Around here, we’re very seasonal eaters—roasts and red wine in the fall, soups and stews in the winter, fresh pasta and veggies in the spring and, you guessed it, a whole bevy of salads in the summer.
And can you blame us? Sure, summer may be the time when meat lovers all across the country fire up their grills, but nothing says “summer” quite like a salad made with the freshest produce.
So, to pay homage to our seasonal favorite, we’ve rounded up 8 salad recipes we’re making all summer long.
Check them out below.
Hungry for more? Explore our recipe library for ideas and inspiration for your next gathering.
Fresh, grilled fish and a hearty helping of seasonal garden veggies? Count us in!
While the traditional recipe for a niçoise salad consists mainly of tomatoes, olives and/or olive oil, tuna and hard-boiled eggs, variations include bountiful amounts of fresh veggies. We especially like this one for its salty and slightly tangy vinaigrette, which utilizes anchovies, capers, olive oil and red wine vinegar.
We definitely have this one on rotation all summer long.
Get the Grilled Tuna Niçoise with Anchovy Vinaigrette recipe!
For a hearty lunchtime meal—or for an impressive side to serve with grilled fish or lamb—give this hearty grain-and-veggie salad a try!
Crisp asparagus and fresh mint lend a welcome brightness to this dish, while the nuttiness of the artichokes melds seamlessly with the farro. Finished with a delicate olive oil and lemon dressing, this one’s perfect for al fresco enjoyment.
Get the Asparagus Farro Salad with Mint and Artichokes recipe!
“Big summer salad” is not a term we throw around lightly.
This one packs all the best summer produce—sweet corn, heirloom tomatoes, juicy nectarines, hearty kale and red onion—into a salad that’ll fuel you through all of your summertime adventures. The best part? The homemade croutons. (Trust us, there’s nothing better.)
Sure, you can make a salad with the same old greens you’ve used before. Or, you could give the mildly nutty and caramelized flavor of grilled greens a try.
This recipe is a great option for experimenting, as the ingredients are relatively minimal: radicchio, endive, radishes, grated Parmesan cheese and a homemade vinaigrette that’s made from pantry staples. It’s simple, elegant and guaranteed to impress.
Get the Grilled Radicchio and Endive Salad with Spring Radishes recipe!
If you’ve never had watermelon in your salad, this is your sign.
The classic summer fruit is ideal for adding that crunch and delicate sweetness to salads, and it pairs excellently with the salty feta and light peppery flavor of the arugula. Serve alongside your favorite grilled fish and a glass of dry, sparkling rosé.
Clearly, we can’t get enough fruit in our salads—but frankly, after a few bites, we think you’ll be obsessed too.
This one uses fresh pineapple and avocado (two of the best summer fruits, IMHO) on a bed of peppery, fresh arugula that’s then tossed in a simple dressing of garlic, olive oil, apple cider vinegar and cumin. Enjoy poolside with grilled chicken or fish.
Chef’s Tip: The key to this salad is ensuring the pineapple is ripe and ready to eat. Check out our guide for tips on picking the right pineapple at the store.
Get the Caramelized Pineapple, Avocado and Watercress Salad recipe!
We fully believe that Brussels sprouts are highly underutilized in salads.
Sure, they’re slightly earthy and bitter, but they take on the flavor of dressings and spices exceptionally well. Which makes them ideal for recipes where you want other ingredients to really shine, like in this salad recipe.
Plus, combined with the smokiness of the chorizo and the nuttiness of the almonds, it’ll be all you can do not to wolf it down in one go.
Get the Brussels Sprout Leaves with Chorizo and Toasted Almonds recipe!
We couldn’t curate a list of our favorite summer salads without mentioning the most quintessential summer salad of them all: the Caprese.
That’s because tomatoes are at their peak during the hot summer months, and this simple yet elegant presentation allows their flavor to really shine. Plus, can you really go wrong with fresh mozzarella and olive oil? Yeah, we didn’t think so.
Hungry for more? Explore our recipe library for ideas and inspiration for your next gathering.
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