15 Summer Salad Recipes

Arugula Salad with Chicken and Black Beans

Sometimes, the simplest salads are the best. Like this hearty 21 Day Fix recipe that has only 5 ingredients and can be made in minutes. Chicken and black beans add protein and fiber, and avocado adds healthy fats to make it a satisfying meal for lunch or dinner. Get the recipe.

Grilled Peach Panzanella

Panzanella is an Italian salad made with crisp, day-old bread that soaks up the juices of tomatoes and dressing. Our version gets luscious sweetness from grilled peaches, which are beautifully ripe right now. Get the recipe.

Spinach Salad with Quinoa, Chickpeas, and Paprika Dressing

This colorful salad is a show-stopper. Make it for your next potluck or picnic, or amaze your family for dinner any night of the week. Quinoa and chickpeas give it a hearty serving of protein, but the stars of the recipe are the piquant paprika dressing and the full cup of torn mint leaves. Once you taste this salad, you’ll want to add mint to all of your salads. Get the recipe.

Spinach and White Bean Salad with Orange and Grapefruit 

Brightly flavored citrus and creamy white beans make a perfect salad for any season. This recipe is light and refreshing for summer, and the orange and grapefruit slices are a real pick-me-up. It makes a great lunch to pack for work. Get the recipe.

Cucumber, Watermelon, and Mango Salad with Mint

Cucumber, watermelon, and mango make this summer salad refreshing and colorful, and chicken adds hearty protein to make it a satisfying meal. Top with as much fresh mint as you like! It’s a great make-ahead salad for a picnic or to pack for lunch. Get the recipe.

Summer Chickpea Salad

This salad of crunchy radishes, juicy cherry tomatoes, mild green onions, avocado, chickpeas, and feta is delicious with or without lettuce. For a different spin, I combined my leftover bean mixture with a can of tuna…and it was a revelation. Get the recipe.

Greek Cucumber Salad

Cucumber and onion go perfectly with salty feta and kalamata olives. Chopped fresh dill is a flavorful finishing touch. Get the recipe.

Orange-Jicama Salad

Jicama makes this salad crunchy and really filling! Soaking the matchstick-sized pieces of jicama in a lime juice and red wine vinegar dressing infuses it with lots of extra flavor. Orange wedges make it bright and refreshing. Get the recipe.

Tuna and White Bean Salad

This delicious tuna and white bean salad with tomatoes and artichoke hearts makes a hearty lunch or dinner thanks to 24 g of protein and 8 g of fiber. Get the recipe.

Watermelon, Feta, and Kalamata Olive Salad

Here is a new take on the popular watermelon and feta salad. Our recipe adds salty kalamata olives and fresh herbs for a surprisingly delicious Mediterranean twist. Get the recipe.

Kale Salad with Turkey Bacon, Egg, and Avocado

Our Social Media Manager came up with what she calls a “breakfast salad.” She topped kale with all of the fixings of a BLAT, and then we went crazy and added a soft-boiled egg and sunflower seeds. The result has become one of my favorites. I love the added crunchiness of the sunflower seeds and turkey bacon with the tenderness of the soft-boiled egg and tomatoes.  Get the recipe.

Fig Salad with Honey-Lemon Dressing

Figs are one of those special summertime treats that should be enjoyed all season long. They add dimension and sweetness to this easy salad. Pile this on top of your favorite lean protein and dig in.   Get the recipe.

Kale Salad with Chicken

This crunchy kale salad with chicken, tomatoes, and sunflower seeds takes just a few minutes to make, so even people with busy schedules can find time to eat this healthy meal. It keeps well in the fridge for several days, so it’s also great for meal prep!  Get the recipe.

Arugula Salad with Peaches and Mozzarella

This recipe is one of my favorite ways to eat the sweet, juicy peaches that are filling the farmers markets right now. Slice them and toss with some peppery arugula, fresh mozzarella, and a drizzling of good balsamic vinegar. Not all balsamic vinegar is created equal, aged balsamic has a sweeter, more complex flavor that makes this salad sing. Get the recipe.

Spinach Salad with Strawberries and Walnuts

Fresh baby spinach is topped with protein-packed chicken, sweet strawberries, and crunchy walnuts. If you have cooked chicken on hand, and a bag of pre-washed spinach, this could be dinner in under 5 minutes. Get the recipe.