Best Summer Salad Recipes for BBQs, Picnics & Light Dinners

Looking for the perfect Summer Salads to take to your next picnic, backyard BBQ, or weeknight dinner? You’re in the right place! This roundup is packed with fresh, flavorful salad recipes that are made for sunny days and warm nights.

Whether you need a make-ahead salad for a potluck, a light side dish for grilled meats, or a quick no-cook dinner idea, these easy Summer Salads deliver on taste and simplicity.

From crisp veggie-packed bowls to fruity favorites and pasta salads with a twist, there’s something here for every occasion—and every appetite.

1. Orzo Salad

Learn how to make a refreshing Orzo Salad, packed with fresh veggies, herbs, and a light dressing. Perfect for picnics, meal prep, or a quick side dish.

2. Cucumber Strawberry Salad with Burrata and Balsamic

This cucumber strawberry salad recipe is all about fresh, simple summery ingredients that shine on their own but come together perfectly! With sweet

3. Grilled Zucchini Salad Recipe

Grilled Zucchini Salad is the perfect summer salad, simple to make in minutes, and can be served warm, cold, or at room temperature.

4. Best Three Cheese Ranch Pasta Salad Recipe

One of my favorite things is summer salads so I loved this Best Three Cheese Ranch Pasta Salad Recipe. This post first appeared over at Real Housemoms.

5. Strawberry Spinach Salad

Enjoy a deliciously healthy Strawberry Spinach Salad in minutes! This recipe is full of fresh flavors and is filled with nutritional benefits.

6. Pimento Potato Salad

Give this Pimento Potato Salad a try. It’s a super easy potato salad you can make in the summer time, it’s also budget friendly to make.

7. Crisp Green Bean Salad

This cold green bean salad features summer’s finest fresh, crisp green beans, grape tomatoes, pickled red onions, salty bacon, and halloumi cheese.

8. Wild Rice Chicken Salad with Grapes and Cashews

Wild rice chicken salad is a refreshing and versatile meal for busy days, summer picnics, and on the go lunches!

9. Cucumber Salad

Enjoy a light and crunchy Cucumber Salad that pairs wonderfully with grilled meals, lunch, or sandwiches this summer.

10. Grilled Romaine Wedge Salad

A smoky grilled romaine wedge salad with tomatoes, bacon, and a tangy blue cheese vinaigrette. Lighter than the classic, perfect for summer.

11. Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad

Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad is a creamy, smoky, and slightly spicy pasta salad that turns a street food favorite into a crowd-friendly side dish.

12. Lemony Quinoa Chickpea Salad

Lemony Quinoa Chickpea Salad is a delicious and nutritious salad with cucumber, red bell pepper, chickpeas, and quinoa, in a bright, lemony dressing!

13. Classic Pea Salad Recipe

Pea Salad is such a classic summer salad! This Pea Salad Recipe is perfect to make when my Mom is coming because it is both gluten and dairy free!

14. Italian Pasta Salad

Enjoy the rich taste of Homemade Chunky Monkey Ice Cream, a delightful banana-infused dessert perfect for summer.

15. Green Goddess Salad

This cabbage green goddess salad is loaded with fresh cabbage, radishes, cucumbers, olives and topped with green goddess dressing.

16. Sweet Potato & Quinoa Salad

This Roasted Sweet Potato & Quinoa Salad is easy to make, delicious, and so healthy! Make it in under 45 minutes for dinner or your next barbecue!

17. Tomato Peach Burrata Salad

This tomato peach burrata salad is the ultimate mix of summer produce! It can be made in 15 minutes and is the best appetizer or side dish for any meal.

18. Spinach Salad with Raspberry Vinaigrette

Try this mouth-watering Spinach Salad with Raspberry Vinaigrette recipe for a light and refreshing meal. Made with fresh ingredients and a tangy dressing, it’s perfect for any occasion.

19. Best Summer Panzanella Salad Recipe (Bread & Tomato)

Best Summer Panzanella Salad Recipe (Bread & Tomato)- toasted bread, fresh juicy tomatoes, good quality olive oil, vinegar, and fresh basil!

20. Vegan Summertime Couscous Salad

This easy vegan couscous salad has kidney beans, cucumber, carrots, red pepper, yellow pepper, and microgreens. Serve it as a side dish or an entree.

21. Brussel Sprout Salad with Bacon and Poppyseed Vinaigrette

Fresh, crispy, sweet, and savory, this Brussel Sprout Salad with Bacon is miles above other salads! And the sweet Poppyseed Vinaigrette is absolutely amazing! The best part is that you can whip up this delicious bacon and Brussel sprout salad in just a few minutes!

22. Summer Cantaloupe Salad

Sweet Cantaloupe Salad is full of delicious fresh summer ingredients. Peppery arugula, strawberries, cool cucumber and more in a light citrus fresh herb dressing.