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Home » Holidays » Summer Ideas » 30 Healthy Summer Salads

30 Healthy Summer Salads

Modified: Apr 10, 2025 by Stephy Leave a Comment This post may contain affiliate links. · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Looking for light and refreshing summertime meals? These healthy summer salads are packed with nutritious seasonal produce and perfect for picnics, BBQs, or light dinners on warm nights.

Collage of colorful healthy summer salad recipes including fruit salads, grilled chicken salads, and veggie-packed bowls.

Whether you’re looking for a quick and easy lunch, a crowd-pleasing side dish for your next backyard BBQ, or a healthy dinner that won’t weigh you down, these salad recipes are the ultimate go-to. Bursting with seasonal produce like juicy berries, crisp cucumbers, sweet peaches, and vibrant greens, these summer meals are packed with fresh and nutritious ingredients and bold summertime flavors.

In this roundup, you’ll find a variety of mouthwatering recipes that suit every craving—think refreshing fruit salads, hearty protein-packed options, and colorful veggie combos.

Each recipe is loaded with healthy ingredients and delicious flavors that make eating healthy feel like a treat, not a chore. From tangy vinaigrettes to creamy dressings and crunchy toppings, these salads will fuel your summer with flavor and freshness.

Whether you’re planning a summertime party, or just trying to beat the heat with something cool and crisp, there are plenty of healthy summer dinner recipes to choose from for every ocassion.

Jump to:
  • Healthy Summer Salad Recipes
  • Grilled Lemon Herb Mediterranean Chicken Salad
  • Watermelon Salad with Feta, Cucumber and Mint
  • Honey Lemon Vinaigrette on Peach Bacon Salad
  • Berry Fruit Salad with Honey Lime Dressing
  • Strawberry Spinach Salad with Chicken and Avocado
  • Greek Cucumber Salad Recipe
  • Summer Vegetable Pasta Salad
  • Summer Salad With Corn, Strawberries & Avocado
  • Chicken Cobb Salad with Avocado Ranch
  • Summer Chipotle Chicken Cobb Salad with Cilantro Vinaigrette
  • Berry Orange Spinach Salad with Citrus Balsamic Vinaigrette
  • Beet Salad with Spinach and Honey-Mustard Lemon Dressing
  • Mediterranean Bean Salad
  • Rainbow Fruit Salad Recipe with Honey Lime Dressing
  • Healthy Arugula Summer Salad with Peaches
  • Corn, Avocado, and Tomato Salad
  • Strawberry Cucumber Spinach Salad with Apple Cider Vinaigrette
  • Cucumber Tomato Salad Recipe
  • Pineapple Cucumber Salad
  • Tomato Mozzarella Salad
  • Honey Lime Basil Peach Fruit Salad
  • Thai Peanut Chicken Crunch Slaw Salad
  • Summer Peach Spinach Salad with Avocado
  • Summer Panzanella
  • BBQ Chicken Salad
  • More Summer Recipes

Healthy Summer Salad Recipes

Photo Credit: cafedelites.com

Grilled Lemon Herb Mediterranean Chicken Salad

This vibrant salad features succulent grilled chicken marinated in a zesty lemon herb dressing that doubles as the salad's dressing. Nestled atop a bed of crisp Romaine lettuce, the salad is garnished with diced cucumber, ripe Roma tomatoes, sliced red onion, creamy avocado, and Kalamata olives. The harmonious blend of Mediterranean flavors creates a delicious and healthy meal perfect for summer dining. ​

Photo Credit: www.themediterraneandish.com

Watermelon Salad with Feta, Cucumber and Mint

This refreshing salad combines juicy cubed watermelon with cool English cucumber slices, fresh mint, and basil leaves. Crumbled creamy feta cheese adds a salty contrast to the sweet watermelon, while a simple honey-lime dressing enriches the medley of flavors. This light and hydrating recipe is an ideal choice for hot summer days.

Photo Credit: www.rockrecipes.com

Honey Lemon Vinaigrette on Peach Bacon Salad

This honey lemon vinaigrette perfectly complements salads containing summer fruits and berries like peaches, plums, strawberries, and raspberries. This simple yet flavorful dressing combines the sweetness of honey with the vibrance of lemon juice. It's an excellent addition to your summer salad repertoire, adding a bright and zesty note to various salad combinations.

Photo Credit: kristineskitchenblog.com

Berry Fruit Salad with Honey Lime Dressing

This one features a medley of strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, and cherries. This colorful assortment is enhanced by a simple yet flavorful dressing made from fresh lime juice, lime zest, and honey, which adds a sweet and tangy note to the naturally sweet berries. The recipe is easy to prepare and serves as a refreshing summer side dish or healthy dessert.

