taste is loaded with baby greens, making it a lighter alternative to traditional pasta salads. Calories: 169 Carbs: 29.5g Protein: 6g Fat: 5g Fiber: 4g
Sesame Noodle Salad
This salad is fresh, light, and packed with fresh vegetables. Serve as a tasty side dish with dinner, or enjoy these cold sesame noodles on their own. Recipe from Iowa Girl Eats.
Budget Vegetable Pasta Salad
A medley of colourful vegetables, a tangy homemade vinaigrette, and plenty of ways to customize it based on what’s on hand. From Budget Bytes. Calories: 330 Carbs: 42g Protein: 9g Fat: 15g Fiber: 5g
Green Goddess Pasta Salad
This stunning, veggie-laden green goddess pasta salad is loaded with the bounty of early summer, and thanks to a hearty toss in that classic, creamy herby dressing, it really looks the part, too. Recipe from The Modern Proper.
Salads With Corn
Mexican Salad With Black Beans, Corn & Avocado
You will love this Mexican salad for its vibrant colours, texture and bold flavours. Calories: 266 Carbs: 26g Protein: 9g Fat: 16g Fiber: 9g
Mexican Street Corn Salad
Creamy, tangy, and a bit spicy, it’s a favourite way to showcase summer sweet corn. Recipe from Love and Lemons.
Creamy Corn Salad
This is not your average corn salad recipe. It’s cool and creamy with the perfect pop of fresh corn in each bite. I brought this super simple corn salad to a potluck the other day and it was gone in minutes. Calories: 176 Carbs: 23g Protein: 4g Fat: 9g Fiber: 3g
Avocado Tomato Corn Salad
Fresh, vibrant, and packed with creamy avocado, sweet corn, and juicy tomatoes, this salad is your go-to for a quick, healthy, and utterly delicious meal. Recipe from Cafe Delites. Calories: 208 Carbs: 16g Protein: 3g Fat: 17g Fiber: 5g
Corn Salad With Quinoa, Cherry Tomatoes & Feta
With a burst of fresh, tangy, and subtly sweet flavours and crunchy texture, this corn salad screams summer and is perfect for BBQs and picnics. Having said that, I do make it all year round for light dinners or lunch meal prep! Calories: 385 Carbs: 49g Protein: 12g Fat: 16g Fiber: 5g
Salads With Chicken
Buffalo Chicken Salad
This Buffalo chicken salad with blue cheese dressing is finger-lickin’ good, minus the mess. You can toss any veggies into this salad because everything goes with buffalo sauce. Calories: 550 Carbs: 24g Protein: 40g Fat: 33g Fiber: 5g
Chicken Cobb Salad With Grilled Pineapple
My chicken Cobb salad with chipotle ranch dressing and grilled pineapple is a fun adaptation of the American classic that is dairy-free and paleo-friendly. Calories: 558 Protein: 42g Carbs: 31g Fat: 31g Fiber: 10g
Low-Carb Greek Chicken Bowls
Skillet grilled seasoned chicken is paired with the Greek salad staples of tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, olives and feta cheese in this salad bowl. Served with a side of refreshing, garlicky Tzatziki sauce. Calories: 473 Carbs: 9g Protein: 35g Fat: 33g Fiber: 1g
Asian Chicken Salad
This Asian chicken salad is perfect for a no-cook weeknight meal, especially when it’s hot. Made with leftover cooked chicken, cabbage, crunchy veggies, herbs and a delicious ginger garlic dressing. Calories: 420 Carbs: 23g Protein: 29g Fat: 23g Fiber: 3g
Great With BBQ
Red Cabbage Coleslaw With Apple & Parmesan
A delicious twist of sweet apple and umami-rich Parmesan cheese. Serve it as a side with chicken nuggets or burgers, in fish tacos, with barbecued meat, or with a can of tuna for a quick lunch. Calories: 283 Carbs: 10g Protein: 6g Fat: 24g Fiber: 2g
Potato Salad With A Twist
It’s not a classic potato salad recipe but it’s delicious and creamy with salty, sweet, and sour flavours and lots of crunchy bits. It features ingredients like crispy bacon, green apple, fried capers, and dill. Calories: 333 Carbs: 29g Protein: 6g Fat: 22g Fiber: 4g
Georgian Salad With Walnut Dressing
