Summer Salad Recipes - I Heart Naptime (2024)

Jamielyn Nye
Published June 23, 2022

7 comments

These refreshing summer salad recipes are perfect for showcasing your fresh fruits and vegetables this season! This list has all of your favorites from fruity summer salads to pasta salads or your favorite potluck salads.

Summer Salad Recipes - I Heart Naptime (2)

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Refreshing Summer Salads
Tips for Making a Summer Salad
Favorite Summer Produce
Summer Salad Dressings
Fruity Summer Salads
Summer Pasta Salad Recipes
Summer Potluck Salads

Refreshing Summer Salads

Summer is the peak season for many fresh fruits and vegetables, which makes it the perfect time to make a big, refreshing summer salad. It’s a quick and easy way to showcase your favorite seasonal ingredients from your garden or local farmer’s market. Not only is it a healthy dinner idea, but it’s also a great recipe to bring to a BBQ.

Fill up your summer salads with crisp greens, crunchy vegetables, juicy fruit, protein, quinoa or couscous and your favorite salad dressings. They’re super customizable and can be as hearty or as light as you’d like.

This list of summer salad ideas has everything you’re looking for this season. Whether it’s fruity summer salads, pasta salads or a classic potluck salad, you’ll find it all here. I’ve even included some tips for making the best summer salads, as well as a list of the top produce to pick this season.

Tips for Making a Summer Salad

Use what’s in season. Now is the time to showcase all of the fresh fruits and vegetables that are in season during the summer time. These ingredients will be the most juicy, ripe and have the best flavor. Check out the list below for all of the seasonal summer produce to choose from.
Shop local. This is the perfect time to support your local farmers! Buy produce from the nearest farmer’s market instead of the larger supermarket chain in your area. Odds are the produce is more fresh and vibrant!
Fresh from the garden. There’s no better way to enjoy your garden’s bounty than with a fresh summer salad. Greens, tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers and herbs are all wonderful additions!

Favorite Summer Produce

Below are some of my favorite seasonal fruits and vegetables to enjoy during the summer.

Fruit: Strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, watermelon, honeydew, cantaloupe, cherries, mangoes, peaches, tomatoes
Vegetables: Cucumbers, peppers, zucchini, beets, kale, arugula, spinach, corn, onions, peas, radishes, rhubarb, collard greens
Herbs: Basil, dill, parsley, mint, oregano, rosemary, cilantro

Summer Salad Dressings

Making a homemade salad dressing is an easy way to take your salad up a notch. I love using lighter dressings in the summer so that it tastes refreshing and not too heavy. Balsamic dressing, poppy seed dressing, or an easy vinaigrette are usually my go-to’s!

Fruity Summer Salads

When I think of summer salads, I immediately think of fruit! Especially ripe, juicy berries. Fruit is the star of the show in all of these recipes below and adds the perfect sweetness to your salads. You can’t go wrong with any of these favorites!

Spinach Berry Salad Recipe

A refreshing salad made with spinach, mixed berries, almonds and a red wine poppyseed vinaigrette. Delicious, healthy and easy to make!

Total Time: 10 minutes minutes

Spinach Strawberry Salad

A light and refreshing strawberry spinach salad filled with fresh strawberries, almonds, feta and greens. Top with poppy seed dressing to make the perfect summer salad recipe!

Total Time: 10 minutes minutes

Berry Fruit Salad Recipe

Summer berry fruit salad full of fresh strawberries, blackberries, blueberries and raspberries. Topped with a honey lime dressing that adds the perfect hint of sweetness!

Total Time: 10 minutes minutes

Watermelon Salad

Filled with fresh watermelon, feta, cucumbers, mint and a delicious lime dressing. This watermelon salad is light, refreshing and full of summer flavors!

Total Time: 10 minutes minutes

Strawberry Burrata Salad Recipe

Strawberry, pistachio, and burrata salad with a poppyseed dressing…super fresh, flavorful and satisfying! This strawberry salad has the most perfect combination of flavors and will become your new favorite!

Total Time: 10 minutes minutes

Honey Lime Fruit Salad

Rainbow honey lime fruit salad filled with fresh strawberries, oranges, bananas, grapes and blueberries. Then topped with a delicious honey lime glaze.

Total Time: 10 minutes minutes

Grape Salad

This simple grape salad is made with fresh juicy grapes, coated in a sweet cheesecake dressing, topped with crunchy pecans and brown sugar! It's a sweet and tart, creamy and crunchy dessert salad that comes together in minutes and will be devoured just as fast!

Total Time: 40 minutes minutes

Mandarin Orange Salad

This mandarin orange salad is fresh, sweet and loaded with flavor. It is topped with an amazing homemade orange salad dressing that you can't live without!

Summer Pasta Salad Recipes

Whether you’re grilling a big, juicy hamburger or your favorite chicken kabobs, any of these pasta salads would make the perfect summer side dish. Most can be made in advance, making things much easier when dinner time rolls around!

Caprese Pasta Salad

This easy Caprese pasta salad is made with a simple combination of the most delicious classic trio! Juicy tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, and basil. Then combined with cooked pasta and tossed together with a light and zesty dressing.

Total Time: 30 minutes minutes

Southwest Pasta Salad

Tender penne pasta, black beans, corn, peppers, cilantro, onions and tomatoes tossed in a delicious and creamy avocado lime dressing. This southwest pasta salad is easy, healthy and full of Mexican flavors!

