Don't miss out on these sensational summer salads! Light, refreshing, and bursting with flavor, they're perfect for your next summer gathering. Great for potlucks, picnics, backyard barbecues, meal-prepped lunches, and light dinners. These 25 best summer salads are anything but boring. So, they'll satisfy all your salad cravings this season.
Top Crowd Pleasing Salads
These flavor-packed salad recipes are a feast for the eyes—and your taste buds! Perfect for serving a crowd. Make them for summer potlucks, barbecues, and parties.
1. Vegetarian Nicoise Salad
Vegetarian Lentil Nicoise Salad
This show stopping salad is always a hit with guests! It's beautiful, delicious, and satisfying. Hearty enough to be served as a main, but also works as a side or appetizer. Make-ahead friendly.(Vegetarian, Gluten Free).
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2. Roasted Beet Salad
Beet Salad with Labneh
This stunning salad is anything but boring! Made with roasted beets, creamy labneh (yogurt), toasted walnuts, and a citrus ginger dressing. Can be made in advance.(Vegetarian, Gluten Free).
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3. Grilled Potato Salad
Potato Salad
A lighter, healthier spin on potato salad. But packed with even more flavor! Once you've tried grilled potatoes, you might never go back. Can be done on a stovetop grill or BBQ. (Vegan option, Gluten Free).
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4. Greek Cucumber Salad
Greek Salad
This easy and refreshing salad takes only 15 minutes to make. A few clever hacks make this Greek Salad recipe extra memorable! (Vegetarian, Gluten Free).
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5. Vegan Caesar Salad
Vegan Caesar Salad with Shortcut Roasted Garlic
This Caesar Salad is vegan, dairy-free, and egg-free—but you'd never guess! The dressing is every bit as creamy and delicious as the real deal. Great for a crowd, because everyone can enjoy it.(Vegan, Gluten-Free option).
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Pasta Salads
Pasta salads are a summer staple! They're substantial enough to stand alone as a main dish. And, can be enjoyed warm or cold (no reheating required). Whip up pasta salad in advance for fast weekday meals and easy entertaining.
6. Mediterranean Tortellini with Pesto
Pesto Tortellini Pasta Salad
Easy, delicious, and ready in 20 minutes. This tortellini pasta salad is bursting with flavor from pesto, sundried tomatoes, spinach and feta cheese. This recipe has been a favorite on the blog for years!(Vegetarian).
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7. Orzo Pesto Salad
Easy Orzo Pasta with Pesto
Just 15 minutes to make! This delicious salad is made with tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil pesto for Caprese inspired flavors.(Vegetarian).
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8. Soba Noodle Salad
Sesame Soba Noodle Salad
Features a yummy sesame ginger sauce, crisp veggies, and buckwheat noodles. Meal prep friendly and requires very little cooking (just the noodles)!(Vegan, Gluten Free option).
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Bean Salads
Bean salads make a nutritious meal prep lunch or no-cook dinner. Beans are healthy and high in protein. Make sure to load up on different flavors and textures for a truly memorable dish! These bean salad recipes use canned beans, so they're quick and easy.
9. Feta and Butter Bean Salad
Butter Bean Salad with Feta
This easy salad takes only 15 minutes to make. Made with sumac marinated red onions, cucumber, parsley. Pretty enough to serve to guests. And, quick enough for weekday dinners and work lunches. (Gluten Free, Vegan option).
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10. Tuscan Bean Salad
Tuscan Bean Salad
This Tuscan Bean Salad is made with white cannellini beans, lemon, and dill. Healthy, delicious, and easy to make. Ready in just 15 minutes! Serve as a main, side, or protein-booster to weekday meals. Make ahead friendly. (Vegan & Gluten Free).
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Lentil Salads
Lentils are a protein-rich, fiber-packed, and budget-friendly option. So, they're not just delicious—but also good for you! Here are our favorite lentil salad recipes.
11. Black Lentil and Feta Salad
Black Lentil Salad with Feta
This craveable lentil salad is bursting with color and flavors. Features healthy lentils, creamy feta, crisp veggies, and a simple vinaigrette. Easy to make, a great source of protein, and meal prep friendly.(Gluten Free, Vegan option).
