Savor the sweetest tomatoes, juiciest peaches, crispest cucumbers, spiciest radishes and more in our collection of the best summer salad recipes. Packed with bright, refreshing Mediterranean flavors, these summer salads can be made any time of the year.
This collection of refreshing summer salad recipes is perfect for those with patience. The height of summer is when colorful fruits and vegetables taste amazing. When everything is ripe, create the juiciest peach salad, the crunchyest cucumber salad, or the sweetest charred corn and grilled romaine salad. From an easy weeknight dinner to a backyard barbecue, we have delicious summer salads perfect for any occasion.
One of the reasons the Mediterranean diet has worked for thousands of years is because it’s seasonal. Eating seasonally isn’t something we think about, it’s part of our DNA. In fact, it’s one of the three main principles I covered in my first cookbook.
By waiting until summer fruits and vegetables are in season, you don’t need any extra “ingredients” or hours in the kitchen – with just a few simple ingredients you can create fresh, healthy meals that are full of color and flavor.
Juicy summer fruit salad
Sweet, savory and packed with nutritious fruits and vegetables, this juicy summer salad is a refreshing treat for hot days. The natural sweetness of the fruit is enhanced by the addition of arugula, feta and goat cheese, making this recipe the perfect light lunch or appetizer. It pairs especially well with grilled meats like Mediterranean chicken thighs or skirt steak.
Peach salad with arugula, basil and goat cheese
Sweet, tart and creamy, this stone fruit salad tastes like Italian summer on a platter. I like to make it in mid-summer when peaches are at their juiciest and fresh basil is abundant. It’s perfect as a light lunch or side dish, paired with something spicy, like grilled harissa chicken or chilled tomato gazpacho.
Watermelon salad with feta, cucumber and mint
This sweet and salty watermelon salad with feta cheese and a tangy honey-lime dressing is one of my favorites. With juicy, hydrating watermelon, cool cucumber and fresh mint, this salad is super refreshing on a hot day. Serve with grilled pork souvlaki and a glass of white sangria to quench your thirst.
Summer Berry Salad Recipe with Arugula and Burrata
This easy, 5-minute triple berry salad features blackberries, raspberries, and strawberries. The berries are tossed with tangy arugula and thinly sliced red onion for a nice balance of sweetness and texture, and creamy burrata cheese adds a decadent flavor that doesn’t require a complicated dressing.
Cucumber and tomato salad
Few foods are as summery as cucumbers and tomatoes. In fact, the classic cucumber and tomato salad is Salata In Egypt, where I grew up, cucumbers are a staple of Mediterranean cuisine because of their refreshing flavor and simplicity. Cucumbers and tomatoes pair well with Mediterranean flavors like feta cheese and Kalamata olives. They’re also easy to prepare, so you can have a fresh veggie starter on the table in just minutes.
Mediterranean cucumber and tomato salad
This summer salad makes the most of all those fresh tomatoes and cucumbers from your garden. Season with just salt and fresh parsley, or give it a Mediterranean twist with sumac, red onion, and feta cheese. This quintessential Mediterranean salad can be eaten on its own or used to enhance other recipes. You can’t go wrong adding it to pita sandwiches, chicken gyro bowls, raja majun, and more.
Cucumber and radish salad
Perfect for a picnic or potluck, this Cucumber and Radish Salad can be made in just 20 minutes and serves up to 6. Crisp cucumber, celery and radishes form the base of this lettuce-free salad, while fresh dill, chives and mint add bright, fresh, herbaceous flavor. Pair it with grilled salmon burgers or grilled chicken kabobs for a satisfying meal, especially on hot summer nights.
Caprese salad
This classic summer salad celebrates the colors of the Italian flag while indulging in summer tomatoes, fresh basil, and creamy mozzarella. It’s all ready in minutes and finished with a generous drizzle of extra virgin olive oil. The oil is part of the flavor of this recipe, so be sure to choose a good quality oil. Our Italian Nocellara Olive Oil is one of my favorite oils to dress this salad.
