Summer is the ideal time for a salad. As the temperatures rise, there's nothing quite like a crisp, colorful salad to brighten up your meals and provide a burst of seasonal flavors. The perfect dressing adds creaminess to basic greens and a punch of flavor that makes a summer salad so satisfying.
To get you in the sunshine spirit, we’ve rounded up our best easy summer salad recipes ready to serve up alongside grilled meats or as a light stand-alone meal. Each recipe is a passport to a world of simpler pleasures, from the breezy coastal vibes of seafood to savory spinach and tangy cheese paired with the ripe sweetness of fruit. So crank up the fan, fire up the grill, and take your summer salad game to the next level.
Cucumber Tomato Salad
Our twist on the classic salad served by Italian grandmas everywhere includes crisp veggies paired with a smattering of herbs and a tangy balsamic dressing. With just three main ingredients, it’s our go-to dish for picnics and potlucks or a deliciously simple dinner side to accompany grilled chicken.
Salmon Caesar Salad
A typical Caesar salad is pretty basic, but this elevated version is practically an entree in a bowl. Baked salmon and spring asparagus team up with hard-boiled eggs, Campari tomatoes, and a hearty dollop of creamy, tangy Caesar Dressing for a dish that tastes like a five-star meal and looks like a work of art.
Rotisserie Chicken Salad
Store-bought rotisserie chicken is the perfect shortcut for whipping up a simple summer salad. For an extra flavor boost, we added avocado oil mayo and herb-studded Ranch Dressing. Spread the salad on gluten-free bread or tuck it into lettuce cups.
Spinach Strawberry Salad
Don’t let the simplicity of this vibrant salad fool you—it’s super simple to make but the flavors are complex. Juicy berries mingle with toasty almonds, sharp red onion, and the mustard notes of our savory-sweet Poppyseed Dressing & Marinade made with real ingredients and no seed oils.
Watermelon Feta Salad
Salty and sweet mingle in this light and dreamy salad made with briny feta cheese, crisp cucumbers, and the quintessential summer fruit. We made our own homemade dressing using Primal Kitchen Olive Oil mixed with red wine vinegar and honey, but you can also use balsamic dressing or oil & vinegar for a tangier bite.
Easy Pasta Salad with Poppyseed Dressing
Wave bye-bye to heavy, cheesy pasta dishes and say hello to a light, flavorful option made with savory poppy seed dressing. With gluten-free fusilli, fresh grapes, nuts, and green onions, this dish is customizable with extra veggies or protein for a delicious lunch or side dish that won’t weigh you down.
Green Goddess Salad
Live like royalty this summer with our gorgeous take on a TikTok trend. Crisp cabbage, dreamy avocado, scallions, cucumbers, and basil bring all the emerald hues to a pretty-as-a-picture salad that tastes as good as it looks. A splash of our divine Green Goddess Dressing is the perfect shortcut to bring this no-cook dish together in minutes.
Chicken Cobb Salad
Everything’s better with bacon, including a classic Cobb. The cool flavor of our no-dairy Ranch subs in for the traditional balsamic, giving this summer staple a creamy richness you’ll want to enjoy time and again.
Spinach Salmon Salad
A year-round favorite, this 7-ingredient salad marries savory salmon with earthy Brussels sprouts, avocado, and cashews. Creamy Cilantro Lime Dressing brings the bountiful harvest together with bright, summery citrus notes. Taking it to work? Pack your salmon separately from the salad and prep your avocado right before eating for the freshest flavor.
Antipasto Salad Platter
Traditionally served as the first course of an Italian meal, antipasto is made with cured meats and cheeses. Our antipasto salad is filling enough to be the main course. Delicate herbs and avocado oil level up the elegance of Greek vinaigrette, but Italian dressing or oil & vinegar harmonize just as well.
