Summer is here, and if your kitchen is anything like mine, it’s way too hot to deal with a stove every night. That’s where summer salads save the day. They’re light, refreshing, easy to prep ahead, and perfect for everything from weeknight dinners to lazy weekends, BBQs, or even packed lunches at the pool.
Now, I’m not talking about limp lettuce with sad cucumbers. These summer salad ideas are anything but boring — we’re talking bold flavors, fresh ingredients, and a mix of veggie-based, fruit-filled, pasta-loaded, and protein-packed bowls of goodness.
Here are 17 salad ideas to keep in your back pocket (or your fridge) all summer long.
VEGGIE-BASED SALADS
1. Summer Garden Salad with Buttermilk Ranch
Start with crisp romaine or iceberg, then pile on cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, shredded carrots, and red onion. The star here? A thick, tangy buttermilk ranch (homemade or store-bought, we’re not judging). Add some bacon bits if you're feeling fancy.
This garden salad from Sophia at Vintage Cooks is the real deal—fresh, crunchy, and smothered in a creamy buttermilk ranch you’ll want to put on everything.
2. Tomato, Cucumber & Feta Salad
This one’s a classic for a reason. Juicy tomatoes and crunchy cucumbers tossed with red onion, crumbled feta, olive oil, and a splash of red wine vinegar. It’s simple, fast, and tastes like summer in a bowl.
This tomato and cucumber salad from Five Heart Home is light, tangy, and proves you don’t need a long ingredient list to make something delicious.
3. Grilled Veggie Salad with Balsamic Glaze
Throw zucchini, bell peppers, eggplant, and red onion on the grill (or grill pan), then chop and toss with a drizzle of balsamic glaze and a sprinkle of fresh basil. Serve warm or cold.
Grilled veggies take center stage in this flavor-packed salad from Balanced Healthstyles, finished with the perfect balsamic drizzle.
4. Southwest Corn Salad
Use fresh corn (cut from the cob) or frozen and toss it with black beans, chopped red pepper, green onion, cilantro, lime juice, and a little mayo or Greek yogurt. Add a dash of cumin or chili powder to take it up a notch.
This zesty corn salad from Noshtastic is loaded with bold Southwest flavor and comes together in just minutes.
FRUIT-FORWARD SALADS
5. Watermelon, Feta & Mint Salad
Chunks of watermelon, crumbled feta, and fresh mint — that’s it. Drizzle with balsamic reduction or lime juice if you want to get a little extra. It’s refreshing, sweet, and salty in the best way.
Watermelon and feta are a dream team in this cool, sweet-and-salty salad from 40 Aprons—it screams summer.
6. Strawberry Spinach Salad
Fresh spinach with strawberries, walnuts, and feta cheese. Top with poppyseed dressing (store-bought or homemade). This one looks fancy but takes 5 minutes to throw together. Blueberries, blackberries, or raspberries would make a welcome addition.
This spinach and berry salad from Modern Honey is as pretty as it is tasty, with the perfect balance of sweet, tart, and creamy.
7. Mango Avocado Salad
Dice ripe mango and creamy avocado, then toss with red onion, chopped cilantro, and lime juice. It’s technically a fruit salad, but it pairs great with grilled chicken or shrimp.
Mango and avocado come together in this fresh, tropical salad from Dishes Tasty, great as a side or a light lunch.
8. Peach Caprese Salad
A twist on the classic — layer fresh peach slices with mozzarella and basil instead of tomatoes. Drizzle with olive oil and balsamic, and you’ve got a fancy-but-easy showstopper.
This fun spin on Caprese from Herbs & Flour swaps tomatoes for peaches, and it totally works—sweet, savory, and summery.
PASTA SALADS
9. Italian Pasta Salad
Short pasta (rotini or bowtie), salami slices, mozzarella cubes, olives, cherry tomatoes, and pepperoncini tossed in zesty Italian dressing. Make it a full meal by adding chickpeas or grilled chicken.
This Italian pasta salad from Fork in the Kitchen is loaded with salami, cheese, and veggies, and it just gets better the longer it sits.
