18 Healthy Summer Salad Recipes
With summer heat in full swing, our family meals have shifted primarily to salads. We’ve ditched the bread to shed a few extra pounds and keep up our energy in the frenetic existence that has become our daily life. With all of this salad-making going on, sometimes I need some inspiration and I’m sure you do to! I’ve collected some of my favorite healthy summer salad recipes here and on my Pinterest board to share.
Shrimp, Asparagus and Grapefruit Salad
Between working (more) than full time in my husband’s new business, raising a toddler, blogging, keeping up the house and cooking nearly every meal we eat from scratch, I barely have time to rest. That’s where salad-making comes in. It saves me a lot of time because all I have to do is prep. There’s usually very little cooking involved and a salad goes a long way in using up all of the fresh veggies and fruit I keep on hand.
Freekeh, Parsley and Garbanzo Bean Salad
Do I sound a little stressed? Omg, I am. Here I am wanting to write lovingly about healthy summer salads and all I can think about is how I’m going to fit in my grocery shopping for the week in-between my son’s nap, some unexpected dinner guests—and dinner. I have to cook dinner!
Caramelized Peach Salad
Which brings me back to how awesome these healthy summer salads are. I can do a quick sauté of some shrimp, throw a bag of organic salad greens in a bowl, dice up some veggies and fruit and I’m done. The extra bonus is that I still feel full of energy after eating even though I only slept five hours the last few nights in a row. That’s important.
Mango Salad with Mozzarella & Mint
It doesn’t matter whether you enjoy these gorgeous, healthy summer salad recipes on a carefree day at the pool or sitting in a cubicle at the office. What matters is you enjoy the food you eat, and you take that short time to really be thankful for the delicious, fresh produce of the season. Enjoy!
Chickpea, Avocado & Feta Salad
Orzo Salad with Feta and Spinach
Colorful Summer Squash Salad
Kale Caesar Salad with Avocado Dressing
Green Bean and Corn Salad
Jicama, honeydew melon and mint salad
Lemon Orzo Salad with Asparagus, Spinach and Feta
Fennel and Apple Slaw
Quinoa and Feta Summer Salad
Refreshing Watermelon, tomato and Feta Salad
Roasted Cherry Tomato, Arugula and Sorghum Salad
Summer Macaroni Salad In Lemon-Thyme Dressing
Quinoa & Asparagus Tabbouleh
For more great salad recipes, follow the Love and Duck Fat Salad Board on Pinterest:
Follow Love and Duck Fat’s board Sides and Salads on Pinterest.
All images used with permission and copyright of their respective blogs and blog owners.
Thanks for sharing my recipe in this awesome round-up of healthy summer salad recipes!
You’re welcome Margaret!
There are so many tasty salads on here, but I think I would go for the Caramelized Peach Salad first!!
Wow so many great looking salads.I will have to do some of these ones.The weather is finally getting warm here so i am looking forward to lots of salads.
Kay Adeola recently posted…Interplay Fairy Garden Craft Box
Oh yum <3 I am trying to eat more healthy so I shall definitely give some of these a try 🙂 x
Sarah Bailey recently posted…Mad Beauty: Review
Salads are perfect for the summer. Nice and light!
Amber Nelson recently posted…HELPFUL TIPS: When To Dispose Of Makeup Products
All these salads look delicious, I need to try a couple soon!
These salads look delicious. I always prefer to enjoy a light salad when I’m out and about with my boys over the Summer.
Tough Cookie Mommy recently posted…Making Memories And Sharing Moments! #Pier1OutdoorParty #Giveaway @Pier1 #MC #Sponsored
I don’t know which one I love most. This would keep me happily in salads all summer long!
Liz Mays recently posted…Tough as Nails? How About Tough as Nana? #NexcareNana
These all look so good I don’t know which one to start with. YUMMY for sure.
becca recently posted…Gerber Ultralight Knife #Review #swordsoftheeast
I am making one right now for dinner that looks like that first one with the shrimp. I just need the grapefruit – never thought to put that in my salad. There are a few here I want to try – salads are perfect for summer.
Jennifer WIlliams recently posted…Immersive Fitness – I Can Not Wait to Try This!
Looks like you have some pretty good choices. I like serving a nice summer salad with grilled chicken for dinner.
These are absolutely beautiful! Not to mention they are probably delicious!
Amanda recently posted…Daily List of Free Ebooks
I never knew there was these many different salad recipes! And everything looks do healthy and tasty!!!
