40+ Delicious Summer Salad Recipes

Searching for the best summer salad recipes?! Whether you need a salad for a crowd or a light summer dinner, these fresh salad recipes are packed with yummy seasonal ingredients. We have summer pasta salads, salads for a BBQ, fruit salads, and healthy dinner salads — all perfect for warmer weather!

Pinterest pin for 40 summer salad recipes.

Summer is here and it’s time for some backyard BBQs, easy dinners, and light meals! Here are 40+ delicious summer salad ideas that are perfect for warm weather.

Summer Pasta Salad Recipes

These chilled and refreshing pasta salads are the perfect way to enjoy summer flavors with minimal effort. They’re easy to make ahead and always a crowd-pleaser!

Lemon Capellini Pasta Salad

This easy lemon capellini salad is the perfect summer pasta salad! This light dish is made with capellini pasta (you can use angel hair), cherry tomatoes, capers, and arugula and tossed in a light olive oil, Parmesan, and lemon dressing.

Lemon arugula angel hair pasta in a serving dish.

Salad Supreme Pasta Salad

This salad supreme pasta salad is the ultimate crowd-pleaser! Loaded with fresh veggies, colorful pasta, and the bold flavor of McCormick Salad Supreme seasoning, it’s the perfect summer pasta salad.

Arugula Salad with Burrata

This simple arugula salad with burrata is taken to the next level with creamy burrata cheese, peppery arugula, and a sweet balsamic glaze.

Caprese Pasta Salad

This Caprese pasta salad has no mayo, making it perfect for summertime picnics and BBQs!

Dill Pickle Pasta Salad

This dill pickle pasta salad recipe went viral on TikTok and is my new favorite!! This creamy pasta salad has cheese, red onion, and lots of chopped dill pickles, all tossed in a creamy dressing with lots of dill pickle flavor!

Deviled Egg Pasta Salad

Bacon, onions, and celery add a yummy crunch to each bite of this salad. It’s a simple yet satisfying dish that’s perfect for any gathering and always a crowd-pleaser for summer!

Creamy Pasta Salad

This creamy Italian pasta salad is going to be your go-to side dish for potlucks, parties, and outdoor gatherings! The creamy pasta salad dressing is super easy to make and adds richness and incredible flavor

Creamy Italian pasta salad in a large bowl.

Elote Pasta Salad

This vibrant Mexican-style pasta salad combines tender corn, pasta, and tomatoes, all tossed in a flavorful, creamy dressing. This dish pairs perfectly with grilled meats and is the ultimate side dish for a backyard BBQ!

Mexican street corn salad on a white plate.

Lemon Orzo Salad

This cold lemon orzo salad is a refreshing summer salad packed with fresh herbs and a tangy lemon vinaigrette.

Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad

This chicken bacon ranch pasta salad is excellent for an easy family dinner or a crowd-pleaser side dish. Tender chicken, crispy bacon, cooked pasta, and fresh vegetables tossed in a creamy ranch dressing for the most delicious and hearty summer pasta salad!

Summer Salads for Parties and BBQs

Light, fresh, and bursting with seasonal ingredients, these salads are made for sharing. Whether it’s a backyard cookout or a potluck, they’ll steal the show.

Creamy Cucumber Salad

This creamy cucumber salad is a refreshing and easy summer salad recipe that’s perfect for any occasion! It’s made with crisp cucumbers, sliced onion, a tangy dressing of sour cream and mayonnaise, plus lots of fresh dill.

Caprese Pasta Salad with Arugula

This show-stopping Caprese salad is perfect to impress friends and family — they’ll never know it only took you about 10 minutes to make!

Chopped Caprese salad on a serving plate drizzled with balsamic glaze.

Sweet Corn Salad

This simple sweet corn salad is the perfect BBQ side for your next gathering! This easy and healthy dish is bursting with fresh flavors, thanks to vibrant veggies and a tangy lime juice.

Broccoli Crunch Salad

This creamy broccoli crunch salad is the perfect summer side dish – everyone LOVES IT!! It combines fresh broccoli, crispy bacon, sweet raisins, and sunflower seeds for lots of delicious crunch!

