Summer is our favorite food season for all the fresh produce, bright flavors, and herbs. And this list—of more than 15 salad recipes—is your guide to all things summer salads!  We’ve got everything from veggie-full salads and entrée-size salads to side dish salads for potlucks, BBQs and more! 

Storing Produce

We’ve also got a few helpful guides to keep your produce fresh for as long as possible. First, be sure to check out our guide on how to store herbs. Storing herbs properly will extend their life drastically. Same goes for greens, here’s a guide on how to store salads greens properly.

Don’t let fresh strawberries from your garden or the farmers’ market go to waste! Here’s our favorite method for storing fresh strawberries and our favorite way to freeze fresh strawberries.

If you’ve got loads of rhubarb, consider freezing some. Here’s the best way to freeze rhubarb (we also share how to store it fresh).

Not only do we love cooking with fresh vegetables during the summer, but we also love to make use of their greens! Carrot greens are earthy and herby and make a delicious garnish or pesto. We like to use radish greens in pesto as well, but they’re also great sautéed or used in salads.

For a general overview on how to store fruits and vegetables, we’ve got that too. Here’s our ultimate guide for storing vegetables and our ultimate guide for storing fruits.

And finally, get to know all the different kinds of mushrooms that can be found at your farmers’ market. Then learn how to properly wash and store mushrooms.

Healthy Summer Salads

sliced multi-color tomatoes on a white plate with crispy browned shallots on top

1

Simple Tomato Salad with Frizzled Shallot Oil
A simple and savory fresh tomato salad that celebrates the flavors of summer.
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pasta salad in a white bowl with slices of celery and chunks of pickle in it

2

Dill Pickle Pasta Salad
A pasta salad that celebrates the tangy and salty flavor of pickles!
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watermelon and tomato salad in a large white bowl with shreds of cheese and pieces of basil

3

Tomato Watermelon Salad
A flavorful and surprising summer salad made with watermelon and tomato. The perfect side dish for grill outs, BBQs, and quick summer lunches.
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white plate with peaches, sweet corn and cucumber on it

4

Simple Peach Salad with Sweet Corn & Cucumber
Light and refreshing with a satisfying crunch, this peach salad is the ultimate summer salad! Creamy sweet corn, crunchy cukes, and juicy ripe peaches get tossed with simple flavors that enhance the in-season produce.
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tomato and cucumber salad in a large white bowl with a wood-handled spoon set in the bowl and pieces of naan set around it

5

Simple Turkish Shepherd’s Salad with Herbs
A vibrant and fresh vegetable salad loaded with fresh herbs and chunks of feta.
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orzo pasta salad with spinach, olives and cucumbers in a large white bowl

6

Greek Orzo Pasta Salad
A veggie-filled orzo pasta salad that’s bursting with the fresh flavors of cucumber, parsley, and shallot. Salty feta, briny olives, and fresh oregano round out the flavors. 
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large bronze platter filled with cooked potatoes, tuna, cucumber chunks, halved cherry tomatoes, green beans, olives, soft-boiled eggs and fresh dill.

7

Simple Tuna Nicoise Salad
A simple recipe for a flavor-packed Tuna Nicoise Salad. This dinner salad will feed a hungry family!
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potato salad in a shallow blue bowl with a red-handled spoon set in it

8

Herbed Sour Cream Potato Salad
Creamy and packed with herbs, this potato salad is a refreshing upgrade from classic mayo-based potato salads.
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large white bowl filled with lettuce, cucumber, herbs, rice noodles and cooked pork patties

9

Bún Chả Salad — Vietnamese Pork Meatball & Noodle Salad
A salad version of the traditional Vietnamese pork meatball dish. This salad features loads of crisp veggies, nuoc chom, and tender rice noodles.
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halved red and green grapes in a white bowl with a wooden spoon set in it

10

Simple Grape Salad Recipe
This 5-ingredient grape salad is bright, full of texture and perfect served for brunch, lunch or dinner.
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large white platter filled with lettuce greens and herbs, topped with slices of steak, thin slices of shallot, and chopped peanuts

11

Spicy Thai Beef Salad
This Thai Steak Salad recipe is loaded with fresh flavor! Tender slices of steak get piled onto buttery lettuce leaves and tons of fresh herbs seasoned with a light and salty vinaigrette.
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caesar salad with salmon and croutons in a large white bowl with two silver serving spoons

12

Simple Salmon Caesar Salad
A simple, straight-forward Salmon Caesar Salad that is perfect for lunch or quick weeknight dinners. It's easy, healthy and so satisfying.
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creamy cauliflower and potato salad in a white bowl

13

Caesar Cauliflower Potato Salad
A healthy potato salad made with a combination of creamy potatoes, cauliflower and a creamy Caesar dressing. Creamy, herby and healthy.
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shaved fennel in a dish with lemon dest, fennel fronds and black pepper

14

Simple Fennel Salad with Lemon
Crunchy, bright and simple, this fennel salad is the perfect side dish for everything from grilled fish and meat to braised dishes and pastas.
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kale and lentil salad in a white bowl set on a wood board topped with feta cheese and toasted almonds

15

Fresh & Crunchy French Lentil Salad
Fresh, crunchy, and full of good-for-you ingredients, this kale and lentil salad is PACKED with flavor and texture from a cumin-infused oil to toasted almonds, feta and Swiss Chard. This is one salad you’re bound to fall in love with. Serve as an entree with chicken or salmon or meal prep and enjoy as lunch all week long.
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lettuce greens and vegetables in a brown bowl set on a gray table

16

Super-Green Green Goddess Salad
Our go-to green goddess salad is packed with vibrant vegetables, creamy avocado and a super savory green goddess dressing. 
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image of a green salad in a large white bowl topped with blueberries, almonds, cheese and sliced shallots

17

Blueberry Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette
This vibrant green salad is bursting with fresh blueberries, toasted almonds, goat cheese and an herby lemon vinaigrette. This is a great go-to salad for any kind of meal!
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pasta, spinach, olives and sun dried tomatoes in a white bowl set on top of a napkin

18

Healthy Mediterranean Pasta Salad
Savory and bold in flavor, this Healthy Mediterranean Pasta Salad is made with bean or whole-wheat pasta, an oregano vinaigrette, fresh veggies and briny olives. Perfect as a side dish, lunch, or all-in-one meal!
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Photograph of a kale salad with cherries and pistachios in a white bowl on a blue table

19

Kale & Cherry Salad with Brie
Cherry and Kale Salad with Brie! Both fresh and dried cherries are used in this flavorful kale salad that’s complete with fresh thyme, pistachios and a delicious white balsamic vinaigrette!
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About The Author

Lauren Grant is a professional culinary food scientist, food writer, recipe developer, and food photographer. Lauren is a previous magazine editor and test kitchen developer and has had work published in major national publications including Diabetic Living Magazine, Midwest Living Magazine, Cuisine at Home Magazine, EatingWell.com, AmericasTestKitchen.com, and more.

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