20 Delicious Summer Salad Ideas & Recipes
Are you looking for some delicious summer salad ideas? Summer is a time for refreshing meals, and an abundance of seasonal produce is the perfect time to make a summer salad. As the temperatures heat up, so does the desire for lighter, healthier dishes that celebrate the bounty of fresh vegetables and fruits, and what better way to eat than to make a colorful salad? Here are some amazing summer salad recipes that not only offer a feast for the taste buds but also include a variety of fresh, ingredients. Whether you’re hosting a barbecue or picnic, these salads are sure to please as well as inspire your own ideas on making delicious and healthy salads.
1. Caprese Salad Recipe
This classic Italian salad featuring fresh tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil drizzled with balsamic glaze, making it the perfect summer salad. View recipe.
2. Greek Salad
A refreshing mix of cucumber, tomatoes, red onion, Kalamata olives, and feta cheese with a lemon-oregano dressing. View recipe.
3. Watermelon & Feta Summer Salad Recipe
Juicy watermelon cubes combined with feta cheese, fresh mint, and a honey-lime dressing. View recipe.
4. Cucumber & Avocado Salad
Crisp cucumbers and creamy avocado tossed with red onion and a lemon-garlic vinaigrette. View recipe.
5. Strawberry Spinach Salad Recipe
Fresh strawberries and spinach paired with feta cheese, walnuts, and a poppy seed dressing. View recipe.
6. Mediterranean Quinoa Salad
Quinoa mixed with cherry tomatoes, cucumber, olives, feta, and a lemon dressing. View recipe.
7. Orzo Pasta Salad Recipe
Orzo pasta combined with arugula, sun-dried tomatoes, olives, and a lemon vinaigrette. View recipe.
8. Mexican Street Corn Salad
Grilled corn mixed with cotija cheese, lime juice, and chili powder. View recipe.
9. Farro & Roasted Veggie Salad Recipe
Farro tossed with roasted zucchini, bell peppers, onion and a balsamic dressing. View recipe.
10. Pesto Tortellini Salad
Cheese tortellini mixed with cherry tomatoes, basil, and a homemade pesto dressing. View recipe.
11. Grilled Chicken Caesar Salad Recipe
Grilled chicken served over romaine lettuce with Parmesan, homemade croutons, and Caesar dressing. View recipe.
12. BBQ Chicken Salad
Shredded BBQ chicken combined with black beans, corn, avocado, and a ranch dressing. View recipe.
13. Tuna & White Bean Salad Recipe
White bean, tuna, onion and parsley. View recipe.
14. Asian Sesame Chicken Salad
Chicken, cabbage, tangerines, carrots, almonds, and a sesame dressing. View recipe.
15. Chickpea & Avocado Salad Recipe
Chickpeas, avocado, cucumber, and arugula. View recipe.
16. Mango & Black Bean Summer Salad
Sweet mango, black beans, red bell pepper, cucumber and a lime dressing. View recipe.
17. Grilled Peach & Burrata Salad Recipe
Grilled peaches, burrata, basil, pine nuts, and a balsamic reduction. View recipe.
18. Beet & Goat Cheese Salad
Roasted beets, creamy goat cheese, walnuts, and arugula with a honey Dijon vinaigrette dressing. View recipe.
19. Asian Cucumber Summer Salad Recipe
Sliced cucumbers, garlic and sesame seeds with a sesame dressing. View recipe.
20. Avocado & Blood Orange Salad
Avocado, blood oranges and red onion with black sesame seeds and olive oil. View recipe.
Common Summer Salad Ingredients:
With such and abundance of fruits and vegetables during summer, it’s easy to come up with you own summer salad ideas. Here’s a list of items to plan the perfect summer salad.
Greens
- Romaine lettuce
- Spinach
- Arugula
- Mixed baby greens
- Iceberg lettuce
- Kale
Vegetables
- Tomatoes (cherry, grape, or heirloom)
- Cucumbers
- Bell peppers
- Red onion
- Carrots
- Avocado
- Corn (fresh or grilled)
- Radishes
- Zucchini (raw or grilled)
- Snap peas
Fruits
- Strawberries
- Watermelon
- Blueberries
- Oranges
- Peaches
- Grapes
- Pineapple
Cheese
- Feta
- Goat cheese
- Mozzarella (fresh or pearls)
- Parmesan shavings
Protein
- Grilled chicken
- Shrimp
- Hard-boiled eggs
- Chickpeas
- Tuna
- Beans (black beans, kidney beans)
Crunchy Toppings
- Croutons
- Toasted nuts (almonds, pecans, walnuts)
- Seeds (sunflower, pumpkin)
- Tortilla strips
Fresh Herbs
- Basil
- Mint
- Cilantro
- Parsley
- Dill
Dressings
- Olive oil & vinegar
- Balsamic vinaigrette
- Lemon juice
- Ranch
- Honey mustard
Keeping salad ingredients fresh for as long as possible requires a combination of proper storage methods, preparation, and sometimes clever tricks. Here are some effective tips:
1. Wash and Dry Thoroughly
- Wash greens and veggies right after buying (unless you plan to store them for a long time before use).
- Dry completely using a salad spinner or by patting with paper towels. Moisture accelerates spoilage.
2. Store in Airtight Containers
- Use glass or plastic containers with tight-fitting lids.
- For greens, line the bottom and top of the container with paper towels to absorb excess moisture.
3. Separate Ingredients
- Store wet (e.g., tomatoes, cucumbers) and dry (e.g., lettuce, spinach) ingredients separately.
- Add dressing only when ready to eat.
4. Use the Right Storage Bags
- Reusable produce bags or zip-top bags with a small slit for airflow work well.
- For leafy greens, add a paper towel in the bag to absorb moisture.
5. Keep in the Crisper Drawer
- Store salad ingredients in the refrigerator’s crisper drawer, which maintains optimal humidity.
6. Don’t Chop Until Needed
- Whole veggies last longer than chopped ones. Chop just before eating if possible.
7. Revive Wilted Greens
- Soak wilted greens in ice water for a few minutes to crisp them up.
8. Avoid Ethylene Producers
- Keep salad greens away from ethylene-producing fruits (like apples, bananas, avocados) as they speed up spoilage.
9. Herbs
- Store fresh herbs like a bouquet: trim stems, place in a jar with water, cover loosely with a plastic bag, and refrigerate.
10. Check Regularly
- Remove any leaves or veggies that are starting to spoil to prevent them from affecting the rest.
Summary Table:
| Ingredient | Best Storage Method |
|---|---|
| Leafy greens | Washed, dried, in container with paper towels |
| Tomatoes | Room temp until ripe, then fridge (if cut) |
| Cucumbers | Fridge, unwashed, in paper towel-lined container |
| Carrots/radishes | In water in fridge or in sealed bag |
| Herbs | In water jar, covered, in fridge |
| Prepped salad mix | Airtight container, paper towel, fridge |
Pro Tip:
If you batch-prep salads, layer sturdy veggies (carrots, peppers) at the bottom, and delicate greens at the top, keeping dressing separate until ready to eat.