These fresh, vibrant summer salad recipes are super easy to make and perfect for warm days when it’s just too hot to cook!
Delicious Summer Salad Recipes
Salads are just right on sweltering summer nights when you’re not even hungry but still need to have a little something. You can easily make them a meal by adding some grilled chicken or fish, just as long as you keep it simple!
The recipes below are some of my favorite summer salad recipes. Choose from an ultra-simple Cucumber Salad. Or, go for a heartier, one-bowl meal with my Summer Cobb Salad. I love serving potato salad with burgers and always bring macaroni salad or ramen noodle salad to summer gatherings! You’re sure to find something to fit every occasion.
1. Cucumber Salad
This Cucumber Salad recipe could hardly be simpler to make, but it is so refreshing! Crunchy sliced cucumbers are dressed in a simple vinegar and sugar dressing, with fresh herbs added for extra flavor. I like to make this a little bit in advance and keep it cold in the fridge until I’m ready to eat it.
2. Summer Cobb Salad
This summery take on a traditional Cobb salad is sure to please. Full of fresh vegetables, hard-boiled eggs, grilled chicken, almonds, and creamy avocado this is a super satisfying and healthy meal. I add blackberries and raspberries for a delicious twist.
3. Corn, Avocado, and Cilantro Salad
In-season corn, plus avocado, tomatoes, and cilantro makes for a salad I find it hard to stop eating! This dish works perfectly as a simple, juicy side dish at a barbecue; you can serve it alongside burgers for a healthy and fresh accompaniment. However, this Corn, Avocado and Cilantro Salad is so good I sometimes just slice up a loaf of French bread and eat salad and bread and butter for dinner. I don’t need anything else!
4. Summer Pasta Salad
As its name suggests, this is an amazing pasta salad full of summer flavors! Rotini pasta is loaded with fresh tomatoes, artichoke hearts, and salty feta cheese, and tossed with Italian dressing. As a result, you get a satisfying one-bowl meal that can be served at room temperature. I love this Summer Pasta Salad for potlucks!
5. Potato Salad
A thick and creamy version of a summer staple, my recipe for Potato Salad is so tender and flavorful. I love to throw in lots of chopped fresh dill, crunchy chopped celery and red onion, paprika, sweet relish, mayo and mustard, and hard-boiled eggs! You absolutely need to make this one for your next picnic gathering!
6. Macaroni Salad
Forget about buying store-bought macaroni salad, this homemade Macaroni Salad is a cinch to put together and tastes so much better! Plus, when you make it yourself you can adapt it to your preferences (Try pickles instead of sweet relish, for example). I love it with little cubes of cheddar cheese thrown in. This recipe is a must for your 4th of July BBQ!
7. Ham Salad
Ham Salad is a wonderful way to use up leftover ham. It’s a versatile option for hot summer nights when you want something a little different but don’t want to make a lot of effort. It’s great as a sandwich or on crackers. Or, you can simply top a fresh green salad with a scoop of ham salad for extra protein.
8. Antipasto Salad
A bowl of Antipasto Salad is a classic appetizer for good reason. It’s loaded with vegetables, made filling by the addition of meat, and is finished with lots of cheese. I think it’s hearty enough to work as a main meal, especially during the dog days of summer when cooking a big meal is the last thing you want to think about. You could throw in extra meat, or top it with some grilled chicken if you want a little more protein. However, this summer salad is really satisfying just on its own.
9. Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad
Here’s another super flavorful and filling summer salad that will go fast when you bring it to a potluck! It’s hard to go wrong when you toss pasta with Ranch dressing, smoky bacon, black olives, and sharp Cheddar cheese. Serve this Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad as a side with hot dogs. Or, enjoy it as a standalone for a lighter dinner option.
