Home Nutrition 23 Favorite Summer Salads – Mel’s Kitchen Cafe

23 Favorite Summer Salads – Mel’s Kitchen Cafe

Summer is the perfect time to bring fresh, flavorful salads to your dinner table more often! It’s easy to prepare ahead and goes great with anything that comes off the grill. They are also often well-traveled, whether you take them to family gatherings or summer barbecues.

I’ve compiled 23 of my favorite summer salads. Including the fresh broccoli salad that my husband always loves, the kale and wild rice salad that I love so much, and the chicken and pasta vineyard salad that my kids love.

Some of these salads make great side dishes, while others are perfect for a quick dinner!

If you’re looking for fresh salad inspiration this summer, this list has it all! I repeat all of this during the warmer months (and pretty much all year long).

1

A white bowl of chopped broccoli salad with shredded cheese, chopped onions, bacon bits, sunflower seeds and dried cranberries coated in a light sauce.

Best Broccoli Salad

The best broccoli salad recipe made with fresh broccoli and the most delicious homemade dressing. Always popular at potlucks and barbecues!

Get the Recipe

2

Pesto pasta salad with pine nuts in a white bowl.

Pesto Pasta Salad with Peas and Parmesan Cheese

Get excited about pasta salads again with this amazing Pesto Pasta Salad with Peas and Parmesan Cheese. So light, so simple, and so delicious!

Get the Recipe

3

White bowl with wooden spoon next to tortellini salad with mozzarella, chicken, roasted peppers and tomatoes.

Pesto Balsamic Chicken Tortellini Toss

These delicious Pesto Balsamic Chicken Tortellini Tosses are packed with lots of delicious ingredients and flavors like roasted tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, artichokes, and more!

Get the Recipe

4

Greek pasta salad served on a white plate with a fork next to it.

Greek Pasta Salad

These delicious Pesto Balsamic Chicken Tortellini Tosses are packed with lots of delicious ingredients and flavors like roasted tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, artichokes, and more!

Get the Recipe

5

Large white bowl with vegetables, pasta, chicken, grapes, fresh basil and pine nuts

Vineyard Chicken and Pasta Salad

The perfect light and fresh dinner, this Vineyard Chicken and Pasta Salad is so delicious! There are so many delicious ingredients and the dressing…yum!

Get the Recipe

6

Kale and wild rice salad served in white bowl with fork

Kale and Wild Rice Salad

This awesome kale and wild rice salad is packed with lots of delicious ingredients, including chicken, avocado, feta cheese, almonds, apples, and more! I really like it!

Get the Recipe

7

White serving bowl filled with salad ingredients for fresh basil couscous green salad

Fresh Basil and Corn Couscous Green Salad

This couscous green salad is absolutely amazing! Comes together quickly… The fresh basil dressing will knock your socks off.

Get the Recipe

8

Top down view of white bowl filled with shredded chicken, diced avocado, fresh corn chunks and bacon slices.

Avocado Chicken Salad

This Avocado Chicken Salad is irresistible! It’s perfect as a light and healthy dinner, or as a light lunch or party food. Bonus: It comes together quickly (less than 15 minutes)!

Get the Recipe

9

Alt=""

Mashed Yukon Gold Potato Salad

Potato salad gets a bit of a makeover with this mashed potato salad. Simple and delicious, soft Yukon gold potatoes and classic dressing are perfect!

Get the Recipe

10

Closeup of honey lime fruit salad.

Honey Lime Fruit Salad

The best fruit salad! This Honey Lime Fruit Salad is so easy and delicious, and has just enough flair to make it feel special.

Get the Recipe

11

White bowl filled with Mexican street corn salad topped with cilantro and lime.

Mexican Street Corn Salad

The best summer side dish! This creamy Mexican street corn salad (aka esquire) is incredibly easy and full of amazing smoky, fresh flavor.

Get the Recipe

12

Top down view of grilled chicken orzo salad in a white serving bowl.

Grilled Chicken and Vegetable Orzo Salad with Honey Lime Dressing

Packed with flavor… and veggies, this Grilled Chicken Orzo Salad is so delicious (and so pretty!) with a simple homemade honey lime dressing.

Get the Recipe

13

Dip cowboy caviar in a white bowl.

Easy Cowboy Caviar

This Cowboy Caviar Dip (aka Shredded Dip!) is literally thrown together and is the easiest… Makes one of the tastiest snacks/appetizers. Perfect for a potluck or barbecue!

Get the Recipe

14

Grilled chicken cobb salad in white bowl with lettuce, tomatoes, eggs, bacon and blue cheese.

Grilled Chicken Cobb Salad

This light and healthy Grilled Chicken Cobb Salad is loaded with delicious ingredients (bacon, tomatoes, lettuce, cheese!) and a simple and delicious homemade dressing!

Get the Recipe

15

Alt=""

Fresh Green Bean Salad with Balsamic Dressing

This Fresh Green Bean Salad with Balsamic Dressing is so bright, fresh, and flavorful. It’s the perfect summer side dish!

Get the Recipe

16

Pasta salad on an oval white tray with olives, tomatoes, parmesan cheese and fresh basil.

Tri-color pasta salad

Simple to prepare, this tri-color pasta salad is the best. The creamy dressing with a hint of pesto is so delicious and delicious!

Get the Recipe

17

Alt=""

BBQ Chicken Salad Cilantro Lime Rice Bowl

If you love BBQ chicken salad, you’ll fall in love with this BBQ Chicken Salad Bowl with Cilantro Lime Rice. It’s quick and delicious and makes the perfect lunch or dinner!

Get the Recipe

18

Alt=""

Summer Roasted Vegetable Orzo Salad with Fresh Basil

Simple roasted vegetables topped with orzo, fresh basil, and a light, delicious homemade dressing. This orzo summer salad is fantastic!

Get the Recipe

19

Top down view of a white oval plate with potato chunks, bacon bits and chopped parsley.

German Potato Salad

German potato salad is simple and so delicious! Served with tender potatoes, simple herbs and bacon in an egg-free and dairy-free dressing.

Get the Recipe

20

Alt=""

Chopped Thai Crunch Salad with Sweet and Spicy Dressing

A healthy Thai salad with fresh vegetables, tender chicken, Thai vinaigrette, and a creamy, spicy peanut dressing.

Get the Recipe

21

Alt=""

Greek Pita Bread Salad

This light and refreshing Greek pita bread salad is loaded with toasted pita bread, cucumbers, olives, feta cheese, and chickpeas. Yum!

Get the Recipe

22

Wooden salad bowl with fresh spinach, sliced ​​strawberries, sliced ​​red onion, feta cheese, chopped pecans and poppy seed dressing.

Strawberry Spinach Salad with Homemade Poppy Seed Dressing

This Strawberry Spinach Salad is full of delicious, fresh ingredients and topped with a creamy, sweet, and tangy poppy seed dressing. Beautiful and delicious!

Get the Recipe

23

Wooden spoon taking out a scoop of cooked orzo salad with tomatoes, pine nuts and basil from a white casserole dish.

Orzo salad with tomatoes, basil and feta cheese

Light and refreshing orzo salad with tomatoes, basil and feta cheese is the perfect side dish or delicious main dish. It’s simple and so delicious!

Get the Recipe

Disclaimer: I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.