Summer Salad Ideas

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Get inspired with these 50 stunning summer salad ideas, featuring everything from classic favourites to unique twists. These recipes will add a fresh, healthy touch to your meals and make entertaining a breeze.

Salad Ideas To Try This Summer

My collection of summer salad recipes includes vibrant pasta salads, refreshing fruit salads, and hearty options for a crowd. With easy recipes that highlight seasonal ingredients, you’ll find perfect options for dinner, lunch, or BBQs.

Whether you’re craving a vegetarian delight or a protein-packed chicken salad, these ideas offer something for everyone. Enjoy the simplicity and deliciousness of these healthy salads all summer long.

I’ve grouped the salads into handy categories, and of course, I always pick the absolute best recipes for you!

Seasonal Summer Produce

Cucumber Dill Salad

This cucumber dill salad delivers in the flavour department. It’s made with sour cream, which when mixed with the cucumber juice, salt, pepper and herbs, creates the dreamiest salad dressing. Calories: 66 Carbs: 6g Protein: 2g Fat:4g Fiber: 2g

Tomato Ricotta Salad

This Italian-inspired tomato ricotta salad is perfect as a side dish, appetizer or a light meal. Sweet, nutritious tomatoes are topped with creamy ricotta, sea salt and zesty gremolata. Calories: 141 Carbs: 6g Protein: 5g Fat: 11g Fiber: 2g

Zucchini Salad With Lemon & Mint

This raw zucchini salad with lemon, mint, and olive oil is a perfect paleo, Whole30, keto and vegan-friendly side dish. The best part is that it only takes about 5 minutes to make. Calories: 98 Carbs: 7g Protein: 2g Fat: 8g Fiber: 2g

Strawberry Arugula Salad

This salad is loaded with strawberries, radishes, red onion, basil, jalapeño, toasty sunflower seeds, and fresh arugula, topped with goat cheese and a balsamic vinaigrette to round out the sweet-and-slightly-spicy flavours. It’s an unexpected combination that works.

Three Herb Tomato Zucchini Salad

Made with fresh summer produce, this salad is nutritious and comes together in minutes! Perfect side for barbecues, picnics, dinners, and everything in between. Calories: 84 Carbs: 1.9 g Protein: 0.5 g Fat: 8.8 g Fiber: 0.6 g

Summer Salad with Fruit

A light and filling meal on a hot day! It makes an easy, healthy vegetarian lunch idea, or serve as a side or at a backyard barbecue. Calories: 577 Carbs: 45g Protein: 14g Fat: 42g Fiber: 10g

Caprese Salad

A classic Italian salad made with alternating slices of juicy, ripe tomatoes, and creamy mozzarella. It’s topped with fresh basil leaves, drizzled with olive oil and balsamic vinegar, and sprinkled with salt and pepper. Calories: 255 Carbs: 7g Protein: 13g Fat: 20g Fiber: 1g

Pasta Salads

Mediterranean Pasta Salad

Fusilli pasta is combined with baby spinach, cherry tomatoes, and cucumbers. Crumbled feta cheese and a homemade Mediterranean dressing add tons of flavour. Calories: 292 Carbs: 35g Protein: 8g Fat: 13g Fiber: 3g

Summer Pasta Salad with Baby Greens

This pasta salad from Skinny Taste is loaded with baby greens, making it a lighter alternative to traditional pasta salads. Calories: 169 Carbs: 29.5g Protein: 6g Fat: 5g Fiber: 4g

Green Goddess Pasta Salad

This stunning, veggie-laden green goddess pasta salad is loaded with the bounty of early summer, and thanks to a hearty toss in that classic, creamy herby dressing, it really looks the part, too. Recipe from The Modern Proper.

Salads With Corn

Creamy Corn Salad

This is not your average corn salad recipe. It’s cool and creamy with the perfect pop of fresh corn in each bite. I brought this super simple corn salad to a potluck the other day and it was gone in minutes. Calories: 176 Carbs: 23g Protein: 4g Fat: 9g Fiber: 3g

Salads With Chicken

Buffalo Chicken Salad

This Buffalo chicken salad with blue cheese dressing is finger-lickin’ good, minus the mess. You can toss any veggies into this salad because everything goes with buffalo sauce. Calories: 550 Carbs: 24g Protein: 40g Fat: 33g Fiber: 5g

Low-Carb Greek Chicken Bowls

Skillet grilled seasoned chicken is paired with the Greek salad staples of tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, olives and feta cheese in this salad bowl. Served with a side of refreshing, garlicky Tzatziki sauce. Calories: 473 Carbs: 9g Protein: 35g Fat: 33g Fiber: 1g

Asian Chicken Salad

This Asian chicken salad is perfect for a no-cook weeknight meal, especially when it’s hot. Made with leftover cooked chicken, cabbage, crunchy veggies, herbs and a delicious ginger garlic dressing. Calories: 420 Carbs: 23g Protein: 29g Fat: 23g Fiber: 3g

Great With BBQ

Red Cabbage Coleslaw With Apple & Parmesan

A delicious twist of sweet apple and umami-rich Parmesan cheese. Serve it as a side with chicken nuggets or burgers, in fish tacos, with barbecued meat, or with a can of tuna for a quick lunch. Calories: 283 Carbs: 10g Protein: 6g Fat: 24g Fiber: 2g

Potato Salad With A Twist

It’s not a classic potato salad recipe but it’s delicious and creamy with salty, sweet, and sour flavours and lots of crunchy bits. It features ingredients like crispy bacon, green apple, fried capers, and dill. Calories: 333 Carbs: 29g Protein: 6g Fat: 22g Fiber: 4g