Photo Credit: www.foodiecrush.com

Strawberry Spinach Salad with Chicken and Avocado

This recipe pairs tender grilled chicken breasts with fresh baby spinach, sliced sweet strawberries, and creamy avocado. The chicken is marinated and dressed in a simple golden balsamic vinaigrette infused with fresh tarragon, which also serves as the salad dressing. It is topped with crumbled feta cheese and sliced almonds and has a delicious blend of different flavors and textures.

Photo Credit: belleofthekitchen.com

Greek Cucumber Salad Recipe

This light and refreshing Greek Cucumber Salad combines crisp cucumbers, juicy tomatoes, and tangy feta cheese. These fresh ingredients are tossed in a homemade Greek dressing made with olive oil, lemon juice, red wine vinegar, and a blend of spices, creating a flavorful and healthy dish. This salad is quick to prepare and makes it a great side dish for any meal or a light main course during the warm months.

Photo Credit: www.budgetbytes.com

Summer Vegetable Pasta Salad

This one combines bowtie pasta with a variety of fresh summer vegetables, including tomatoes, yellow squash, zucchini, broccoli, and red onion. It is dressed with a homemade vinaigrette, making it a light and fresh option perfect for summer BBQs, potlucks, or meal prep. This versatile recipe allows for customization based on available seasonal vegetables. ​

Photo Credit: www.walderwellness.com

Summer Salad With Corn, Strawberries & Avocado

This salad embodies the season's flavors by combining fresh corn, juicy strawberries, creamy avocado, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and crumbled feta cheese. It is garnished with fresh basil and dressed with a simple lemon and olive oil dressing, creating a refreshing and nutrient-packed dish ideal for backyard BBQs, picnics, or as a light meal on summer days.

Photo Credit: www.halfbakedharvest.com

Chicken Cobb Salad with Avocado Ranch

This is a creative twist on the classic Cobb salad that incorporates peppery, lemon-grilled chicken atop a bed of fresh greens. It is garnished with crispy bacon, juicy tomatoes, and your choice of cheese. What sets this dish apart is the creamy avocado ranch dressing, blending ripe avocados with herbs and spices to create a flavorful complement to the other ingredients.

Photo Credit: pinchofyum.com

Summer Chipotle Chicken Cobb Salad with Cilantro Vinaigrette

This vibrant summer recipe features smoky chipotle-marinated grilled chicken paired with sweet corn, creamy avocado, and crispy bacon. Fresh strawberries add a pop of sweetness, while the homemade cilantro vinaigrette ties all the flavors together. This colorful and hearty salad captures the essence of summer in every bite.

Photo Credit: www.yayforfood.com

Berry Orange Spinach Salad with Citrus Balsamic Vinaigrette

This is a refreshing salad that combines tender baby spinach with juicy mandarin orange segments, sweet raspberries, and blackberries. Crumbled feta cheese and crunchy walnuts add texture and richness. The salad is dressed with a homemade citrus balsamic vinaigrette, blending fresh orange juice, balsamic vinegar, olive oil, and honey for a sweet and tangy finish.

Photo Credit: juliasalbum.com

Beet Salad with Spinach and Honey-Mustard Lemon Dressing

This healthy, nutrient-packed recipe featuring earthy roasted beets atop a bed of fresh spinach. The dish is complemented by sweet mandarin orange segments, thinly sliced red onion, toasted pine nuts, and crumbled feta cheese. It's all brought together with a homemade honey-mustard lemon vinaigrette, creating a harmonious blend of sweet, savory, and tangy flavors.

Photo Credit: www.theharvestkitchen.com

Mediterranean Bean Salad

This salad combines garbanzo, kidney, and cannellini beans with crisp celery, cucumber, red onion, Roma tomatoes, Italian parsley, and fresh basil. It is tossed in a flavorful Italian vinaigrette and further enhanced with additions like kalamata olives and pepperoncini. This is a protein-packed and refreshing summer side dish perfect for potlucks, picnics or barbecues.

Photo Credit: www.cookingclassy.com

Rainbow Fruit Salad Recipe with Honey Lime Dressing

This one features a medley of fresh strawberries, pineapple, blueberries, red grapes, kiwi, mandarin oranges, and bananas. The fruits are gently tossed in a sweet and tangy dressing made from honey, lime zest, and fresh lime juice, creating a naturally sweet and refreshing dish perfect for summer gatherings.

