These easy summer salads make the perfect side, starter, or main dish for BBQs, picnics, and weeknight dinners. You’ll find fresh seasonal ingredients like grilled chicken, fruit, pasta, and greens in every bite.
WHY YOU’LL LOVE THESE SUMMER SALAD IDEAS
These summer salads are all about simple, satisfying flavor—showcasing the best of fresh produce, from juicy fruit to crisp greens.
Whether you need appetizers or family-style crowd-pleasers, there’s something perfect for every BBQ menu or summer get-together.
Plus, I’ve included tips for easy protein add-ons, refreshing drink pairings, and quick appetizers to help you turn it into a full meal.
Grilled Protein Summer Salads
Grilled Chicken and Mango Salad
Grilled chicken brings smoky flavor to this juicy mango salad, making it a refreshing yet hearty dish for hot summer nights.
Smoky grilled romaine meets perfectly seasoned everything bagel chicken for a fresh, elevated twist on a summer classic.
TIP: Serve your summer salad with this 5 minute Boursin cheese and Pringles flower.
Fruit-Forward Summer Salads
These mini watermelon salads are a fresh, no-cook summer starter—layering juicy melon, crisp cucumber, creamy feta, and pistachios with a balsamic drizzle for an effortlessly elegant bite.
For extra summer vibes, serve with this watermelon cucumber gin cocktail.
Ripe peaches and juicy tomatoes layered with fresh mozzarella create a vibrant, sophisticated twist on the classic Caprese salad.
For a twist, top your salad with smoked peaches.
Sweet strawberries and creamy feta come together over fresh greens for a bright, elegant salad that’s effortlessly refreshing.
This 5-minute summer blueberry salad is a fresh, flavorful side for barbecues—or a quick, easy option for lunch or weeknight meals. Light, vibrant, and bursting with seasonal flavor.
For dessert, try these Frozen Chocolate Covered Blueberries.
Summer Pasta Salads
This tomato pesto pasta salad is tossed with parmesan for a vibrant, flavorful dish that’s equal parts fresh and comforting—perfect for summer gatherings or easy lunches.
More Healthy Summer Salads
Cherry Tomato Bruschetta with Mozzarella
This cherry tomato bruschetta with mozzarella is basically a deconstructed salad—fresh, juicy, and served on toasty bread for the perfect bite-sized summer snack.
TIP: Serve any of these beautiful salads with this Flower Hummus Platter.
Spinach Salad with Everything Bagel Croutons
This spinach salad gets a bold, flavorful twist with everything bagel croutons—simple, savory, and perfect for adding a little crunch to your summer table.
Smoked Zucchini and Summer Squash Salad
This smoked zucchini and summer squash salad is elevated with creamy burrata and a drizzle of balsamic—an effortlessly elegant dish with subtle, smoky depth and peak summer flavor.
This simple summer avocado ranch salad shines with creamy ranch dressing and pairs beautifully with a main like chicken al pastor tacos for an easy, flavorful meal.
Beloved for its fresh ingredients, if you haven’t tried Jennifer Aniston’s viral salad, it’s time! It has a yummy blend of veggies, feta, pistachios, and quinoa—all brought to life with a bright lemon herb dressing. It’s really satisfying!
Crisp cucumbers and juicy summer tomatoes are tossed with a pinch of salt, pepper, garlic powder, and finished with a bright squeeze of lemon and rich olive oil. For a fresh, effortless side, see my simple tomato cucumber salad recipe.
Juicy tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, and creamy mozzarella balls come together in this refreshing Caprese-inspired salad—simple, vibrant, and perfect for summer.
This make-ahead Mexican salad with ranch dressing is vibrant, versatile, and ready in just 10 minutes—perfect as a colorful side, a fresh dip, or a flavorful topping for burgers and tacos. It’s a crowd-pleasing favorite for potlucks and summer gatherings.
Easy Protein Ideas for Summer Salads
- Flank steak
- Smoked steak kabobs
- Grilled Italian chicken kebabs
- Griddled steak fajitas
- Grilled skirt steak
- Griddled shrimp
- Smoked chicken breast skewers
TIP: So many of these proteins would be great on a fresh summer salad with my creamy jalapeno dressing.
Can’t wait to hear what you think!
I’d love to know how your version turned out! Drop a rating and leave a comment below to help the Sip Bite Go community. And if you snapped any photos, tag me on Instagram—I love sharing reader pics in my Stories!
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