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    Home » Summer Recipes

    21 Summer Salads That Will Transport You to Paradise

    Published: Jul 6, 2025 by Emmeline Kemperyd · post_comments]

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    Summer is the perfect time to enjoy fresh, vibrant salads that bring a burst of flavor and color to your table. With a mix of seasonal fruits, crisp vegetables, and zesty dressings, these 21 salads will make you feel like you're on a tropical getaway. Whether you're looking for something light and refreshing or a hearty option, there's a salad here to brighten your day.

    Easy Caprese Pasta Salad

    Easy Caprese Pasta Salad.
    Photo Credit: Southern Kissed.

    Caprese pasta salad is a simple and tasty dish that shines in the summer. It combines fresh tomatoes, mozzarella, basil, and pasta, all tossed together with balsamic vinaigrette for a refreshing side. This salad is not only flavorful but also healthy, making it a great choice for gatherings. It serves four to six people, making it perfect for sharing.

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    Blue Cheese Coleslaw

    Blue cheese coleslaw.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Blue Cheese Coleslaw is a quick and easy side dish that you can whip up in under 15 minutes. It pairs perfectly with steak, barbecue, or anything buffalo-flavored. With its rich blue cheese flavor and balanced seasoning, this coleslaw is sure to become a go-to favorite.

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    Spicy Watermelon Salad

    Spicy Watermelon Salad
    Photo Credit: Hey Nutrition Lady.

    This watermelon salad with Feta cheese is brightened up with a splash of lemon chili oil, creating a refreshing dish that's perfect for summer. The layers of juicy watermelon and creamy cheese come together beautifully, while fresh mint adds a burst of flavor. It's a simple yet delicious salad that feels like a little taste of vacation.

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    Cucumber Shrimp Salad

    Cucumber Shrimp Salad.
    Photo Credit: The Short Order Cook.

    A refreshing cucumber shrimp salad is a perfect choice for a light lunch. This dish combines crunchy cucumbers with tender shrimp and a creamy dill sour cream dressing, making it both satisfying and delicious. It's a healthy option that's easy to prepare and can be made ahead of time, storing well in the fridge for several days. Ideal for warm days, this salad is a great way to enjoy seafood without a lot of work.

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    Larb Gai

    Larb gai.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This Thai chicken salad is a weekly favorite that brings a taste of summer to your table. It features a fresh and vibrant mix of ingredients, all topped with crunchy peanuts for added texture. Perfect for warm days, this salad is both healthy and satisfying.

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    Smoked Salmon Nicoise Salad

    Smoked Salmon Nicoise Salad.
    Photo credit: Lavender & Macarons.

    This salad is bright and full of flavor, making it a great choice for brunch during the warm months. It's refreshing and enjoyable, perfect for those sunny days when you want something light and tasty. Whether you're hosting friends or just treating yourself, this dish brings a bit of summer to your table.

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    Broccoli Cauliflower Salad

    Broccoli Cauliflower Salad.
    Photo Credit: Lemons & Zest.

    This broccoli cauliflower salad is quick to prepare and packed with flavor. It features fresh broccoli and cauliflower, along with dried cranberries, sliced almonds, cheese, and crispy bacon. Tossed in a zesty dressing, it's perfect for summer barbecues or any casual gathering.

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    Grilled Peach & Goat Cheese Salad

    Grilled Peach & Goat Cheese Salad.
    Photo Credit: The Short Order Cook.

    Grilled peaches, creamy avocado, tangy goat cheese, and peppery arugula come together in a refreshing summer salad that's sure to please. Drizzled with olive oil and balsamic vinegar, this dish balances sweet, tangy, and earthy flavors perfectly. It's a healthy and tasty option that you'll want to enjoy all summer long.

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    Arugula Salad with Honey Lemon Vinaigrette

    Arugula salad.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This salad combines sweet, salty, and tangy flavors, making it a great side dish for any protein, especially salmon or steak. It's incredibly simple to prepare, so you can whip it up in no time. Perfect for summer meals, this salad brings a refreshing touch to your table.

    Get the recipe

    Roasted Vegetable Salad

    Roasted Vegetable Salad
    Photo Credit: Urban Farmie.