I enjoy so many delicious salads in the summer time! That Caramelized Peach Salad is definitely calling my name!
Amber Edwards recently posted…Using iBattz & How to make your Phone battery last longer!
Everything looks great! Nice and light, and just what the doctor ordered!
Rosey recently posted…Wordless Wed. in the Sandbox
YUM!! I love a refreshing summer salad this time of year! The 1st shrimp salad looks perfect as a main course!
Salads are my favorite and not because I think they have fewer calories…but because I just really love them. I will be trying some of these out. They all look delicious.
Pam recently posted…Don’t Mess With Us ~ Save the Undies!
So many creative (and lovely looking) salads to try out! Thanks for sharing 😀
Tiffany Hathorn recently posted…Attention Single Moms on Father’s Day: You Are NOT The Father
Yum! They all look really great! I make some of them already, I love light a fresh salads
Melanie Burbage recently posted…DreamWorks’ HOME
These are great looking salads.. i like to try other types and this could be the ones.. thanks!
I love anything with SHRIMP on it. Some tasty options here.
Krystal recently posted…Chocolate Cookie Dough Milkshake Recipe #TruMoo #ad
Great recipes! I especially like the ” Summer Macaroni Salad In Lemon-Thyme Dressing”. I’m going to have to try that one.
Mrs. Mashed Up recently posted…Tools You Need To Spy On Your Kids
All of those salads look amazing. I love a good cold salad on a warm summers day.
Danielle recently posted…An Excursion in Xersion by JcPenney Day 29 of 100
These are some beautiful salads! I don’t even know which one to start with first!
April @ Everyday Fitness and Nutrition recently posted…This week in training #3 (and a giveaway!)
Ohhhh these all look absolutely delicious!!!
I’m bookmarking! Can’t wait to make them! 😀
Thanks for sharing!!!
Alysia from the Dish
Alysia Casteels recently posted…Organic Coffee; Death Wish
Those look delicious! I love a good salad!
Anna recently posted…South Carolina Style Barbeque Sauce
I absolutely love all of them. I’m going to try all! lol
Tess recently posted…Heels or no heel? An evening at the casino.
I just pinned the Shrimp, Asparagus and Grapefruit Salad recipe and the Carmelized Peachy Salad one because I would definitely love to try these. I LOVE salads that incorporate fruit.
Yona Williams recently posted…6 Ideas for Non-Ring Bridal Jewelry Gifts
I find myself hungry all of a sudden. These look absolutely scrumptious and most fit my vegan lifestyle. Thank you!
Elayna Fernandez ~ The Positive MOM recently posted…How To Get What You Truly Want
Great round up of salads. The mango one looks best for me
Yes. Yes. Yes. and Yes. All are fantastic, I’ll be pinning away!
Lavende recently posted…Beet Greens – The Next Superfood!
Those salads look amazing! I think my family needs to switch to healthy foods this summer too. We joined a CSA and I’m looking forward to lots of yummy fruits and veggies…and salads!
Meredith@MommyAtoZ recently posted…G is for . . . Gardening (Can You Dig It?)
Great choices! They all look super yummy 🙂 And, the pix…AMAZING!
Dawn @ Pin-n-Tell.com recently posted…Father’s Day at Cedar Point!
awesome recipe list! most i have done and for something new i’d love to try the apple fennel salad.
Kero Pinkihan recently posted…GlamBox Quick Review: June 2014 Edition
I really want some shrimp now after looking at that first salad. All of these salads look so yummy!
OMG yum! Can I have them all please! Thanks for sharing the recipes, I love summer salads!