Georgian Salad With Walnut Dressing

Similar to a Greek salad but instead of feta, oregano and olive oil dressing, this salad is dressed with a garlicky, walnut dressing and topped with a generous amount of fresh herbs like coriander and parsley. Calories: 184 Carbs: 6g Protein: 3g Fat: 17g Fiber: 2g

Feta Watermelon Salad

In this summer salad recipe, savoury arugula, sweet watermelon, salty feta, fresh mint and spicy red onion are tossed in a homemade balsamic glaze for a flavourful and refreshing summer side dish. Calories: 47 Carbs: 7g Protein: 2g Fat: 2g Fiber: 1g

Summer Salads For A Crowd

Mediterranean Quinoa Salad

Filled with grilled vegetables, sun-dried tomatoes, olives and feta, this quinoa salad with lemon basil dressing is flavourful, vegetarian and gluten-free. This is a great quinoa meal prep recipe that can be made ahead of time. Calories: 494 Carbs: 49g Protein:13g Fat: 29g Fiber: 8g

Grape Salad

This simple recipe is full of red grapes tossed in a sweet cream cheese dressing and sprinkled with brown sugar and pecans. Serve as a side dish or dessert. Calories: 252 Carbs: 35g Protein: 2g Fat: 12g Fiber: 1g

Green Salads

Rocket Salad With Pear & Parmesan

When it comes to making a rocket salad, I wanted to share the way I like to make it along with some tips for quick, easy, tasty and crisp rocket leaf salad every time. Calories: 205 Carbs: 12g Protein: 8g Fat: 14g Fiber: 2g

Cheesy Leafy Green Salad

Nutrient-dense and delicious, this creamy, cheesy leafy green salad is fantastic as a side dish or a light main, especially with extra protein on top. Calories:155 Carbs: 6g Protein: 7g Fat: 12g Fiber: 3g

Green Avocado Salad

Fresh, vibrant, and bursting with flavour, this salad is a perfect addition to any meal, packed with creamy avocado, crunchy pepitas, and a zesty lime dressing. Calories: 388 Carbs: 21g Protein: 4g Fat: 35g Fiber: 10g

Vegetarian Salads

Grapefruit Salad With Avocado & Halloumi

This salad with avocado and halloumi is a vibrant mix of fresh flavours and textures. Made with arugula, red onion and maple Dijon vinaigrette, this salad is as pretty as it is delicious. Calories: 593 Carbs: 33g Protein: 23g Fat: 44g Fiber: 9g

Mediterranean Couscous Salad

This dish is a delightful fusion of Greek and Moroccan influences, combining fluffy couscous with creamy feta cheese, juicy vegetables, and a burst of herbs and spices. Calories: 593 Carbs: 33g Protein: 23g Fat: 44g Fiber: 9g

Green Vegan Salad

This intensely green salad is packed with seasonal green produce, quinoa and served with a lemony and herby vinaigrette. It’s delicious, easy to make and will keep you full for ages as it’s packed with fibre. Calories: 371 Carbs 31g Protein: 12g Fat: 24g

Greek Potato Salad

This potato salad is a tangy spin on the traditional potato salad, with sun-dried tomatoes, olives, feta cheese, and a zesty Greek dressing that brings big, bold flavour. Calories: 264 Carbs: 24g Protein: 5g Fat: 18g Fiber: 5g

Summer Fruit Salad Recipes

Berry & Fruit Salad

This gorgeous fruit salad is made with peaches, nectarines, cherries, fresh berries and a delicious lemon maple thyme dressing. The dressing elevates it to a whole new level – you won’t be able to stop eating!

Simple Red Fruit Salad

Red fruit salad is arguably better than old-school fruit salad. Made with plump strawberries, sweet cherries, lemon zest, and coriander brown sugar. Five ingredients.

Creamy Fruit Salad

The creaminess of this yogurt packs in a little protein for this sweet treat. Greek yogurt makes for a great source of protein and a favorite to grab for a healthy snack. Recipe from One Balanced Life.

More Summer Salads

Shrimp Mango Salad

A classic summer dish with juicy tropical fruit and fresh grilled seafood. Paired with a little citrus, chilli and aromatic herbs, this dish offers a delightful mix of textures and flavours. Calories: 411 Carbs: 36g Protein: 24g Fat: 21g Fiber: 7g

Tuna Lentil Salad

If you’re looking for a quick and easy meal that is high in protein and high in fibre, this tuna lentil salad is something I can highly recommend. Only takes 10-15 minutes. Calories:515 Carbs: 46g Protein: 32g Fat: 24g Fiber: 16g

Big Mac Salad

If you’re a fan of the classic Big Mac, you will love this hearty salad. With all of the hallmark ingredients and flavours of the classic burger in salad form. Calories: 476 Carbs: 10g Protein: 21g Fat: 39g Fiber: 3g

Old-Fashioned Ham Salad

A classic American recipe that has been enjoyed for generations. It features finely diced ham, celery and sweet and zesty pickles all bound together by a medley of mustard and creamy mayonnaise. Calories: 230 Carbs: 2g Protein: 13g Fat: 19g Fiber: 1g

Tuscan Artichoke Tomato Salad

This salad is the best vegan, gluten-free, & lettuce-free salad. With marinated artichoke hearts, ripe tomatoes, chickpeas, red onion, & a simple vinaigrette, this Tuscan salad can be whipped up in just 20 minutes. Calories: 157 Carbs: 6g Protein: 1g Fat: 14g Fiber: 2g

Roasted Cauliflower Salad with Creamy Honey Vinaigrette

Cauliflower and chickpeas, roasted with olive oil, smoky chipotle, paprika, and garlic until lightly charred, crisp, and delicious. All tossed together with a simple honey mustard vinaigrette, springtime salad greens, cucumbers, fresh herbs, feta cheese, and avocado for a salad that’s plentiful, healthy, and filling. Calories: 648 kcal.

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