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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    21 Simple Summer Salads That Are a Breeze to Make

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on June 12, 2025, updated May 6, 2025 - Leave a Comment

    Summer is the perfect time to enjoy fresh, light salads that are easy to prepare and full of flavor. With just a few ingredients, you can whip up a variety of simple salads that are perfect for picnics, barbecues, or a quick lunch. Here are 21 refreshing salad ideas that will keep you cool and satisfied all season long.

    Caprese Salad with Spinach & Cashews

    Caprese salad with cashews.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This caprese salad is simple to make and hearty enough to serve as a main dish. It's perfect for a warm summer evening when you want something fresh and satisfying.

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    Larb Gai

    Larb gai.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This Thai chicken salad is a healthy option you'll want to prepare regularly. It features a flavorful base and is topped with crunchy peanuts.

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    French Potato Salad

    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This easy potato salad is a great summer dish that skips the mayo, eggs, and dairy. Instead, it uses a creamy Dijon mustard dressing, making it vegan, gluten-free, and perfect for warm days.

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    Tuna Pasta Salad

    Healthy Tuna Pasta Salad Recipe.
    Photo credit: The Gracious Pantry.

    This tasty tuna and pasta dish is perfect for a family meal. It's easy to prepare and sure to please everyone at the table.

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    Cucumber Pasta Salad

    Cucumber Pasta Salad
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    This pasta salad is simple to make and features a creamy vegan dressing that blends flavors of Ranch and tzatziki. With fresh cucumbers, red onions, and lots of chopped dill, it’s a great addition to any summer barbecue.

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    Spicy Watermelon Salad

    Spicy Watermelon Salad
    Photo Credit: Hey Nutrition Lady.

    This watermelon salad with Feta cheese is brightened up with a splash of lemon chili oil, layered beautifully, and packed with fresh mint. It's a refreshing dish perfect for summer gatherings.

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    Salmon Asparagus Pasta Salad

    SALMON ASPARAGUS PASTA SALAD.
    Photo credit: Maple + Mango.

    This salad is packed with fresh asparagus, salmon, hard-boiled eggs, and pasta, all mixed in a creamy lemon dill dressing. It's simple to prepare and perfect for enjoying during the warmer months.

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    Caulislaw - Raw Cauliflower Salad

    Caulislaw - Raw Cauliflower Salad
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This Caulislaw combines cauliflower, carrots, and red onions in a tasty mayonnaise dressing. It's a great side for barbecues or a crunchy topping for burgers, and it's quick, healthy, and low in carbs.

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    Avocado Mango Salad

    Avocado mango salad.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This salad is perfect alongside salmon tacos and pairs well with just about any grilled meat. It's a refreshing addition to summer meals.

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    Grilled Halloumi & Peaches

    Grilled halloumi and peaches.
    Photo credit: Coley Cooks.

    This salad is a fresh and healthy option for warm weather meals. Grilled Halloumi cheese pairs perfectly with sweet charred peaches, arugula, spicy jalapeños, and a honey lemon dressing, making it a great choice for lunch, dinner, or brunch.

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    Red Pesto Pasta Salad with Veggies

    Red pesto pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This red pesto pasta is quick to prepare, taking less than 30 minutes with only 15 minutes of hands-on time. It's loaded with veggies and flavor, and you can enjoy it hot or cold, whether you use homemade or store-bought pesto.

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    Blue Cheese Coleslaw

    Blue cheese coleslaw.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Blue Cheese Coleslaw is a quick and easy side dish that you can whip up in under 15 minutes. Packed with blue cheese flavor and balanced seasoning, it’s sure to be a hit alongside steak, barbecue, or buffalo dishes.

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    White Bean Panzanella

    White Bean Panzanella
    Photo credit: J Cooking Odyssey.

    This Italian-style salad features fresh, juicy tomatoes mixed with white beans and crunchy toasted bread. It's all brought together with a flavorful tomato and white bean dressing.

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    Mediterranean Chickpea Cucumber Salad with Tomato

    Mediterranean Chickpea Cucumber Salad with Tomato
    Photo Credit: Our Plant Based World.

    Finding meals that are healthy, refreshing, and tasty is always a win. This easy summer salad checks all those boxes and is simple to prepare.

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    Sweetheart Cabbage Salad with Gyoza Chickpeas

    sweetheart cabbage salad.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This sweetheart cabbage salad comes together in just 15 minutes and is perfect for anyone who thinks they don’t like salads. Packed with spinach, crunchy cabbage, and tasty chickpeas, it’s topped with Parmesan cheese for a satisfying and healthy meal.

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    Arugula Salad with Honey Lemon Vinaigrette

    Arugula salad.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This salad combines sweet, salty, and tangy flavors that go well with any protein. It's a great side dish for grilled salmon or steak.

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    Shopska Salad

    Shopska salad.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    In just 15 minutes, you can whip up a delicious and cheesy salad. The Shopska salad is packed with vibrant vegetables, a light vinaigrette, and topped with shredded Feta cheese, making it a perfect appetizer, side dish, or even a meal with some bread.

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    Antipasti Pasta Salad

    Antipasti Pasta Salad.
    Photo credit: An Affair From the Heart.

    This salad is a great side dish for any meal. It's quick to prepare and packed with salami, pepperoni, grape tomatoes, and Parmesan cheese, making it a satisfying choice for gatherings or summer cookouts.

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    Watermelon Caprese Salad

    Watermelon Caprese Salad.
    Photo credit: Foodess.

    This watermelon and basil salad is super easy to make and packed with flavor from a homemade balsamic glaze. With juicy watermelon, creamy mozzarella, fresh basil, and a simple balsamic reduction, it’s a refreshing dish perfect for summer.

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    Italian Pasta Salad

    Italian Pasta Salad.
    Photo credit: Rich and Delish.

    This Italian pasta salad is packed with fresh veggies, mozzarella balls, and salami, all tossed together with a tasty homemade dressing. It's a great dish for summer gatherings or a light meal.

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    Ranch Coleslaw

    Ranch coleslaw.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This ranch coleslaw comes together in just 15 minutes and is perfect for your next barbecue. Using store-bought mayonnaise and ranch dressing, it's super easy to prepare and packed with flavor.

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    More Recipe Roundups

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      19 Set It and Forget It Crockpot Dinners We’re Making All Summer Long
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      25 Easy Ground Beef Dinners That Will Become New Family Favorites
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      21 Stupid Simple Pasta Recipes With Very Few Ingredients

    About Emmeline Kemperyd

    Emmeline Kemperyd is a writer, food blogger, recipe creator and food photographer and the founder of alwaysusebutter.com. She has 20+ years experience creating and simplifying recipes so they taste good, and are quick, easy, and approachable. She is a regular contributor to MSN and her work has been featured by The Guardian, Well+Good, Vulture, SheKnows, Good Men Project, and The Feed Feed, among others.

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