20 Refreshing Summer Salads

Brittany MullinsPublished Jun 05, 2026

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These 20 refreshing summer salads are full of fresh summer produce, colorful add-ins and homemade dressings you’ll actually want to eat on repeat. From hearty meal-sized salads to easy sides for cookouts, there’s something here for every summer craving.

A collage of four recipes that are part of a collection for 20 refreshing summer salads.

Summer is the one time of year where I genuinely do not need to convince anyone to eat more salads. The produce is at its best, the weather makes you crave something fresh and light, and a big beautiful bowl just hits differently when everything is in season!

Every recipe on this list is made with whole, nourishing ingredients, plenty of flavor and a balance of protein, healthy fats and fiber to keep you full. These are the salads I find myself making every summer because they’re simple, satisfying and actually exciting to eat. Most of them include their own dressing, but if you want more ideas, my homemade salad dressings are a great place to start.

Table of Contents

What Makes a Great Summer Salad

Woman (Brittany Mullins) wearing a white shirt and sipping a green smoothie.

Before you dive into the list, here are a few things that take a summer salad from good to truly great:

  • Fresh seasonal produce: This is the biggest one. Summer salads shine when you are working with produce that is actually in season. Ripe peaches, sweet corn, juicy watermelon, and fresh berries are what make these salads taste like summer.
  • Lots of texture: The best salads have a little crunch, creaminess and freshness in every bite. I love adding things like toasted nuts, seeds, avocado, crispy chickpeas, tortilla strips or fresh herbs to keep things interesting.
  • Protein to make it a meal: If you want your salad to actually keep you full, add a protein. Grilled chicken, salmon, shrimp, or hard boiled eggs all work beautifully and turn a simple side salad into a hearty dinner.

Fruit Forward Salads

These salads celebrate the best of summer produce. Juicy berries, sweet peaches, crisp watermelon and fresh corn all paired with bold dressings that let the fruit shine.

Strawberry spinach salad in a serving bowl drizzled with creamy balsamic dressing and served with serving spoons.
1

Strawberry Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette

4.64 from 11 votes
This easy strawberry salad is insanely delicious with fresh strawberries avocado, goat cheese, pecans and creamy balsamic vinaigrette.
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A large dish with a watermelon salad that is garnished with fresh basil, feta cheese, balsamic vinegar, and red onions.
2

Watermelon Salad with Feta and Basil

5 from 1 vote
This watermelon salad pairs juicy watermelon with feta, onion and basil all drizzled with a balsamic reduction. It's sweet and salty, easy to make and the perfect refreshing salad for summer.
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A bowl with summer berry salad. A fork rests on bowl.
3

Summer Berry Salad with Candied Walnuts and Feta

4.06 from 59 votes
A stunning summer berry salad loaded with fresh blueberries, strawberries, candied walnuts and feta cheese all tossed in a light white balsamic vinaigrette. Ready in 15 minutes and the perfect side dish for any summer gathering.
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Salad topped with grilled salmon, corn, basil, peaches, and tomatoes.
4

Grilled Salmon Salad

4.65 from 17 votes
The ultimate summer salad with lightly marinated grilled salmon, sliced peaches, tomatoes and grilled sweet corn. The flavors pair together to make a fresh and flavorful entree sized salad.
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A serving bowl with strawberry kale salad. Serving utensils rest in the bowl.
5

Strawberry Kale Salad

5 from 8 votes
This easy strawberry kale salad combines kale with fresh strawberries, grapes, chickpeas, pecans, feta and a creamy raspberry vinaigrette. Perfect for a light lunch or topped with protein for a meal sized salad.
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Protein-Packed Salads

These are the salads that actually keep you full. Loaded with protein, fresh vegetables and satisfying toppings they work just as well for a weeknight dinner as they do for a summer cookout.

A bowl of grilled chicken salad.
6

Grilled Chicken Salad

5 from 5 votes
My go-to grilled chicken salad made with juicy marinated chicken, fresh veggies, grilled corn, roasted sweet potatoes and avocado all served over greens and topped with a homemade honey mustard dressing. 
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A plate of superfood salad topped with a filet of salmon topped with quick pickled onions, sweet potato croutons and a lemon vinaigrette.
7

Superfood Salmon Salad

4.95 from 51 votes
This salmon salad is loaded with roasted sweet potato croutons, avocado, pickled onions and dressed in a light lemon vinaigrette! It’s an easy go-to meal you’ll love having as part of your weekly rotation.
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Dill pickle chicken salad in a large serving bowl with two serving spoons and topped with fresh dill.
8

