Tired of the same old salads? Spice up your summer meals with these flavorful, refreshing recipes!
The Ultimate Summer Salad Roundup: Refreshing Recipes To Beat the Heat
Ditch the wilted lettuce and bland dressings – it’s officially Summer salad season! Whether you’re heading to a potluck, firing up the grill, or simply craving something light and refreshing, this roundup has you covered. I’ve scoured the best blogs to bring you 19 vibrant salad recipes bursting with peak-season produce and exciting flavors. From creamy potato salads to zesty fruit combinations, there’s something here to satisfy every craving and turn you into a salad enthusiast.
New England Lobster Cobb Salad
Indulge in a taste of New England with this luxurious twist on the classic Cobb salad. Freshly cooked lobster takes center stage alongside crisp bacon, creamy avocado, hard-boiled eggs, and vibrant tomatoes. A tangy, creamy lemon dill dressing ties all the flavors together. This salad is perfect for a special summer lunch or light dinner.
Go-To Cucumber, Tomato, and Onion Salad
Stacy Ling’s blog offers a recipe for a classic, refreshing summer salad bursting with the flavors of crisp cucumber, juicy tomatoes, and thinly sliced red onion. The simple vinaigrette dressing highlights these fresh ingredients perfectly for a light and satisfying side dish ideal for picnics and cookouts. It’s incredibly easy to assemble and makes a great way to showcase the best of summer produce.
Creamy Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad
Try this creamy bacon ranch pasta salad, perfect for potlucks and backyard barbecues! It’s ready in just 30 minutes and is sure to be a crowd-pleaser. The key ingredients include bacon, ranch dressing mix, sour cream, cheddar cheese, and peas. The recipe involves cooking pasta according to package directions and then mixing it with a creamy dressing before folding in cheddar cheese, peas, and crumbled bacon. It’s recommended to chill the salad for at least an hour before serving, which pairs well with grilled dishes.
Beet Salad Recipe with Goat Cheese & Fruit
This vibrant beet salad is packed with flavor and nutrients! Tender roasted beets are tossed with fresh greens, creamy goat cheese, and a delightful mix of fruits for a refreshing and satisfying summer side dish. The recipe is easily customizable with your favorite greens, nuts, and fruits, making it a perfect way to use up seasonal produce.
Lemon Orzo Pasta Salad
Get ready for a burst of Summery flavors with this Lemon Orzo Pasta Salad from Tatertots and Jello! This dish features tender orzo, crisp vegetables like cucumber and red onion, and tangy marinated artichoke hearts. The star of the show is the bright, herby lemon vinaigrette that brings everything together. It’s a light and refreshing pasta salad perfect for picnics, potlucks, or a satisfying lunch.
Summer Tortellini Salad
Leslie from Feet Under My Table promises “The BEST Summer Tortellini Salad,” and with good reason! This simple yet satisfying dish features tender cheese tortellini, juicy cherry tomatoes, sweet corn, and pops of green onion. A light vinaigrette made with olive oil, red wine vinegar, and lemon provides a zesty touch. It’s a versatile salad perfect for backyard BBQs, picnics, or a quick and flavorful weeknight meal.
Watermelon & Feta Salad
This recipe from White Lilac Farmhouse is a celebration of fresh summer flavors! Sweet and juicy watermelon chunks are perfectly complemented by salty crumbles of feta cheese. This refreshing and light salad is perfect for a quick lunch or a delightful side dish at your next barbecue.
Copycat Chick-fil-A Cobb Salad
Here is a delicious copycat recipe for the iconic Chick-fil-A Cobb Salad! Get the same great flavors at home with crisp romaine lettuce, breaded popcorn chicken, corn, bacon, hard-boiled eggs, tomatoes, cheese, and crispy red peppers. The highlight is a homemade avocado lime ranch dressing that takes this salad to the next level.
Farmer’s Market Chicken Taco Salad
This Farmer’s Market Chicken Taco Salad is packed with fresh and flavorful ingredients, making it a perfect summer meal. It features a bed of spring greens topped with diced tomatoes, avocados, and a mixture of browned ground chicken, corn, red onion, and cumin. A simple ranch-salsa dressing ties everything together, and the salad is finished off with a crunchy topping of corn chips.
Sounds delicious!
Corn Black Bean & Avacado Salad
Sally’s Baking Addiction brings you a vibrant Corn Black Bean & Avocado Salsa that’s a burst of summer freshness. Sweet corn combines with hearty black beans, zesty red onion, juicy tomatoes, and creamy avocado. A simple dressing of olive oil, lime juice, garlic, and a touch of spice livens up the flavors. This versatile salsa is perfect for dipping with chips, topping tacos, or adding a flavorful kick to grilled meats.
Spring Chopped Cobb Salad
This recipe offers a fresh twist on the classic Cobb salad, perfect for showcasing spring flavors. It features a vibrant mix of chopped romaine, snap peas, cucumbers, sweet corn, radishes, and diced onions. The salad is topped with hard-boiled eggs, crumbled goat cheese, and crispy bacon for added savory goodness. A creamy homemade dressing made with Greek yogurt, olive oil, Dijon mustard, honey, and fresh dill brings all the delicious elements together.
