12 Scrumptious Summer Salads

Sink into summertime taste with these salad ideas.

Is there any season as sweet as summer? From warm breezes to cool waves, there’s plenty to love about summertime, including tasty, fresh salads. Add these 12 scrumptious summer salads to your menu for meal ideas that will nourish your body and refresh your taste buds.

One of our favorite things about summer is that fresh produce is abundant—and less expensive than during other times of the year. This is the time to take advantage of local farm produce. Whether you visit a roadside stand or the local farmer’s market, it’s easy to find fresh fruits and vegetables to fill your summer menu. Make the most of your trip with our Farmer’s Market Shopping Guide.

These summer salad recipes are versatile, so there’s no need to save them for soups or appetizers. Few meals are more refreshing on a hot summer day than a crisp salad. Our salads for summer are also a fantastic way to enjoy a healthy, light dinner because they won’t weigh you down with unhealthy fats, excess calories, or refined sugar.

You might also want to check out 11 Tasty Salad Toppings for Weight Loss.

1. Green Bean and Tomato Salad
No calorie-filled, store-bought dressing needed for fresh summer salad recipes like this one—you’ll enjoy all the flavor of clean-eating tastiness.

2. Chickpea Cucumber Salad
A combo of honey, mint, and Mediterranean-style produce delivers a recipe that’s big on taste.  

3. Watermelon Salad
Brighten any summer menu with this delicious salad recipe, which also includes pears, broccoli florets, almonds, and more.

4. Grilled Asparagus, Green Apple, and Zucchini Salad
Grab your fresh food fix with a grilled salad topped with a delish mustard vinaigrette.  

5. Simple Black Bean Corn Quinoa Salad
We’ve replaced greens with superfood quinoa as a base for this summery recipe, which includes a dressing made with lime juice and spices.

6. Cherry, Asparagus, and Corn Salad
Mix up the traditional salad menu with a unique and yummy combination that brings summertime taste to your door.  

7. Healthiest Greek Salad
Give your menu a Greek Isle feel—summer salad recipes like this are healthy and versatile meal ideas.

8. Jalapeño Lime Tuna Salad
Put a refreshing twist on tuna salad with this zesty alternative.

9. Pea and Strawberry Salad
An elderberry vinaigrette adds lovely summertime flavor to this light dinner or side dish.

10. Nectarine Salad with Arugula and Goat Cheese
You can also use yellow or white peaches to make this sweet salad with a peppery bite.

11. Summer Salad with Clean-Eating Buttermilk Dressing
Flavored with fresh herbs and a Greek yogurt-based dressing, this healthy salad is a yummy addition to any warm weather menu.

12. Strawberry and Spinach Salad
This salad tastes as good as it looks—and with just 169 calories per serving, we think you’ll agree that it’s a must-have addition to any summer salad recipes list.