26 Refreshing Salad Recipes For Warm Weather

Whether you’re hosting a backyard BBQ, planning a picnic, or simply looking for a light and satisfying meal, salads are the perfect choice. From zesty citrus creations to hearty grain bowls, I’ve rounded up 26 refreshing salad recipes that are sure to keep you cool and energized throughout the summer. Let’s dig in and find your next favorite dish!

Italian Grinder Salad

This Keto Italian Grinder Salad is a hearty and satisfying meal that’s perfect for anyone on a low-carb diet. It captures all the classic flavors of an Italian grinder sandwich, but skips the carbs for a lighter twist!
Get the Recipe: Italian Grinder Salad

Old-fashioned Three Bean Salad

This nostalgic, Old-fashioned Three Bean Salad is a timeless classic that’s as simple to make as it is delicious. With a vibrant mix of beans and a zesty vinaigrette, it delivers the perfect balance of flavors and textures, making it a guaranteed crowd-pleaser!
Get the Recipe: Old-fashioned Three Bean Salad

Pizza Pasta Salad

This Pizza Pasta Salad is the perfect crowd-pleaser for potlucks, picnics, or family dinners! Packed with all the classic pizza-inspired ingredients like pepperoni, mozzarella, and juicy tomatoes, it’s tossed with a tangy dressing that ties everything together beautifully.
Get the Recipe: Pizza Pasta Salad

Copycat Panera Greek Salad

Copycat Panera Greek Salad is loaded with crisp, fresh veggies and vibrant ingredients, all brought together with a zesty homemade dressing that delivers the iconic Panera taste right in your own kitchen!
Get the Recipe: Copycat Panera Greek Salad

Curly Endive Salad with Celery, Apple and Candied Pecans

Curly Endive Salad combines crisp apple slices, sweet and crunchy candied pecans, and hearty leafy greens to create a delightful and refreshing dish. Tossed in a light vinaigrette, it’s the perfect mix of brightness and tangy flavor!
Get the Recipe: Curly Endive Salad with Celery, Apple and Candied Pecans

Mexican Street Corn Salad

Mexican Street Corn Salad bursts with flavor in every bite, and the best part is you can enjoy this delicious and easy-to-make dish any time of the year!
Get the Recipe: Mexican Street Corn Salad

Mediterranean White Bean Salad with Feta

This Mediterranean White Bean Salad is made with white beans, juicy tomatoes, and crumbled feta cheese come together to create a refreshing summer salad that is both satisfying and delicious. Tossed with a zesty dressing made of olive oil, lemon juice, and a hint of garlic, this salad is perfect as a light lunch or a flavorful side dish.
Get the Recipe: Mediterranean White Bean Salad with Feta

Easy Cold Pasta Salad with Italian Dressing

We absolutely adore pasta, but when the weather turns warm, a steaming bowl of it isn’t always appealing. That’s why we came up with the perfect solution—a cold pasta salad! It’s the easiest way to enjoy your pasta fix while keeping things cool and refreshing, and it works wonderfully as a delicious side dish.
Get the Recipe: Easy Cold Pasta Salad with Italian Dressing

Chinese Chicken Salad

If you’re looking for a salad that’s packed with bold flavors, crunchy textures, and plenty of protein, Chinese Chicken Salad is the perfect choice! This vibrant dish combines tender chicken, crisp veggies, and a tangy, savory dressing for a meal that’s as satisfying as it is delicious.
Get the Recipe: Chinese Chicken Salad

GF DF Macaroni Salad

Only seven simple ingredients come together in this delicious dairy-free macaroni salad recipe! The sweetness of apples pairs perfectly with the tangy kick of pickles, making it the ultimate summer side dish.
Get the Recipe: GF DF Macaroni Salad

Kachumber Salad

Kachumber Salad is a colorful salad of chopped raw veggies—chopped tomatoes, cucumbers, red Kachumber Salad bursts with vibrant colors and flavors, made from a medley of fresh, chopped raw vegetables like tomatoes, cucumbers, red onions, and chile peppers.
Get the Recipe: Kachumber Salad

Feta Beet Salad

This Feta Beet Salad is a delightful and eye-catching dish made with just a handful of simple ingredients. Tender cooked beets, creamy crumbled feta, and crunchy pistachios are perfectly paired with fresh herbs and a drizzle of olive oil for an irresistible combination.
Get the Recipe: Feta Beet Salad

