Amazon Prime Day 2022: Everything We Know

Common Long COVID-19 Symptoms

7 Pistachio Health Benefits to Know

The 20 Best Dogs for Kids and Families

How to Watch the 'Jurassic Park' Movies in Order

40 Easy Summer Salads That Pack in the Best Seasonal Flavors

These filling recipes taste so very farmers' market to table.

By Taylor Worden and Samantha MacAvoy

Apr 18, 2022

tomato, peach, and basil salad on a blue plate

Mike Garten

When the weather heats up and your motivation to be anywhere near the kitchen goes down, these refreshing and easy summer salad recipes will help you get a healthy dinner or side dish on the table, no sweat. Our easy picks make the most of summer produce— from sweet tomatoes to succulent corn and juicy peaches — so that you can celebrate the bountiful season in the best (and most delicious!) way possible. Bonus: these fresh ideas with few ingredients will leave you with extra time for fun backyard games with your favorite people.

Whatever your salad craving, we’re here to help! If you need hearty ideas for dinner, we rounded up plenty of protein-packed summer salad recipes with chicken, shrimp, steak, pork or countless colorful vegetarian options. Bright and crunchy salads make the best BBQ side dishes to complement smoky grilled mains, while summer salads with fruit offer a sweet-savory contrast you’ll be thinking about ‘til fall.

These easy and satisfying recipes are packed with full of summer flavors that you can make in a cinch to spend more time enjoying those beautiful sunny days! Make-ahead pasta salads (yep, we're counting them as salad) make summer family cookouts so much easier, while mason jar salads are a cinch to bring to a picnic. And don't forget to make the most of the season with these summer dinner recipes as well! Summertime livin’ should be as easy as these summer salad recipes.

Mike Garten

Watermelon Salad with Feta

For a refreshing summer salad, look no further than this dynamite watermelon salad with feta and cucumbers tossed in a super simple dressing.

Get the Watermelon Salad with Feta recipe.

Mike Garten

Herby Red Potato Salad

A perfect summer side, classic potato salad gets an herby refresh with the addition of parsley and dill in this satisfying variation.

Get the Herby Red Potato Salad recipe.

Mike Garten

Wedge Salad with Creamy Herb Dressing

We love a wedge salad, and especially can't get enough of this herby green dressing loaded with parsley, chives and dill. Yum!

Get the Wedge Salad with Creamy Herb Dressing recipe.

Mike Garten

California Roll Salad

Itching to switch up sushi night? Look no further than this California roll turned salad, complete with spicy mayo, sesame seeds and plenty of veggies.

Get the California Roll Salad recipe.

Mike Garten

Vegan Caesar Salad

You won't even miss the meat in this caesar salad full of crispy chickpeas, crunchy croutons and grilled radishes.

Get the Vegan Caesar Salad recipe.

Mike Garten

Bright Radish Salad

This stunning salad showcases a variety of radishes for a showstopping colorful dish.

Get the Bright Radish Salad recipe.

chicken cobb with avocados, tomatoes, red onions, bacon and soft boiled eggs on a plate

Mike Garten

Cobb Salad

Get your fill of veggies and protein with our favorite Cobb salad! Full of chicken, egg, tomatoes, bacon and blue cheese, this filling meal will keep you full for hours to come.

Get the Cobb Salad recipe.

Danielle Occhiogrosso Daly

BLT Pasta Salad

Pasta totally counts as salad in our book, especially if it's loaded with veggies.

Get the BLT Pasta Salad recipe.

Mike Garten

BBQ Chickpea and Grilled Nectarine Salad

Consider this our new go-to grilled vegetarian main: With smoky chickpeas, juicy nectarines, and peppery arugula, you won't miss the meat.

Get the BBQ Chickpea and Grilled Nectarine Salad recipe.

Mike Garten

Grilled Haloumi Salad

Salty, semi-soft cheese paired with lemony vegetables and fluffy cous cous will be your new summer standout recipe.

Get the Grilled Haloumi Salad recipe.

Mike Garten

Tomato, Peach, and Basil Salad

Salty feta adds a creamy, savory twist to this 10-minute salad with juicy in-season fruit.

Get the Tomato, Peach, and Basil Salad recipe.

Mike Garten

Charred Shrimp and Avocado Salad

Pineapple and avocado turn up the tropical vibes on this shrimp salad, while cucumber and watercress keep it fresh and crunchy.

Get the Charred Shrimp and Avocado Salad recipe.

Mike Garten

Chickpea Pasta Salad in a Jar

Just flip it over, watch the dressing run down, and dig into this veggie-packed mason jar salad. Quadruple the recipe, toss it in a bowl, and it becomes dinner for the whole family.

