18 Incredible Salad Recipes Perfect for the Summer Months

Really, what time of the year is more perfect for a light, refreshing salad than the summer months? Some days, you just need to cool off — or take a break from all the grilled and smoked meats from all the barbecues and backyard parties you attend — and the right salad can do just that for you.

Don’t get it twisted, though: We aren’t talking about chewing down a mouthful of watery iceberg and generic low-cal dressing. Nah, we’ve pulled together a list of truly inspired — and mouth-watering — salads. If you need an easy lunch recipe or a side dish for barbecues, picnics or potlucks you have coming up, choose from any of the 18 salad recipes we can’t wait to try for ourselves.

From roasted veggies and grilled corn to zippy vinaigrettes and sweet-and-savory pairings to fresh, creamy dressings, these salads aren’t ordinary — they’re extraordinary.

A version of this article was originally published in August 2015.

Broccoli-Apple Salad
What's great about this broccoli-apple salad is it's not only packed with nutritious ingredients, but it's also a bit more health-conscious, substituting Greek yogurt for some of the mayonnaise.
Moroccan-ish Sweet Potato Sunshine Salad
With all the sweet potatoes you could ever want, this summer-appropriate salad could almost pass as a potato salad.
Israeli Salad
This Israeli salad has all the ingredients you'll want this summer: fresh veggies, herbs and a refreshing lemon-flavored dressing.
Quinoa-Kale Salad With Honey-Lime Dressing
This berry-avocado salad has six superfoods (yes, six!): kale, raspberries, blueberries, avocados, almonds and quinoa.
Piña Colada Chicken Salad
This recipe has nearly everything we could ever want in a salad: coconut-flavored chicken tenders, macadamia nuts, fresh pineapple and a piña colada vinaigrette dressing.
Asian Broccoli Salad With Peanut Sauce
This Asian salad is made with just six ingredients, including plenty of broccoli and a delicious peanut sauce.
Pad Thai Salad
In the mood for an easy low-carb salad? Then this pad thai salad from The Londoner is the way to go.
Skinny Chicken & Avocado Caesar Salad
This chicken and avocado Caesar salad is full of protein and healthy fats.
Crunchy Ramen Noodle Salad
The next picnic or potluck you attend, you have to bring this crunchy ramen noodle salad.
Antipasto Salad Kebabs
This untraditional antipasto salad comes packed with our two favorite food groups: meat and cheese.
Salad-Stuffed Shells
Instead of tossing your salad in a large Tupperware, stuff it into oversize shells and serve. Genius.
Caprese-Stuffed Avocado
This recipe from Laylita combines two favorites: caprese salad and stuffed avocados, and it looks straight-up devour-able.
Cherry-Kale Panzanella Salad
This cherry-kale panzanella is the light but hearty salad you never knew you needed.
Grilled Corn & California Avocado Salad
Grilled corn, ripe California avocados and sweet-tart cherry tomatoes: What's more summery than this colorful salad?
Mexican Street Corn Salad
Are you salivating just at the sight of this Mexican street corn salad too? Grilled corn and baby arugula drizzled and topped with a creamy sauce, cheese, chili powder, fresh lime juice and cilantro — we want it now.
Jalapeño Cornbread Panzanella Salad
Jalapeño cornbread gives the traditional panzanella salad a major — and tasty — twist.
Chicken BLT Salad in a Bread Bowl
Culinary Hill turns the classic sandwich into a creamy side dish — with this BLT pasta salad.
Cucumber Noodle, Watermelon & Feta Salad
It doesn't get more refreshing and light than a salad packed with watermelon chunks, cucumber noodles and feta cheese.