Creamy broccoli cruch salad on a wooden spoon.

Broccoli Cauliflower Salad

This broccoli and cauliflower salad with bacon is an easy and delicious salad for your next gathering. I love the mix of crisp broccoli and tender cauliflower, along with the crunch of bacon and sunflower seeds.

Broccoli and Cauliflower salad in a serving bowl with spoon.

Cold Asparagus Salad

This cold asparagus salad is full of bright, fresh, spring flavors! Crisp asparagus pairs perfectly with red onion, bell pepper, creamy avocado and fresh mint.

Cole Slaw with Poppyseed Dressing

This coleslaw with poppy seed dressing is a nice little twist on the classic coleslaw recipe you know and love. With its creamy texture and slightly sweet poppy seed dressing, it’s the perfect side dish for picnics and summer barbecues!

Poppyseed coleslaw in a white serving platter.

Chopped Veggie Salad

This easy chopped salad is a summertime treat! Colorful and bursting with fresh flavors, it’s the perfect cold veggie salad for hot days.

Cold Ramen Noodle Salad

This cold ramen noodle salad is a crowd-pleaser for any summer gathering, from a backyard BBQ party to a potluck. It even makes a nice, light summer lunch.

Classic Green Salad

If you want THE classic green salad to bring to a party or serve to a crowd, this green salad with creamy Italian dressing is IT!!!

Viral Bell Pepper and Cucumber Salad

This viral TikTok bell pepper and cucumber salad is made with sweet mini bell peppers, cucumbers, and packed with crunch and flavor.

Chopped Mediterranean Salad

This fresh and rustic Mediterranean chopped salad is loaded with the classic Greek flavors of crunchy cucumbers, tomatoes, olives, feta, oregano, and fresh mint. This salad is light and healthy- perfect for summer!

Spicy Asian Cucumber Salad

This spicy Asian cucumber salad is made with crisp cucumbers, chili crisp, soy sauce and rice vinegar. It’s a refreshing go-to salad to serve alongside any Asian-inspired dishes and only takes a few minutes to make!

Chopped Kale Salad

This delicious salad is a blend of fresh greens, crunchy veggies, and flavorful toppings, all tossed in a tangy citrus ginger dressing.

Arugula and Spinach Salad

This easy arugula and spinach salad is the perfect spring salad! It features a mix of baby arugula and spinach and it’s topped with crunchy nuts, shaved Parmesan and drizzled with a tangy lemon vinaigrette dressing.

Arugula ad spinach salad on a white plate.

Summer Salads with Fruit

Bright, refreshing, and naturally sweet, these fruit-filled salads are perfect for warm weather. From berries to citrus, they add a juicy twist to your summer table.

Cucumber Apple Salad

This creamy cucumber apple salad has it all! Amazing crunch, sweet and savory flavors, fresh herbs…all tossed in a light, creamy dressing! It’s light, refreshing, and perfect for summer!

Cucumber and apple salad in a bowl tossed with the creamy dressing.

Strawberry Salad with Poppyseed Dressing

This strawberry salad with poppyseed dressing has been a longtime staple at potlucks and parties in my family! It’s incredibly easy to make, and everyone is always raving about the sweet, creamy homemade dressing. It’s perfect for spring or summer!

Easy strawberry spinach salad with poppyseed dressing in a white bowl.

Chopped Peach Caprese Salad

This chopped peach caprese salad will be a summertime favorite! Sweet, juicy peaches meet creamy mozzarella, ripe tomatoes, and fresh basil that tastes like pure summer!

Peach caprese salad on a large white serving platter.

Watermelon Feta Salad

This watermelon cucumber salad with feta and mint is the perfect refreshing summer side dish! This simple, healthy, and fresh dish combines juicy watermelon, crisp cucumber, creamy feta, and fragrant mint.

Watermelon cucumber salad with feta and mint on a white serving plate.

