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    Home » Salads

    22 Easy Summer Salads That Work Perfectly for Dinner

    Published: May 27, 2026 by Emmeline Kemperyd · post_comments]

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    Summer is the perfect time to enjoy fresh, light meals, and salads are a great choice for dinner. With a variety of ingredients like crisp vegetables, juicy fruits, and flavorful dressings, these 22 easy salad recipes will keep your meals exciting and satisfying. Whether you're looking for something hearty or a bit on the lighter side, there's a salad here for everyone.

    Black Lentil Feta Salad

    Black Lentil Salad with Feta.
    Photo credit: Evergreen Kitchen.

    This Mediterranean salad is full of fresh flavors and is simple to prepare. It's packed with healthy lentils, creamy feta, crunchy veggies, and a light dressing, making it a great option for dinner or lunch.

    Get the recipe

    Vegetarian Ceasar Salad

    Vegetarian Ceasar salad.
    Photo credit: Hey Nutrition Lady.

    This is a tasty vegetarian take on a classic lunch dish. It's perfect for a light and refreshing dinner during the summer.

    Get the recipe

    Greek Orzo Salad

    Greek orzo salad with feta.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    This salad features orzo pasta cooked just right, along with crunchy cucumbers, soft artichoke hearts, filling chickpeas, sun-dried tomatoes, and Kalamata olives. It's all mixed together with a homemade balsamic dressing and finished off with crumbled feta cheese.

    Get the recipe

    Roasted Sweet Potato & Feta Cheese Salad

    A plate of sweet potato salad.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This sweet potato salad is a healthy option that's both warm and satisfying. It's perfect for dinner and tastes great even the next day!

    Get the recipe

    Larb Gai

    Larb gai.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This Thai chicken salad is a healthy option you'll want to prepare regularly. It features a flavorful base and is topped with crunchy peanuts.

    Get the recipe

    Mediterranean Chicken, Cucumber and Tomato Salad

    Mediterranean Chicken, Cucumber and Tomato Salad in a wooden bowl.
    Photo Credit: Moderately Messy RD.

    This salad is full of fresh vegetables, protein, and fiber. It's quick to prepare, especially if you have leftover chicken, making it a great option for a summer dinner on a busy weeknight.

    Get the recipe

    Smoked Italian Pasta Salad

    Smoked Italian Pasta Salad with Pepperoncini Dressing.
    Photo credit: xoxoBella.

    This smoked Italian pasta salad combines the best elements of pasta salad with a delicious smoky twist. It's a great option for summer dinners, bringing a unique flavor to your table.

    Get the recipe

    Chinese Chicken Salad

    A bowl of Chinese chicken salad.
    Photo Credit: XOXOBella.

    Chinese chicken salad is a simple and healthy option for a quick dinner or lunch. It features a light dressing that keeps things fresh and flavorful.

    Get the recipe

    Chickpea Mason Jar Salad

    Mason jar salads.
    Photo credit: Hey Nutrition Lady.

    This salad is easy to make and packed with flavor. It's perfect for summer dinners when you want something light and refreshing.

    Get the recipe

    Red Pesto Pasta Salad with Veggies

    Red pesto pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This red pesto pasta is quick to prepare, taking less than 30 minutes with only 15 minutes of hands-on time. It's loaded with veggies and flavor, and you can enjoy it hot or cold, whether you use homemade or store-bought pesto.

    Get the recipe

    Salmon Asparagus Pasta Salad

    SALMON ASPARAGUS PASTA SALAD.
    Photo credit: Maple + Mango.

    This salad is packed with fresh asparagus, salmon, hard-boiled eggs, and pasta, all mixed in a creamy lemon dill dressing. It's simple to prepare and perfect for a light summer dinner.

    Get the recipe

    Caprese Salad with Spinach & Cashews

    Caprese salad with cashews.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This caprese salad is simple to make and hearty enough to serve as a dinner. It's a fresh and satisfying option for warm summer evenings.