10. BLT Pasta Salad
Bacon, chopped romaine or spinach, grape tomatoes, and bowtie pasta tossed with ranch or a light mayo dressing. It’s your favorite sandwich in salad form — and it feeds a crowd.
All the goodness of a BLT packed into a pasta bowl, Natasha at Salt & Lavender totally nailed this one.
11. Greek Orzo Salad
Cooked orzo mixed with cucumbers, tomatoes, kalamata olives, red onion, crumbled feta, and a lemon-oregano vinaigrette. Serve cold and maybe double the batch because this one goes fast.
Orzo, olives, feta, and fresh veggies come together in this Greek-inspired salad from Girl with the Iron Cast that’s perfect for picnics.
12. Pesto Tortellini Salad
Tortellini pasta tossed with pesto, sun-dried tomatoes, and arugula or spinach. Add pine nuts or a handful of cherry tomatoes for color and crunch.
This pesto pasta salad from Jennifer at Carlsbad Cravings is cheesy, herb-packed, and so good you’ll want to eat it straight from the fridge.
POTATO SALADS
13. Classic Creamy Potato Salad
Boiled potatoes, hard-boiled eggs, celery, and onion with a creamy mayo-mustard dressing. Old-school, yes, but sometimes that’s exactly what hits the spot at a BBQ.
If you love the traditional kind, this creamy potato salad from Tastes Better From Scratch is everything you want: comforting, nostalgic, and super satisfying.
14. Herby Dijon Potato Salad (No Mayo)
Warm potatoes tossed with olive oil, Dijon mustard, red wine vinegar, shallots, and loads of fresh herbs like parsley, dill, and chives. This one gets better as it sits.
This no-mayo potato salad from Foodiee Fairy is fresh, herby, and tangy in the best way, perfect for those who like it lighter.
15. Bacon & Ranch Potato Salad
If you're already making bacon for something else, save a few slices and crumble them into your potato salad. Add shredded cheddar and ranch dressing — it's indulgent but ridiculously good.
Bacon and ranch are a match made in potato salad heaven, and To Simply Inspire absolutely nailed it with this recipe.
PROTEIN-PACKED SALADS
16. BBQ Chicken Chopped Salad
Chopped romaine, grilled or rotisserie chicken, black beans, corn, shredded cheese, tomatoes, and crushed tortilla chips with BBQ sauce and ranch dressing mixed together. It’s basically summer in a bowl.
This BBQ chicken chopped salad from Iowa Girl Eats has all the crunch, flavor, and smoky-sweetness you could want in one bowl.
17. Tuna & White Bean Salad
Canned tuna, white beans, red onion, chopped parsley, and lemon juice with a drizzle of olive oil. It’s light, filling, and high-protein without feeling heavy. Serve over greens or eat with crackers.
This tuna and white bean salad from Molly's Home Guide is light but filling, with bright lemony flavor and a healthy dose of protein.
Bonus Tips for Summer Salads That Don’t Suck
- Salt your veggies. A little salt on tomatoes or cucumbers brings out their flavor like magic.
- Don’t skip acid. Lemon juice, lime juice, or vinegar balances richness and makes everything taste brighter.
- Let it chill. Most pasta and potato salads taste better after sitting in the fridge for an hour or two. Great for prepping ahead.
- Texture matters. Mix soft (avocado, cheese) with crunch (nuts, croutons, raw veggies) for more satisfying bites.
- Think beyond the bowl. You can stuff many of these into a wrap, serve them in lettuce cups, or even spoon them over grilled meat for a complete meal.
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Whether you're feeding picky kids, prepping for a potluck, or just need to throw something together without sweating to death in the kitchen, these summer salad ideas have you covered.
Keep a few ingredients on hand (like canned beans, short pasta, feta, and vinaigrette) and you can whip up something tasty anytime.
And hey, if your kids complain about the “green stuff,” just call it a “cold dinner” and toss in some pasta or cheese. Works like a charm.
Which one are you trying first?
Summer Posts You May Enjoy:
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