These refreshing summer salad recipes are perfect for showcasing your fresh fruits and vegetables this season! This list has all of your favorites from fruity summer salads to pasta salads or your favorite potluck salads.
Summer is the peak season for many fresh fruits and vegetables, which makes it the perfect time to make a big, refreshing summer salad. It’s a quick and easy way to showcase your favorite seasonal ingredients from your garden or local farmer’s market. Not only is it a healthy dinner idea, but it’s also a great recipe to bring to a BBQ.
Fill up your summer salads with crisp greens, crunchy vegetables, juicy fruit, protein, quinoa or couscous and your favorite salad dressings. They’re super customizable and can be as hearty or as light as you’d like.
This list of summer salad ideas has everything you’re looking for this season. Whether it’s fruity summer salads, pasta salads or a classic potluck salad, you’ll find it all here. I’ve even included some tips for making the best summer salads, as well as a list of the top produce to pick this season.
Tips for Making a Summer Salad
Use what’s in season. Now is the time to showcase all of the fresh fruits and vegetables that are in season during the summer time. These ingredients will be the most juicy, ripe and have the best flavor. Check out the list below for all of the seasonal summer produce to choose from.
Shop local. This is the perfect time to support your local farmers! Buy produce from the nearest farmer’s market instead of the larger supermarket chain in your area. Odds are the produce is more fresh and vibrant!
Fresh from the garden. There’s no better way to enjoy your garden’s bounty than with a fresh summer salad. Greens, tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers and herbs are all wonderful additions!
Favorite Summer Produce
Below are some of my favorite seasonal fruits and vegetables to enjoy during the summer.
When I think of summer salads, I immediately think of fruit! Especially ripe, juicy berries. Fruit is the star of the show in all of these recipes below and adds the perfect sweetness to your salads. You can’t go wrong with any of these favorites!
Spinach Berry Salad Recipe
A refreshing salad made with spinach, mixed berries, almonds and a red wine poppyseed vinaigrette. Delicious, healthy and easy to make!
A light and refreshing strawberry spinach salad filled with fresh strawberries, almonds, feta and greens. Top with poppy seed dressing to make the perfect summer salad recipe!
Summer berry fruit salad full of fresh strawberries, blackberries, blueberries and raspberries. Topped with a honey lime dressing that adds the perfect hint of sweetness!
Filled with fresh watermelon, feta, cucumbers, mint and a delicious lime dressing. This watermelon salad is light, refreshing and full of summer flavors!
Strawberry, pistachio, and burrata salad with a poppyseed dressing…super fresh, flavorful and satisfying! This strawberry salad has the most perfect combination of flavors and will become your new favorite!
Rainbow honey lime fruit salad filled with fresh strawberries, oranges, bananas, grapes and blueberries. Then topped with a delicious honey lime glaze.
This simple grape salad is made with fresh juicy grapes, coated in a sweet cheesecake dressing, topped with crunchy pecans and brown sugar! It's a sweet and tart, creamy and crunchy dessert salad that comes together in minutes and will be devoured just as fast!
This mandarin orange salad is fresh, sweet and loaded with flavor. It is topped with an amazing homemade orange salad dressing that you can't live without!
Whether you’re grilling a big, juicy hamburger or your favorite chicken kabobs, any of these pasta salads would make the perfect summer side dish. Most can be made in advance, making things much easier when dinner time rolls around!
Caprese Pasta Salad
This easy Caprese pasta salad is made with a simple combination of the most delicious classic trio! Juicy tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, and basil. Then combined with cooked pasta and tossed together with a light and zesty dressing.
Tender penne pasta, black beans, corn, peppers, cilantro, onions and tomatoes tossed in a delicious and creamy avocado lime dressing. This southwest pasta salad is easy, healthy and full of Mexican flavors!
Savor this easy macaroni salad recipe, featuring noodles, veggies, and a creamy, tangy dressing bursting with flavor. This classic side dish recipe is guaranteed to become a staple at BBQs or potlucks all season long!
Topped with a delicious homemade vinaigrette, this bright and colorful orzo salad is so fresh plus loaded with fantastic flavor. Such a healthy and filling side dish recipe or light lunch for summer!
This buffalo chicken pasta salad has the perfect combination of noodles, crisp veggies, tangy buffalo chicken and a cooling ranch sauce. Topped with creamy blue cheese for an easy summer salad the entire family will love!
Easy tortellini pasta salad made with zesty Italian dressing in just 15 minutes! So full of flavor and a side dish the whole family will love. Perfect for any summer BBQ!
You can’t forget potluck salads! These classic dishes are easy to make and will be loved by all at your next cookout. There are even some great vegetarian and vegan options for the non meat eaters in your life!
Broccoli Salad Recipe
This broccoli salad with bacon is dressed up with cranberries, sunflower kernels and a creamy homemade dressing. It is super easy to make and always a crowd pleaser. It’s the perfect recipe to bring to a BBQ!
Loaded potato salad filled with potatoes, bacon, shredded cheese, green onions and a delicious creamy dressing. A fun twist on the classic potato salad that tastes like a loaded baked potato in salad form.
Fresh chopped cucumbers, tomatoes, red onions, feta cheese and herbs tossed in a tangy red wine vinaigrette. This cucumber tomato salad is healthy, light and loaded with flavor. It makes the perfect summer side dish!
This corn and tomato salad recipe has become a fast favorite and is made in just 20 minutes. It's the perfect light and refreshing dish to whip up all summer long!
Quinoa black bean salad is loaded with fluffy quinoa, tender black beans, sweet corn and flavored with herbs and spices, and a squirt of lime to elevate each bite! Serve this quick and easy salad warm or chilled in a bowl or as a side!
Chickpea salad is fresh, lively, and full of classic Mediterranean flavors! This beautiful salad is composed of buttery chickpeas, crispy bell peppers, crunchy cucumbers, and zesty tomatoes topped with a vibrant dressing that just gets better the longer it marinates!
This easy Caprese salad is filled with ripe tomatoes, mozzarella balls, fresh basil and then topped with a homemade balsamic glaze for the most delicious combination. Serve this crowd pleasing summertime salad as a side, appetizer or a light meal with crusty bread!
This ramen noodle cabbage salad with chicken is so tasty and comes together in minutes! Light, crunchy and the perfect combination of flavors! It's sure to become a Summer staple!
This southwest quinoa salad makes a delicious and flavorful side dish or main meal. You can feel great about eating this healthy, protein-packed salad all summer long!
This southwest cornbread salad has flavorful layers of crumbled cornbread, veggies, bacon, cheese and a delicious salsa ranch dressing. The perfect way to spice up a potluck!
Fluffy couscous, nutty chickpeas, crunchy bell peppers, cucumbers, and sprinkled with briny feta cheese. This couscous salad is tossed in a simple homemade lemon dressing to brighten it up and add some zip to every bite!
Healthy, fresh and delicious! Love the lemon dressing!
This looks really nice and I will have to make some for myself over the summer.
One question tho “4 TB fresh lemon juice” does it mean “4 tablespoons”? (I’m not good with abbreviations for recipes haha
Yes, 4 Tablespoons of lemon juice! Hope you like this salad! :)
Yum! Yum! So fresh and summery… and simple too! Thanks for sharing. I love berries in salads. This looks like perfection! Pinning!
Thanks Natasha! It has become one of my favorite salads, it is so yummy and refreshing! :)
that looks really yummy! I think I have all the stuff to make the dressing already. Yay!
It is so yummy and refreshing! I hope you enjoy is Jamila! :)