Summer is salad season for sure—I eat salads all year round, but in the summer salads just seems to make themselves, and gorgeously we might added. If you want into a farmers’ market a salad might leap into your environmentally friendly basket or tote, demanding to be taken home.
25 Easy Summer Salad Recipes
Here are some of my all time favorite summer salad recipes:
Mayo-Free Vegan Pasta Salad
So easy, so colorful, so make ahead, so crowd-pleasing….and actually a vegan pasta salad, too).
Modern Three Bean Salad
A contemporary version of a classic side dish, with the addition of whole grains, hearts of palm, and fresh herbs to brighten it up.
Mediterranean Tomato Wheat Berry Salad with Fresh Herbs
This salad has a whole lot going on in terms of color, texture, taste, and nutrition.
Summer Corn, Tomato and Bacon Salad
Starring the two best vegetables of late summer, with bacon as a supporting actor.
Red Quinoa Salad with Arugula, Artichoke Hearts, and Olives
Sometimes a side dish will steal the show—and when that's the case, maybe it should be the main dish.
Late Summer Cobb Salad
The salad to keep up with the end-of-summer influx of produce. My family could eat Cobb Salads every week, all year round. This is the summer version.
Egg and Potato Salad with Bacon
Who is the genius who conceived of mixing egg salad AND potato salad together? We need to thank them.
Tomato, Red Onion, Watercress, Feta and Olive Salad
15 minutes gets you to an explosion of summery color and flavor in a bowl. Bring it to a potluck gathering and wow everyone.
Greek Tabbouleh Salad
A Mediterranean twist on a very classic Middle Eastern bulgur wheat salad. I've also made it with quinoa and it's a lovely and substantial summer salad choice.
Couscous Salad with Shrimp and Pesto Dressing
This summery dish pretty well underscores the thought that we eat with our eyes. This is a great main dish summer salad recipe, with a nice pop of flavor and color from the pesto dressing.
Artichoke, Feta and Roasted Pepper Couscous Salad
A room temperature salad made with Mediterranean couscous is one of my pernennial go-to’s. This one is actually great all year round.
Pasta Salad with Chicken, Green Olives, and Ramp Vinaigrette
Chicken salad meets Spring. This pasta salad is heavy on the chicken. Make this recipe as you head into summer, using those fabulous wild ramps that are only available for a short time.
Greek Chicken Pasta Salad
This is so, so pretty, and can be made ahead, which is great when you have a crew of guests.
Chopped Salad with Chicken, Tomatoes and Lemon Thyme Dressing
This was one of the best lunches ever, just that perfect chopped salad.
Spinach and Radish Salad with Feta
What's green and white and red all over? This perfect little side salad. If you can find those gorgeous watermelon radishes, this simple salad is a little bit breathtaking.
Tomato, Zucchini and Bulgur Salad
A great grain and vegetable salad for all kinds of occasions. Makes use of all those gorgeous tomatoes and zucchinis that flood the markets in July, August, and September.
Shrimp and Corn Salad with Basil Dressing
A must-make when corn is in season. This is such a good looking and satisfying salad for later summer. Grab extra ears of corn at the market to make this recipe.
Pasta Salad with Chicken and Chipotle Dressing
Leftovers join forces to become this better-than-I-expected salad. One of many great ways to combine shredded chicken and pasta.
