Best 8 Fresh Summer Salad Recipes

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In the heart of summer, when the sun shines brightly and gardens overflow with vibrant hues, it's time to indulge in a symphony of flavors with our Fresh Summer Salad extravaganza. This article presents a delightful array of salad recipes, each a testament to the season's bounty. From the classic and refreshing Tomato and Cucumber Salad to the unique and tangy Watermelon Salad with Feta and Mint, these dishes are sure to tantalize your taste buds and leave you craving more. Whether you're a vegetarian seeking a light and healthy lunch or a barbecue enthusiast looking for the perfect side dish, our collection of summer salads has something for every palate.

Embark on a culinary journey as we explore the vibrant flavors of summer produce. Discover the perfect balance of sweetness and acidity in our Berry Spinach Salad, where juicy berries dance harmoniously with crisp spinach and a zesty lemon-poppy seed dressing. Delight in the Mediterranean-inspired flavors of our Quinoa Salad with Roasted Vegetables, where tender quinoa, roasted bell peppers, zucchini, and eggplant come together in a symphony of textures and flavors. And for a taste of the tropics, try our Tropical Fruit Salad, a vibrant mix of exotic fruits like mango, pineapple, and papaya tossed in a sweet and tangy dressing.

With each recipe carefully crafted to highlight the best of summer's bounty, this article offers a refreshing escape from the ordinary. Whether you're hosting a backyard barbecue, packing a picnic basket, or simply seeking a healthy and flavorful meal, our Fresh Summer Salad collection is the perfect companion. So, gather your ingredients, prepare your taste buds, and let's dive into a world of summery flavors.

Here are our top 8 tried and tested recipes!

SUMMER FRESH FRUIT SALAD



Summer Fresh Fruit Salad image

A delicious, colorful blend of summer's fresh fruit topped with citrus dressing and finished with toasted pecans.

Provided by Kitten

Categories     Salad     Fruit Salad Recipes

Time 45m

Yield 12

Number Of Ingredients 13

2 cups watermelon, seeded and cut into bite-size pieces
2 cups cantaloupe, cut into bite-size pieces
2 cups fresh pineapple chunks
2 cups strawberries, hulled and halved if large
2 cups fresh peaches - peeled, pitted, and cut into bite-size pieces
1 cup seedless grapes
1 cup kiwi fruit, peeled and cut into bite-size pieces
¼ cup cold water
¼ cup frozen orange juice concentrate, thawed
¼ cup frozen limeade concentrate, thawed
¼ cup frozen lemonade concentrate, thawed
1 cup toasted pecans
12 lettuce leaves

Steps:

  • In a large salad bowl, gently toss together the watermelon, cantaloupe, pineapple, strawberries, peaches, grapes, and kiwi until thoroughly combined.
  • Combine the water and orange juice, limeade, and lemonade concentrates in a small bowl. Pour the dressing over the fruit salad. Gently toss, and sprinkle the salad with toasted pecans. Serve salad scooped on lettuce leaves.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 162.9 calories, Carbohydrate 26.3 g, Fat 6.9 g, Fiber 2.9 g, Protein 2.1 g, SaturatedFat 0.6 g, Sodium 8.7 mg, Sugar 21.7 g

FRESH SUMMER FRUIT SALAD



Fresh Summer Fruit Salad image

One day I decided to stir some rhubarb sauce into my fruit salad - and LOVED the result. The rhubarb sauce keeps fruits from turning brown too.

Provided by CHMOORE

Categories     Salad     Fruit Salad Recipes     Blueberry Salad Recipes

Time 3h45m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 11

½ cup water
⅔ cup sugar
3 cups thinly sliced rhubarb
15 seedless grapes, halved
½ orange, sectioned
10 fresh strawberries, hulled and halved
1 apple, cored and diced
1 peach, sliced
1 plum, pitted and sliced
15 pitted Bing cherries
¼ cup fresh blueberries

Steps:

  • Bring water and sugar to a boil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Stir in the rhubarb, turn heat to low, cover, and simmer until rhubarb is soft, 10 to 15 minutes. Mash and chill in the refrigerator, about one hour.
  • To serve, mix the grapes, orange, strawberries, apple, peach, plum, cherries, and blueberries with 2/3 cup of the rhubarb sauce. Stir gently, but thoroughly to coat. Refrigerate for at least two hours to allow the flavors to blend.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 236.2 calories, Carbohydrate 59.3 g, Fat 0.8 g, Fiber 4.8 g, Protein 1.9 g, SaturatedFat 0.2 g, Sodium 5.7 mg, Sugar 52.1 g

FRESH SUMMER CORN SALAD



Fresh Summer Corn Salad image

This fresh corn salad is a refreshingly simple side dish, perfect for a hot summer night or afternoon picnic.

