25 Healthy Summer Salad Recipes to Make All Season Long

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Sardine summer…more like salad summer—lol!

As soon as the summer heat index makes record-breaking temperatures a reality, I live off of salads for the rest of the season. Not only are salads super refreshing and hydrating, but they are also a healthy way of getting extra protein and nutrition. Personally, I love switching up my salad recipes, so things don’t get too monotonous. There’s so much variety to choose from: cold pasta salad, a classic Cesar salad, or a delicious fruit salad.

Today I’m sharing 25 summer salad recipes that are healthy and energizing for all your summer activities. Meal prep these salads for the work week, toss them together for an easy meal, or serve them at your next dinner party. I’m all about beating the summer heat, and there’s something about salads that makes it more bearable. Cheers to salad summer!

Keep scrolling to make note of the recipes you want to try and click the image to access each summer salad recipe.

Want more healthy summer recipes? Check out some of our favorites:

Summer Salad-Making Essentials

25 Healthy Summer Salad Recipes

Classic Salads

1. Peanut Chicken Chopped Salad

Savory nutty Thai-inspired salad is topped with marinated grilled chicken thighs over a chopped cabbage salad that’stossed with a creamy peanut vinaigrette. It’s a refreshing crunchy salad perfect for enjoying on a warm day or for a super easy weeknight dinner!

2. Aioli Potato & Leek Salad

No summer picnic or patio party is complete without a potato salad! Our modern take on potato salad is sure to be a hit around the table this season. Baby potatoes and leeks are tossed in a delicious aioli sauce with capers, celery, and dill to make a delicious aioli potato and leek salad.

3. Tahini Kale Caesar Salad with Everything Bagel Croutons

Caesar salad girlies, we are about to turn you on to one of the best Caesar salads ever. We nixed the anchovies and eggs and created a dressing with the same rich and tangy flavor you love so much. If it were up to us, we’d be making this tahini kale Caesar salad on repeat.

4. Jennifer Anniston’s Viral Cobb Salad

We gave in to the viral trend this week and decided to try the Jennifer Aniston Cobb Salad. After scrolling through countless posts on our social media feeds showing recreations of this salad, we had to give it a try. There was not a salad we did not like, so we had to see if this deserved all the praise it had received! It starts with a base of grains and is tossed in fresh herbs, chopped purple onions and cucumber, chickpeas, and pistachios and drizzled with olive oil and lemon juice.

5. Summer Southwest Salad

We tossed together fresh lettuce, sliced tomatoes, chopped tomatoes, and fresh grilled corn sliced straight from the cob and topped with chipotle chicken tenders. A light drizzle of our super simple, healthy cilantro lime dressing ties all the flavors together! The abundance of toppings on this southwest salad adds a variety of flavors. It is light, fresh, and currently one of our favorite salads at the moment.

6. Simple Caprese Salad

Looking for a super easy side dish for your next get-together? Try this caprese salad! It is a light and fresh salad that bursts with flavor from the fresh herbs and cherry tomatoes. And, it pairs perfectly with just about any main dish.

7. Feta Chopped Salad

If you’re looking for an insanely quick summer salad recipe, this one only takes 5 minutes to make. It’s filled with super simple ingredients, like finely chopped romaine lettuce, shallot, feta crumbles, and an olive oil lemon dressing.

8. Fiesta Avocado Corn Salad

In the summer I oddly crave spicy Tex-Mex food. It’s 100% the Texan in me, but it’s an essential craving in the summer. This Fiesta Avocado Corn Salad would hit the spot on a hot summer day. Made with fresh cilantro, jalapeño, pumpkin seeds, and a delicious, creamy dressing.

9. Parmesan Chopped Salad

Another super simple salad to keep on hand this summer is this parmesan chopped salad. Despite its minimal ingredients, it is still really flavorful and refreshing for the summer season.

10. Grilled Honey Mustard Chicken with Peach Salad

How gorgeous is this salad? Now this is something I could meal prep all summer to have for lunches. It also makes a stunning dinner platter for family, friends, and guests to enjoy. The grilled honey mustard chicken with the juicy peaches makes this a winning combo.

