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Home » Recipe Index » Salads

healthy summer salad recipes
July 28, 2023

Healthy Summer Salad Recipes

by Anne Mauney, MPH, RD

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When the weather is hot, I absolutely love refreshing salads. To inspire you (and me, too!) to mix up your summer salads, here is a round up of delicious and healthy summer salad recipes featuring summer produce (like watermelon, corn, peaches, and strawberries) and bright flavors.

healthy summer salad recipes

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Healthy Salads Perfect for Summer

There are so many delicious combinations for summer salad recipes, so I wanted to put together a list of some of my favorites!

Whether it’s juicy peaches, sweet corn, crisp watermelon, heirloom tomatoes, or another crave-worthy summer flavor, these healthy salads are all perfect options for a summer lunch or light dinner.

Grilled Steak & Strawberry Goat Cheese Salad

steak and strawberry goat cheese salad with wooden salad spoons

This is the ultimate summer salad recipe, especially for strawberry lovers! Grilled steak, sweet strawberries, creamy goat cheese, greens, red onion, and more are all tossed in a delicious strawberry vinaigrette dressing.

There’s even fluffy quinoa in the mix for extra staying power!

Grilled Peach & Corn Salad with Honey Lime Chicken

grilled peach, corn, and honey lime chicken salad

Here’s another amazing salad that you don’t want to pass up, with grilled honey lime chicken, grilled corn, juicy peaches, and greens.

This grilled corn salad is drizzled in a lightly sweet cilantro lime dressing that pairs so well with all the flavors. It tastes like summer in a bowl!

Watermelon Salad with Feta & Arugula

watermelon feta salad with arugula and pistachios

Every time summer rolls around, I can’t wait to get my hands on some fresh watermelon! It’s one of my favorite things to enjoy on a hot day, and this watermelon salad is a perfect way to do just that.

Chopped pistachios add a lovely crunch, along with the watermelon rind (which is a great way to use up the whole watermelon and reduce waste)! Fresh herbs and arugula tie it all together.

Heirloom Tomato & Peach Caprese Salad

heirloom tomato peach caprese salad with grilled salmon

This summery caprese salad with peaches and heirloom tomatoes makes a perfect side dish for any summer meal – especially grilled meat like chicken or salmon! It’s like a classic caprese salad, but with a little added sweetness and summer flavor from the peaches.

Balsamic vinaigrette, red onion, and fresh basil add depth to the sweet and savory flavor combination. It’s super easy to make, too.

Mediterranean Bulgur Salad with Lemon Mint Vinaigrette

mediterranean bulgur salad with lemon mint vinaigrette and grilled chicken kabobs

I love Mediterranean flavors, especially in the summertime. So this bulgur salad with feta cheese, cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, and quinoa really hits the spot!

The homemade lemon mint vinaigrette is easy to make and super refreshing, too. Enjoy this on its own, or it’s also delicious alongside grilled chicken.

Sesame Shrimp & Watermelon Salad

sesame shrimp watermelon salad

Say hello to your new favorite sweet and savory salad! Plump shrimp, crisp veggies, and juicy watermelon come together for a mouth-watering combination.

The sesame lime dressing is the perfect addition to this summery shrimp salad!

Shrimp, Cucumber, and Feta Orzo Salad

greek pasta salad with shrimp and feta in a white bowl with lemon slices

If you’re looking for a refreshing and easy lunch for summer, look no further than this shrimp pasta salad recipe!

With feta cheese, diced cucumbers, pillowy pasta, and fresh herbs (plus a simple lemon and olive oil dressing), you’ll want to enjoy this easy pasta salad all summer long.

Lemony Spinach Quinoa Bean Salad

lemon spinach quinoa salad with beans

Quinoa salads are some of my favorite meal prep lunches to make, because they keep you satisfied for hours and are packed with nutrients!

This lemony quinoa salad features feta cheese, beans, spinach, and more deliciousness for a perfect healthy lunch or side dish.

Strawberry and Fennel Barley Salad

strawberry fennel salad with barley in a wooden salad bowl

Strawberries are a summertime favorite for good reason, and they really add a nice pop of flavor to any salad! Plus, their sweetness pairs so well with salty feta and peppery fennel and arugula.

