Summer is the perfect time to enjoy fresh, vibrant salads made with fruits and vegetables straight from your garden or local farmers market. There’s nothing quite like the taste of produce picked at the peak of ripeness, and these recipes are designed to showcase summer’s best flavors. Plus, many of these recipes can be customized with your own leafy greens, such as lettuce, kale, or spinach, making them even more delicious and nutritious. Here are eight salad recipes that are the definition of summer.
Watermelon Arugula Salad with Pepper Jelly Dressing
By The Cafe Sucre Farine
This refreshing Watermelon Arugula Salad combines the juicy sweetness of watermelon with the peppery bite of arugula. The pepper jelly dressing adds a delightful kick, making this salad a perfect blend of sweet and spicy. It’s an excellent way to use freshly picked watermelon, mint, onions, and cucumbers from your garden.
Strawberry Salad with Honey Vinaigrette
By Natasha’s Kitchen
Strawberries are a summer favorite, and this Strawberry Salad with Honey Vinaigrette is a fantastic way to enjoy them. The salad features juicy strawberries, crunchy almonds, fresh onions, and creamy feta, all tossed in a sweet and tangy honey mustard vinaigrette. Use your own garden-grown strawberries and leafy greens to make this salad even fresher.
Cucumber Dill Salad
By The Clever Meal
For a simple yet flavorful dish, try the Cucumber Dill Salad. This refreshing salad combines crisp cucumbers with onions and fresh dill, along with a creamy and tangy dressing. It’s perfect for a hot summer day and a great way to use garden cucumbers and dill.
Honey Sweet Potato Summer Salad
By Kiersten Hickman
This Honey Sweet Potato Summer Salad is a hearty and nutritious option for your summer meals. Roasted sweet potatoes are combined with fresh greens, goat cheese, pine nuts, and blueberries for a sweet and savory flavor profile. Use your own sweet potatoes, blueberries, and leafy greens to make this salad truly homegrown.
Grilled Corn Salad with Blackberries
By The Real Food Dietitians
This Grilled Corn Salad with Blackberries is a colorful and flavorful addition to your summer menu. The sweetness of grilled corn and fresh blackberries is balanced with a tangy dressing and fresh greens. It’s a great way to use in-season corn, green onions, and fresh berries.
Summer Corn Salad
By The Real Food Dietitians
Another fantastic corn-based dish is the Summer Corn Salad. This salad is loaded with fresh corn, tomatoes, cilantro, cucumber, onion, avocado, and jalapeño, all tossed in a zesty dressing. It’s a refreshing and crunchy option that’s perfect for showcasing a basketful of your garden’s harvest.
Peach Salad with Arugula, Basil, and Goat Cheese
By The Mediterranean Dish
This Peach Salad with arugula, basil, and goat cheese is a delightful blend of sweet, savory, and tangy flavors. Fresh, juicy peaches pair perfectly with arugula, basil, walnuts, and goat cheese, all brought together with a light and refreshing honey-lemon vinaigrette.
Ultimate Garden Salad Recipe
By Momsdish
The Ultimate Garden Salad recipe is a versatile and customizable guide for using a variety of homegrown vegetables. This salad includes a mix of fresh greens, cucumbers, tomatoes, radishes, and more, all tossed in a simple vinaigrette. When you have the perfect hodgepodge of garden veggies, this is a great way to enjoy what’s available at your fingertips.
These summer salad recipes are a delicious way to make the most of in-season fruits and vegetables—including the ones you grow at home! Whether you’re harvesting from your own garden or picking up fresh produce from the store or farmers market, these salads are sure to help you enjoy the best flavors of the summer season.