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.
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Refreshing Summer 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 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.
- Fruit: Strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, watermelon, honeydew, cantaloupe, cherries, mangoes, peaches, tomatoes
- Vegetables: Cucumbers, peppers, zucchini, beets, kale, arugula, spinach, corn, onions, peas, radishes, rhubarb, collard greens
- Herbs: Basil, dill, parsley, mint, oregano, rosemary, cilantro
Summer Salad Dressings
Making a homemade salad dressing is an easy way to take your salad up a notch. I love using lighter dressings in the summer so that it tastes refreshing and not too heavy. Balsamic dressing, poppy seed dressing, or an easy vinaigrette are usually my go-to’s!
Fruity Summer Salads
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!
Total Time: 10 minutes
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Spinach Strawberry Salad
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!
Total Time: 10 minutes
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Berry Fruit 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!
Total Time: 10 minutes
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Watermelon Salad
Filled with fresh watermelon, feta, cucumbers, mint and a delicious lime dressing. This watermelon salad is light, refreshing and full of summer flavors!
Total Time: 10 minutes
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Strawberry Burrata Salad Recipe
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!
Total Time: 10 minutes
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Honey Lime Fruit Salad
Rainbow honey lime fruit salad filled with fresh strawberries, oranges, bananas, grapes and blueberries. Then topped with a delicious honey lime glaze.
Total Time: 10 minutes
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Grape Salad
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!
Total Time: 40 minutes
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Mandarin Orange Salad Recipe
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!
Total Time: 10 minutes
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Mango Chicken Quinoa Salad
Chicken quinoa salad with juicy mango and chunks of rich avocado is the perfect light meal or side dish to make this summer.
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
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Summer Pasta Salad Recipes
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.
Total Time: 30 minutes
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Southwest Pasta Salad
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!
Total Time: 30 minutes
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Macaroni Salad Recipe
Easy macaroni salad filled with noodles, veggies, bacon and cheese. Then tossed in a creamy and tangy dressing that's full of flavor. This recipe will become one of your potluck favorites!
Total Time: 20 minutes
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Greek Pasta Salad Recipe
Full of rotini noodles, veggies, feta cheese and tossed in a red wine vinaigrette. A delicious and easy side dish recipe that's perfect for summer.
Total Time: 30 minutes
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Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad Recipe
This chicken caesar pasta salad is super easy to make and comes together in just 10 minutes! Perfect for a quick dinner or to bring to a potluck.
Total Time: 10 minutes
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Orzo Salad
Topped with a delicious homemade vinaigrette, this orzo salad is so fresh and loaded with fantastic flavor. Such a healthy and filling side dish recipe for summer!
Total Time: 30 minutes
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Chicken Pesto Pasta Salad
This chicken pesto pasta salad is light, healthy and packed with the perfect basil pesto flavor! Great for BBQs, brunches, baby showers & more!
Total Time: 20 minutes
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Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad
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!
Total Time: 10 minutes
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Pasta Salad with Italian Dressing
Filled with tender pasta, crisp veggies and a zesty Italian dressing, this delicious and easy pasta salad is a potluck must-have!
Total Time: 2 hours 20 minutes
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BLT Pasta Salad
This BLT pasta salad is a fun twist on the classic bacon, lettuce and tomato sandwich. Easy to make and great for summer parties and picnics!
Total Time: 30 minutes
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Tortellini Pasta Salad
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!
Total Time: 15 minutes
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Summer Potluck Salads
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 Bacon Salad
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!
Total Time: 30 minutes
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Loaded Potato Salad Recipe
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.
Total Time: 30 minutes
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Cucumber Tomato Salad
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!
Total Time: 25 minutes
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Corn and Tomato Salad
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!
Total Time: 20 minutes
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Quinoa Black Bean Salad
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!
Total Time: 45 minutes
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Chickpea Salad
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!
Total Time: 25 minutes
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Greek Salad
Easy Greek salad recipe with chopped veggies, feta cheese and a simple homemade dressing. Full of fresh flavor and made in less than 30 minutes!
Total Time: 25 minutes
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Caprese Salad Recipe
This easy caprese salad takes only 10 minutes of prep and ready in less than 30 minutes! Filled with fresh tomatoes, mozzarella, basil and topped with balsamic.
Total Time: 25 minutes
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Ramen Noodle Cabbage Salad
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!
Total Time: 10 minutes
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Southwest Quinoa Salad
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!
Total Time: 30 minutes
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Southwest Cornbread Salad
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!
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
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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! :)