Photo Credit: lifemadesweeter.com

Healthy Arugula Summer Salad with Peaches

This recipe combines peppery arugula with juicy peaches, crisp cucumber, creamy avocado, sweet blueberries, and crunchy pecans. It is dressed with a light lemon tahini vinaigrette and is an great choice for a light summertime dinner or lunch and easy to customize with your favorite summer fruits.

Photo Credit: www.the-girl-who-ate-everything.com

Corn, Avocado, and Tomato Salad

This fresh and light salad is perfect for summer BBQs and potlucks. It features cooked corn kernels combined with halved cherry or grape tomatoes, finely diced red onion, and creamy avocado chunks. It's all brought together with a simple dressing made of olive oil, grated lime zest, fresh lime juice, chopped cilantro, salt, and pepper. This refreshing and flavorful dish embodies the essence of summer.

Photo Credit: www.yayforfood.com

Strawberry Cucumber Spinach Salad with Apple Cider Vinaigrette

This vibrant salad combines fresh spinach, juicy strawberries, crisp cucumber slices, sweet apple pieces, creamy feta cheese, and crunchy walnuts. This delicious mix of ingredients is tossed with a tangy and slightly sweet apple cider vinaigrette.

Photo Credit: www.theslowroasteditalian.com

Cucumber Tomato Salad Recipe

This classic summer salad pairs crisp cucumbers with juicy, ripe tomatoes. The vegetables are tossed in a healthy and creamy lemon poppy seed dressing, adding a bright and vibrant note to the dish. It is easy-to-prepare dish and highlights the best of summer's harvest.

Photo Credit: www.momontimeout.com

Pineapple Cucumber Salad

This simple yet flavorful recipe features chopped fresh pineapple and English cucumber. The combination is enhanced with lime zest and juice, and freshly chopped cilantro. The pineapple’s natural sweetness is perfectly balanced by the tangy lime and the crisp texture of the cucumber. This easy recipe comes together effortlessly and can be scaled up or down, whether you're serving a cozy dinner or a large gathering.

Photo Credit: www.littlebroken.com

Tomato Mozzarella Salad

This 6 ingredient recipe features sweet ripe tomatoes, soft mozzarella cheese, and fresh basil leaves. The ingredients are drizzled with a homemade balsamic reduction. This classic combination is both simple and elegant. It can serve as an appetizer or a side dish for your summer parties.

Photo Credit: www.ambitiouskitchen.com

Honey Lime Basil Peach Fruit Salad

This fruit salad combines fresh yellow peaches, blackberries, blueberries, and pomegranate seeds. The fruits are lightly tossed with honey, lime juice, and fresh basil leaves, resulting in a sweet and zesty dish perfect for all occasions.

Photo Credit: www.thecreativebite.com

Thai Peanut Chicken Crunch Slaw Salad

This one blends coleslaw and broccoli slaw with fresh vegetables like cucumbers, carrots, and bell peppers. Shredded rotisserie chicken adds protein, while a homemade Thai peanut sauce brings a rich, nutty flavor. Topped with chopped peanuts for added crunch, this salad is both delicious and full of texture.

Photo Credit: www.ambitiouskitchen.com

Summer Peach Spinach Salad with Avocado

For this recipe, fresh spinach leaves are topped with juicy sliced peaches, creamy avocado, toasted almonds, and crumbled goat cheese. It's drizzled with a homemade balsamic vinaigrette and has a perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors.

Photo Credit: www.gimmesomeoven.com

Summer Panzanella

This classic Italian bread salad is reimagined for summer. This panzanella combines toasted buttery bread cubes with a medley of fresh tomatoes, cucumbers, and chickpeas. Then, it is tossed in a simple Italian vinaigrette and garnished with fresh basil. This recipe is a perfect way to enjoy the season's produce.

Photo Credit: www.spoonforkbacon.com

BBQ Chicken Salad

This healthy and hearty salad features seasoned, pan-fried chicken thighs tossed in barbecue sauce and served over a bed of mixed greens, including shredded cabbage and romaine lettuce. The salad is garnished with black beans, cherry tomatoes, corn, red onions, and jicama, providing a variety of textures and flavors. A homemade barbecue yogurt ranch dressing adds a creamy and tangy finish to this summertime meal.

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Hi, I'm Stephy! I am the owner of Prudent Penny Pincher. I have been an author, content developer, and professional blogger for seven years. Prudent Penny Pincher explores ways to save money in daily life with a particular focus on DIY projects, crafts, and budget-friendly recipes while sharing helpful frugal tips along the way.

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