Creamy Cucumber Salad
Light, creamy and packed with nutrients, this Chilled Cucumber Salad is made with protein-packed Greek yogurt for a tangy, protein boost. Cucumbers offer a refreshing coolness on hot summer days, with their crunchy texture and delicate, clean flavor. Take advantage of that cooling sensation by serving this summer salad alongside a spicy main dish, such as Grilled Harissa Chicken Legs.
Marinated cherry tomato salad
This hassle-free side dish can be made in just 15 minutes with just three key ingredients and a few pantry staples. Sweet, sun-ripened cherry tomatoes tossed with salty olives and tossed in a marinade of olive oil, lime and garlic create an explosion of flavor in every bite. Pair this refreshing tomato salad with a protein like grilled shish tawook and it’s a meal.
Simple traditional tomato salad with dukkah
When raw tomatoes are at their freshest, I’m crazy about this simple traditional tomato salad. Tomatoes are the star, and it’s seasoned with a spicy garlic-lemon dressing and homemade dukkah, an Egyptian condiment that can be made in just 10 minutes with nuts, seeds and a few warm spices. I make a big batch so I can use it as a bread dip, a crunchy salad topping or a spread on roasted rainbow carrots.
Mediterranean Tomato Feta Salad
If your garden is full of plump, ripe tomatoes waiting to be harvested, or you’ve bought a particularly good one at the grocery store, create this summer salad. Slice sweet, ripe tomatoes and toss them with fragrant herbs, creamy feta, and sumac for a tangy lemon flavor. Serve this tomato and feta salad with light, summery grilled fish, like grilled salmon or grilled cod.
Panzanella salad (bread and tomato salad)
This traditional Tuscan bread salad features crusty rustic Italian bread (day-old bread, like ciabatta, is best), plump ripe tomatoes, shallots, and fresh basil. It’s all tossed in a tangy red wine vinegar and Dijon dressing and left to steep for about 30 minutes to let the flavors meld. I like to add a bit of fresh mozzarella and serve it on barbecue night alongside grilled salmon kebabs or stuffed zucchini boats.
Summer salad recipe with green beans, corn and peppers
From raw vegetable salads to charred romaine salad, cooking in the summer is all about finding new flavorful ways to prepare lots of fresh ingredients. A crunchy no-cook vegetable salad is perfect for when the temperatures soar, but a cooked kidney bean salad is just as satisfying. Check out these healthy, fresh vegetable salads that are easy to make yet full of rich, bold Mediterranean flavors.
Bell pepper salad with mini peppers
We’ve all tried the sweet and savory combination of this crisp 10-minute bell pepper salad. Not only does it take just a few minutes to prepare, but it’s also a great make-ahead recipe because the flavor intensifies the longer it sits. Fresh dill and sumac add vibrant Mediterranean flavor, while garlic, scallions and olives add extra flavor. Serve this salad with grilled lamb chops and grilled watermelon slices for dessert in late summer, when bell peppers are in season.
Greek Bean Salad
This super easy green bean salad features slightly sweet, tender green beans tossed in a garlicky lemon dressing. Topped with crumbled feta and chopped olives, they add a salty, briny flavor, with the feta providing the finishing touch. Simple and a big hit in our house.
Grilled romaine salad with corn, tomato and tahini
After a few minutes on the grill, the outer leaves of the romaine take on a slightly smoky, sweet, charred flavor while the inner core remains crisp. The grilled romaine is then topped with blistered corn, grape tomatoes, and a delicious nutty tahini dressing. This salad is a real showstopper, so serve it alongside a simple main like Mediterranean Grilled Swordfish.
Fresh grilled corn salad
Fire up the grill and char a few ears of freshly picked sweet corn. Then scrape the corn off the cob and toss it into a delicious summer salad. This salad is boldly seasoned with ginger, garlic, dill, coriander and cumin, and drizzled with a simple blend of olive oil and red wine vinegar. The flavors intensify the longer it sits, making it perfect for a picnic or barbecue. Serve the Grilled Corn Salad with grilled chicken wings and a big glass of watermelon sangria.
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Mediterranean Diet Starter Kit
Stock your pantry with Mediterranean-inspired ingredients like Greek olive oil, seven spice, and tahini.
