Summer’s Greatest Hits: 21 Salad Ideas That Steal the Show

Nothing hits quite like a crisp, colorful salad on a hot summer day. These recipes are packed with juicy seasonal fruits, garden-fresh veggies, and bold flavors that practically scream sunshine. Whether you’re headed to a backyard BBQ, lounging by the pool, or just skipping the stove for something lighter, these salads bring the perfect combo of cool, refreshing, and totally satisfying. They’re not your average side dish—they’re the main event.

Cold Antipasto Pasta Salad With Pepperoncini Peppers

A serving bowl of antipasto salad. — Cold Antipasto Pasta Salad With Pepperoncini Peppers. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

This irresistible antipasto pasta salad is EASY to make with a simple homemade dressing, an Italian inspired pasta that’s great for Summer.
Get the Recipe: Cold Antipasto Pasta Salad With Pepperoncini Peppers

Spicy Peach Coleslaw Without Mayonnaise

A bowl of peach coleslaw without mayo in a bowl with wooden spoons. — Spicy Peach Coleslaw Without Mayonnaise. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

My All-American Summer Menu 🇺🇸

FREE EMAIL BONUS: Delicious summer recipes just in time for the season

Spicy Peach Coleslaw without Mayonnaise is a classic summer salad with peach dressing that delivers a fresh variation you’re going to love.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Peach Coleslaw Without Mayonnaise

Creamy Bacon Cheddar Ranch Pasta Salad

Ranch pasta salad in a bowl with a wooden spoon. — Creamy Bacon Cheddar Ranch Pasta Salad. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

This is one of those summer BBQ dishes that will have everyone asking you for the recipe! With all the classic flavors of creamy ranch dressing, salty bacon, and sharp cheddar cheese, this pasta salad is a refreshing crowd pleaser.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Cheddar Ranch Pasta Salad

Tomato Salad With Peaches

Fresh Peach and Tomato Salad can’t be beat when summer produce is at its best. Try combining fresh peaches with juicy tomatoes, then sprinkle with salty feta for a light and refreshing summer salad
Get the Recipe: Tomato Salad With Peaches

Classic Pea Salad with Cheddar Cheese

A pea salad with cheddar cheese in a serving bowl. — Classic Pea Salad with Cheddar Cheese. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

This creamy Southern pea salad bursts with flavors of the South, blending tender fresh or frozen peas with sharp cheddar cheese, smooth mayonnaise, and tangy sour cream. Its’ quick and simple preparation, with a unique combination of ingredients, creates a delightful summer salad that captures the essence of a Southern potluck. Refrigerating overnight brings all the flavors together.
Get the Recipe: Classic Pea Salad

Creamy Red Cabbage Coleslaw with Buttermilk

A bowl of creamy coleslaw with shredded purple cabbage, carrots, and herbs sits on a gray cloth napkin next to vintage silver utensils—perfect as one of your favorite dinner side dishes. — Creamy Red Cabbage Coleslaw with Buttermilk. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

This colorful combination of crunchy red cabbage, shredded carrots, and fresh herbs adds a burst of freshness to any meal. The crunch of the cabbage, coupled with the creaminess of the dressing, takes this coleslaw to a whole new level.
Get the Recipe: Red Cabbage Coleslaw

Zucchini Pasta Salad with Balsamic Vinegar

Zucchini noodles with cherry tomatoes on a white platter with a wooden spoon — Zucchini Pasta Salad with Balsamic Vinegar. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Pull out the spiralizer and make a refreshing Zucchini Pasta Salad with Balsamic Vinegar. With cherry tomatoes, fresh mozzarella and zoodles, it’s a twist on a classic caprese salad. Just a few ingredients and you’ll have a healthy delicious salad to add to any meal.
Get the Recipe: Zucchini Pasta Salad with Balsamic Vinegar

Spicy Fruit Salad With Star Anise

A bowl of spicy fruit salad with wooden spoon. — Spicy Fruit Salad With Star Anise. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

You can never go wrong with a bowl of fresh fruit. Spicy Fruit Salad adds just a hint of spice and seasoning to improve even the best fruit at the market.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Fruit Salad With Star Anise

Easy Overnight 7 Layer Salad – It’s a Classic

A bowl of seven layer salad next to individual servings. — Easy Overnight 7 Layer Salad – It’s a Classic. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

With its gorgeous rows of colors and bright flavors, this classic Southern seven-layer salad is the perfect make-ahead dish for family gatherings or a church potluck. Served in a clear glass bowl that showcases all the beautiful colors, this layered salad makes a gorgeous centerpiece to your dinner table.
Get the Recipe: Classic 7 Layer Salad

Light and Fresh Spinach Salad with Strawberries

A bowl of spinach and strawberry salad covered with a poppy seed dressing. — Light and Fresh Spinach Salad with Strawberries. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

