Top 10 Summer Salads Perfect for Lazy Hot Days
There’s nothing you’d like to be doing on a hot summer day more than cooking a complicated meal on the stove. That’s where these top 10 summer salads come to the rescue. Fresh, fast, and packed with flavor, they’re the easiest way to eat healthy without feeling like you’re missing out.
In this post, I’m sharing my top 10 summer salads that are not only delicious but also super simple to make. These are the kinds of salads you’ll want to make on repeat all summer long. Whether it’s for a quick lunch, a BBQ side, or just because you’re craving something light and refreshing.
Trust me, some of these combos sound weird… until you try them. Let’s get into it!
Looking for healthy ideas? Don’t miss Simple Low-Calorie Desserts Under 200 Calories
1. Watermelon Feta Salad
This one scream summer. Sweet watermelon + salty feta = magic. Add some mint and olive oil, and you’ve got a salad that’s honestly addictive.
Ingredients:
- 4 cups seedless watermelon, cubed
- 1 cup crumbled feta cheese
- ½ red onion, thinly sliced
- A handful of fresh mint leaves
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Toss the watermelon, feta, and onion in a bowl.
- Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle in the mint.
- Season lightly and serve cold.
Equipment: Cutting board, knife, large mixing bowl
2. Chicken Caesar Salad with a BBQ Twist
This isn’t your basic Caesar. We’re adding grilled chicken to make it more satisfying and summer-appropriate. Great as a full meal!
Ingredients:
- 1 head of romaine lettuce, chopped
- ½ cup creamy Caesar dressing
- 1 grilled chicken breast, sliced
- ½ cup croutons
- ÂĽ cup grated Parmesan
- Fresh lemon juice
Instructions:
- Mix the lettuce and dressing in a big bowl.
- Top with grilled chicken, Parmesan, and croutons.
- Squeeze a little lemon over everything.
Equipment: Grill pan, salad bowl, tongs
3. Avocado Corn Salad
So creamy, so fresh! This combo hits every note sweet, crunchy, and zesty with just a touch of creaminess from the avocado.
Ingredients:
- 2 ripe avocados, cubed
- 1 cup sweet corn (grilled or canned)
- 1 small red bell pepper, chopped
- ÂĽ red onion, diced
- Juice of 1 lime
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and pepper
Instructions:
- Combine corn, bell pepper, and onion.
- Gently fold in avocado (careful not to mash it!).
- Add lime juice, olive oil, and seasoning. Done!
Equipment: Bowl, spoon, knife
4. Chill-Out Cucumber Yogurt Salad
This is basically a tzatziki in salad form. It’s creamy, garlicky, and cool as ice.
Ingredients:
- 2 cucumbers, thinly sliced
- 1 cup Greek yogurt
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp vinegar
- Fresh chopped dill
- Salt to taste
Instructions:
- Mix everything in a bowl.
- Chill for 30 minutes. Seriously, don’t skip this step.
Equipment: Knife, bowl, grater
If you enjoyed this recipe, you might also like our post on 7-Day Healthy Meal Plan for Beginners.
5. Classic Three Bean Salad
If you’re planning a picnic, this is your no-fail dish. It tastes even better the next day!
Ingredients:
- 1 can green beans
- 1 can kidney beans
- 1 can chickpeas
- ÂĽ red onion, diced
- ÂĽ cup apple cider vinegar
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp sugar
- Salt and pepper
Instructions:
- Drain and rinse all beans.
- Mix them with the onion.
- Whisk the vinegar, oil, sugar, and seasoning. Pour over beans.
Equipment: Can opener, bowl, whisk
6. Strawberry Spinach Salad That Looks as Good as It Tastes
This one’s perfect for breakfast or dinner. The sweetness of strawberries with tangy balsamic? Chef’s kiss.
Ingredients:
- 4 cups baby spinach
- 1 cup fresh strawberries, sliced
- ÂĽ cup crumbled goat cheese or fet
- 2 tbsp balsamic glaze
- ÂĽ cup chopped walnuts
Instructions:
- Layer spinach and strawberries in a bowl.
- Top with cheese and walnuts.
- Drizzle with balsamic glaze.
Equipment: Salad spinner, knife, platter
7. Rainbow Quinoa Salad (Eat the Rainbow!)
Not just pretty. It’s protein-packed and meal-prep approved.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup cooked quinoa
- ½ red bell pepper
- ½ yellow bell pepper
- ½ cucumber, diced
- ½ cup cherry tomatoes
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and pepper
Instructions:
- Cook quinoa, let it cool.
- Add veggies, lemon juice, and oil.
- Mix and serve cold or room temp.
Equipment: Pot, mixing bowl, knife
8. Asian-Style Sesame Noodle Salad
No stove needed if you prep the noodles early! It’s crunchy, salty, nutty everything you want in a cold salad.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups cooked soba noodles
- ½ cup shredded carrots
- ½ cup sliced cucumber
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tsp rice vinegar
- Sesame seeds
Instructions:
- Combine noodles and veggies.
- Mix dressing and pour over.
- Top with sesame seeds.
Equipment: Bowl, pot for noodles, tongs
9. Mango & Black Bean Salad (Trust Me, It Works)
You wouldn’t expect mango and beans to pair so well. But they do. Like, really well.
Ingredients:
- 1 ripe mango, cubed
- 1 can black beans, rinsed
- ÂĽ red onion, diced
- ÂĽ cup fresh cilantro
- Juice of 1 lime
- Salt to taste
Instructions:
- Combine everything in a bowl.
- Let it sit 15 minutes so the flavors get cozy.
Equipment: Knife, bowl, citrus press
Looking for more recipes? click here
10. Light & Herby Potato Salad (No Mayo Here!)
Skip the heavy mayo. This one is zesty, lemony, fresh, and ideal for clean eating.
Ingredients:
- 3 medium potatoes, boiled and cubed
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- ÂĽ cup chopped parsley
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- Salt and pepper
Instructions:
- Mix oil, mustard, lemon, salt, and pepper.
- Toss with warm potatoes.
- Sprinkle parsley and enjoy warm or cold.
Equipment: Pot, strainer, spoon
Say Goodbye to Boring Salads
I told you these weren’t your average bowls of lettuce. These top 10 summer salads are light, colorful, and full of flavor, everything you want on a warm day. Plus, they’re easy to customize, quick to make, and perfect for just about any summer occasion.
Whether you’re meal-prepping or throwing a last-minute BBQ, these top 10 summer salads will make you look like a total kitchen pro (with barely any effort).
