Summer may not officially kick off until June 20, but we all know that it unofficially arrives once the sidewalks start to radiate heat. Which, depending on where you are, can be in late April or early May (we see you, Florida).
Our favorite thing to eat when it's positively scorching? A crisp, cooling salad. Bonus points if it's totally no-cook. Here are 41 of our best and brightest summer salad recipes to get you through the long, hot months—enjoy them in a sunny spot or curled up next to the A.C. unit, whatever works.
1. The Source Aware Salad From ‘Health Nut’
Thinly sliced and shredded red cabbage, beets, cucumber, carrots, and celery are composed along with sprouts and sliced avocado for this fresh and crunchy salad that was a contender in our Tournament of Salads.
2. Dirty Martini Salad Dressing
The classic cocktail meets salad dressing and the results are glorious. Bonus: It can double as a marinade for chicken and veggies.
3. Avocado Toast Salad
The ultimate brunch dish becomes the ultimate warm-weather salad.
4. Quinoa & Mango Salad With Lemony-Ginger Dressing
Sweet mango and lemon-ginger dressing make a superstar team in this quinoa salad.
5. Dilled, Crunchy Sweet-Corn Salad with Buttermilk Dressing
There's something about the creamy-tangy buttermilk dressing and the snappy-sweet corn kernels that just sings out: Summer is here!
6. Summer Farro Salad
Nutty farro, little hunks of mozzarella, fresh basil, drizzles of balsamic and red wine vinegar—what's not to love?
7. Pea, Asparagus, & Avocado Salad With Burrata
Consider this the ultimate feel-good salad: plenty of greens, a citrusy mint dressing, and a ball of fresh burrata for good measure.
8. Citrus Ginger Tofu Salad with Buckwheat Soba Noodles
This gingery tofu and buckwheat soba noodle is perfect for those sweltering summer days when you need something ultra-refreshing. Plus, it just so happens to be vegan.
9. Crunchy, Creamy Cucumber-Avocado Salad
This salad strikes a masterful balance of textures with crisp cucumbers and buttery avocado and feta.
10. Melon, Bacon & Spinach Salad with a Melon Vinaigrette
Sweet meets salty in this salad—a finalist in our "Your Greatest Salad of All Time" recipe contest.
11. The Genius Super-Salad
Emma Laperruque and Founding Editor Kristen Miglore joined forces to create the most Genius salad of all time. You're welcome.
12. Tomato, Nectarine & Mozzarella Salad
Consider this salad a new-fashioned take on Caprese, with nectarines and a balsamic vinegar reduction.
13. Potato Salad With Arugula & Dijon Vinaigrette
This mayo-less potato salad gets it's verve from rice vinegar, red wine vinegar, Dijon, and a sprinkling of chopped chives.
14. Maricel E. Presilla's Cuban Avocado, Watercress & Pineapple Salad
Broiling the pineapples before incorporating into the salad enhances their natural sweetness, but also adds a bit of smoky, charred depth.
15. Warm Chicken Salad
"This simple, hearty salad earned rave reviews from the whole family," wrote one reviewer. Sold.
16. Tomato Salad With Crispy Spiced Chickpeas
The perfect salad for late summer days.
17. Grilled Peach & Apricot Salad
Grilled peaches and apricots turn heads in a salad that's not only beautiful, but tasty, too.
18. Our Best Pasta Salad
This superlative pasta salad is best defined by what it is not: soggy, over-seasoned, boring-tasting, or just meh.
19. Easy, Creamy Vegan Salad Dressing
A super-flavorful, creamy dressing that also happens to be vegan? Yep, add it to your summer salad rotation.
20. Shaved Brussels Sprout Salad with Red Onion, Lemon & Pecorino
Serve this simple shaved Brussels sprout salad next to grilled meats, fish, or even a veggie burger.
21. Chickpea "Tuna" Salad
"If you're looking for tuna salad, turn back now," writes Sarah Jampel. Chickpeas are the name of the game here.
22. Green Goddess Salad
This green goddess dressing was designed with crisp lettuce in mind, but it'd be excellent with seafood, too.
23. Grilled Broccolini Salad With Basil-Walnut Vinaigrette
Grilled salad? Oh, yes.
24. BLT Salad
Everything you love about the classic summer sandwich, in sublime salad form.
25. Cobb Salad for One
This lush Cobb salad was designed for one, but simply scale up if you're making it for a crowd.
26. Marinated Lentil Salad with Zucchini & Tomatoes
Shake up your pasta salad routine by turning to lentils instead.
27. Jennie’s Burmese Slaw With Frizzled Onions
This highly adaptable recipes features many elements of traditional Burmese salads (known as thokes), but features a few twists, from the convenience of packaged coleslaw mix to its use of lemon juice.
28. Grilled Potato & Green Bean Salad
A quick kiss on the grill gives potatoes and green beans extra spunk in this easygoing salad.
29. Spicy Miso Eggplant & Broccoli Salad, From Deliciously Ella
If you prefer your salads to have a kick of heat (even in the summer), try this spicy miso eggplant and broccoli salad that can be served cold or warm.
30. Roasted Seaweed Caesar Salad With Anchovy Croutons
Traditional Caesar salad gets a Korean-inspired spin, with the addition of roasted seaweed snack.
31. Wedge Salad With All the Fixins
"A wedge salad is one of those retro dishes that needs no improvement," writes Rebecca Firkser, but this recipe perfect every element.
32. Southwestern Quinoa Salad, by Way of the Pantry
This laid-back salad was designed to be riffed on, so make any substitutions or swaps you see fit.
33. Nancy's Chopped Salad
What makes this chopped salad Genius-worthy? A handful of why didn't I think of that? tricks that take the flavors and textures over the top.
34. Crispy Chickpea Fattoush with Asparagus & Radishes
If you've never tried crispy chickpeas in your salads, well, what are you waiting for?
35. Cucumber Salad With Magic Spice Blend
This three-ingredient salad lives up to the "magic" in its name. You'll see.
36. Celery & Lentil Salad with Tossed Salsa Verde
As is to be expected with a salad recipe from EmilyC, this celery and lentil number is an absolute home run.
37. Crispy Farro & Tomato Salad
The ultimate salad topping: farro broiled till it's crackly and crunchy.
38. Honeydew With Prosciutto, Olives & Mint
Bright, summery, and just the right balance of savory and sweet (oh, and a hint of spicy).
39. Banana-Mint Salad
There are endless ways to play around with this minty banana salad—add cocoa nibs, scoop the bananas on peanut buttered toast, it's totally up to you.
40. Buffalo Chickpea Salad With Vegan Ranch
Buffalo sauce fans, this one's for you.
41. Grilled Steak Salad With Fish Sauce Vinaigrette
The key to this steak salad? Marinate the meat after you grill it, rather than ahead of time.
42. Early Summer Panzanella
Juicy summer tomatoes and slightly stale bread get marinated in a zingy garlic scape pesto, then grilled in this contest-winning panzanella.
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