17 Summer Salads To Help You Beat The Heat

When the summer sun turns up the heat, the last thing you want is a heavy meal weighing you down. That’s where these 17 summer salads come to the rescue! Refreshing, flavorful, and oh-so-light, these salads are the perfect way to keep cool while still savoring every bite. From crisp, colorful veggies to zesty dressings and creative toppings, there’s something here to please every palate.

Creamy Caesar Pasta Salad

If you’re a fan of Caesar salad, get ready to fall in love with its pasta salad twist! This Caesar Pasta Salad is rich, zesty, and loaded with all the classic Caesar flavors you adore, with the added bonus of tender pasta to make it even heartier. It’s an ideal choice for summer gatherings, quick lunches, or a flavorful side dish for dinner.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Caesar Pasta Salad

Creamy Grape Salad

This Creamy Grape Salad recipe is the perfect side dish for any occasion! Made with fresh grapes, cream cheese, and a crunchy topping, this creamy fruit salad is refreshing, easy to make, and a crowd favorite! Perfect to serve at potlucks, picnics, BBQ’s, and any other gathering!
Get the Recipe: Creamy Grape Salad

Strawberry Pretzel Salad

Strawberry Pretzel Salad is a classic crowd-pleaser that combines the best of salty and sweet flavors! It starts with a buttery pretzel crust, topped with a fluffy cream cheese layer, and finishes with a luscious strawberry Jell-O topping filled with juicy strawberries. This Southern no-bake dessert has been a favorite at potlucks, picnics, and all kinds of gatherings for generations!
Get the Recipe: Strawberry Pretzel Salad

Garbanzo Bean Salad

This salad is brimming with vibrant Mediterranean flavors, bringing together hearty garbanzo beans, crunchy veggies, and a tangy, refreshing dressing. It’s a simple yet versatile chickpea salad recipe, perfect for meal prep, speedy lunches, or a light side dish. Packed with plant-based protein and fiber-filled chickpeas, it’s a nourishing and delicious choice for any vegan diet.
Get the Recipe: Garbanzo Bean Salad

Summer Fruit Salad with Honey Lime Dressing

Whether you’re craving a refreshing snack to cool off on a sunny day or need a healthy dessert for a potluck, you can’t go wrong with fruit. That’s why this summer fruit salad is a must-try for your next gathering. Made with a variety of fresh fruits and topped with a sweet, tangy dressing, this delightful dish is an easy and delicious way to brighten up the hot summer season.
Get the Recipe: Summer Fruit Salad with Honey Lime Dressing

Spinach and Arugula Salad

If there’s a salad that’s sure to impress everyone at the table, it’s the spinach and arugula salad! This bold and satisfying dish combines the peppery bite of arugula, the tender freshness of spinach, the salty richness of feta crumbles, and the crunch of golden croutons. Tying it all together is a savory sundried tomato dressing that’s packed with Mediterranean-inspired flavors!
Get the Recipe: Spinach and Arugula Salad

Sourdough Panzanella with Peaches with Burrata

This Sourdough Panzanella with Peaches and Burrata is the ultimate summer salad! Featuring fresh, seasonal produce, it puts a delightful spin on the traditional Italian bread salad by adding sweet, juicy peaches and creamy burrata cheese. For me, it simply doesn’t get better than this panzanella!
Get the Recipe: Sourdough Panzanella with Peaches with Burrata

Shrimp Cucumber Salad

Shrimp Cucumber Salad is both flavorful and nutritious! It’s packed with shrimp, crisp cucumbers, juicy tomatoes, red onion, creamy avocado, and a touch of fresh dill for extra brightness. Get the Recipe: Shrimp Cucumber Salad

Fennel and Apple Salad with Pistachios

If you need a quick, healthy, and refreshing dish that requires no cooking, this Fennel and Apple Salad is the perfect choice! Get the Recipe: Fennel and Apple Salad with Pistachios

Zesty Southwest Pasta Salad

Craving a dish that’s easy to make and loaded with vibrant flavors? This Southwest Pasta Salad is a winner! It combines crisp vegetables, hearty black beans, and tender pasta, all brought together with a tangy cilantro lime vinaigrette. Whether you’re prepping for a potluck, planning meals for the week, or enjoying a sunny day, this salad is a fresh, wholesome choice that’s sure to satisfy.
Get the Recipe: Zesty Southwest Pasta Salad

Tomato Onion Salad

Achichuk Salad (Салат Ачичук), also known as Achik Chukchuk, is a beloved staple of Uzbek cuisine. Often referred to as Plov Salad because it’s always paired with Uzbek Plov (Pilaf), this Tomato Onion Salad comes together with just a handful of simple ingredients. It’s sure to become your new go-to summer salad! Get the Recipe: Tomato Onion Salad

Traditional Greek Salad

If you’ve had the pleasure of visiting Greece, chances are you’ve enjoyed an authentic Greek salad. Known as horiatiki or “village salad,” this classic dish is packed with crunchy veggies, tangy kalamata olives, and creamy feta cheese, all without a single lettuce leaf. A thick slice of feta is placed right on top, then drizzled with fragrant Greek olive oil, oregano, and a splash of red wine vinegar. It’s so hearty and satisfying, it could easily be a meal on its own!
Get the Recipe: Traditional Greek Salad

Italian Sub Salad

If you’re a fan of sub sandwiches, you’re going to adore this Italian sub salad! It’s packed with all the tasty goodness of a classic Italian sub, minus the carb-loaded bread. Whether you call it a grinder, hoagie, hero, or sub, it all boils down to the same thing – a sandwich filled with deli meats, cheese, and fresh veggies. Personally, I love ordering an “Italian” sub from my favorite sandwich shop, but I often end up just enjoying the fillings! This vibrant salad is perfect as a hearty main dish or a flavorful side. Get the Recipe: Italian Sub Salad

Zucchini Salad

This zucchini salad is a refreshing mix of light, crisp, and vibrant veggies like juicy tomatoes, yellow bell peppers, and shredded carrots. It’s the ultimate way to put summer zucchini to good use and makes a fantastic side dish for picnics, potlucks, or even busy weeknight meals. Served cold, the raw zucchini adds a satisfying crunch, and there’s absolutely no cooking involved!Get the Recipe: Zucchini Salad

Zesty Quinoa Salad Recipe

This quinoa salad is full of zesty, fresh flavors and loaded with wholesome, nutritious ingredients. Whether you need a healthy option for meal prep, a tasty side for your next barbecue, or a refreshing and satisfying main dish, this salad has you covered!
Get the Recipe: Zesty Quinoa Salad Recipe

Grilled Pork Salad with Cucumbers

Grilled Pork Salad is anything but ordinary. Packed with bold flavors and loaded with protein, this salad is the perfect choice for a hearty and satisfying summer dinner. Get the Recipe: Grilled Pork Salad with Cucumbers

Cucumber Strawberry Salad

Savor the taste of summer with this refreshing Cucumber Strawberry Salad, drizzled with a homemade balsamic Dijon dressing. A mix of baby spinach, crisp mini cucumbers, juicy strawberries, fresh mint, and creamy feta cheese comes together in this light and wholesome salad.
Get the Recipe: Cucumber Strawberry Salad