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Linda Pugliese
With a wide array of fruits and vegetables at their peak during the warmer months, it's easy to put together a summer salad made with fresh ingredients. Whether you pair seasonal produce with your favorite protein or serve a chopped mix of vegetables, there are so many ways to make a summertime salad that will appeal to everyone at the table.
When we say salad, we don't always mean leafy greens. The summer salad recipes we've collected here include ones that star corn, cucumber, beets, and summer squash, as well as dishes that celebrate heirloom tomatoes, ripe peaches, juicy watermelon, and other peak-season fruits.
These bright dishes are refreshing and colorful—and are made with raw ingredients or just a few judiciously chosen cooked elements. From light and tangy to protein-packed and filling, these are our favorite salad recipes for summer.
Tomato and Strawberry Salad
Delicious, beautiful, and simple to make, this easy summer side salad calls for ripe strawberries and tomatoes dressed with fresh basil, white balsamic vinegar, and good olive oil.
Sweet Corn and Fennel Salad
Combine raw fennel and corn with salty ricotta salata cheese for a quick summer side that packs so much flavor, that all you need is a touch of oil and lemon juice for some extra oomph.
Asparagus and Walnut Salad
Celebrate the end of asparagus season with this easy salad that combines the sliced raw vegetable with toasted walnuts and Pecorino Romano cheese. It's a healthy and refreshing side dish that pairs well with grilled meats or fish.
Cauliflower Faux-tato Salad
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An inspired dish this, we swap steamed cauliflower florets for the potatoes in this clever, carb-free take on everyone's favorite cookout side. Believe us when we tell you it's a dish you'll want to take to every potluck.
Cilantro-Lime Kale Slaw with Seeds
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A marvelous update on the old favorite, coleslaw is new again when you add shredded kale and a mix of seeds such as pepita, sunflower, and hemp hearts. Yogurt makes the dressing lighter and healthier, meaning this slaw is an all-round winner.
Tomato-Beet Salad
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Ruby-red roasted beets and an array of heirloom tomatoes make a dazzling summer salad that may just steal the show away from the main course.
Watermelon, Orange, and Feta Salad
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One of the most colorful and refreshing salads around, that's this easy combination of ripe melon, juicy orange, and tangy cheese. Simply drizzle with olive oil and garnish with fresh herbs for a dish that's right for a cookout or a dinner party.
Quinoa with Caramelized Corn and Scallions
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Fresh corn kernels are the star of this healthy and hearty side. We celebrate their sweetness and give them staying power by pairing them with quinoa and feta to make a stellar dish that's potluck ready.
New Greek Salad
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All the familiar components—cucumbers, tomatoes, red onion, and slices of feta—of the summer salad dinner classic remain in this updated version, along with fried Kalamata olives and golden croutons made from olive bread.
Cucumber-Herb Salad
Don't overlook the humble cucumber, it makes an easy refreshing summer salad. This simple, make-ahead recipe pairs kirby cukes with lots of fresh herbs; use a mix of whatever you have on hand such as parsley, mint, and chives.
Tomato Salad with Chile Yogurt
When tomatoes are in season, we're inspired to eat them every day. This easy salad adds a creamy yet spicy yogurt to contrast with the colorful slices of lush fruit.
Green Salad with Pickled-Shallot Vinaigrette
This simple yet elevated summer salad comes together in only 20 minutes. It makes a delicious side, but you could also protein, such as steak or chicken, for a mouthwatering main.
Shaved-Squash Salad with Tomatoes, Zucchini Blossoms and Ricotta
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If you can't find the squashes here, try small zucchini and slice them crosswise. Squash blossoms can be replaced with a leafy green such as spinach.
Grilled Salmon Summer Salad
Packed with salmon, eggs, and fresh vegetables, this is a dinner salad everyone will enjoy.
Tomato and Avocado Salad
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Make an elegant and memorable salad by pairing buttery avocado with juicy multicolored tomatoes. A drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkling of salt and pepper is all the seasoning this easy salad needs. Serve with grilled chicken or steak for a delicious summer meal.
Tomato Panzanella with Ricotta
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A generous dollop of creamy ricotta cheese on top of each serving makes this bread and tomato salad substantial enough to enjoy as a vegetarian main course.
Cranberry Bean, Dandelion Green, and Toasted-Cornbread Salad
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This treasure trove of a salad features a few unexpected gems. Cranberry beans, velvety with a mild chestnut flavor, contrast beautifully with peppery basil. Sweetness from toasted-cornbread croutons and a little honey in the dressing tame the boldness of the dandelion greens.
Leftover Salade Nicoise
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This salad is made from leftover salmon or shrimp, and whatever raw, grilled, or blanched vegetables you have on hand. The beauty of this salad is that it doesn't matter if you have two shrimp or 10, half an avocado or two. Use what you have—the more varied it is in color and texture, the more impressive it will look.
Cucumber, Cantaloupe, and Squash Salad
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Use a vegetable peeler or a mandoline to slice thin ribbons of cantaloupe, cucumber, and yellow summer squash for this refreshing and colorful salad. Just before serving, drizzle with yogurt-lime dressing.
Roasted Golden Beet, Avocado, and Watercress Salad
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Roasted golden beets ground this delicate summer salad, while a crumbled soft-ripened goat cheese, such as Humboldt Fog, provides a hit of tang and freshness. While avocado adds richness, radishes and watercress impart crunch and a peppery punch.
Grilled Chicken Cobb Salad
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Crumbled bacon, feta cheese, sliced tomato, and avocado make this chicken cobb salad hearty and satisfying. Use leftover grilled chicken for this salad, or pick up a rotisserie chicken on your way home for a quick dinner.
Eggplant, Tomato, and Mozzarella Salad
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Add grilled eggplant to the classic caprese salad of fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, and basil for a summer vegetable extravaganza.
Poached Shrimp with Honeydew, Radishes, and Jicama
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Tangy lemon, salty fish sauce, and black pepper form the dressing for this refreshing main-course salad.
Bloody Mary Tomato Salad
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Summer is the peak season for picking fresh heirloom tomatoes straight from your garden—and taking a bite. If you can hold off just long enough to get inside, consider making this Bloody Mary-inspired summer salad that features lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, and vodka for an interesting take. Ideal for brunch (of course)—serve with fresh mozzarella if you want more protein.
Zucchini and Squash Salad
Linda Pugliese
This refreshing salad might be easy-peasy, but it’s a colorful crowd pleasure that makes everyone feel like summer has officially arrived! Rather than topping with olive oil, this recipe calls for a flavorful dressing made from lemon juice, honey, dijon mustard, honey, and olive oil. You can top it with whatever you like, but we recommend fresh basil, pine nuts, and Pecorino Romano cheese.
Chicken Taco Salad
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For a hearty summer salad that keeps you satisfied but not overly full, choose this chicken taco salad featuring chili chicken thighs. What’s fun about this recipe is you can remove or add whatever you’d like—from corn and black beans to salsa, avocado, and more Mexican-inspired ingredients.
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