Summer just wouldn’t be the same without a collection of summer salad recipes. From the light and healthy greens to the more filling pasta and potato, salads are refreshing and cool sides or main dishes.

Don’t settle for the same boring salad, when there are so many to choose from!

To help you shake things up a bit, we have gathered a collection of some of the best summer salads.

plated salad dishes with a title to show 29 Summer Salad Recipes

Summer Salads are the Best

  • When we think of salad the first thing that comes to mind is healthy green lettuce tossed in a bowl with a dressing. But there can be so much more to a salad!
  • From the creamy to the tangy a dressing can make a salad different every time.
  • Instead of lettuce, try kale, potatoes, pasta, corn, avocado, apples, and so much more.
  • Add some shredded chicken, pork, or shrimp to turn some of these salads into filling meals.
Table of Contents
  1. Green Salad Recipes
  2. Pasta Salad Recipes
  3. Potato Salad Recipes
  4. Tomato Salad Recipes
  5. Other Salads We Love

Green Salad Recipes

Love that classic oil and vinegar vinaigrette or the creamy dressing of a caesar salad? Here is a list of some of the basic salad recipes to the more zesty and colorful.

classic green salads

More Green Salads

Taco Salad includes all those Mexican toppings that we love – ground beef, taco seasoning, and lots of cheese!

plated Taco Salad with ingredients around it
Easy Taco Salad
This easy taco salad is crispy, crunchy, and colorful. Make a DIY taco bar by putting out all the toppings and let everyone make their own!
View the recipe

Orange and Fennel Salad is full of pep, zest, and color. So good!

top view of plated Fennel Salad
Orange & Fennel Salad
Bright & colorful, this Fennel Salad is a healthy, flavorful dish that's perfect as a light lunch or side dish!
View the recipe

Strawberry Spinach Salad is made with fresh strawberries, avocado, candied pecans, and more. So smooth, crunchy, and sweet!

strawberry spinach salad with avocado
Strawberry Spinach Salad
Strawberry Spinach Salad is a personal favorite and definitely a crowd pleaser!
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BLT Salad is a crunchy and delicious twist on the classic BLT sandwich.

BLT Salad in a dish
BLT Salad
This BLT salad is quick and easy to prepare with all the classic BLT sandwich flavors we love!
View the recipe

Pasta Salad Recipes

A summer BBQ or picnic wouldn’t be the same without that classic pasta salad. But why not try a new recipe?

Easy Pasta Salad is a classic recipe. It is a great way to use up all those leftover vegetables in the refrigerator.

close up of an easy pasta salad in a white serving bowl with a serving spoon
Easy Pasta Salad Recipe
Pasta Salad with fresh veggies and a tangy Italian dressing is perfect for a potluck or backyard BBQ!
View the recipe

Dill Pickle Pasta Salad is a crunchy take on a classic. Love dills? Then this salad is for you!

Dill Pickle Pasta Salad on a plate with two pickles on top
Dill Pickle Pasta Salad
Dill Pickle Pasta Salad is literally my favorite pasta salad ever! In this creamy pasta salad recipe, dill pickles play a starring role and add tons of flavor and crunch! This recipe is even better when it’s made ahead of time making it the perfect potluck dish!
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Summer Pasta Salad is filled with your favorite summer veggies, fresh from the garden, and topped with a light and simple dressing!

Summer Pasta Salad in a white bowl with a fork
Summer Pasta Salad
Garden fresh veggies and tender pasta are tossed in a simple fresh dressing.
View the recipe

Italian Pasta Salad is made with a tangy vinaigrette, cheese, and a whole lot of vegetables.

Italian Pasta Salad with spoons in a clear bowl
Italian Pasta Salad
Tender pasta, juicy tomatoes, crisp bell peppers, salami, and mozzarella cheese are tossed in an Italian dressing for the perfect make-ahead side dish.
View the recipe

Tortellini Salad is made with tender tortellini, vegetables, cheese, and artichokes.

close up of Italian Tortellini Salad on a plate with a spoon and fork
Italian Tortellini Salad
Bright, flavorful, & full of fresh veggies, this Italian Tortellini Salad is the perfect dish for a potluck or backyard BBQ!
View the recipe

Potato Salad Recipes

Potato salad is a filling and hard to resist dish that is usually made with a creamy dressing. Add some dill, and bacon, and one of these is sure to be the most popular dish at the picnic.

Classic Potato Salad turns those tender potatoes into a classic dish that has been invited to so many picnics!

mixing The Best Potato Salad ingredients together
The Best Potato Salad Recipe
This is a classic potato salad recipe with just the right amount of crunch, tang, and creamy goodness to satisfy any appetite!
View the recipe

Ranch Potato Salad is a delicious salad, with creamy ranch dressing, bacon pieces, and cheese.