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12. Lentil Salad with Curry Vinaigrette
Curry Lentil Salad
You’ve never had a lentil salad like this before! Curry vinaigrette, fresh herbs, crunchy apple, toasted cashews, and a luscious creamy bed of yogurt. Downright delicious. Serve with naan for dipping.(Vegetarian, Gluten Free).
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13. Beet and Goat Cheese Lentil Salad
Beet Lentil Salad with Herbed Goat Cheese
This hearty salad is made with beets, lentils, and homemade herbed goat cheese. A light lemon Dijon dressing tops it all off. Enjoy this satisfying salad for dinner and lunch the next day.(Vegetarian, Gluten Free).
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Grain Salads
These grain salad recipes are delicious, nutritious, and portable. Great for picnics, work lunches, or light dinners. They can be easily adapted to feature whatever fresh summer produce you have at home.
14. Couscous Salad
Halloumi Couscous Salad
This easy, protein-packed vegetarian salad takes only 25 minutes to make. Features colorful veggies, chickpeas, a fluffy lemon and herb couscous, and halloumi cheese. (Vegetarian).
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15. Farro Pilaf
Farro Pilaf with Mushrooms
This farro pilaf has mushrrooms, white beans, and kale. Easy to make, protein-packed, and ready in 30 minutes. Makes a delicious vegetarian main or side dish.(Vegetarian).
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16. Lemon Herb Grain Salad
Grain Salad with Lemon and Herbs
A simple, yet delicious whole grain grain salad. Toss your favorite grain in the bright lemon herb dressing and scatter in crisp veggies. Great for meal-prep dinners and lunches. (Vegan).
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17. Black Rice Salad
Citrus Ginger Black Rice Salad
A refreshing summer salad made with crisp snap peas, juicy grapefruit, and a ginger lime vinaigrette. Sturdy enough to be made in advance. Tofu can be added for more protein.(Vegan, Gluten Free).
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Easy Vegetable Salads
These quick salads are an easy way to add more veggies to your meal! Serve them as a side dish or appetizer.
18. Carrot Salad
Raw Carrot Salad
This healthy and easy Raw Carrot Salad is made with lemon, fresh dill and parsley. Bursting with flavor and so simple to make. Ready in 10 minutes! (Gluten Free, Vegan option).
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19. Easy Cucumber Salad
Spicy Cucumber Salad
This Spicy Cucumber Salad is made with edamame, avocado, and sesame. Just 10 ingredients, no cooking required. The spice level can be easily adjusted. Enjoy this salad on its own, add to rice bowls, or serve as a side.(Vegan & Gluten Free).
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20. Cabbage Slaw (No Mayo)
Rainbow Slaw
This colorful salad is made with a crisp shredded cabbage, sweet bell peppers, crunchy carrots, and salty olives. It's tossed with a delicious lemon and dill dressing. Perfect for summer picnics and easy lunches. (Vegan, Gluten Free).
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21. Cauliflower and Brussels Sprout Salad
Roasted Cauliflower and Brussels Sprouts
This hearty veggie salad is made with blistered cauliflower, brussels sprouts, and green beans. The roasted lemon and garlic dressing ties it all together. (Vegan, Gluten Free).
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22. Tomatoes and Halloumi
Seared Halloumi with Tomato and Fresh Herbs
It's hard to beat crispy cheese. This craveable dish is made from seared Halloumi, piled on top of juicy tomatoes and a fresh herb topping. Watch it disappear quick!(Vegetarian, Gluten Free).
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Green Salads
These fresh green salads combine crisp leafy greens with a variety of flavors and textures to keep every bite exciting. Enjoy these salads as a light side dish. Or, add protein to make it a main.
23. Spinach Pesto Salad
Pea and Pesto Spinach Salad
This easy spinach salad is always a hit! Just 5 ingredients and 10 minutes to make. Peas, pesto, and spinach are an incredibly delicious combination. Try it and see!(Gluten Free, Vegan option).
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24. Curry Apple Salad
Curry Apple Salad with Spiced Chickpeas
This vibrant salad has crisp apples, maple glazed pecans, roasted chickpeas, and a curry vinaigrette. The bright flavors will leave you feeling light and energized. (Vegan, Gluten Free).
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25. Kale and Squash Salad
Kale Salad with Roasted Squash
This salad is anything but boring! Made with maple glazed pecans, roasted delicata squash, and seasoned croutons. It's hearty, flavorful, and make-ahead friendly.(Vegan, Gluten Free option).
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