From lettuce to cucumbers to peppers and potatoes, farmers markets are packed with all sorts of vegetables in the summer. So if you’re looking for inspiration for your next picnic or BBQ, here’s a list of summer salad recipes to enjoy all season long!
For some reason fall and winter products and beneficial recipes inspire me more than summer. It seems a little counter-intuitive given how many produce there are in summer, but I’ve always been a fan of soups and stews, so I sometimes struggle with my summer salad game.
Despite this, I can always count on the delivery of a salad in the summer! I love experimenting with dressings and different ingredients to ensure my salads are full of flavor and never get boring. So if you’re also struggling with keeping salads interesting, I’ve rounded up my 12 favorite salads to enjoy during the summer months.
What is in season during the summer months?
The real question is: What is NOT in season during the summer months? In much of the northern hemisphere, summer occurs from May to September. During this period, you can expect a wide variety of seasonal fruits and vegetables, including:
Late spring/early summer:
- asparagus
- avocado
- Berries (blueberries, strawberries + blackberries)
- broccoli
- bok choy
- salads
- radish
- snow peas
In the middle of summer:
- Cucumber
- Corn
- pepper
- Stone fruit (peaches, plums + cherries)
- tomatoes
- watermelon
- zucchini
End of summer/beginning of autumn:
- apples + pears
- cauliflower
- Onion
- potatoes
- To squeeze
…and so much more! Here are some healthy summer salad recipes that will keep you full all season long.
12 Summer Salad Recipes
Grilled kale salad with spicy shrimp
Spice up summer with this Grilled Kale Caesar with Spicy Shrimp Salad. Boring old kale gets a makeover in this flavorful and filling summer salad recipe.
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Summery panzanella salad
The perfect tomato and summer panzanella salad recipe with leftover bread and fresh summer produce for a refreshing appetizer or main course. Fresh mozzarella goes perfectly with crusty bread and juicy fruit and vegetables.
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Fattoush Salad with Grilled Chicken
Make this traditional Middle Eastern dish at home. Add grilled chicken for a complete meal with crispy pita chips on top!
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Chinese Chicken Salad
Transform your boring salad with this crunchy and flavorful Chinese Chicken Salad recipe! Made with crispy bok choy, crispy ramen noodles and a delicious Asian dressing, this salad will become a weeknight staple and family favorite.
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Farro Caprese Salad
All you need are 7 simple ingredients to prepare this delicious and flavorful Farro Caprese Salad. A perfect vegetarian grain salad that fills and satiates and is a fun twist on the classic Caprese salad!
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Pacifica salad
A take on a fast-casual staple, this Pacifica salad features grilled chicken, quinoa, and a mix of vegetables in a cilantro and jalapeno vinaigrette for a filling and flavorful meal you can make at home.
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Quinoa Mint Salad with Watermelon and Feta
A refreshing and light summer quinoa mint salad recipe with watermelon and feta cheese that can be enjoyed all season long as a simple side dish or hearty main course. It’s packed with flavor from fresh mint, sweet watermelon and tangy feta cheese. Nothing says summer like a watermelon salad!
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Grilled kale salad with lemon vinaigrette
A delicious and summery grilled kale salad with lemon vinaigrette! Topped with peaches, shallots, and toasted hazelnuts, you’ll fall head over heels in love with this fun new recipe for your veggies! There is no boring old kale salad here.
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Peach Halloumi Salad
This Arugula Peach Halloumi Salad is the summer salad I just can’t get enough of! Topped with pecans, onions and fresh mint and topped with a lemon vinaigrette, I’m sure you’ll love this salad too!
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Lemon Herb Zucchini Pasta Salad
This Lemon Herb Spiral Zucchini Pasta Salad is an easy and refreshing spring or summer salad recipe that will become a seasonal classic. Packed with fiber and veggies and ready in 10 minutes or less!
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BBQ Chicken Salad
Want to make your chicken salad even better? This healthy and flavorful BBQ Chicken Salad is quick to make and whets the appetite for a big, hearty salad for your next meal.
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Mediterranean Orzo Salad
Pasta salad absolutely passes the vibe check for summer salad recipes! This one uses orzo and combines it with crisp red onions, cherry tomatoes, and Kalamata olives for a Mediterranean twist on the orzo salad!
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Tomato Burrata Salad
This Burrata Salad is the perfect easy and flavorful salad for your next summer meal. With fresh juicy tomatoes and a light dash of balsamic dressing, you’ll have a delicious salad recipe on the table in minutes!
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