Healthy Summer Salad Recipes

Salads of all kinds are perfect for summer meals. They’re light, refreshing and there are so ways to put them together.

Here are some healthy summer salads for you to try. They’re perfect for meals with some bread or a sandwich. Make a few for your next BBQor bring one as a potluck.

I’d love more ideas so please share your own (blog links are fine) in the comment section below and I’ll feature some on my social media channels.

Easy summer salads

Crunchy Pea Salad
1 cup thawed green peas
½ cup ranch dressing
½ cup sliced celery
½ cup chopped cauliflower
1 cup torn lettuce
2 Tbsp. diced green onion
½ cup roasted cashews, macadamia nuts,
1 Tbsp. sliced pimento roasted peanuts, or sunflower seeds
¼ cup sour cream

Combine peas, lettuce, celery, cauliflower, onion, pimento, and nuts.
Mix together sour cream and dressing.
Toss together.

BLT Salad from our friends at When Is Dinner!

Summer salads for a crowd

Bean Fiesta
1 can (16 oz.) each: red kidney beans, yellow wax beans, green beans, garbanzo beans, rinsed and drained
1 large red onion, sliced
1 large green pepper, sliced
½ cup vinegar
½ cup oil
1 cup of sugar
Salt and pepper to taste

Combine beans, onion and green pepper in a large bowl. Mix vinegar, oil, and sugar. Pour over bean mixture and stir well. Season with salt and pepper. Marinate at least 3 hours in the refrigerator.

Vegetable Salad
1 head broccoli, cut in florets
1 small red onion, sliced
1 head cauliflower, cut in florets
1 tomato, diced
1 cup carrots, sliced
1 cup non-fat Italian dressing
Optional: Avocado, marinated artichoke hearts, or any vegetable.

Mix all ingredients and allow to marinate in refrigerator several hours.

Macaroni Salad
3 cups cooked macaroni
1 cup (4 ounces) cubed cheese
1 celery stalk, chopped
¼ cup sweet pickle relish or chopped sweet pickle
1 Tablespoon diced onion
1 Tablespoon diced green bell pepper
¾ cup light mayonnaise or salad dressing
Salt and pepper to taste.

In a large mixing bowl combine all ingredients. Chill before serving.

Cucumber Couscous Salad
1 (11-ounce package) Whole Wheat Couscous
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 cup lemon juice
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 cucumber, seeded and chopped
1/2 cup finely chopped green onions
1/2 cup fresh chopped parsley

In a medium saucepan, bring 1 3/4 cup water to a boil.
Stir in couscous; cover.
Remove from heat; let stand, covered, five minutes. Cool to room temperature.
Meanwhile, in a medium bowl combine olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
Stir in cucumber, green onion, parsley, basil, and Couscous.
Mix well and chill for at least one hour.

Summer Squash Salad
2 yellow squash
2 zucchini
8 crimini mushrooms
3 oz Parmesan cheese, cut into thin slices
2 cloves fresh garlic (peeled and thinly sliced)
6 leaves fresh basil, julienne
3 oz extra-virgin olive oil
2 lemons, zested and juiced
2 tsp. cracked chili flakes
Kosher salt to taste
Black pepper to taste

Split the squash and zucchini lengthwise and lightly oil.
Season with salt and black pepper and grill over medium heat for 5-6 minutes.
Turn the squash once to cook it evenly. Cut the squash into half-moons.
Next lightly oil and season the mushrooms and place onto the grill for 4-5 minutes.
Place the cut squash and mushrooms into a mixing bowl and add the parmesan cheese, sliced garlic, basil, extra virgin olive oil, lemon zest and juice, and the cracked chili flakes.
Season with salt and black pepper to taste.

More healthy summer salads from blogging friends

Tropical Mango Salad with Coconut Flakes – The sweet golden mangoes are perfect with crunchy red cabbage, roasted coconut flakes and peanuts with a tangy, salty lime and fish sauce dressing.
Southwestern Bean Salad – Tangy southwestern bean salad is perfect for a cookout. It can be eaten as a side or with chips.
Tomato Watermelon Salad – This super easy 3 Ingredient Tomato Salad is kid-friendly and perfect for summer BBQ’s or everyday eating.
Strawberry Spinach Salad – This easy-to-make salad makes good use of the abundance of strawberries available in the summer. It’s a perfect accompaniment for summer dinners or a meal in itself
California Grilled Chicken Avocado Salad
Red and Green Spinach Salad