Easy Broccoli Salad
Craving a broccoli salad that’s both creamy and delicious? This recipe hits the spot! Fresh broccoli florets are the star of the show, and for the dressing, quality ingredients like mayo, sour cream, and sharp cheddar are key. The secret weapon? A hint of bacon fat in the dressing for an extra savory punch. Chill the salad for a few hours to let the flavors mingle and get ready for a broccoli salad that’s anything but boring!
Asian Chopped Salad
Natasha’s Kitchen offers a vibrant Asian Chopped Salad that’s perfect for summer! Skip the bagged salads and make this easy dish at home. Packed with crunchy veggies like cabbage, carrots, and snap peas, it’s bursting with fresh flavor. The key is the homemade Asian dressing, a quick and easy combination of sweet and savory notes. Toasted cashews and crispy chow mein noodles add another layer of texture, making this salad a delightful and refreshing side dish for any summer gathering.
Tomato Peach Cherry And Baratta Salad
This recipe celebrates the best of Summer flavors with a stunning salad. It features sweet, juicy peaches, vibrant cherry tomatoes, and sweet cherries – all perfectly ripe and delicious. The centerpiece is creamy, luxurious Burrata cheese. Everything gets drizzled with a fragrant herb vinaigrette for a touch of savory freshness, and toasted pine nuts add a delightful crunch. It’s the perfect summer salad to showcase fresh, seasonal ingredients.
Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad
This is my go-to Summer salad to make to bring to cookouts! It’s incredibly tasty and is always a hit!
This recipe is a fun twist on pasta salad, infusing it with the flavors of Mexican street corn! Summery sweet corn is a key ingredient. It’s mixed with bowtie pasta, black beans, chopped vegetables like bell peppers, tomatoes, cilantro, and red onion for a burst of color and freshness. A creamy and flavorful dressing made with mayo, lime juice, sour cream, and spices like chili powder, cumin, and paprika ties everything together. It’s a perfect side dish for a summer cookout or potluck!
The Best Blueberry Salad with Delicious Sweet Lemon Dressing
This salad is a delightful celebration of bright flavors and textures! The foundation is fresh, peppery arugula and sweet, juicy blueberries. Creamy goat cheese crumbles and crunchy, toasted almonds add contrasting textures. The real star is the sweet lemon vinaigrette – a tangy and sweet dressing that perfectly complements the fruit and greens. An optional sprinkle of lemon zest brings in an extra bit of zing. It’s a light, refreshing, and easily customizable salad that’s ideal for a healthy lunch or summer side dish.
Spinach Salad w/ Mandarins
This recipe is all about creating a simple, delicious, and healthy salad. The foundation is fresh baby spinach, providing a base of mild flavor and nutrients. Sweet mandarin oranges add a burst of citrusy goodness, while dried cranberries bring little pops of tart sweetness. Crumbled goat cheese adds a creamy, tangy element, and sunflower kernels offer a satisfying crunch. It’s a light and refreshing salad that comes together effortlessly, perfect for a quick lunch or side dish.
Caprese Salad
This recipe focuses on the classic flavors of a Caprese salad with an emphasis on fresh, high-quality ingredients. It starts with perfectly ripe tomatoes and creamy fresh mozzarella, both sliced and layered for a beautiful presentation. Fresh basil adds a fragrant touch. The dressing is simple yet flavorful, made with a perfect balance of extra virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, garlic, salt, and pepper. It’s a light and refreshing salad that highlights the beauty of simple ingredients.
Warm German Potato Salad
Here is a delicious warm German potato salad. The secret to this potato salad is the vinegar, which adds a burst of flavor, and the bacon grease, which makes it nice and rich. You can enjoy this potato salad hot or cold, whichever you prefer.
Fun Fruit Salad
Instead of the boring bowl of fruit salad this Summer try making this fun fruit flower edible arrangement! Using cookie cutters to create flower shapes and a variety of fruit this is going to be a hit at any Summer BBQ.
With these 19 vibrant and delicious recipes, you’re well on your way to stepping up your Summer salad game. No more wilted leaves or bland flavors! From refreshing fruit combinations to satisfying pasta salads and creamy classics, there’s truly something for everyone. So next time you’re craving a light meal, hosting a cookout, or looking for a healthy side dish, turn to this roundup for endless inspiration. Happy Summer!
xo, Jennifer
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Oh, my goodness! So many great recipes to try! Thank you for sharing mine. Happy 4th!
Yum! Give me ALL the summer salads! I can’t wait to try some of these. And thank you so much for including my bacon ranch pasta salad. I hope you enjoy it.
Happy (almost) summer, friend! I’m going to share this with my readers in my weekly recap today. I think they’ll love all these recipes, too!
Your recipe looks so yum!!
Perfect timing!!! What a great roundup of recipes! Thank you for including mine! 🌸
Anytime!!
What a great post! So many great ideas for sharing this season! When I get to the Hamp, have that lobster cobb ready! 🙂
Thanks Kimmy!!
Oh my goodness, Jennifer. So many wonderful recipes listed here. Thank you for sharing my Watermelon & Feta Salad. Jim and I love salads for dinner during the summer. I cannot wait to try some of these recipes. Thanks for sharing!
It looks so good!!
Oh, my goodness! So many great salads in one post! Can’t wait to try them! Thanks so much for sharing mine.
It looks awesome!!