During the summer months, I like to prepare meals that require cooking with as little heat as possible. So summer salads are one of my go-to dishes.
They are fresh, healthy, and taste great.
But sometimes, eating salad can get a little bland and we need some new options to spice things up a bit.
I looked to some of my favorite bloggers for some ideas for some new salad recipes. I think you’ll enjoy the variety too!
12 Summer Salads perfect for picnics or any occasion
Keep your kitchen cool this summer with these 12 summer picnic salad recipes. They are tasty and use fresh, healthy ingredients.
Click on the links below to grab the recipes for these delicious salads to take to your next summer picnic or family barbecue!
Fruit Salad Recipes
This watermelon salad really must be tasted to be believed.
The combination of sweet watermelon, mint leaves, and feta cheese seems like a happy marriage you never thought possible.
Perfect for potlucks, people will be asking for this recipe.
Fresh Pineapple Salad by April Golightly
This refreshing salad is great with grilled foods on a hot summer day.
But it also makes an excellent side dish for any meal.
And if you love fruit for breakfast, you’ll want to give this a try.
Once you taste pineapple with honey, mint, and ginger, you will never want it any other way.
Strawberry Broccoli Salad by Having Fun Saving and Cooking
A surprising taste delight, you’ll feel like you discovered hidden treasure when you taste this combination of strawberries, broccoli slaw, almonds, and homemade vinaigrette.
And it tastes even better when you top with a little feta cheese!
Pasta Salad Recipes
Easy Frog Eye Salad by April Golightly
If you are a fan of sweet and fluffy summer salads, you’ll find a new favorite with frog eye salad.
Tiny pasta is mixed together with whipped topping, mandarin oranges, and crushed pineapple for a sweet and refreshing salad / dessert.
Completely addicting!
Roasted Corn Orzo Pasta Salad by To Simply Inspire
If you’ve never eaten Orzo, you don’t know what you’re missing.
Combined with corn, tomatoes, garlic, and seasonings, this pasta salad is light and refreshing and perfect for potlucks.
Yet, it is also hearty enough to work as a side dish for Autumn meals.
Potato Salad Recipes
Homemade Potato Salad by Homemade for Elle
If you love potato salad but haven’t made it fresh at home yet, what are you waiting for?
Once you taste this tantalizing combination of boiled potatoes and eggs, crunchy celery and onion, all mixed up with mayo and spicy brown mustard, you’ll want to make it again and again!
Warm Potato Salad with Bacon & Horseradish by Homemade for Elle
If you have never tried warm potato salad, you’ll want to give this one a try.
Warm chunks of potato nestle in a mayo and mustard-based sauce that pairs perfectly with many entrees.
Add some crumbled bacon to really make this dish completely addictive!
Vegetable Salad Recipes
Pea Salad by A Magical Mess
This summer salad is easy to make and completely delicious.
Unique enough to get attention, yet filled with familiar flavors, this salad is sure to be a hit.
You may never make potato salad again!
Greek Three Bean Salad by Flavor The Times
If you love Three Bean Salad but are open to do flavors, this Greek version may be just what you are looking for.
Fresh green beans combine with kidney beans and chickpeas.
Add in some chopped vegetables, feta cheese, and kalamata olives and your eyes will light up with pleasure at first bite!
Best Creamy Cucumber Salad by Wholesome Yum
Sliced cucumbers and onions are amazing together – especially when combined with fresh sour cream and dill dressing.
Crispy and refreshing, the creamy texture also makes this salad feel like the ultimate comfort food.
Greek Salad with Red Vinaigrette by The Rising Spoon
Perfect with other Greek dishes or as a unique side dish for grilled and barbecued foods, this tasty salad healthy and addictive.
Cucumbers, tomatoes, onions, kalamata olives, and feta cheese combined with an amazing homemade vinaigrette will have your tastebuds dancing!
Easy Chopped Mediterranean Salad by The Forked Spoon
This chopped salad is so full of fresh ingredients, you’ll enjoy watching people try to name everything that is in it.
Fresh, crunchy, and full of Mediterranean flavors, you’ll love serving this up as a salad or side dish for a wide variety of meals.
You may also enjoy:
Keeping cool this summer means enjoying a delicious, cold treat. Try our homemade pineapple popsicles! They are so good!
And if your sweet tooth wants to beat the heat, check out our recipe roundup for icebox cakes!
Like these salads, many of these recipes don’t require using an oven so you can keep your kitchen cool.
Disclaimer: Never use blogger photos without permission.
The Virtual Assistant (Victoria) who prepared this post obtained permission to use the photos included in this article as a member of the Craft and Food Roundup group.
Links were submitted by blog owners/representatives and are being used in accordance to the group rules.
Hi, I’m Jennifer. I love to cook and entertain. I have a lot of fun sharing traditional food and drink recipes as well as putting a new spin on the classics. I strive to provide easy to make recipes that are perfect for the home cook, bartender and entertainer.