Blueberry Salad with Poppyseed Dressing

This easy blueberry salad is a delicious blend of fresh greens, sweet berries, creamy blue cheese, and crunchy walnuts, all tossed in a super simple, homemade lemon poppyseed dressing.

Blueberry salad with lemon poppyseed dressing on a large serving platter.

Blueberry Spinach Salad

This blueberry spinach salad is summertime in a bowl! Full of sweet and savory flavors, plus a little crunch…and topped with a delicious blueberry vinaigrette! It’s a perfect, light and healthy summer lunch or dinner!

Patriotic Ambrosia Salad

If you need a quick and easy dessert to take to a summer party, this festive patriotic ambrosia salad is it! Made with Cool Whip, a little sour cream, and fresh fruit, this easy dessert takes about 10 minutes to make!

Old Fashioned Ambrosia Salad with Cool Whip

This old-fashioned ambrosia salad with Cool Whip is a creamy, nostalgic dessert that’s the perfect little sweet treat to end a meal. It takes about 5 minutes to make and it’s a crowd-pleaser for holidays, potlucks, or a super fast weeknight dessert.

4th of July Fruit Salad

Celebrate the season with this patriotic fruit salad recipe that’s perfect for 4th of July, Memorial Day or any summer gathering!

Berries and apples cut into stars to make a patriotic fruit salad.

Summer Dinner Salad Recipes

These hearty summer salads are packed with protein and fresh produce, making them a satisfying meal on their own. Perfect for hot nights when you want something light yet filling!

Spring Roll Salad

If you love the flavors of Vietnamese summer rolls, this spring roll salad is spot on! All the fresh flavors of summer rolls — noodles, crisp veggies, fresh herbs, and a delicious peanut sauce — all come together in a simple, easy to make salad.

Chick-fil-A Market Salad (copycat)

This Chick-fil-A Market Salad recipe is an easy copycat salad packed with chicken, fresh summer berries, and tangy apple cider vinaigrette.

Crispy Rice Salad

This crispy rice salad is one you will be craving week after week! Crunchy veggies, fresh herbs, and avocado are tossed in a to-die-for tahini dressing, then topped with flavor-packed crispy baked rice.

Chopped Grinder Salad

This chopped Italian grinder salad is the viral chopped salad you need to try! Inspired by the classic grinder sandwich, this cold salad is loaded with crisp lettuce, Italian meats, cheese, and a delicious Parmesan dressing. It tastes just like an authentic Italian sub!

Grinder salad in a bowl being tossed with salad tongs.

Buffalo Chicken Salad

This chopped buffalo chicken salad is creamy, crunchy deliciousness! It’s the perfect hearty dinner salad or a great salad to pack for lunch.

Chopped salad in a bowl with the dressing.

Asian Chicken Salad

This crunchy Asian chicken salad is a perfect light dinner or lunch! Packed with colorful veggies like cabbage, carrots, and bell peppers, it’s hearty and wholesome!

Cold Quinoa Salad with Asparagus

This cold quinoa salad brings together wholesome quinoa, protein-packed chickpeas, and fresh, flavorful asparagus.

Cold quinoa salad with chickpeas and asparagus in the white bowl with a spoon.

Sushi Cucumber Salad (California Roll Salad)

If you love the taste and flavor of California rolls, you’ll go crazy over this viral California roll cucumber salad! Cucumber, avocado, red onion, and crab meat are tossed in a creamy Asian-inspired dressing.

California roll cucumber salad on a plate with chopsticks.

Bruschetta Chicken Salad

This bruschetta salad with chicken is going to be one of your summertime go-to recipes! This salad is a fun twist on traditional bruschetta. Bright, fresh flavors and textures come together to make this crowd-pleasing, easy-to-make summertime salad!

Bruschetta salad with chicken on a white plate.

Avocado Chicken Salad

This avocado chicken salad recipe is a great recipe when you need something quick, easy, healthy, and delicious! Made with rotisserie chicken, avocado, and fresh lime juice, this chicken salad is perfect to whip up for a quick lunch salad or light dinner.