Total Time: 30 minutes minutes

Easy Macaroni Salad Recipe

Savor this easy macaroni salad recipe, featuring noodles, veggies, and a creamy, tangy dressing bursting with flavor. This classic side dish recipe is guaranteed to become a staple at BBQs or potlucks all season long!

Total Time: 20 minutes minutes

Greek Pasta Salad Recipe

Full of rotini noodles, veggies, feta cheese and tossed in a red wine vinaigrette. A delicious and easy side dish recipe that's perfect for summer.

Total Time: 30 minutes minutes

Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad Recipe

This chicken caesar pasta salad is super easy to make and comes together in just 10 minutes! Perfect for a quick dinner or to bring to a potluck.

Total Time: 10 minutes minutes

Orzo Salad

Topped with a delicious homemade vinaigrette, this bright and colorful orzo salad is so fresh plus loaded with fantastic flavor. Such a healthy and filling side dish recipe or light lunch for summer!

Total Time: 30 minutes minutes

Chicken Pesto Pasta Salad

This chicken pesto pasta salad is light, healthy and packed with the perfect basil pesto flavor! Great for BBQs, brunches, baby showers & more!

Total Time: 20 minutes minutes

Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad

This buffalo chicken pasta salad has the perfect combination of noodles, crisp veggies, tangy buffalo chicken and a cooling ranch sauce. Topped with creamy blue cheese for an easy summer salad the entire family will love!

Total Time: 10 minutes minutes

Pasta Salad with Italian Dressing

Filled with tender pasta, crisp veggies and a zesty Italian dressing, this delicious and easy pasta salad is a potluck must-have!

Total Time: 2 hours hours 20 minutes minutes

Summer Potluck Salads

You can’t forget potluck salads! These classic dishes are easy to make and will be loved by all at your next cookout. There are even some great vegetarian and vegan options for the non meat eaters in your life!

Broccoli Salad Recipe

This broccoli salad with bacon is always a crowd pleaser! Loaded with cranberries, sunflower kernels and red onion then tossed in a sweet and tangy dressing, it's a classic!

Total Time: 25 minutes minutes

Loaded Potato Salad Recipe

Loaded potato salad filled with potatoes, bacon, shredded cheese, green onions and a delicious creamy dressing. A fun twist on the classic potato salad that tastes like a loaded baked potato in salad form.

Total Time: 30 minutes minutes

Cucumber Tomato Salad

Fresh chopped cucumbers, tomatoes, red onions, feta cheese and herbs tossed in a tangy red wine vinaigrette. This cucumber tomato salad is healthy, light and loaded with flavor. It makes the perfect summer side dish!

Total Time: 25 minutes minutes

Corn and Tomato Salad

This corn and tomato salad recipe has become a fast favorite and is made in just 20 minutes. It's the perfect light and refreshing dish to whip up all summer long!

Total Time: 20 minutes minutes

Quinoa Black Bean Salad

Quinoa black bean salad is loaded with fluffy quinoa, tender black beans, sweet corn and flavored with herbs and spices, and a squirt of lime to elevate each bite! Serve this quick and easy salad warm or chilled in a bowl or as a side!

Total Time: 45 minutes minutes

Chickpea Salad

Chickpea salad is fresh, lively, and full of classic Mediterranean flavors! This beautiful salad is composed of buttery chickpeas, crispy bell peppers, crunchy cucumbers, and zesty tomatoes topped with a vibrant dressing that just gets better the longer it marinates!

Total Time: 25 minutes minutes

Greek Salad

Easy Greek salad recipe with chopped veggies, feta cheese and a simple homemade dressing. Full of fresh flavor and made in less than 30 minutes!

Total Time: 25 minutes minutes

Caprese Salad Recipe

This easy Caprese salad is filled with ripe tomatoes, mozzarella balls, fresh basil and then topped with a homemade balsamic glaze for the most delicious combination. Serve this crowd pleasing summertime salad as a side, appetizer or a light meal with crusty bread!

Total Time: 25 minutes minutes

Ramen Noodle Cabbage Salad

This ramen noodle cabbage salad with chicken is so tasty and comes together in minutes! Light, crunchy and the perfect combination of flavors! It's sure to become a Summer staple!

Total Time: 10 minutes minutes

Southwest Quinoa Salad

This southwest quinoa salad makes a delicious and flavorful side dish or main meal. You can feel great about eating this healthy, protein-packed salad all summer long!

Total Time: 30 minutes minutes

Southwest Cornbread Salad

This southwest cornbread salad has flavorful layers of crumbled cornbread, veggies, bacon, cheese and a delicious salsa ranch dressing. The perfect way to spice up a potluck!

Total Time: 1 hour hour 10 minutes minutes

Couscous Salad Recipe

Fluffy couscous, nutty chickpeas, crunchy bell peppers, cucumbers, and sprinkled with briny feta cheese. This couscous salad is tossed in a simple homemade lemon dressing to brighten it up and add some zip to every bite!

Total Time: 25 minutes minutes

Categorized as: American, Dinner, Salads

Jamielyn Nye is the founder and recipe creator at I Heart Naptime. She is also the author of the I Heart Naptime Cookbook. Here you will find easy family-friendly recipes for every occasion.

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