10. Crusted Chicken Cobb Salad with Honey Mustard
This Crispy Chicken Cobb Salad is dressed with an amazing homemade honey mustard dressing that really takes it over the top. We start with fresh produce like tomatoes, cucumbers, corn, and avocado. Then, we add tender lettuce and crunchy red onions to make this a memorable and satisfying meal. Perfect for summer lunches!
11. Delicious Chicken Salad
A really nice option for a summer lunch or simple dinner is Chicken Salad. Serve it on fresh or toasted bread for a complete meal! My version of chicken salad is creamy with mayonnaise, has a wonderful tang from fresh lemon juice, and is packed with juicy grapes, crunchy celery, and apples. Add some nuts for even more crunch, and you’ve got the makings of the perfect picnic basket sandwich.
12. Taco Salad
Tacos, but make it a salad! My Taco Salad is a satisfying meal that takes hardly any time to prep, making it perfect on those extra humid and hot summer nights. You can also serve this as a sort of deconstructed dip, with lots of crispy tortilla chips to scoop up the seasoned ground beef, cheese, avocado, and of course, sour cream.
13. Dill Pickle Pasta Salad
I love serving this Dill Pickle Pasta Salad at BBQs. It feels like the perfect side to serve with juicy burgers or grilled chicken kabobs that have just come off the grill! This is a unique twist on a traditional pasta salad. I’ve added pickles, tangy pickle juice, and fresh dill for lots of flavor all your guests will love.
14. Broccoli Salad
Broccoli Salad made with raw broccoli is a healthy and delicious salad to add to your summer rotation! You’ll start with lots of fresh broccoli. Then, throw in bacon and sunflower seeds. Stir in some shredded cheddar, and toss the whole salad in a creamy mayo-based dressing for a finishing touch. I especially love this one at cookouts!
15. Waldorf Salad
A Waldorf Salad is a wonderful addition to a summer brunch! It features chopped apples, juicy grapes, crunch celery, and raisins. If you’re serving this later in the day you can even add in some grilled chicken for a light, complete meal.
16. Ambrosia Salad
I had to include a dessert salad on this list! The ultimate decadent fruit salad, Ambrosia Salad is a classic recipe that mixes pineapple, mandarin oranges, coconut, a creamy dressing, and mini marshmallows. I love to serve ambrosia salad as part of a summer brunch spread.
17. Pea Salad
Pea Salad is a delicious, classic summer salad, especially when you use fresh peas. This makes a fantastic side dish for a BBQ meal and is a perfect make-ahead recipe. Prepare it in advance, store it in your fridge, and take it out when you are ready to eat!
18. Orange Fluff Salad
While Orange Fluff Salad is more like a dessert than a side dish, we wanted to include it on our list of summer salads. A big bowl of orange fluff is the perfect summer treat! Make a double batch, because people go crazy for this bright, cold salad.
19. Tomato Salad
There is nothing quite as tasty as a fresh Tomato Salad in the summer! The perfect summer recipe, this salad is the best way to use up fresh garden tomatoes. Pair it with grilled chicken, shrimp, or fish for a refreshing meal!
20. Grape Salad
I love cold fruit salads in the summer, and this Grape Salad is one of the best recipes ever! It is perfectly sweet and just a little bit crunchy thanks to the fresh grapes. Kids and adults will adore this quick and easy recipe.
21. Tortellini Pasta Salad
I love summer all pasta salads, but this Tortellini Pasta Salad may be the best. The tortellini makes it even heartier than a traditional salad. So, it is perfect to serve as a complete meal.
22. Fresh Corn Salad
Summer corn is so flavorful and sweet! And a whole bowl of Corn Salad is the best way to enjoy all that amazing summer corn taste. Pair it with your favorite protein for a seasonal meal full of flavor and nutrients. You’ll make this summer salad recipe again and again!
Did you make any of these summer salad recipes? Leave a rating, and let us know how they turned out in the comments below!
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These summer salads all look luscious!!! We had lots of salads in the summer when I was growing up and I have always loved them especially in the hot summer summertime. Thanks for posting these!!!