11. 10-Minute Cucumber Avocado Salad

Quick and easy wins all summer long. This 10-minute cucumber avocado salad is so crisp and refreshing for hot summer days. The addition of feta and dill is the perfect pair to add a creamy, tangy zest to the mix.

Pasta Salads

12. Peach Tortellini and Arugula Salad

This peach tortellini and arugula salad is not just an obligatory side that you bring to a dinner party! It is a delicious and fun dish that will be a show-stopper for its looks and taste! This spinach tortellini pasta and arugula is tossed in a tangy vinaigrette and topped with toasted almonds, peaches, feta crumbles, and crispy prosciutto “croutons”.

13. Fresh Cold Corn Pasta Salad

I make this fresh cold corn pasta salad every summer for the 4th of July. It’s filled with so many delicious, fresh flavors everyone loves. A cold orecchiette pasta tossed with cherry tomatoes, grilled corn, mozzarella, and pesto. Whether you are meal-prepping for a week of work or hosting a party with friends, this pasta salad will be a hit.

14. Orange Chicken Kababs with Citrus Slaw Noodle Salad

These orange chicken kebabs are lightly breaded and cooked in a sweet and spicy orange chicken sauce. And when served over a fresh citrus slaw noodle salad, you will have a bright and flavorful meal perfect for your summer barbecues.

15. Pesto Chicken, Corn, and Avocado Bacon Pasta Salad

If you love the flavors of a Cobb salad, then you’re going to love Half Baked Harvest’s version of the traditional Cobb salad. This one has a pesto pasta addition that truly makes this a delicious, filling salad to meal prep for the week or make for a weeknight dinner.

16. Weeknight Grilled Chicken Pasta Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette

On the search for a weeknight salad that has those summer flavors, but is also comforting? Try this grilled chicken pasta salad. The balsamic vinaigrette adds a warm tangy flavor, and the chargrilled chicken adds depth and warmth with the rest of the greens and pasta.

17. Italian Grinder Pasta Salad

There’s something about pepperoncini in the summer that’s so refreshing. If you love the tangy flavor, then you’ll fall in love with this simple summer salad. It’s great for meal prepping and serving with your choice of protein. Made with a mix of pasta, salami, pepperoncini, cheese, onions, and creamy dressing. You’ll be coming back for more!

18. Lemon Orzo Salad

This lemon orzo salad is a simple, pasta salad for the summer. Made with orzo pasta, lemon juice, tomatoes, bell peppers, feta, and fresh herbs, you’ll be going back for seconds. This is a great salad to serve for a summer dinner party too!

19. Garden Pasta Salad

Do you have fresh herbs growing in the garden you need to use? If so, try this green garden pasta salad. It’s pasta with a bunch of herbs and fresh lemon dressing — cold, refreshing and so yummy!

20. Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad

As I mentioned before, Tex-Mex food in the summer is a MUST! Add the pasta shape of your choice, jalapeños, charred corn, and cilantro. The ingredients are tossed in a creamy, spicy dressing — delicious!

Fruit Salads

21. Summer Citrus Fruit Salad

This light and refreshing Summer Citrus Fruit Salad makes a perfect snack for a day in the sun. Made of juicy oranges, tangy grapefruit, sweet kiwi slices, and fresh raspberries. It’s a healthy dessert or snack for summer days at the pool.

22. Simple Watermelon + Cucumber + Feta Salad

My mouth is watering just looking at this watermelon cucumber feta salad. It would be the perfect, hydrating salad for a hot summer day. Plus, it’s even easier to whip together.

23. Cherry Caprese Salad

Summer is the season of cherries! When I found this salad recipe, I knew I had to add it to the list. It’s a unique twist on a traditional caprese salad. Instead of tomatoes, you make it with sliced dark cherries. Genius!

24. Grilled Nectarine Buratta Prosciutto Salad

This summer salad is absolutely stunning! I can just imagine making this for a dinner party with friends. It’s full of juicy nectarines, tomatoes, grilled cherries, burrata cheese and prosciutto.

25. Watermelon Fruit Salad with Berries and Lime Dressing

Fresh watermelon, berries, cherries, and mint lime dressing combine to create this gorgeous treat of a salad. Not only would this make a gorgeous table centerpiece spread, but it would pair beautifully with savory sides and main dishes at a dinner party.