Similar to a Greek salad but instead of feta, oregano and olive oil dressing, this salad is dressed with a garlicky, walnut dressing and topped with a generous amount of fresh herbs like coriander and parsley. Calories: 184 Carbs: 6g Protein: 3g Fat: 17g Fiber: 2g
Feta Watermelon Salad
In this summer salad recipe, savoury arugula, sweet watermelon, salty feta, fresh mint and spicy red onion are tossed in a homemade balsamic glaze for a flavourful and refreshing summer side dish. Calories: 47 Carbs: 7g Protein: 2g Fat: 2g Fiber: 1g
Summer Salads For A Crowd
Mediterranean Quinoa Salad
Filled with grilled vegetables, sun-dried tomatoes, olives and feta, this quinoa salad with lemon basil dressing is flavourful, vegetarian and gluten-free. This is a great quinoa meal prep recipe that can be made ahead of time. Calories: 494 Carbs: 49g Protein:13g Fat: 29g Fiber: 8g
Shredded Carrot Raisin & Pineapple Salad
Shredded carrots, juicy pineapple & sweet plump raisins all tossed in a simple creamy greek yogurt dressing! This delicious carrot raisin & pineapple salad is the perfect make-ahead side dish to cool down during spring & summer. Recipe from Kalefornia Kravings.
Grape Salad
This simple recipe is full of red grapes tossed in a sweet cream cheese dressing and sprinkled with brown sugar and pecans. Serve as a side dish or dessert. Calories: 252 Carbs: 35g Protein: 2g Fat: 12g Fiber: 1g
Thai Crunch Salad with Spicy Peanut Dressing
An irresistible combination of crisp vegetables, toasted peanuts and crunchy ramen noodles tossed in a drinkable, spicy peanut ginger sauce. Recipe from Simply Ceecee.
Green Salads
Rocket Salad With Pear & Parmesan
When it comes to making a rocket salad, I wanted to share the way I like to make it along with some tips for quick, easy, tasty and crisp rocket leaf salad every time. Calories: 205 Carbs: 12g Protein: 8g Fat: 14g Fiber: 2g
Cheesy Leafy Green Salad
Nutrient-dense and delicious, this creamy, cheesy leafy green salad is fantastic as a side dish or a light main, especially with extra protein on top. Calories:155 Carbs: 6g Protein: 7g Fat: 12g Fiber: 3g
Green Avocado Salad
Fresh, vibrant, and bursting with flavour, this salad is a perfect addition to any meal, packed with creamy avocado, crunchy pepitas, and a zesty lime dressing. Calories: 388 Carbs: 21g Protein: 4g Fat: 35g Fiber: 10g
Maroulosalata (Greek Lettuce Salad)
Crisp, refreshing, and simply delightful, this Maroulosalata is a Greek classic that brightens up any meal with its lemony tang and fresh herbs. Recipe from Hungry Happens. Calories: 94 Carbs: 5g Protein: 1g Fat: 8g Fiber: 2g
Vegetarian Salads
Grapefruit Salad With Avocado & Halloumi
This salad with avocado and halloumi is a vibrant mix of fresh flavours and textures. Made with arugula, red onion and maple Dijon vinaigrette, this salad is as pretty as it is delicious. Calories: 593 Carbs: 33g Protein: 23g Fat: 44g Fiber: 9g
Mediterranean Couscous Salad
This dish is a delightful fusion of Greek and Moroccan influences, combining fluffy couscous with creamy feta cheese, juicy vegetables, and a burst of herbs and spices. Calories: 593 Carbs: 33g Protein: 23g Fat: 44g Fiber: 9g
Green Vegan Salad
This intensely green salad is packed with seasonal green produce, quinoa and served with a lemony and herby vinaigrette. It’s delicious, easy to make and will keep you full for ages as it’s packed with fibre. Calories: 371 Carbs 31g Protein: 12g Fat: 24g
Greek Potato Salad
This potato salad is a tangy spin on the traditional potato salad, with sun-dried tomatoes, olives, feta cheese, and a zesty Greek dressing that brings big, bold flavour. Calories: 264 Carbs: 24g Protein: 5g Fat: 18g Fiber: 5g
Summer Fruit Salad Recipes
Summer Stone Fruit Salad With Orange Mint Dressing
This vibrant summer fruit salad is juicy, fresh, sweet, and extra special with an orange mint dressing (featuring a kiss of vanilla!). It’s lovely to serve at a brunch gathering or as a light dessert on a warm evening.