Dill Pickle Chicken Salad

5 from 4 votes
This dill pickle chicken salad is made with Greek yogurt instead of mayo for a lighter, high-protein twist. It comes together in minutes and is perfect for meal prep and quick lunches.
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A cottage cheese salad with cucumber, tomatoes, seasoning, and fresh herbs in a large bowl.
9

Cottage Cheese Salad

5 from 26 votes
This cottage cheese salad combines fresh veggies and herbs with cottage cheese for a simple, yet flavorful salad that's low in calories, but packed with 29 grams of protein.
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Fresh and Simple Side Salads

Light, easy and endlessly versatile. These simple side salads come together quickly and pair beautifully with just about anything you are serving this summer.

Creamy cucumber salad in a large white bowl.
10

Creamy Cucumber Salad

5 from 5 votes
This creamy cucumber salad combines crisp cucumbers, red onion and fresh dill all tossed together in a simple Greek yogurt dressing. It's the perfect summer side dish for potlucks or BBQs.
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A serving of quinoa salad in a bowl with feta cheese, cherry tomatoes, and spinach.
11

Easy Quinoa Salad

4.44 from 221 votes
This easy quinoa salad is packed with spinach, tomatoes, red onion, avocado and feta with a simple lemon dressing. It’s the perfect healthy side dish!
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Green goddess salad with wooden salad servers, served with tortilla chips.
12

Green Goddess Salad

5 from 4 votes
This vegan green goddess salad is made with chopped kale, cabbage, cucumber, and chickpeas, all tossed in a creamy, flavorful herb dressing. Light, refreshing, and perfect as a meal or side.
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Bird's eye view photo of a bowl of Mexican Street Corn Salad topped with lime and fresh cilantro. Bowl is resting on a striped napkin and next to a gold spoon and bowl of cheese.
13

Mexican Street Corn Salad

4.56 from 168 votes
An easy lightened-up Mexican street corn salad that can be made with fresh or frozen corn. This salad is creamy, delicious and perfect for summer cookouts.
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A large plate of a caprese salad with sliced mozzarella cheese, tomatoes, fresh basil, and a drizzle of balsamic vinegar.
14

Tomato Caprese Salad with Mozzarella

4 from 21 votes
Classic caprese salad layered with ripe tomatoes, fresh mozzarella and basil then drizzled with quality olive oil and balsamic. Ready in 10 minutes and perfect as an appetizer or summer side dish.
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Summer Pasta Salads

Pasta salad season is officially here. These crowd pleasing recipes are perfect for potlucks, cookouts and meal prep and get even better the longer they sit.

A pasta salad in serving bowl with cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion and fresh basil. There is a wooden serving spoon in the bowl.
15

Healthy Pasta Salad

3.91 from 61 votes
This healthy pasta salad is light, refreshing, and packed with flavor! It’s mayo-free and made with just 9 simple ingredients—it's the perfect side dish for summer.
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Greek pasta salad in a large white bowl with wooden serving spoons to the side.
16

Greek Pasta Salad

5 from 6 votes
This easy greek pasta salad is loaded with cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, olives and feta cheese all tossed in a homemade greek dressing. It's the perfect make ahead side for all your summer potlucks!
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Chicken pesto pasta salad garnished with fresh basil in a large serving bowl.
17

Chicken Pesto Pasta Salad

4.75 from 4 votes
Light, creamy, and packed with protein, this creamy chicken pesto pasta salad is made with a Greek yogurt dressing, fresh basil, and simple ingredients. Perfect for meal prep, summer lunches, or an easy weeknight dinner.
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Serving bowl with ranch pasta salad with broccoli, peppers and cucumber.
18

Creamy Ranch Pasta Salad

3.80 from 158 votes
This creamy ranch pasta salad is loaded with fresh veggies and tossed in a homemade Greek yogurt ranch dressing. It’s the perfect light and flavorful side dish for any occasion!
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A bowl of poppyseed chicken pasta salad. A spoon rests in the bowl.
19

Poppy Seed Chicken Pasta Salad

4.95 from 20 votes
Poppy seed chicken pasta salad makes for the perfect summer side or easy dinner with bowtie pasta, chicken, sweet grapes and crunchy almonds all in a creamy poppy seed dressing.
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About Brittany

Hey there, I’m Brittany, the creator of Eating Bird Food, cookbook author, health coach and mama of two littles. Here you’ll find quick and easy recipes that make healthy fun and enjoyable for you and your family!

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