12 Refreshing Summer Salad Recipes You Must Try

As the temperature rises and the sun shines bright, it’s time to enjoy summer with all the fresh and seasonal produce available. Summer salads are the perfect way to use these ingredients to their fullest potential. They are easy to make, healthy, and filling. From a classic Greek salad to a creative Polish summer soba salad, the possibilities are endless. Here are twelve summer salad recipes that are sure to become your go-to dishes during the hot summer months.

1. Easy Summer Salad with Fresh Herbs, Peaches, and Corn

This salad features a burst of seasonal colors and flavors with heirloom tomatoes, peaches, and herbs like basil and fresh mint. It is easy to prepare with readily available ingredients, making it a perfect addition to your summer menu.

Recipe Source: https://cookieandkate.com/easy-summer-salad-fresh-herbs-peaches-corn/

2. Pomegranate Summer Salad

This Greek inspired summer salad is tossed with a creamy, sweet, and slightly tart salad dressing. The addition of pomegranate seeds, fried cheese, nuts, and mushrooms provides great texture and crunch.

Recipe Source: https://www.platingsandpairings.com/pomegranate-summer-salad/

3. Spanish Ham Salad with Melons and Figs

With black mission figs, Charentais melon, and Spanish ham, this salad is fresh, tasty, and visually pleasing. Drizzle with extra-virgin olive oil and sprinkle some basil leaves to serve this energizing salad.

Recipe Source: https://www.foodandwine.com/recipes/spanish-ham-salad-melons-and-figs

4. Polish Summer Soba Salad

This inventive summer salad combines Japanese soba noodles with celery-seed-dusted roasted beets, scallion greens, English cucumbers, and roasted walnuts. Cooked white beans add more nutritional value while ensuring that the salad is a satisfying meal by itself.

Recipe Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/18/dining/polish-soba-salad-recipe.html

5. Spicy Cabbage Slaw

Habanero peppers can be used to add some heat to this tasty salad of finely shredded Savoy cabbages, grated carrots, and thinly sliced red onions. Jalapeño peppers are the best option for a milder version.

Recipe Source: https://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/spicy-cabbage-slaw-109020

6. Grilled Cheese Curd Panzanella

This salad features heirloom tomatoes flavored with garlic and basil, crunchy bread cubes, and grilled cheese curds. It makes for a stunning and savory salad.

Recipe Source: https://www.foodandwine.com/recipes/grilled-cheese-curd-panzanella

7. Salsa-meets-Salad

Avocados, cherry tomatoes, English cucumbers, red peppers, and fresh cilantro are marinated overnight in lime juice along with black beans and cooked corn. This salad is great for weight loss as it is low in calories, high in fiber, and has plenty of protein.

Recipe Source: https://www.delish.com/cooking/recipe-ideas/recipes/a53225/salsa-meets-salad-recipe/

8. Summer Salad with Green Herb Dressing

This salad combines boiled eggs, crispy grilled salmon, roasted sourdough bread chunks, and cooked green beans. It is then tossed in a green aromatic dressing made of anchovies, sun-dried tomatoes, basil leaves, parsley, chives, and garlic.

Recipe Source: https://www.foodandwine.com/recipes/summer-salad-green-herb-dressing

9. Creamy Summer Pasta Salad

This creamy and tangy pasta salad has broccoli florets and sliced black olives. The broccoli should be cooked only long enough to soften the crunch and brighten its color. You can add it to the boiling pasta water for the last 30 seconds or you can just zap it in the microwave for a minute.

Recipe Source: https://www.garlicandzest.com/creamy-summer-pasta-salad/

10. Pretty Checks Summer Salad

A pretty and colorful salad with cubes of watermelon, heirloom tomatoes, cucumbers, avocado, and radish dressed with balsamic vinegar and olive oil. Garnish with a sprinkling of coriander seeds and chopped fresh herbs like cilantro, basil, and chives.

Recipe Source: https://cookieandkate.com/pretty-checks-watermelon-heirloom-tomato-and-avocado-salad/

11. Summer Shrimp Salad with Avocado

This healthy and delicious summer salad uses crispy Iceberg lettuce, avocado, shrimps, and pistachios. Slightly bitter extra virgin olive oil is recommended in the dressing to balance the sweetness of the avocado.

Recipe Source: https://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/summer-shrimp-salad-with-avocado-and-pistachios

12. Southern Tuna Macaroni Salad

This creamy salad with elbow macaroni has chopped hard-boiled eggs, tuna flakes, diced celery, green bell pepper cubes, sliced onion, and mayonnaise. Stirring in the sweet relish and dill relish adds amazing flavor to this recipe. Season with salt and pepper according to your taste. Spread in a casserole dish and garnish with parsley and paprika.  The bell pepper, onion and celery add a nice crunch in contrast to the creaminess of the mayonnaise. Chill for a minimum of two hours before serving. Refrigerating overnight really allows the flavors to blend together.

The eggs and tuna make this a protein-rich salad.

Recipe Source: https://deepsouthdish.com/southern-tuna-macaroni-salad.html

Conclusion

Summer salads are a great way to enjoy the freshness of the season. Whether you prefer a classic Greek salad or a creative Polish summer soba salad, there is a salad recipe for everyone. These twelve salad recipes are easy to make, healthy, and delicious. So, go ahead and experiment with these refreshing summer salads to beat the heat and stay healthy!