Dragonfruit Grape Fruit Salad
A delicious combination of summer produce like dragon fruit, mangoes, green grapes, blueberries, and blackberries! It’s the perfect healthy dessert and an absolute crowd-pleaser every single time.
Berry & Fruit Salad
This gorgeous fruit salad is made with peaches, nectarines, cherries, fresh berries and a delicious lemon maple thyme dressing. The dressing elevates it to a whole new level – you won’t be able to stop eating!
Simple Red Fruit Salad
Red fruit salad is arguably better than old-school fruit salad. Made with plump strawberries, sweet cherries, lemon zest, and coriander brown sugar. Five ingredients.
Creamy Fruit Salad
The creaminess of this yogurt packs in a little protein for this sweet treat. Greek yogurt makes for a great source of protein and a favorite to grab for a healthy snack. Recipe from One Balanced Life.
More Summer Salads
Shrimp Mango Salad
A classic summer dish with juicy tropical fruit and fresh grilled seafood. Paired with a little citrus, chilli and aromatic herbs, this dish offers a delightful mix of textures and flavours. Calories: 411 Carbs: 36g Protein: 24g Fat: 21g Fiber: 7g
Tuna Lentil Salad
If you’re looking for a quick and easy meal that is high in protein and high in fibre, this tuna lentil salad is something I can highly recommend. Only takes 10-15 minutes. Calories:515 Carbs: 46g Protein: 32g Fat: 24g Fiber: 16g
Big Mac Salad
If you’re a fan of the classic Big Mac, you will love this hearty salad. With all of the hallmark ingredients and flavours of the classic burger in salad form. Calories: 476 Carbs: 10g Protein: 21g Fat: 39g Fiber: 3g
Side Salad With Lemon Honey Vinaigrette
This everyday side salad with mustard, lemon, and honey vinaigrette is on regular rotation in my kitchen. A great side that goes with almost everything. Calories: 233 Carbs: 28g Protein: 9g Fat: 13g Fiber: 14g
Old-Fashioned Ham Salad
A classic American recipe that has been enjoyed for generations. It features finely diced ham, celery and sweet and zesty pickles all bound together by a medley of mustard and creamy mayonnaise. Calories: 230 Carbs: 2g Protein: 13g Fat: 19g Fiber: 1g
Tuscan Artichoke Tomato Salad
This salad is the best vegan, gluten-free, & lettuce-free salad. With marinated artichoke hearts, ripe tomatoes, chickpeas, red onion, & a simple vinaigrette, this Tuscan salad can be whipped up in just 20 minutes. Calories: 157 Carbs: 6g Protein: 1g Fat: 14g Fiber: 2g
Roasted Cauliflower Salad with Creamy Honey Vinaigrette
Cauliflower and chickpeas, roasted with olive oil, smoky chipotle, paprika, and garlic until lightly charred, crisp, and delicious. All tossed together with a simple honey mustard vinaigrette, springtime salad greens, cucumbers, fresh herbs, feta cheese, and avocado for a salad that’s plentiful, healthy, and filling. Calories: 648 kcal.
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