It’s all served over chewy barley and tossed in a simple balsamic dijon dressing. A great go-to when you want something easy and tasty!

And that’s it! I hope you love these flavorful summer salad recipes. Enjoy!

What’s your favorite salad recipe to enjoy during the summer?

Looking for some salad dressing recipes? Here are a couple faves:

  • Creamy Vegan Salad Dressing (vegan, gluten free)
  • Homemade Balsamic Vinaigrette (vegan, gluten free)
  • Kale Caesar Salad (vegan, gluten free) – dressing recipe included in post
  • Creamy Italian Dressing (gluten free)

More summer-inspired recipes:

  • 8 Healthy Mango Recipes for Summer
  • Healthy Grilling Recipes for Summer
  • 18 Tasty Summer Treats & Healthy Snacks
  • 7 Easy Summer Dip Recipes
  • Tasty Recipes With Summer Fruits & Vegetables
  • 7 Easy Strawberry Breakfast Recipes
Salads
- anne
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9 Healthy Quinoa Salad Recipes

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Zesty & Veggie-Packed Pasta Salad with Italian Dressing (25 Min)

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12 comments
  • Heather @ Polyglot Jot
    August 16, 2016 · 1:05PM:
    Yum these all look so good! I love salads with shrimp and tropical flavors in it!
    Reply
  • Jessica @ Nutritioulicious
    August 16, 2016 · 1:39PM:
    Love salads on hot days! Thanks for including my strawberry arugula salad - we've been eating it nonstop!
    Reply
  • Roadrunner August 16, 2016 · 1:53PM:
    These look super! Thanks! I'll take just about all of them! Nicely done...
    Reply
  • Jen @ Pretty Little Grub
    August 16, 2016 · 2:18PM:
    So many tasty salads here! I can't wait to try them.
    Reply
  • Kat August 16, 2016 · 2:48PM:
    Hi Anne - I've noticed the ads on your blog becoming more and more intrusive (the auto-play video that displays on mobile and takes up 1/2 the screen is the worst offender). I understand the need to monetize the blog, but it's really taking a toll on the experience. I've been reading for a long time (pre-UNC, pre-engagement days!) and love the content, though!
    Reply
    • Anne
      August 16, 2016 · 3:37PM:
      Hi Kat, Thank you for reading my blog and for that feedback! I appreciate you speaking up. I'll talk to my ad network about dialing things back - I never look at my blog on my phone (just on my computer) so I had no idea that was happening re: the huge video! I'd be annoyed by that too! Is the problem with the ads primarily on mobile? Or are you having issues on a computer, too? Thanks!
      Reply
  • Alyssa
    August 16, 2016 · 6:07PM:
    I'm alllll about the mason jar salads. So easy to bring to work!
    Reply
  • Amy @ Thoroughly Nourished Life
    August 16, 2016 · 9:02PM:
    So many great ideas! Thanks Anne!
    Reply
  • Julie @ RDelicious Kitchen
    August 16, 2016 · 9:42PM:
    awesome round-up! So many delicious healthy salad options to end the summer with. Thanks for including my Citrus Beet Salad recipe :)
    Reply
  • Lauren @ The Bikini Experiment
    August 17, 2016 · 7:13PM:
    Fabulous salads. I love beets and pairing them with pink grapefruit is amazing.
    Reply
  • Roadrunner July 28, 2023 · 8:13PM:
    These look awesome, Anne, thanks. And timely, once again, especially as the heat hits the northeast. Shrimp and orzo salad, please!
    Reply
    • Anne Mauney, MPH, RD
      July 31, 2023 · 10:10AM:
      Yes, that's one of my faves!
      Reply
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anne mauney fannetastic food
Hi, I’m Anne! I'm a Washington D.C. based Registered Dietitian, mother, runner, and lover of travel, adventure, and the great outdoors. I've been blogging since 2009, sharing a mix of lifestyle content, recipes, and fitness tips. Come for the recipes – stay for the fun!
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anne mauney

I’m Anne, a Registered Dietitian and mother. I've been blogging since 2009 and love showing others that eating nutritious foods and staying active can actually be fun rather than overwhelming!

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