21 summer salads you’ll keep coming back to when it’s too hot to cook
When the weather heats up, lighter meals just make sense. These summer salads are full of fresh ingredients and bright flavors. Some also happen to travel well for picnics, potlucks, and backyard get-togethers.
Wild Rice Apple Pecan Salad
This wild rice salad with apples and cranberries works as a hearty side or a complete plant-based meal. Packed with nutty wild rice, crisp Granny Smith apples, sweet cranberries, and crunchy pecans, this salad delivers amazing texture and flavor in every bite. Get the Recipe: Wild Rice Apple Pecan Salad
Charred Zucchini Salad
This charred zucchini salad tastes like peak sunshine in a bowl. Smoky zucchini, crunchy hazelnuts, peppery greens, and a creamy garlic lemon sauce made with cottage cheese. Get the recipe: Charred Zucchini Salad
Panzanella Recipe
This panzanella recipe is made with fresh summer ingredients like ripe tomatoes, crisp bread, and a light dressing. It’s perfect alongside grilled chicken and other light and fresh dinners. Get the recipe: Panzanella Recipe
Burrata Salad with Balsamic Glaze
This burrata salad with balsamic glaze is a fresh summer salad featuring spring mix, fresh basil leaves, cherry tomatoes, creamy burrata cheese, rich olive oil, and sweet, tangy balsamic reduction. Get the recipe: Burrata Salad with Balsamic Glaze
Sweet Pepper Cucumber Crunch Salad
This healthy take on the viral cucumber salad is packed with fresh veggies and finished with the perfect healthy dressing. It takes only 10 minutes to make with simple grocery store ingredients. Get the recipe: Sweet Pepper Cucumber Crunch Salad
Avocado Tuna Salad
Ditch the mayo for creamy avocado in this healthy spin on the classic tuna salad. Use it in sandwiches, wraps or serve on greens for a summer supper. Get the recipe: Avocado Tuna Salad
Three Bean Cilantro Salsa Salad
This simple, wholesome Three Bean Salad features a fresh cilantro dressing. It’s a classic recipe that is ideal for meal prepping, potlucks, and BBQs. Get the recipe: Three Bean Cilantro Salsa Salad
Watermelon Salad Recipe
This watermelon salad is peak summer energy, super refreshing, and ridiculously easy to make. It’s the kind of fun twist that always disappears fast at picnics and cookouts. Get the recipe: Watermelon Salad Recipe
Faux Potato Salad
Our Faux Potato Salad Recipe is made without cauliflower for an even tastier faux-tato salad. Our gluten-free and diabetic version of low carb yogurt mayonnaise potato salad uses turnip radish, which gives you the best potato alternative. Get the recipe: Faux Potato Salad
Cold Rice and Chicken Salad with Fresh Basil
Ideal for a delicious, flavorful meal, this cold rice salad features bursts of fresh lemon and basil. A perfect summer salad. Get the recipe: Cold Rice and Chicken Salad with Fresh Basil
Fruit Salad with Pecans and Honey Dressing
This easy and delicious fruit salad features apples, pears, grapes, oranges, and pecans tossed in a light honey and spice dressing. Get the recipe: Fruit Salad with Pecans and Honey Dressing
Feta Beet Salad
This beet salad with feta cheese is a truly delicious and impressive dish using simple ingredients. Cooked beets, crumbled feta and pistachios come together with fresh herbs and a lemon olive oil dressing to enjoy as a side salad or light summer meal. Get the recipe: Feta Beet Salad
Cowboy Caviar Salad with Spicy Maple Dressing
So much flavor in this salad it is hard to find a place to start. Chewy rice, protein-packed beans, creamy avocado, and fresh corn, all tossed in a spicy maple dressing. Salad goals right here! Get the recipe: Cowboy Caviar Salad with Spicy Maple Dressing
Italian Sub Pasta Salad
This Italian sub pasta salad has everything you love in a sub, just tossed with pasta and ready for a crowd. It works as a side or a main, and it’s basically begging to show up at your next BBQ or hangout. Get the recipe: Italian Sub Pasta Salad
Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad
This Mexican street corn pasta salad is a delicious fusion of flavors featuring charred corn, tart cotija cheese, and a creamy chili lime dressing, all tossed together with tender pasta. Get the recipe: Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad
Watermelon Feta Basil Salad
This watermelon feta basil salad takes a classic combo and turns it into the ultimate summer side. Juicy watermelon, tangy feta, and fresh basil come together with greens, red onion, and a balsamic drizzle. Get the recipe: Watermelon Feta Basil Salad
Carrot and Cucumber Salad Recipe
This carrot and cucumber salad is a simple side dish that keeps showing up as the weather warms. It takes just 15 minutes from start to finish, and it has fresh ingredients and a crisp texture. Get the recipe: Carrot and Cucumber Salad Recipe
Strawberry Pasta Salad
Have you seen this viral trend? It is a Polish dish featuring pasta topped with a creamy strawberry sauce. This fun strawberry pasta recipe can be lunch, dinner, or dessert. Get the recipe: Strawberry Pasta
Rice Salad with Tuna
This rice salad with tuna is packed with fresh veggies, protein, and flavor. It’s easy to make, really satisfying for lunch or a light summer dinner, and an excellent option for meal prep. Get the recipe: Rice Salad with Tuna
Shrimp Macaroni Salad
Take your salad game up a notch with our mouthwatering shrimp macaroni salad. It’s creamy, zesty, and packed with plump seafood for an amazing taste sensation. Perfect for cookouts. Get the recipe: Shrimp Macaroni Salad
Lemon Orzo Salad
This lemon orzo salad with feta has tons of fresh lemon flavor. This easy summer side dish has only 8 ingredients and takes 25 minutes to make. Get the recipe: Lemon Orzo Salad