6 Delicious Showstopper Summer Salads You’ll Love To Serve
These six beautiful summer salad recipes are fresh, colorful, and easy to make. They’re perfect for warm-weather meals, picnics, or everyday dinners!
One of the best parts of summer is all the farm-fresh, in-season salad ingredients available. Salads, especially the beautiful ones in this post, are fresh, flavorful, and easy to make, perfect for warm-weather meals, backyard gatherings, or everyday dinners. Here are 6 showstopper salads you will love to make all summer long.
Delicious Fresh Corn Salad With Apple Cider Vinaigrette
I live in Lancaster County, and fresh produce is a way of life in our agrarian county! We take corn seriously. Corn Salad is not only farm-to-table fresh but also very easy to make. If you can’t wait for corn season to make it, use good-quality frozen corn. Just thaw the corn, drain the excess liquid by putting it on a paper towel, and make this wonderful summer salad.
The simple, tangy apple cider vinaigrette gives this salad wonderful depth of flavor!
Watermelon Feta Salad With Mint and Balsamic Lime Drizzle
Watermelon and Feta Salad with Mint and a Balsamic Lime Drizzle is a refreshing, sweet-salty side dish salad perfect for a family dinner or get-together. This salad is the prettiest and tastiest spin on traditional Watermelon Salad.
This salad can also be made by cutting the watermelon into bite-size chunks and crumbling the feta. However, it does not have the beautiful effect or incredible look when plated.
My sister, who was a chef, first introduced me to this scrumptious, refreshing salad.
Tomato, Peach, Cherry, and Baratta Salad With Herb Vinaigrette
My daughter, a very good cook, made this salad one summer while we were on a beach vacation with our whole family. Tomato, Peach, Cherry, and Baratta Salad is stunningly gorgeous, and tastes even better than it looks! This is my favorite summer salad! Grill fish or chicken, and serve it with crusty bread, and you have a very memorable meal.
The pinenuts (or pepitas) give it a subtle crunch, and the vinaigrette adds a herby note. It’s just so good!
Arugula Salad With Shaved Parmesan in a Lemon Vinaigrette
If you have spent any time on StoneGable or read our weekly menu plans, then you know that Arugula Salad is a staple in our home. We eat this simple, easy-to-make salad several times a week for dinner and lunch. It’s that delicious!
When the peppery taste of arugula mixes with the puckery, bright flavor of lemon, something magical happens. Add saved Parmesan and nuts, and it will become a salad you will make a staple in your home too!
Delicious Asian Ramen Noodle Salad With Sesame Soy Vinaigrette
I like to call this The Lazy Girl’s Asian Ramen Noodle Salad! I’ve tried lots of versions over the years, but I’ve tweaked these recipes and added a few shortcuts to make it easier and taste even better.
It uses uncooked Ramen noodles for the best crunch, and it has all the things that make this salad so crave-worthy: a little sweetness, lots of crunch, great texture, and so much color!
Kids of all ages love this salad!
Rolled Zucchini Salad With Balsamic Dressing
Rolled Zucchini salad gets the prize for being the most unique-looking salad. It is truly a showstopper! But don’t let its designer look fool you, it’s very easy to make! When served on a big plate, you will get lots of oohs and aahs! The only thing better than its looks is its taste!
My daughter made this scrumptious, crunchy, creamy salad for Father’s Day, and it was the star of the meal! If you want a salad to impress, this is the one!
What To Serve With These Summery Salads
These easy summer salads are filling enough to be the star of the plate, but they’re even better with a simple bread or side. Here are a few family favorite recipes that pair perfectly with any summer salad.
Sweet Cream Corn Cornbread (From A Box)
This doctored-up cornbread starts with a box mix and gets a big flavor upgrade from sweet corn and sour cream. It’s soft, moist, and so easy to make!
Best Butter-Topped Beer Bread
This no-yeast bread has a delicious golden butter crust and a tender, hearty crumb. It’s the perfect savory bite to accompany a fresh summer salad.
Delicious And Easy No-Knead Bread
If you love bakery-style bread without the work, this one’s for you! It has a crisp crust and chewy center, and you don’t even have to knead it.
Summer is the perfect time to enjoy fresh, in-season ingredients, and these beautiful salads make the most of what’s growing. Whether you’re planning a simple dinner, a backyard gathering, or need a dish to take to a potluck, these recipes are always a hit.
Pair them with an easy bread recipe, and you’ll have a delicious, well-rounded meal everyone will love.
Which one will you try first? Let me know in the comments—I’d love to hear what you’re serving this summer!
Frequently Asked Questions
Use the freshest, brightest-colored produce, fruit, and herbs. Toss in nuts or seeds for some crunch, and add cheese for a tasty creamy note. Drizzle a summer salad with homemade dressing. The key is to mix textures and flavors for a delightful bite every time.
Light and zesty dressings are perfect for summer. Think vinaigrettes made with lemon juice, balsamic vinegar, or apple cider vinegar mixed with olive oil. Add a touch of honey or mustard for depth. For a creamy option, try a yogurt-based dressing with herbs. The goal is to complement the fresh ingredients without overpowering them.
With these simple tips, it’s easy to keep a salad from getting soggy. First, dry your salad greens. Use a salad spinner and pat them dry with a paper towel. If you are making the salad ahead, store all the salad components separately and mix just before serving. And lastly, dress the salad and serve it immediately.
Shopping The Post
Other Recipes You Might Enjoy
Happy Summer Cooking, friends…
Thanks, Yvonne, for these recipes! I am going to make the Ramen Noodle recipe tomorrow and the Rolled Zucchini Salad on the weekend.
Enjoy your week.
Yum! Enjoy!
All of these salads look delicious and perfect to bring to a summer BBQ. I don’t know which one to try first!
We love all of them!