Bacon Ranch Potato Salad in a white bowl with cheese, chives, and bacon as garnish
Ranch Potato Salad
Made with simple ingredients like sour cream, bacon, ranch seasoning, and red potatoes, this potato salad is creamy and full of flavor.
View the recipe

Creamy Dill Potato Salad is a rich and dilly salad that would love an invitation to the next picnic!

potato salad topped with dill
Creamy Dill Potato Salad
This potato salad with the fresh summery flavor of dill is the perfect side for any gathering!
View the recipe

Sweet Potato Salad puts a little twist on the classic potato salad, with the replacement of white potatoes with sweet potato.

Sweet Potato Salad topped with corn and green onions
Sweet Potato Salad
This colorful side dish features roasted sweet potatoes, corn, juicy red peppers and smoky bacon all tossed in a creamy dressing.
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Southern Potato Salad is a creamy salad that is full of bright colors and flavors.

Southern potato salad in a white bowl
Southern Potato Salad
Delicious potato salad made with eggs and mayonnaise!
View the recipe

Tomato Salad Recipes

Use up that tomato harvest, or take advantage of fresh summer tomatoes with this collection of recipes.

Caprese Salad is a simple dish of mozzarella cheese, tomatoes, and basil drizzled with a little olive oil.

plated Caprese Salad
Caprese Salad
Caprese salad is made with fresh tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, basil, and a simple drizzle of olive oil and balsamic vinegar, creating a colorful and delicious dish.
View the recipe

Fresh Tomato Salad takes those tomatoes and adds a few onions, herbs, and some bocconcini cheese.

Fresh Tomato Salad
Fresh garden tomatoes are mixed with herbs and onions, then tossed in a simple vinaigrette mixture.
View the recipe

Greek Salad is so quick and easy to prepare and is made with a tangy vinaigrette.

A Greek salad in a while bowl with feta on top
Greek Salad
This fresh Greek salad recipe is a simple combination of fresh veggies, olives, and feta tossed in a fresh and easy dressing.
View the recipe

Easy Panzanella Salad is made with tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, cheese, and shredded pieces of ciabatta bread.

A panzanella salad on a wood board with herbs
Easy Panzanella Salad
This fresh Italian bread salad is filled with juicy tomatoes, cucumbers, and crisp bread tossed in a simple dressing.
View the recipe

Tomato Avocado Salad melds the perfect combination of smooth and creamy avocado and bright chopped tomatoes.

plated Tomato Avocado Salad
Tomato Avocado Salad
This salad is filled with avocados, tomatoes, red onion, and cilantro to create a fresh summer flavor!
View the recipe

Other Salads We Love

Salads have come a long way, and there are so many other options besides the classic potato, pasta, tomato, and green leaf salads. Here are some new variations that are worth a try this summer.

Chickpea Salad is a protein-rich salad that is easy to eat and easy to make.

Chickpea Salad with wooden spoons
Chickpea Salad
Chickpeas are mixed with ripe tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, and creamy avocados, coated in a simple lemon-infused dressing.
View the recipe

Fresh Corn Salad is a colorful dish, that is sweet and filled with vegetables.

fresh corn salad in a serving bowl
Fresh Corn Salad
Sweet summer corn, crisp cucumbers, and ripe, juicy garden tomatoes are all mixed together in a light and easy vinaigrette!
View the recipe

Creamy Cucumber Salad is made with cucumbers, dill, and a creamy dressing. So good!

close up of Creamy Cucumber Salad in a bowl
Creamy Cucumber Salad
Enjoy the refreshing combination of crisp cucumbers, fresh dill, and a simple sour cream dressing.
View the recipe

Brussel Sprout Salad is the perfect fall salad that includes shredded Brussels, cranberries, and a tangy vinaigrette.

Brussels sprout salad in a white bowl topped with feta and pomegranate
Brussels Sprout Salad
Shredded Brussels sprouts, crisp tart apples, feta cheese, cranberries, pomegranate arils, and walnuts are tossed in a tangy honey dijon vinaigrette.
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The Best Coleslaw Recipe is a classic dish, that turns healthy cabbage into a creamy dish that even the kids will love.

a prepared coleslaw recipe in a bowl
The Best Coleslaw Recipe
This creamy coleslaw is the best salad or sandwich topper. It's the perfect make-ahead dish, ideal for a BBQ or potluck!
View the recipe

Grilled Corn Salad is a great way to use up that harvest of summer corn. Such a colorful salad.

grilled corn and tomato salad topped with feta cheese and parsley
Grilled Corn Salad
This tasty salad combines crunchy kernels of corn with juicy tomatoes, feta cheese, and basil, all tossed in a simple oil vinaigrette.
View the recipe

Leave a comment below and let us know what your favorite Pasta Salad recipe is!

bowls of salad with writing to show 29 Summer Salad Recipes

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About the author

Holly Nilsson is the creator of Spend With Pennies, where she creates easy, comforting recipes made for real life. With a passion for nostalgic flavors and simplified techniques, Holly helps busy home cooks create delicious meals that always work. She is also the author of “Everyday Comfort,” which promises to inspire even more hearty, home-cooked meals.
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Comments

  1. Absolutely love your simple everyday ingredients recipes. I was always told simple is best. I have made many of your recipes and they are the best recipes. Thank you!