    Get the recipe

    Mediterranean Garbanzo Bean Salad

    Mediterranean Garbanzo Bean Salad
    Photo credit: Midwest Foodie

    The Mediterranean Garbanzo Bean Salad is a quick and easy vegetarian dish that you can whip up in just 10 minutes. Packed with garbanzo beans, cucumber, Kalamata olives, grape tomatoes, red onion, and fresh parsley, it's all mixed together with a simple white wine vinaigrette.

    Get the recipe

    Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad

    Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad on a white dish.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    This pasta salad is loaded with shredded rotisserie chicken, crispy bacon, fresh tomatoes, diced cheddar, and a creamy homemade ranch dressing. It's a great option for a light and satisfying dinner.

    Get the recipe

    Summer Salad With Peaches, Corn, and Crispy Proscuitto

    Salad.
    Photo Credit: Inquiring Chef.

    This easy Summer Salad is a great way to enjoy fresh summer produce. It's topped with a simple homemade balsamic vinaigrette that adds a nice touch.

    Get the recipe

    Cold Soba Noodle Salad

    Soba noodle salad.
    Photo credit: Sustainable Cooks.

    This cold noodle salad is perfect for dinner and can be customized with your favorite protein or enjoyed on its own. It's a simple dish that's easy to pack and take along.

    Get the recipe

    Mediterranean Chicken, Cucumber and Tomato Salad

    Mediterranean Chicken, Cucumber and Tomato Salad in a wooden bowl.
    Photo Credit: Moderately Messy RD.

    This Mediterranean chicken salad with cucumbers and tomatoes is full of fresh veggies and protein. It's easy to whip up, especially if you have leftover chicken, making it a great option for a quick summer dinner.

    Get the recipe

    Caprese Orzo Pasta Salad

    Caprese Orzo Pasta Salad.
    Photo credit: Piping Pot Curry.

    Caprese Orzo Pasta Salad is a light and refreshing dish featuring orzo pasta, grape tomatoes, mozzarella, and fresh basil. It's simple to prepare and great for picnics or gatherings.

    Get the recipe

    White Bean Panzanella

    White Bean Panzanella
    Photo credit: J Cooking Odyssey.

    This Italian-style dish features fresh, juicy tomatoes mixed with white beans and crunchy toasted bread. It's all brought together with a flavorful tomato and white bean dressing.

    Get the recipe

    Tuna Niçoise Salad

    Tuna Niçoise Salad.
    Photo credit: Inquiring Chef.

    Tuna Niçoise Salad is a fresh and vibrant dish that will change your view on canned tuna. Packed with crunchy green beans, tender potatoes, briny olives, and a zesty red wine vinaigrette, this salad is perfect for a light dinner.

    Get the recipe

    Chicken Pesto Pasta Salad

    Pasta salad.
    Photo credit: Nutmeg and Vinegar.

    This chicken pesto pasta salad is great for warm weather. It's a healthy and easy dish that you can whip up quickly, making it ideal for a BBQ.

    Get the recipe

    Sweetheart Cabbage Salad with Gyoza Chickpeas

    sweetheart cabbage salad.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This sweetheart cabbage salad comes together in just 15 minutes and is perfect for anyone who thinks they don't like salads. Packed with spinach, crunchy cabbage, and tasty chickpeas, it's topped with plenty of Parmesan cheese for a satisfying and healthy meal.

    Get the recipe

    More Salads

    • White bean panzanella.
      22 Simple Summer Salads Made for Warm Weather
    • Summer salad with peaches and corn.
      18 Light Salad Recipes Perfect for Spring Days
    • White bean panzanella.
      12 Fresh Salad Ideas That'll Change How You Think About Salads
    • Elote pasta salad.
      Flavor-Packed Pasta Salads You Need to Try This Week
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    About Emmeline Kemperyd

    Emmeline Kemperyd is a writer, food blogger, recipe creator and food photographer and the founder of alwaysusebutter.com. She has 20+ years experience creating and simplifying recipes so they taste good, and are quick, easy, and approachable. She is a regular contributor to MSN and her work has been featured by The Guardian, Well+Good, Vulture, SheKnows, Good Men Project, and The Feed Feed, among others.

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