    This roasted vegetable salad is a great choice for summer. It's packed with flavor and dressed with a light vinaigrette, making it refreshing and satisfying. You can enjoy it warm or cold, and it holds up well as leftovers, so it's perfect for meal prep.

    Get the recipe

    Avocado Mango Salad

    Avocado mango salad.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This is a great side dish for summer, ideal to pair with any grilled meal. Fresh and vibrant, these salads bring a taste of sunshine to your table. They are easy to prepare and perfect for warm weather gatherings.

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    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 fresh veggies and full of flavor. You can use either homemade or store-bought pesto, and it tastes great whether served warm or cold.

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    Caulislaw - Raw Cauliflower Salad

    Caulislaw - Raw Cauliflower Salad
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Caulislaw combines cauliflower, carrots, and red onions in a creamy mayonnaise dressing. It's a great side dish for barbecues and can even be used as a topping for burgers. This salad is quick to prepare, healthy, and low in carbs, making it a go-to option for many meals.

    Get the recipe

    Shopska Salad

    Shopska salad.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    In just 15 minutes, you can whip up a delicious and cheesy salad. The Shopska salad is packed with vibrant vegetables, tossed in a light vinaigrette, and finished off with crumbled Feta cheese. It works well as an appetizer, a side dish, or even as a light meal alongside some bread.

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    Salmon Asparagus Pasta Salad

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

    This salad is packed with fresh asparagus, salmon (canned or fresh), hard-boiled eggs, and pasta, all mixed together in a creamy lemon dill dressing. It's a simple dish that brings a burst of flavor and is perfect for warm weather. This is a great option for lunch or dinner during the spring and summer months.

    Get the recipe

    White Bean Panzanella

    White Bean Panzanella
    Photo credit: J Cooking Odyssey.

    This Italian-inspired dish features fresh, juicy tomatoes mixed with white beans and crunchy toasted bread, all brought together with a flavorful tomato and white bean dressing. It's a simple yet satisfying salad that captures the essence of summer. Perfect for enjoying on warm days, this salad is a delightful way to celebrate the season.

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    Caprese Salad with Spinach & Cashews

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

    This caprese salad is a simple and satisfying dish that works well for dinner. With fresh ingredients and a light dressing, it brings a taste of summer to your table. It's perfect for warm evenings when you want something refreshing without spending too much time in the kitchen.

    Get the recipe

    Chickpea Mason Jar Salad

    Mason jar salads.
    Photo credit: Hey Nutrition Lady.

    This salad is refreshing and full of flavor, perfect for warm summer days. It brings a taste of sunshine to your table, making it a great choice for lunch or dinner. With fresh ingredients and vibrant colors, this dish is sure to brighten up any meal.

    Get the recipe

    Mediterranean Chickpea Salad

    Mediterranean Chickpea Salad.
    Photo Credit: She's Not Cookin'.

    The Mediterranean Chickpea Salad is a simple and flavorful dish that brings a taste of the Mediterranean to your table. It's quick to put together and works great for meal prep, making it a solid option for busy days. With a mix of chickpeas, fresh veggies, and a light dressing, this salad is perfect for family gatherings or just a healthy lunch.

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    Sweetheart Cabbage Salad with Gyoza Chickpeas

    sweetheart cabbage salad.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This salad comes together in just 15 minutes and is perfect for anyone who thinks they don't like salads. It features fresh spinach, sweet cabbage, and tasty chickpeas, all topped with a generous sprinkle of Parmesan cheese. It's a healthy option that's also satisfying and simple to prepare.

    Get the recipe

    Watermelon Avocado Salad

    Watermelon Avocado Salad.
    Photo Credit: Lemons & Zest.

    This Watermelon Avocado Salad is a refreshing choice for summer. It combines sweet, juicy watermelon with creamy avocado, crunchy red onion, and fresh cilantro, all topped off with crumbled feta cheese. This salad is perfect for warm days when you want something light and tasty.

    Get the Recipe

    More Summer Recipes

    • Grilled chicken skewers.
      Grill Like a Pro: 18 Easy Ideas for Your Labor Day Cookout
    • Grilled steak.
      22 Easy Grilling Recipes for a Chill Labor Day
    • Cowboy beans.
      20 Southern Summer Recipes to Try Before Fall
    • Pesto tortellini.
      20 Easy Summer Pasta Recipes That Are Bursting with Flavor
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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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