Quinoa Salad

With a delicious blend of quinoa, crisp cucumbers, fresh herbs, and hearty chickpeas, all tossed in a zesty lemon dressing and topped with crunchy pistachios, this satisfying salad is bursting with flavor and texture. Perfect as a light meal or a versatile side dish, it’s sure to become a favorite!
Get the Recipe: Quinoa Salad

Greek Salad

Veggies don’t have to be dull! Bring your greens to life with a mouthwatering dressing in this absolutely delightful and meal-worthy Greek Salad!
Get the Recipe: Greek Salad

Beet Cucumber Salad with Feta and Dill

This Beet and Cucumber Salad with Feta and Dill is bursting with a perfect blend of sweet, savory, earthy, tangy, and salty flavors. With crisp cucumbers, tender beets, and a zesty lemon vinaigrette, it’s a refreshing and satisfying dish!
Get the Recipe: Beet Cucumber Salad with Feta and Dill

Chopped Crispy Citrus Chicken Salad

This chopped salad is packed with crispy rotisserie chicken, bright citrus, toasted pine nuts, fresh herbs, and a hearty bed of Tuscan kale, then tossed in an orange Dijon dressing. It’s a delightful combination of textures and flavors that will brighten up your taste buds!
Get the Recipe: Chopped Crispy Citrus Chicken Salad

Red Skin Potato Salad

This irresistibly creamy red-skin potato salad is packed with the savory goodness of bacon, making it the perfect addition to your summer BBQs. It’s a timeless side dish that everyone will love!
Get the Recipe: Red Skin Potato Salad

Crispy Smashed Potato Salad

With roasted garlic, a creamy lemon and herb dressing, and crispy-skin potatoes that are perfectly tender inside, this smashed potato salad is an absolute winner. It’s a unique and flavorful twist that’s sure to impress your guests at any gathering!
Get the Recipe: Crispy Smashed Potato Salad

Spinach Strawberry Salad With Shrimp

This Spinach Strawberry Salad is a delightful combination of fresh ingredients, featuring juicy shrimp, creamy avocado, crunchy almonds, and onions, all drizzled with a light and tangy poppyseed dressing. It’s a hearty and satisfying salad that’s perfect as a complete meal!
Get the Recipe: Spinach Strawberry Salad With Shrimp

Quick and Creamy Broccoli Apple Salad

Bursting with flavor and texture, this delicious Broccoli Apple Salad combines crisp broccoli, sweet apples, shredded carrots, tangy cranberries, crunchy walnuts, and a luscious yogurt-mayo dressing. It’s the perfect balance of creamy and fresh, making it a go-to dish for any occasion!
Get the Recipe: Quick and Creamy Broccoli Apple Salad

Peach Tomato Caprese Salad

This Peach Tomato Caprese Salad is a delightful mix of juicy peaches, fragrant basil, creamy fresh mozzarella, and tender lettuce. It’s a refreshing twist on the classic caprese, bringing together vibrant seasonal flavors for a dish that’s as beautiful as it is delicious!
Get the Recipe: Peach Tomato Caprese Salad

Scrumptious Southwest Salad

This easy and delectable Southwest Salad features fresh greens, black beans, sweet corn, and a luscious homemade southwest dressing. Best of all, it’s gluten-free and packed with flavor!
Get the Recipe: Scrumptious Southwest Salad

Japanese Cucumber Salad or Sunomono

Japanese Cucumber Salad, also known as Sunomono, is a wonderfully refreshing side dish that’s perfect for hot weather! Its crisp, tangy flavors pair beautifully with grilled fish, meats, or even spicy dishes. Light, easy to prepare, and made with just a handful of ingredients, this salad is a simple yet delightful addition to any meal.
Get the Recipe: Japanese Cucumber Salad or Sunomono

Mediterranean Tuna Orzo Salad

Whip up a flavorful and satisfying Mediterranean Tuna Orzo Salad for an easy weeknight dinner! This recipe is perfect for a healthy meal that comes together quickly, packed with fresh ingredients and bold flavors to please everyone at the table.
Get the Recipe: Mediterranean Tuna Orzo Salad

Cucumber Kimchi

Korean Cucumber Kimchi is a zesty, flavor-packed addition to any rice bowl! With its crisp texture, spicy kick, tangy notes, and umami-rich taste, it’s a delightful side dish that’s ready to enjoy in just 30 minutes.
Get the Recipe: Cucumber Kimchi

Kale White Bean Salad

This Kale White Bean Salad is a vibrant and delicious side dish that’s perfect for feeding your family! Tender kale and hearty white beans are tossed together and coated in a zesty lemon mustard vinaigrette, creating a dish that’s both flavorful and simple to prepare.
Get the Recipe: Kale White Bean Salad