Warmer months mean looking for cooler, more refreshing meals and there is not a lot more refreshing than a good summer salad. Salad recipes that are stuffed full of fresh fruit, seasonal vegetables, and flavorful greens are on the menu. If you’re looking for a way to have a light meal that does not add to the feeling of heaviness that can come with the summer heat, prioritize making your summer meals light but impactful.
These recipe ideas blend fresh summer fruits, bright greens, light dressings, and some protein. Some of them are plays on classics, and some are innovative, fresh takes that are perfect to experiment with. The key to a good summer salad is to get creative with your ingredients. Mix your sweets with your salty, try out new things such as new vegetables, or old vegetables prepared in new ways. Don’t shy away from fruits with unconventional friends.
No matter what you’re looking for, you can find some creative and very tasty inspiration in the 9 amazing recipes we have compiled below. These are the best summer salad recipes you will find this season!
Refreshing Summer Salad Recipes
1. Strawberry Caprese Salad
Don’t let the simple ingredient list fool you, this recipe packs a punch. Covered on all fronts, it’s sweet, tangy, herbaceous, salty, acidic, and perfectly balanced. Even better, it’s a refreshing fruity take on a classic summer meal that keeps your meal light but filling. Even better this sweet confection is topped with a sweet and salty mix of honey and balsamic that pairs perfectly with the strawberry and burrata.
2. Roasted Beet and Blueberry Salad
Beets may seem like a unique choice for a salad but they have a unique ability to be light but filling. They also have a unique flavor profile that is sweet but earthy, which this recipe amps up even more by roasting them. This gorgeous salad is definitely one to pop into your summer meal rotations this season, not to mention it is gorgeous to look at!
3. Tomato, Cucumber, & Avocado Salad with Pesto
Well-prepared veggies are hard to beat, and so is a good pesto. This combination makes good on both! Delicious tomatoes, fresh avocado, and bright cucumber meet up with this herby pesto and cheese mixture to make for a perfect lunch or the perfect side for your summer dinners.
4. Mango Chicken Salad
Chicken salad is a classic and for a good reason. However, this recipe takes the usual up a notch by adding in some super bright and sweet mango. The sweetness balances out the salad very well and adds in a beautiful summer flavor profile that is sure to impress.
5. Pickled Beet Carpaccio
Now this dish plays with both the ideas of salad and carpaccio, but it does so brilliantly. It is safe to say you probably haven’t had anything like it! The sweet and pickled elements play so well with the watercress and nut flavors. Even better, this recipe is incredibly simple to put together making it the perfect summer meal for a hot afternoon.
6. Feta Watermelon Salad
You can’t talk about summer without bringing up watermelon. It is one of the best refreshing snacks you can opt for on a hot day because it’s light, sweet, and hydrating. Why not take all of that, but skip out on just slicing it up or topping it with salt or lime juice and lean all the way in? Elevate your watermelon with this recipe that adds in mint, onions, and feta to make a salad that screams ‘quintessential summer salad’.
7. Melon Prosciutto Salad with Mint Basil Vinaigrette
Prosciutto and melon are old friends so it is not a surprise that this recipe seems to be a popular one. This simple but statement-making recipe opts for three different melons: cantaloupe, honeydew, and watermelon. The lightness of the fruit goes very well with the saltiness of the prosciutto. The addition of the mint and basil vinaigrette creates a unique mix that will make this one popular in your summer meal rotation.
8. Peach Burrata Salad with Champagne Vinaigrette
One of the ways to get creative when thinking up your summer dinners is to lean heavily into the fresh produce and summer means an abundance of peaches! Peaches notoriously pair well with creamy elements which is why this peach and burrata salad is one of the best summer meal options you can find. Light but filling, this salad makes the perfect appetizer for a lovely summer dinner on the grill or serves as the perfect lunch!
9. Balsamic Steak Gorgonzola Salad with Grilled Corn
If you’re looking for something more substantial or that leaves more into the savory, this is the recipe you need. This salad makes for a substantial option that is still light enough for those summer nights. Tender steak over a mix of earthy and creamy elements such as grilled corn is just what the summer requested.
Take stock of your summer produce and start making summer meal plans. The best makings for a summer salad balance out the light, bright elements with fulfilling ingredients that make for good meals that don’t add to the hot and heavy elements you’re already fighting. We want summer meals to feel like a refresher, not a chore. The best way to do that is to prioritize fresh foods that are hydrating, and filling but not heavy. That means lots of seasonal fruit, seasonal vegetables, and fresh greens.
The better part about summer salads is there are no rules so you can create spins on classics, like the strawberry Caprese, or try out some completely new options such as the pickled beet carpaccio! Once you’re done taking inspiration from this list, try a few out, and then get creative and start mixing your own creative summer salads up!