Louida recently posted…How to Take Care of Your Cosmetics and Beauty Products
These look delicious – especially the watermelon one! now I’m hungry
Mary Larsen recently posted…Our Trip To Mystic Aquarium
YUM! Salad!Grilled Asparagus with Tomato and Mozzarella Salad2 bunches meuidm asparagus (about 2 pounds), peeled and trimmed2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, divided2 cups grape or cherry tomatoes, halved8 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese, cut into bd-inch cubes2 tablespoons chopped fresh flat leaf parsley1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice1 teaspoon Kosher saltbc teaspoon crushed red pepper flakesFreshly ground black pepperBlanch the asparagus in boiling salted water until crisp-tender about 2 minutes. (Alternatively, asparagus can be steamed.) Brush asparagus with 1 tablespoon of the olive oil and set aside.Toss tomatoes and mozzarella cheese in a large bowl with remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil, the parsley, lemon zest, lemon juice, salt, red pepper flakes and black pepper to taste.Heat a grill pan (or outdoor grill) over meuidm heat. Grill asparagus, turning occasionally, until tender and lightly charred, about 5 minutes. Cut asparagus in half crosswise and arrange the upper portions, spoke-like, tips out, on a serving dish. Cut the lower portions into bd-inch pieces and toss with the tomato and cheese mixture. Mound the salad in the center of the tips and serve. Serves 4 – 6. – – – – – – – – – Grilled Eggplant SaladTo toast pine nuts, bake in a 325b0 oven, shaking pan occasionally, just until beginning to brown, about 8 minutes. 2 large bell peppers (red, orange, and/or yellow), rinsed, halved, stemmed, and seeded2 meuidm zucchini, rinsed, ends trimmed, and halved lengthwise1 large eggplant, rinsed, ends trimmed, and thickly sliced crosswise1 large sweet onion, peeled and thickly sliced About 3/4 cup Moroccan marinade reserved from Flank Steak with Warm Moroccan Spices1/2 cup pine nuts, toasted (see Notes)1/4 cup chopped fresh mint leaves Red wine vinegar Salt and freshly ground black pepper 1. Lay bell peppers, zucchini, eggplant, and onion on baking sheets. Brush both sides of vegetables with Moroccan marinade (reserve any remaining).2. Lay vegetables on a well-oiled grill over a solid bed of meuidm-hot coals or meuidm-high heat on a gas grill (you can hold your hand 1 to 2 in. above grill level only 3 to 4 seconds); close lid on gas grill. Cook vegetables, turning once, until beginning to brown and just tender when pierced, 7 to 8 minutes for eggplant, 8 to 10 for onion and bell peppers, and 12 for zucchini. Transfer to a large cutting board as done.3. Cut vegetables into 1-in. pieces and put in a bowl. Add pine nuts, mint, and any remaining marinade. Mix, adding more vinegar, salt, and pepper to taste. – – – – – – – – – Loaded Spinach SaladMakes 2 servings, about 4 cups each 8 large eggs 6 cups baby spinach 4 tablespoons Creamy Blue Cheese Dressing, divided 1 8-ounce can beets, rinsed and sliced 1 cup shredded carrots 2 tablespoons chopped pecans, toasted Place eggs in a single layer in a saucepan; cover with water. Bring to a simmer over meuidm-high heat. Reduce heat to low, cover and cook at the lowest simmer for 10 minutes. Pour off the hot water and run cold water over the eggs until they are completely cooled. Peel the eggs, discard 6 of the yolks, chop the remaining yolks and whites. Toss spinach and 2 tablespoons dressing in a large bowl. Divide between 2 plates. Top with chopped eggs, beets, carrots and pecans. Drizzle with the remaining 2 tablespoons dressing. – – – – – – – – – Nicoise Salad For Two4 cups mesclun or bite-size mixed salad greens2 small red skinned potatoes, cubed and cooked1 cup cooked green beans4 hard-cooked eggs, peeled and cut in quarters1 jar (250 mL) roasted red peppers, well-drained and cut into strips1 can (170 g) water packed tuna chunks, drained1/4 cup sliced pitted black olives Dressing2 tbsp extra-light olive oil1 tbsp lemon juice1 tsp Dijon mustardSalt and pepper, to taste Divide mesclun between 2 plates. Garnish salad greens with an equal amount of potatoes, green beans, egg quarters, red peppers, tuna and olives. Chill. Whisk together oil, lemon juice and mustard; season with salt and pepper. Drizzle dressing over salad. – – – – – – – – – Pear Salad with Blue Cheese Walnuts 1 #10 Can Sliced Pears drained (save 1 cup of the syrup) 1 Cup White Wine Vinegar (herbed flavored vinegar) 1 1/2 lbs Mixed Greens 1 1/2 lbs Crumbled Blue Cheese 2 Cups Toasted Walnut Pieces Place the 1 Cup of reserved syrup, the herbed flavored white wine vinegar and the 1 bd Cup of Blue Cheese in blender / food processor. Whirl until smooth and set aside for dressing salad.Layer mixed greens and pears in large salad bowl or individual plats, finishing with Blue Cheese and Toasted Walnut Pieces.Drizzle dressing over all. (serves 18 – 24)