These refreshing summer salad recipes are perfect for showcasing your fresh fruits and vegetables this season! This list has all of your favorites from fruity summer salads to pasta salads or your favorite potluck salads.
Summer is the peak season for many fresh fruits and vegetables, which makes it the perfect time to make a big, refreshing summer salad. It’s a quick and easy way to showcase your favorite seasonal ingredients from your garden or local farmer’s market. Not only is it a healthy dinner idea, but it’s also a great recipe to bring to a BBQ.
Fill up your summer salads with crisp greens, crunchy vegetables, juicy fruit, protein, quinoa or couscous and your favorite salad dressings. They’re super customizable and can be as hearty or as light as you’d like.
This list of summer salad ideas has everything you’re looking for this season. Whether it’s fruity summer salads, pasta salads or a classic potluck salad, you’ll find it all here. I’ve even included some tips for making the best summer salads, as well as a list of the top produce to pick this season.
Tips for Making a Summer Salad
Use what’s in season. Now is the time to showcase all of the fresh fruits and vegetables that are in season during the summer time. These ingredients will be the most juicy, ripe and have the best flavor. Check out the list below for all of the seasonal summer produce to choose from.
Shop local. This is the perfect time to support your local farmers! Buy produce from the nearest farmer’s market instead of the larger supermarket chain in your area. Odds are the produce is more fresh and vibrant!
Fresh from the garden. There’s no better way to enjoy your garden’s bounty than with a fresh summer salad. Greens, tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers and herbs are all wonderful additions!
Favorite Summer Produce
Below are some of my favorite seasonal fruits and vegetables to enjoy during the summer.
When I think of summer salads, I immediately think of fruit! Especially ripe, juicy berries. Fruit is the star of the show in all of these recipes below and adds the perfect sweetness to your salads. You can’t go wrong with any of these favorites!
Spinach Berry Salad Recipe
A refreshing salad made with spinach, mixed berries, almonds and a red wine poppyseed vinaigrette. Delicious, healthy and easy to make!
A refreshing strawberry spinach salad is full of flavor and textures with juicy strawberries, almonds, soft feta, and fresh spinach greens tossed with a creamy poppy seed dressing.
This berry fruit saladis fresh, quick and delicious. Mixed berries are tossed with a honey lime dressing making this easy fruit salad perfect for any summer party!
This watermelon salad is light, refreshing and full of summer flavors! It's easy to make with fresh watermelon, feta, cucumbers, mint and a delicious lime dressing.
Strawberry, pistachio, and burrata salad with a poppyseed dressing…super fresh, flavorful and satisfying! This strawberry salad has the most perfect combination of flavors and will become your new favorite!
Total Time:10 minutesminutes
Honey Lime Fruit Salad
Rainbow honey lime fruit salad filled with fresh strawberries, oranges, bananas, grapes and blueberries. Then topped with a delicious honey lime glaze.
This easy grape salad is made with fresh grapes coated in a sweet cream cheese dressing then topped with crunchy pecans and brown sugar. It's always a crowd-pleaser!
This mandarin orange salad is fresh, sweet and loaded with flavor. It is topped with an amazing homemade orange salad dressing that you can't live without!
Whether you’re grilling a big, juicy hamburger or your favorite chicken kabobs, any of these pasta salads would make the perfect summer side dish. Most can be made in advance, making things much easier when dinner time rolls around!
Caprese Pasta Salad
This is the best Caprese pasta salad with classic Caprese salad flavors of tomatoes, fresh mozzarella and basil tossed with pasta and a homemade dressing.
Tender penne pasta, black beans, corn, peppers, cilantro, onions and tomatoes tossed in a delicious and creamy avocado lime dressing. This southwest pasta salad is easy, healthy and full of Mexican flavors!
This easy macaroni salad recipe is a classic potluck side dish made with noodles, red pepper, celery, onions and a creamy mayo dressing. It will be a staple at BBQs all summer!
This Greek pasta salad is easy to make ahead with tender pasta, veggies, creamy feta and then tossed in a red wine vinaigrette. The best summer side dish!
Topped with a delicious homemade vinaigrette, this bright and colorful orzo salad is so fresh plus loaded with fantastic flavor. Such a healthy and filling side dish recipe or light lunch for summer!
This chicken pesto pasta salad is light, healthy and packed with fresh basil pesto flavor! Make ahead for BBQs, summer potlucks, brunches, easy lunches & more!
This Buffalo chicken pasta salad is perfect for summer! Made with the spicy flavor of Buffalo sauce mixed with chicken, noodles and veggies, this easy pasta salad is a favorite at any cookout!
Easy tortellini pasta salad made with zesty Italian dressing in just 15 minutes! So full of flavor and a side dish the whole family will love. Perfect for any summer BBQ!
You can’t forget potluck salads! These classic dishes are easy to make and will be loved by all at your next cookout. There are even some great vegetarian and vegan options for the non meat eaters in your life!
Broccoli Salad Recipe
This broccoli salad with bacon is a crowd pleaser loaded with cranberries, sunflower kernels and red onion then tossed in a sweet and tangy dressing.
This loaded potato salad is like a loaded baked potato but cool, fresh and creamy! Full of flavor from tender potatoes, bacon, shredded cheese and green onions.
This cucumber tomato salad is a classic recipe with fresh cucumbers, juicy tomatoes and red onions tossed in a tangy red wine vinaigrette. It's easy to make for a summer side!
This corn and tomato salad recipe has become a fast favorite and is made in just 20 minutes. It's the perfect light and refreshing dish to whip up all summer long!
This quinoa black bean salad is full of Southwestern flavor from black beans, sweet corn, herbs and spices and a squirt of lime. It's makes a satisfying lunch or dinner!
Chickpea salad is fresh, lively, and full of classic Mediterranean flavors! This beautiful salad is composed of buttery chickpeas, crispy bell peppers, crunchy cucumbers, and zesty tomatoes topped with a vibrant dressing that just gets better the longer it marinates!
This easy Greek salad recipe is made with only 6 fresh ingredients and a simple dressing. The refreshing, delicious flavors will make it your new favorite summer side.
This easy Caprese salad is filled with ripe tomatoes, mozzarella balls, fresh basil and then topped with a homemade balsamic glaze for the most delicious combination. Serve this crowd pleasing summertime salad as a side, appetizer or a light meal with crusty bread!
This ramen noodle cabbage salad with chicken is so tasty and comes together in minutes! Light, crunchy and the perfect combination of flavors! It's sure to become a Summer staple!
This southwest quinoa salad makes a delicious and flavorful side dish or main meal. You can feel great about eating this healthy, protein-packed salad all summer long!
This southwest cornbread salad is a classic Southern potluck dish with flavorful layers of crumbled cornbread, veggies, bacon, cheese and a delicious salsa ranch dressing.
Healthy, fresh and delicious! Love the lemon dressing!
This looks really nice and I will have to make some for myself over the summer.
One question tho “4 TB fresh lemon juice” does it mean “4 tablespoons”? (I’m not good with abbreviations for recipes haha
Yes, 4 Tablespoons of lemon juice! Hope you like this salad! :)
Yum! Yum! So fresh and summery… and simple too! Thanks for sharing. I love berries in salads. This looks like perfection! Pinning!
Thanks Natasha! It has become one of my favorite salads, it is so yummy and refreshing! :)
that looks really yummy! I think I have all the stuff to make the dressing already. Yay!
It is so yummy and refreshing! I hope you enjoy is Jamila! :)