Get the Chickpea Pasta Salad in a Jar recipe.

ginger pork, white rice and cucumber salad on a white plate

DANIELLE OCCHIOGROSSO DALY

Ginger Pork and Cucumber Salad

Forget the lettuce! Fresh cilantro and mint make up the bulk of this spicy salad.

Get the Ginger Pork and Cucumber Salad recipe.

Mike Garten

Greek Salad

Briny capers give this Mediterranean dish a serious boost of flavor, while a pinch of sugar balances the tartness. Consider this our go-to Greek salad recipe.

Get the Greek Salad recipe.

DANIELLE OCCHIOGROSSO

Thai Steak and Pear Salad

A little sweet, a little salty, and super hearty, this 20-minute meal makes a great weeknight dinner.

Get the Thai Steak and Pear Salad recipe.

Mike Garten

Grilled Green Beans, Fennel, and Farro

Packed with fiber-loaded farro, this flavorful side also makes a light vegetarian main.

Get the Grilled Green Beans, Fennel, and Farro recipe.

DANIELLE OCCHIOGROSSO DALY

Heirloom Tomato Salad

Behold: the ultimate summer salad.

Get the Heirloom Tomato Salad recipe.

DANIELLE OCCHIOGROSSO DALY

Cheesy Tex-Mex Stuffed Chicken

What's better than salad and chicken for dinner? Salad and chicken stuffed with spicy herbed cheese.

Get the Cheesy Tex-Mex Stuffed Chicken recipe.

Mike Garten

Sesame Cucumber Salad

Loaded with tongue-tingling sesame, ginger, and soy sauce, this bright recipe holds a permanent spot in our healthy summer side dish rotation.

Get the Sesame Cucumber Salad recipe.

Mike Garten

Asian Sesame Zucchini Noodles

The summer squash soaks up any flavors you pair with it — our 15-minute recipe uses rice vinegar, sesame, and lots of garlic.

Get the Asian Sesame Zucchini Noodles recipe.

DANIELLE OCCHIOGROSSO

Bacon and Apple Farro Salad

Halloumi cheese (a semi-soft cheese similar to feta) gets seared in the leftover bacon fat for extra porky flavor. This salad is unlike any other.

Get the Bacon and Apple Farro Salad recipe.

Mike Garten

Tomato Panzanella

This full-flavored salad is a dream come true: Use sourdough bread instead of greens.

Get the Tomato Panzanella recipe.

Mike Garten

Cowboy Caviar

This colorful bean salad, loaded with black-eyed peas, tomatoes, veggies, and herbs, also makes an excellent dip.

Get the Cowboy Caviar recipe.

Mike Garten

Pesto Zucchini Orzo

Break out of a boring pasta salad rut: Try orzo with marinated zucchini, pesto, and almonds instead.

Get the Pesto Zucchini Orzo recipe.

Mike Garten

Shaved Carrot and Radish Salad

Carrot ribbons and thinly sliced radishes get dressed in a sweet-tart, honey citrus vinaigrette for the ultimate refreshing salad.

Get the Shaved Carrot and Radish Salad recipe.

Mike Garten

Cucumber and Cantaloupe Salad with Savory Quinoa Granola

Savory granola adds an unexpected and irresistible crunch to this colorful salad — and works well for breakfast the next morning!

Get the Cucumber and Cantaloupe Salad with Savory Quinoa Granola recipe.

rotisserie chicken cobb with avocado, tomato, lettuce, and cheese

Danielle Occhiogrosso

Rotisserie Chicken Cobb Salad

Skip the hassle (and heat) by picking up a ready-made rotisserie chicken at the store.

Get the Rotisserie Chicken Cobb recipe.

farro arugula salad with mustard vinaigrette

Mike Garten

Farro and Arugula Salad with Mustard Vinaigrette

Tasty BBQ salmon adds heft to this light and fresh midday meal.

Get the Farro and Arugula Salad with Mustard Vinaigrette recipe.

Danielle Occhiogrosso Daly

Grilled Steak Tortilla Salad

Charred flour tortillas take this meaty salad to the next level.

Get the Grilled Steak Tortilla Salad recipe.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

Taylor Worden Freelance Editor Taylor Worden is a Freelance Editor on the food team for Good Housekeeping, where she also contributes entertainment and culture pieces as a freelance writer.

Samantha MacAvoy Samantha MacAvoy is the Editorial Assistant on the Good Housekeeping food team, where she writes about tasty recipes from the Test Kitchen, must-try food products and tools, and top-tested secrets for home cooking success.