15 Best Summer Salad Recipe Ideas

Summer is prime time for salads. After all, so many fruits and vegetables are at their peak during the warmer months! Herbs like basil and mint thrive also thrive during the summer, offering even more fresh flavors for your homemade dishes.

And while salads are easy enough to make on a whim, there’s something special about pairing ingredients and flavors in an intentional way. To that end, we’ve collected our favorite summer salad recipes to make with seasonal ingredients. Enjoy!

1. Summer Farro Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette

Vegan, Vegetarian | Total time: 15 minutes

If you’re looking for a filling yet light summer dish, try this farro salad with lemon vinaigrette. It’s a cold farro salad that pairs the grain with sweet berries and juicy grape tomatoes, along with a tangy lemon vinaigrette. We’re big fans of this one. Check out the recipe at the bottom of this page.

2. Summer Strawberry Salad

Vegan, Vegetarian, Gluten-free | Total time: 10 minutes

Make the most of your summer bounty with this vibrant strawberry salad. Featuring a unique combo of fresh strawberries, herbs, and lentils, this dish is both nutritious and delicious. It even calls for a strawberry vinaigrette that you’ll want to make over and over again.

3. Vegan Quinoa Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette

Vegan, Vegetarian, Gluten-free | Total time: 15 minutes

Between the crispy vegetables and fluffy quinoa, this quinoa salad with lemon vinaigrette offers a satisfying pairing of textures. The vinaigrette is also bright and sunny, making it perfect for the warmer months. Serve this salad as a side or with a plant protein like tempeh.

4. Vegan Tahini Caesar Salad

Vegan, Vegetarian | Total time: 55 minutes

Thanks to this vegan tahini Caesar salad, you can enjoy a classic salad with zero animal products. The star of the show is the tahini dressing, which is packed with flavorful ingredients like nutritional yeast and dried seaweed flakes. The recipe also includes roasted chickpeas and homemade croutons, which you can make gluten-free by using gluten-free bread.

5. Easy Broccoli Salad

Vegan, Gluten-free | Total time: 15 minutes

Craving some crunch? Make this easy broccoli salad, which features raw broccoli florets, shredded carrots, and sunflower seeds. Dried cranberries add an interesting layer of sweetness, while vegan cheddar cheese offers a delectable tang.

6. Fresh and Easy Green Lentil Salad

Vegan, Vegetarian, Gluten-free | Total time: 40 minutes

If your garden is overflowing with tomatoes and cucumbers, make this green lentil salad. The dish calls for both veggies, along with red bell peppers, mint, and parsley. It also includes stovetop-cooked lentils, but if you want to save time (or avoid the stove), you can use microwavable lentils instead.

7. Grilled Panzanella Salad

Vegan, Vegetarian | Total time: 35 minutes

In case you’re looking for another reason to fire up the grill, make this grilled panzanella salad. The original recipe takes just 20 minutes to cook and calls for seasonal produce like eggplant and zucchini. Serve the salad with other classic grilled summer dishes, like veggie burgers and carrot hot dogs.

8. Simple Vegan Taco Salad

Vegan, Vegetarian, Gluten-free | Total time: 20 minutes

You can never go wrong with veggie tacos. But if you’d like to switch things up, give this vegan taco salad a spin. Roasted zucchini, black beans, and avocado are served with crispy lettuce, resulting in a refreshing and nutritious dish.

9. Mango Cucumber Salad

Vegan, Vegetarian, Gluten-free | Total time: 15 minutes

Succulent mango and crisp cucumber come together in this tangy salad. Enjoy it as a side, add it to burritos, or serve it as a salsa with tortilla chips. This mango cucumber salad also pairs well with brown rice and plant protein.

10. Wild Rice Salad with Creamy Basil Vinaigrette

Vegan, Vegetarian, Gluten-free | Total time: 55 minutes

This wild rice salad with creamy basil vinaigrette will make your taste buds sing. Wild rice is tossed with almonds, smoked tofu, and diced peach, then topped with a homemade basil vinaigrette. The dressing is especially perfect if you’re looking for a non-pesto recipe to use up basil from the garden.

11. Vegan Cobb Salad with Coconut Bacon Bits

Vegan, Vegetarian | Total time: 40 minutes

Thanks to ingredients like coconut bacon and “eggy” tofu, it’s totally possible to make a vegan cobb salad. You can even make it gluten-free by using tamari (instead of soy sauce) to make the coconut bacon. Top it off with a homemade vegan ranch dressing for a satiating summer salad.

11. Vegan Greek Salad

Vegan, Vegetarian, Gluten-free | Total time: 15 minutes

Looking for another way to enjoy plant-based feta? Make a vegan Greek salad with romaine lettuce, red onion, sliced cucumber, and olives. Also, don’t hesitate to experiment with the leafy greens; something tells us this would be delicious with kale or baby spinach.

12. Chickpea and Cucumber Salad

Vegan, Vegetarian, Gluten-free | Total time: 10 minutes

Ready in just 10 minutes, this chickpea and cucumber salad is perfect for those exceptionally busy days. Simply toss together all the ingredients, then dig in. Enjoy it on its own or pair it with a side of pita bread.

13. Lemony Garlic White Bean Salad with Hemp Seed Pesto

Vegan, Vegetarian, Gluten-free | Total time: 15 minutes

For another quick yet nutritious meal, add this lemony garlic white bean salad to your to-do list. It features a flavor-packed hemp seed pesto, which adds even more protein and nutrients to the dish.

14. Easy Vegan Summer Pasta Salad

Vegan, Vegetarian | Total time: 40 minutes

Is it even summer without a pasta salad? We think not! This easy vegan summer pasta salad, which includes a mixture of seasonal veggies and a tangy vinaigrette, is an essential recipe for summer gatherings. Make it gluten-free by using your favorite gluten-free pasta.

15. Avocado Corn Salad

Vegan, Vegetarian, Gluten-free | Total time: 15 minutes

Looking for a new way to enjoy corn this summer? Try this avocado corn salad, complete with a mouthwatering lime almond dressing and tofu feta. For an almond-free version, use tahini or another nut butter, like cashew butter.

More Delicious Summer Salad Recipes

• Vegan Spinach and Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta Salad
• Grilled Fennel and Bean Salad with Lemon Sage Dressing
• Green Goddess Detox Salad
• Vegan Tzatziki Pasta Salad
• Vegan Burger Salad