Summer salads are the perfect dishes to take advantage of the bounties of your garden or the local farmer's market. Sweet, fruit-based salads can whet your appetite for a grilled dinner; hearty salads with seasonal vegetables make a light main course when it's too hot to cook. With so many fruits and vegetables coming into the peak of their flavor, you can set out a different five-star summer salad every night of the week.
Tiger Salad
Rave Review: "This is a popular salad from Northern China that's gaining popularity in the United States. Toss in peanuts, shrimp, or tofu for some protein." — Sunday
Avocado Watermelon Salad
Tangy lime and paprika dressed watermelon and avocado chunks call for a refreshing side salad, or an appetizer to cleanse the palette.
Grilled Corn Off the Cob Salad
Rave Review: "Every summer we have a 4th of July party. There are several dishes that our guests look forward to eating. This is one that makes everyone say 'aaah, the corn salad…'" — Lish
Spinach and Strawberry Salad
Rave Review: "My family loves this all year round if we can find strawberries. Even the grandchildren love this salad. Quick and easy." — JerJer
Stacked Tomato and Burrata Salad
"Comparing mozzarella and burrata is a little unfair, as burrata is significantly richer and creamier. It's not like comparing apples and oranges; it's more like apples and supermodels. In fact, burrata means 'buttered,' which is really all you need to know." — Chef John
Beet Summer Salad
Rave Review: "This is the most unusual combination and I'm pleased to say that it worked. I used fresh beets that I roasted until tender, and then peeled. A very fresh tasting dish!" — Volleyballmom
Herb & Honey Cucumber Salad
Rave Review: "Crisp and sweetly delicious, this salad is a wonderful addition to any summer picnic. You can serve it immediately or cover it and refrigerate up to four hours before serving for enhanced flavor." — Ginny Maziarka
Heirloom Tomato Salad with Pearl Couscous
Rave Review: "This cold, vegetarian salad features mixed heirloom tomatoes with Mediterranean flavors and pearl couscous. This summer dish has been a big hit with my family!" — Ryan Davis
Tomato Cucumber Kachumbar
Green onions really take this dish from tasty to stellar! The crunch, color, and flavor, along with minimal ingredients make this a no brainer.
Herb Watermelon Feta Salad
Fresh mint is a must, but cilantro is the surprising ingredient that brings this dish together. It's tangy, and the flavors are a definite match.
Quinoa, Beet, and Arugula Salad
Red beets create the most beautiful pink color, allowing the quinoa to pop against the green arugula. You won't regret whipping this up at your next gathering!
Super Summer Kale Salad
A dairy-free, crunchy kale salad that will brighten up your lunch, or pair perfectly alongside a main entree at dinner.
Strawberry and Feta Salad
Rave Review: "This unusual combination of strawberries, feta cheese, toasted almonds, and romaine lettuce in a sweet and tangy dressing is sure to please your guests. A guaranteed pleaser for any potluck or BBQ meal!" — Andrea Longo Policella
Insalata Caprese
"Because this salad is so simple, you'll want to use fresh and top-quality tomatoes and mozzarella." — Marina
Strawberry Melon Summer Salad
Forget dessert. Pair this fruit salad with a meaty main and you will not regret it. The
Refreshing Corn Salad
A sweet and salty mayo-based dressing to coat tender corn and veggies. This dish will disappear in no time!
Mexican Bean Salad
Rave Review: "I followed this recipe and wow.. incredible! I served it at a party, and it got rave reviews. Two people even asked for the recipe!" — WIMSEY
Bruschetta Salad
A take on panzanella salad, using crushed up bagel chips! This salad is unlike others. You are sure to get compliments at your next gathering.
Mediterranean Zucchini and Chickpea Salad
A unique salad that tenderizes the zucchini with all the acidic dressing components. This dish is perfectly refreshing on a hot summer day.
Parrothead Salad
Rave Review: "I first had this colorful salad at a tailgate before a Jimmy Buffett concert, thus the name! It's perfect for spring and summer get-togethers when the ingredients are fresh and ripe. My supper club likes it even better with Buffett playing in the background! Serve with poppy seed dressing." — jeannie
Grilled Vegetable Salad with Fresh Herb Vinaigrette
Rave Review: "Delicious grilled vegetable salad served at room temperature. It's great the next day, too! The vinaigrette can be used on any salad or as a marinade for chicken and fish." — Celeste
Watermelon Salad with Grapes and Citrus
Rave Review: "A healthy, easy summer dessert with a new, fresh taste that will keep you coming back for more! You can serve this salad right away, although refrigeration heightens the flavors and crisps the fruit." — Joeitalian
Tomato Mozzarella Salad
Rave Review: "Mozzarella slices are served with tomatoes, fresh basil, and sprinkled with olive oil. A perfect salad alternative, especially in the summer when you can get tomatoes and basil from the garden." — JOANN HAN
Roasted Corn and Heirloom Tomato Salad
Rave Review: "A colorful and refreshing salad using flavorful summer vegetables. The grilled vegetables and crisp tastes compliment many grilled meats." — Dean
Strawberry Mesclun Salad
Balsamic dressed greens with red onion, sweet cuts of fruit and crunchy slivered almonds. Serve this with a protein and call it a meal!
Greek Zoodle Salad
"Zoodles (zucchini noodles) are all the rage and I keep looking for new ways to prepare them. I decided to combine my love of Greek salad with zoodles and created this recipe. A great alternative to high-carb pasta salads!" — France C
Grandmother's Sour Cream and Cucumber Salad
Rave Review: "This recipe is just like my grandmother's cucumber salad. A great side dish for summertime grilling or anytime." — Drewbasa
Raw Beet Salad
Be sure to wear gloves when grating the beets, but it'll be worth it in the end when you mix in the remaining ingredients!
Malaysian Watermelon Salad
A sweet and savory combination of smoky bacon, crunchy green onions, pickled watermelon rind, and sweet seedless watermelon.
Bacon Avocado Salad
Rave Review: "This salad is a favorite during the hot summer months. Serve it on a bed of your favorite leafy greens with some garlic bread, and everyone is a happy camper." — kristen
Maple, Nuts, Seeds, Blueberries, and Goat Cheese Salad
A salad on the sweeter side. The maple-grapeseed oil vinaigrette is perfect alongside the walnuts, goat cheese, and both fresh and dried fruits.
Pacific Rim Cucumber Salad
A sweet and savory dressing with matchstick daikon radish, sliced cucumbers, and chopped tomato. Serve this up at your next picnic!
Heirloom Tomato Salad with Rosemary
Very minimal ingredients needed in this recipe, and this just shows that the bare minimum can bring out the naturally delicious flavors of fresh heirloom tomatoes.
Summery Corn Salad
Rave Review: "A light and refreshing salad, perfect for a warm summer evening. I like to serve this as a side with Mexican meals." — SunnyDaysNora
Summer Cucumber Jicama Salad
A five ingredient salad that is both refreshing and unique. Serve this jicama matchstick salad with fresh seafood or chicken kebabs.