This strawberry spinach salad with poppy seed dressing has strawberries, fresh spinach and romaine along with pickled onions.
Get the Recipe: Light and Fresh Spinach Salad with Strawberries

Corn And Cucumber Salad With Greek Yogurt

A creamy cucumber salad with corn in a glass bowl with a serving spoon — Corn And Cucumber Salad With Greek Yogurt. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Jazz up your salad menu with a Corn and Cucumber Salad. The mixture of veggies in a creamy yogurt, mayo and dill dressing make it a favorite.
Get the Recipe: Corn And Cucumber Salad With Greek Yogurt

Ambrosia Fruit Salad With Marshmallows

A glass bowl filled with creamy fruit salad, inspired by vintage recipes, is topped with a red maraschino cherry; the salad contains marshmallows, fruit pieces, and whipped cream. Silver spoons rest beside the bowl on a gray surface. — Ambrosia Fruit Salad With Marshmallows. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

A nostalgic Ambrosia salad with mandarin oranges, pineapple, marshmallows, and coconut, topped with creamy whipped cream and a touch of sour cream.
Get the Recipe: Ambrosia Fruit Salad With Marshmallows

Summer Pasta Salad With Fresh Peaches

A pasta salad with peaches, corn and tomatoes in a serving bowl. — Summer Pasta Salad With Fresh Peaches. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

This refreshing summer salad is made with fresh peach slices, sweet corn, juicy grape tomatoes, pine nuts, and your favorite pasta.
Get the Recipe: Summer Pasta Salad With Fresh Peaches

Tangy Cucumber Salad With Apple Cider Vinegar

A bowl of cucumber salad with onions and two serving spoons — Tangy Cucumber Salad With Apple Cider Vinegar. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

This tangy Cucumber Salad is light, refreshing, and since it has no mayo, it’s perfect for warm summer days.
Get the Recipe: Tangy Cucumber Salad With Apple Cider Vinegar

Fruit Salad With Honey Lime Dressing

A spoon Full of fresh fruit. — Fruit Salad With Honey Lime Dressing. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Add lime zest and juice along with a little honey to your summer fruit salad, featuring your favorite fruits for a perfect summer side dish.
Get the Recipe: Fruit Salad With Honey Lime Dressing

Greek Cucumber Salad With Lemon Dressing

A bowl of Greek salad with lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, red onions, Kalamata olives, and crumbled feta cheese on a white surface—perfect for spring recipes. Small bowls of olives and feta are nearby. — Greek Cucumber Salad With Lemon Dressing. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Looking for a quick and flavorful salad recipe? Try our Greek Salad with refreshing cucumbers and zesty lemon dressing. Perfect for a light and satisfying meal.
Get the Recipe: Greek Cucumber Salad With Lemon Dressing

Bow Tie Pasta Salad With Basil Pesto

Delicious pesto pasta salad with fresh basil and cherry tomatoes in a glass bowl. — Bow Tie Pasta Salad With Basil Pesto. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Easy to make basil pesto pasta salad with bow tie pasta is a flavorful, colorful side that’s great for summer picnics or cookouts.
Get the Recipe: Bow Tie Pasta Salad With Basil Pesto

Creamy Southern Macaroni Salad with Cheese

Creamy macaroni salad with a wooden spoon. — Creamy Southern Macaroni Salad with Cheese. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

A combination of both sour cream and mayonnaise create the creamiest Southern macaroni salad around. A hint of sweet and sour along with grated cheese makes this the star of any potluck or cook out. A fantastic make ahead summer salad that gets even better after a day in the fridge. No mushy bland salad here!
Get the Recipe: Macaroni Salad

Mint Watermelon Fruit Salad With Blueberries

A bowl of watermelon fruit salad with blueberries in a bowl. — Mint Watermelon Fruit Salad With Blueberries. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

This quick and easy mint watermelon fruit salad combines crisp and juicy watermelon with sweet blueberries coated in a minty simple syrup.
Get the Recipe: Mint Watermelon Fruit Salad With Blueberries

Grandma’s Cucumber Salad

A bowl of sliced cucumbers with a wooden spoon. — Grandma’s Cucumber Salad. Photo credit: Lauren’s Latest.

My Grandma’s Cucumber Salad Recipe is cool, crunchy, refreshing, and easy to throw together on a hot summer day! Great for BBQ’s or potlucks.
Get the Recipe: Grandma’s Cucumber Salad

Summer Farro Salad

A close-up of a bowl filled with a salad made of barley, diced zucchini, green peas, and fresh herbs. The ingredients are mixed, showcasing a fresh and healthy grain salad. — Summer Farro Salad. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

Summer Farro Salad is an easy salad made with hearty farro, olive oil, lemon juice, zucchini, peas, pesto, and freshly chopped parsley.
Get the Recipe: Summer Farro Salad

Explore Recipes

MSN Slideshows