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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    22 Quick Summer Salads That Are Bursting with Flavor

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on June 5, 2025, updated May 6, 2025 - Leave a Comment

    Summer is the perfect time to enjoy fresh, vibrant salads that are full of flavor and easy to make. With a variety of ingredients like crisp vegetables, juicy fruits, and zesty dressings, these 22 quick salad recipes will keep your meals light and refreshing. Whether you're hosting a barbecue or just looking for a healthy side dish, these salads are sure to impress.

    Strawberry Balsamic Tofu Pasta Salad

    Strawberry Balsamic Tofu Pasta Salad.
    Photo credit: Naturallie Plant Based.

    With the arrival of warm weather, this Strawberry Balsamic Vegan Tofu Pasta Salad is a refreshing mix of juicy strawberries, marinated balsamic tofu, fresh spinach, basil, and creamy feta cheese. It's perfect as a side for a picnic, BBQ, or even as a main dish for dinner.

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    Summer Pasta Salad with Lemon-Tahini Dressing

    Summer Pasta Salad with Lemon-Tahini Dressing.
    Photo credit: Delish Knowledge.

    This salad combines pasta with four fresh vegetables and a creamy tahini dressing, along with parsley and basil for extra flavor. It's a refreshing dish that's perfect for summer.

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    Mediterranean Chicken, Cucumber and Tomato Salad

    Mediterranean Chicken, Cucumber and Tomato Salad in a wooden bowl.
    Photo Credit: Moderately Messy RD.

    This chicken, cucumber, and tomato salad is full of fresh veggies and protein. It’s quick to prepare, especially if you have leftover chicken, making it a great option for a summer lunch or a simple dinner on a busy weeknight.

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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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    Chicken Pesto Pasta Salad

    chicken pesto pasta salad.
    Photo credit: Barley & Sage.

    This chicken pesto pasta salad is a quick and easy meal that's perfect for summer. It combines creamy pesto, grilled chicken, fresh spinach, and tomatoes, making it a great choice for lunch or dinner.

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    Cold Soba Noodle Salad

    Cold soba noodle salad.
    Photo credit: Sustainable Cooks.

    This cold noodle salad is great for outdoor meals and can be enjoyed on its own or with your favorite protein. It's a simple and refreshing dish that's perfect for summer.

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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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    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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    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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    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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    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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    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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    Chicken Pesto Pasta Salad

    A bowl of chicken pesto pasta salad.
    Photo Credit: Frozen Bananas.

    Chicken Pesto Pasta Salad is quick to prepare and really tasty. You can whip it up in less than 20 minutes.

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    Orzo Pesto Salad

    Orzo pesto salad.
    Photo credit: Healthfull Blondie.

    This orzo pesto salad is loaded with vegetables and fresh mozzarella, all mixed together with a tasty nut-free basil pesto. It's perfect for lunch, dinner, or as a side dish at a spring or summer gathering.

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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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    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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    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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    Smoked Salmon Nicoise Salad

    Smoked Salmon Nicoise Salad.
    Photo credit: Lavender & Macarons.

    This salad is colorful and full of flavor. It's a great choice for brunch during the warm months.

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    Orrechiette Pasta Salad

    Orecchiette Pasta Salad Recipe.
    Photo credit: The Gracious Pantry.

    Orecchiette Pasta Salad is a vibrant mix of fresh vegetables and herbs, perfect for summer gatherings. It's a great addition to any barbecue or potluck.

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    Vegetable Pasta Salad

    Vegetable Pasta Salad Recipe.
    Photo credit: The Gracious Pantry.

    This vegetable pasta salad is great for a light summer meal or as a side dish with grilled food. It's a simple and tasty option that everyone can enjoy.

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    Cobb Pasta Salad

    Cobb pasta salad.
    Photo credit: Suburban Simplicity.

    This is a delicious twist on the classic Cobb Salad. It includes pasta, crispy bacon, fresh tomatoes, chicken, chopped eggs, creamy avocado, and blue cheese dressing, all ready in under 30 minutes.

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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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    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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