11+ Crowd-Pleasing Summertime Salads
Published Jun 11, 2026
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Celebrate summer with these vibrant, crowd-pleasing Summer Salad Recipes! Whether you’re craving a pasta salad, a crisp green salad, or a salad topped with BBQ chicken, there’s something for everyone on this list.
Summer is Salad Season 🥗
A salad is something I make for almost every summer meal. A bowl of crisp, cooling vegetables on a hot day? It’s honestly all I crave this time of year.
Father’s Day, a Fourth of July potluck, or a regular Tuesday dinner in August, you can bet that I’ll throw a salad together. I can have a lot of fun getting creative with fresh, seasonal summer produce, light and bright salad dressings, and extra add-ins, simply in the name of putting a big, bold, and beautiful salad together.
You can scroll through my favorite summer salad recipes below and check out the rest of my salad recipes while you’re here.
Table of Contents
Types of Summer Salads
I don’t discriminate—I love all types of summer salads!
- Green salads: Leafy greens, from romaine to kale to arugula, tossed with fresh summer vegetables, fruits, and/or grilled meats and dressed usually in a zesty dressing or vinaigrette.
- Pasta salads: Pasta makes everything better, including salads. I love how you can toss cooked pasta with crunchy veggies and a creamy dressing or a vinaigrette, and it will always be the first to disappear at the backyard BBQ.
- Potato salads: AKA one of the most popular summer salads ever, period. My healthy potato salad is a little lighter than the average recipe, but just as creamy and irresistible.
- Grain salads: Adding cooked quinoa, farro, brown rice, or barley to a summer salad is one of the best ways to turn it into a centerpiece.
- Bean salads: Any salad where beans are the star. Chickpeas, cannellini beans, and black beans are a few of my favorites.
11+ Salad Recipes to Make All Summer Long
1
Lemon Orzo Salad
This Lemon Orzo Salad is made with fresh produce like tomatoes, zucchini and basil, and the lemons make it light and refreshing. It's healthy and a perfect make-ahead lunch recipe, so what are you waiting for? Dig in!
Check out this recipe
2
Zucchini Salad
Celebrate summer with this no-cook Zucchini Salad. It’s the ultimate refreshing and colorful warm-weather side dish that tosses raw zucchini, tomatoes, red onion, pine nuts, cheese, and fresh herbs in a simple citrusy vinaigrette.
Check out this recipe
3
Pea Salad
This easy, healthy Pea Salad recipe is a tasty appetizer to bring to your next potluck or family gathering! Made with green peas, bacon, red onion, and cheddar cheese, plus a lightened up creamy dressing, it comes together in under 15 minutes!
Check out this recipe
4
Classic Panzanella Salad
This Classic Panzanella Salad is the ultimate crowd-pleasing summer salad! Toasted ciabatta, veggies, basil, and mozzarella are dressed in a tangy vinaigrette to ensure every bite is bursting with refreshing Italian flavors.
Check out this recipe
5
Italian Pasta Salad
This loaded Italian Pasta Salad has pasta, meat, veggies, and cheese in every bite! Tossed in an irresistible homemade dressing, it’s a must-make for all of your summer parties.
Check out this recipe
6
Cannellini Bean Salad
Cannellini Bean Salad is the ultimate spring and summertime recipe! It's made with cannellini beans (aka white kidney beans), tomatoes, cucumbers, and onion, and drizzled with a simple lemon dressing. It's light yet flavorful, plant-based and ready in just 10 minutes!
Check out this recipe
7
Zesty Quinoa Salad
This protein-packed Zesty Quinoa Salad is a party for your taste buds! It’s the best summer side dish or healthy lunch made with quinoa, veggies, nuts, avocado, feta, and herbs dressed in a sweet and savory vinaigrette.
Check out this recipe
8
BBQ Chicken Salad
This BBQ Chicken Salad tosses baked BBQ chicken thighs, black beans, corn, avocado, tomatoes, and lettuce in a zesty cilantro lime vinaigrette. Enjoy it for healthy weeknight dinners or as a Southwestern-inspired side dish!
Check out this recipe
9
Burrata Peach Salad
Need to use up ripe peaches? This 5-minutes Burrata Peach Salad is the way to go! Mixed greens topped with fresh peaches, basil, burrata, and a simple balsamic glaze create this light and fresh salad recipe.
Check out this recipe
10
Grilled Corn Kale Salad
Enjoy a healthy Corn Kale Salad on its own or as a side to any meal. Ready in under 20 minutes, it's made with massaged kale and topped with grilled corn, squash, avocado, and an easy homemade chili-lime dressing. Plus, it's both vegan AND gluten free!
Check out this recipe
11
Stone Fruit Panzanella Salad
This Stone Fruit Panzanella Salad recipe is made with bread, olive oil and stone fruit for a fun and summery take on a traditional panzanella salad.
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12
Watermelon Basil Salad
This easy Watermelon Basil Salad tosses cubed watermelon, basil, mint, feta, and red onion in a sweet and floral champagne honey vinaigrette. It’s a refreshing side dish that’s best enjoyed under the summer sun!
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