Seasonal vegetables and fruits, such as strawberries, melons, corn, and tomatoes paired with lean proteins give healthy salads a summer twist.
From a green bean-corn combo to the classic Caprese, these summer salads make use of the freshest produce of the season.
Discover more recipes like these in our summer salad collection and serve them with some of your favorite grilled main dishes. Check out our list of 15 healthy and refreshing summer salad ideas.
1. Shrimp and tomato summer salad
With quick-cooking shrimp and just-ripe tomatoes, this salad is sure to be a warm-weather favorite.
2. Dig-deep layered summer salad
This refreshing, tangy-sweet layered salad has a different texture as well as taste all the way through. Dig deep to the bottom of the bowl to get the best mix.
3. Summer farro salad
Simmer farro in water with celery, carrots, and sautéed onion and toss with a vinegar dressing and oil for hearty summer fare. The aromatic vegetables are responsible for the delicate flavor of the cooked grains.
4. Snap bean-corn salad with yellow tomato vinaigrette
This colorful summer salad uses bright yellow tomatoes to dress fresh summer corn and beans. The healthy and refreshing salad is perfect for warm weather.
5. Macaroni and potato salad
Combine potatoes and elbow macaroni to make a great summer salad mixed with sugar-snap peas.
6. Chicken and fruit salad
Walnuts, chicken, melon, and feta top mixed salad greens for a refreshing summer salad. You can use your favorite summer fruit instead of the melon.
7. Caprese salad
Fresh mozzarella and summer-ripe tomatoes need only a sprinkling of fresh herbs, pepper, and salt to shine in this simple, refreshing summer salad.
8. Green salad with goat cheese and strawberries
This refreshing salad captures the essence of early summer with chives, baby spinach, and ripe strawberries. Top it with grilled chicken breast if you want to make it a meal.
9. Grilled halloumi cheese and watermelon salad
This summer side salad pairs stretchy grilled Greek Halloumi cheese with slices of juicy yellow and red watermelon.
10. Barley and grilled-vegetable summer salad
Once you grill up Vegetables with Walnut Dressing, combine them with Pecorino cheese and pearled barley for a flavorful summer grain salad.
11. Grilled chicken and pepper salad
This is a filling summer salad combo: onions, red peppers, and grilled chicken breasts all tossed in a tangy balsamic vinaigrette in combination with peppery arugula leaves.
12. Green bean salad with black olives, corn, and basil
Almost any entrée goes well with this vibrant summer salad. Make sure to get ultra-fresh corn and beans and blanch them just long enough to tenderize them and bring out their color.
13. Heirloom tomato greek salad
Use colorful heirloom tomatoes to bright up a Greek salad. They are at their peak in the summer months.
14. Nectarine salad with prosciutto
Sweet nectarines and salty prosciutto combine with crunchy pistachios and bitter watercress to create a unique flavor for this summer-fresh salad.
15. Grilled eggplant caponata salad
Fire-roasted eggplant gives delicious, smoky flavor to this summer salad. A simple dressing of red wine vinegar and olive oil is a great light complement to this savory dish.