Provided by ltlmsmfft

Categories     Salad     Vegetable Salad Recipes     Corn Salad Recipes

Time 30m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 7

4 ears fresh corn, shucked
½ cup finely diced red onion
2 ½ tablespoons red wine vinegar
2 ½ tablespoons olive oil
½ teaspoon kosher salt
½ teaspoon ground black pepper
5 tablespoons thinly sliced fresh basil leaves

Steps:

  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add corn and cook until the starchiness is just gone, about 3 minutes. Drain and immerse immediately in ice water to stop the cooking process and to set the color. Allow to cool, about 10 minutes.
  • Remove kernels, cutting close to the cobs.
  • Toss corn kernels with red onion, vinegar, olive oil, salt, and pepper in a large bowl. Toss in fresh basil just before serving. Taste and adjust seasonings. Serve at room temperature, or cold.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 109.6 calories, Carbohydrate 13.3 g, Fat 6.4 g, Fiber 1.9 g, Protein 2.2 g, SaturatedFat 0.9 g, Sodium 169.8 mg, Sugar 2.5 g

GARDEN FRESH SUMMER VEGETABLE SALAD



Garden Fresh Summer Vegetable Salad image

"We're always looking for ways to use our garden produce in the summer, and this salad is great because you can use whatever vegetables you have on hand. You'll love the dill dressing,."-Mari Roseberry, Dunning, Nebraska

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Lunch

Time 15m

Yield 6 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 12

1 cup fresh cauliflowerets
1 cup fresh baby carrots
1 cup sliced red onion
1 cup halved grape tomatoes
1 cup chopped zucchini
3 tablespoons cider vinegar
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon dill weed
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground mustard
1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon pepper

Steps:

  • In a large bowl, combine the cauliflower, carrots, onion, tomatoes and zucchini. In a small bowl, whisk the remaining ingredients. Pour over vegetables and toss to coat. , Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, stirring occasionally. Serve with a slotted spoon.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 75 calories, Fat 5g fat (1g saturated fat), Cholesterol 0 cholesterol, Sodium 226mg sodium, Carbohydrate 8g carbohydrate (4g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 1g protein. Diabetic Exchanges

FRESH CORN SUMMER SALAD



Fresh Corn Summer Salad image

Here is a bright bowl of summer offered up by Betty Fussell, the cookbook writer and observer of American life. She tells us to organize the vegetables in rows across a platter, which provides a lovely presentation - but there's nothing wrong with piling them in a bowl willy-nilly, a crisp riot of color and flavor.

Provided by Betty Fussell

Categories     easy, quick, salads and dressings, side dish

Time 25m

Yield 4 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 12

3 cups fresh corn kernels (from about 5 ears)
1/4 cup chopped scallions
2 small young zucchini (about 1/2 pound), diced
2 small ripe tomatoes (about 1/2 pound), seeded and diced
1 orange sweet bell pepper, seeded and diced
1/4 pound green beans, parboiled 2 minutes and cut into 1/2-inch lengths
1/2 cup packed basil leaves
1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons lime juice
Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Steps:

  • In a medium bowl, combine the corn kernels and scallions, and transfer to one end of a serving platter. Place the zucchini, tomatoes, bell pepper and green beans in rows across the platter, until the platter is filled.
  • In the container of a blender, combine the basil leaves, jalapeno, garlic, olive oil and lime juice. Puree until smooth, and season to taste with salt and pepper. Pour the dressing over the vegetables, and serve.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 282, UnsaturatedFat 16 grams, Carbohydrate 25 grams, Fat 19 grams, Fiber 4 grams, Protein 4 grams, SaturatedFat 3 grams, Sodium 506 milligrams, Sugar 6 grams

SUMMER-FRESH QUINOA SALAD



Summer-Fresh Quinoa Salad image

"This light and refreshing salad is easy to prepare and perfect for hot summer days. I often add zucchini or summer squash and use fresh tomatoes instead of sun-dried." Liz Gadbois - Woodville, WI

