80 Easy Summer Salad Recipes

Elote (Mexican street corn) and pasta salad are two classic cookout sides for very good reason. Elote gives that grilled, charred flavor that every grill out needs, while pasta salad is the easy, reliable side dish that everyone thanks you for. We love both of these summer sides so much, we decided to combine them for the ultimate potluck dish.

Get the Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad recipe.

With juicy tomatoes, a simple red wine vinaigrette, thinly sliced red onion, herbs, and crumbled feta, this salad is like the little black dress of the season. It’s equally welcome at a backyard BBQ or a more elegant dinner party and can be served alongside so many different grilled meats or vegetable sides.

Get the Tomato Salad recipe.

Perfect for when your garden or the local farmers’ market is overflowing with cucumbers and tomatoes, this salad also does surprisingly well with out-of-season produce, especially if you make it ahead of time so it can marinate.

Get the Cucumber, Tomato, & Onion Salad recipe.

Because we rely on this salad so often, we had to make sure it wouldn’t disappoint. So, we stuffed this salad to the gills with some of our go-to toppings. Grilled chicken, cucumbers, tomato, feta, olives, and avocado combine to create a Mediterranean-inspired salad that may just be your go-to office lunch from here on out

Get the Grilled Chicken Salad recipe.

This hearty salad has all of the important components of a great dinner salad: a well seasoned protein, creamy feta, a little crunch from toasted walnuts, and a burst of sweetness from juicy blackberries.

Get the Blackberry Chicken Salad recipe.

Cucumber salad is a spring and summer picnic staple, and for good reason: When tossed in a bright vinegar-based dressing and packed with thinly sliced onions, cukes can withstand warm temperatures and sit out at a sunny outdoor gathering for hours.

Get the Cucumber Salad recipe.

Packed with fresh fruits, cooling cucumber, and juicy tomatoes, this vibrant summer salad works as a colorful centerpiece to lunch or dinner, or as an accompaniment to fish or grilled meat. The combination of juicy peaches, tart blackberries, fresh herbs, and toasted walnuts piled over zesty honeyed ricotta packs an incredible punch.

Get the Blackberry-Peach Salad recipe.

A classic potato salad is a must-have at every picnic and BBQ, and ours is the best—it’s creamy and tangy, with a little bit of crunch from the onion and pickles. If you’re looking for a classic, no-fuss potato salad that won’t disappoint, this is it.

Get the Classic Potato Salad recipe.

Caesar salad is at the top of our list of favorite sides, and adding protein-packed marinated shrimp upgrades it from side-dish status to a must-make dinner main. Just like our OG recipe, this has crunchy romaine, salty shaved Parm, and homemade sourdough croutons tossed in a creamy, cheesy, umami-packed dressing.

Get the Shrimp Caesar Salad recipe.

While we love celebrating the versatile ingredient in all its forms, a fresh salad has to be one of our favorite ways to enjoy sweet summer corn. Not only is it completely adaptable to what you have on hand, it’s so easy to prepare—simply toss to combine, season to taste, and serve!

Get the Corn Salad recipe.

Also known as Texas caviar, the dish combines fresh vegetables, beans, and corn to make a colorful meal that can be enjoyed with chips or as a standalone dish. But once you add some pearl couscous? It becomes the star of any picnic or potluck.

Get the Cowboy Caviar Couscous Salad recipe.

The classic caprese and our watermelon feta salad are two of our favorite summer salads ever, so we decided to combine them into one refreshing recipe. This watermelon caprese combines slices of juicy, sweet watermelon, mozzarella, fresh basil, and a drizzle of olive oil and balsamic glaze to top it all off.

Get the Watermelon Caprese recipe.

If you’re in the mood to eat the rainbow, this Caribbean-inspired Cobb salad is the place to start. A bit brighter than the traditional Cobb salad, this version combines fresh mango, creamy coconut dressing, and spiced salmon to create a punchy, spicy, filling meal.

Get the Caribbean Cobb Salad With Salmon recipe.