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Lunch

Time 25m

Yield 14 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 8

2 cups quinoa, rinsed
1 cup boiling water
1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes (not packed in oil)
1 medium cucumber, peeled, seeded and chopped
1 each medium green, sweet red and yellow peppers, chopped
6 green onions, thinly sliced
1 package (4 ounces) crumbled garlic and herb feta cheese
1/2 cup reduced-fat sun-dried tomato salad dressing, divided

Steps:

  • Cook quinoa according to package directions. Transfer to a large bowl; cool completely. , In a small bowl, combine water and tomatoes; let stand for 5 minutes. Drain and chop tomatoes; add to quinoa. Stir in the cucumber, peppers, onions, cheese and 1/4 cup salad dressing., Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours. Just before serving, stir in remaining salad dressing.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 148 calories, Fat 4g fat (1g saturated fat), Cholesterol 6mg cholesterol, Sodium 248mg sodium, Carbohydrate 22g carbohydrate (3g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 5g protein. Diabetic Exchanges

FRESH SUMMER PASTA SALAD



Fresh Summer Pasta Salad image

While preparing lunch, I made this summer pasta salad for dinner. It was fast and easy; delicious and colorful. We love to enjoy the fresh fruits and veggies in season. I served this salad with almond crackers and sharp cheddar slices. So tasty! -Cathy Orban, Chandler, Arizona

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Lunch

Time 20m

Yield 12 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 12

4 cups uncooked campanelle or spiral pasta
2 medium carrots, finely chopped
2 medium peaches, chopped
1 pouch (11 ounces) light tuna in water
1/2 cup sliced celery
1/2 cup julienned cucumber
1/2 cup julienned zucchini
1/2 cup fresh broccoli florets, chopped
1/2 cup grated red cabbage
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
2 cups Caesar salad dressing

Steps:

  • Cook pasta according to package directions for al dente. Drain; rinse with cold water and drain well. Transfer to a large bowl. Add carrots, peaches, tuna, celery, cucumber, zucchini, broccoli, cabbage, salt and pepper. Drizzle with dressing; toss to coat. Refrigerate, covered, at least 3 hours before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 357 calories, Fat 23g fat (4g saturated fat), Cholesterol 25mg cholesterol, Sodium 651mg sodium, Carbohydrate 26g carbohydrate (5g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 10g protein.

FANTASTICALLY FRESH SUMMER SALAD



Fantastically Fresh Summer Salad image

This salad is easy to put together and tastes delicious. Don't let the list of ingredients fool you - they are items that you typically have on hand. In the salad, the combination of radishes, strawberries and avocado are a mixture of complimentary tastes and textures. Personally, I don't toss salads with the toppings because the toppings always seem to fall to the bottom of the bowl and you miss out on them.

Provided by Nif_H

Categories     Low Protein

Time 15m

Yield 8 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 13

1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
1/2 cup canola oil
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
2 tablespoons honey
1/4 cup onion, roughly chopped
1 tablespoon sugar
1 tablespoon grainy mustard or 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 head romaine lettuce (cut or torn into bite-sized pieces)
1/2 cup radish, thinly sliced
1 cup fresh strawberries, sliced
1 avocado, chopped
1/2 cup aged white cheddar cheese or 1/2 cup smoked cheddar cheese, cut into small cubes

Steps:

  • Mix all ingredients for the dressing in a blender or food processor. Blend for at least 2 minutes.
  • Place the lettuce in a large salad bowl. Add dressing and toss.
  • Top with radishes, strawberries, avocado and cheddar cheese. Serve immediately.

Tips:

  • Choose fresh, seasonal ingredients. This will ensure that your salad is packed with flavor and nutrients.
  • Don't be afraid to mix and match different types of greens. A variety of textures and flavors will make your salad more interesting.
  • Add some protein to your salad. This could be grilled chicken, shrimp, tofu, or beans.
  • Don't forget the dressing. A simple vinaigrette or lemon-tahini dressing is a great way to add flavor and moisture to your salad.
  • Make sure your salad is well-balanced. There should be a good mix of greens, protein, and dressing.
  • Serve your salad immediately. This will prevent the greens from wilting.

Conclusion:

Fresh summer salads are a delicious and healthy way to enjoy the bounty of the season. With so many different variations to choose from, there's sure to be a salad that everyone will enjoy. So next time you're looking for a light and refreshing meal, give one of these recipes a try. You won't be disappointed!

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