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 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!
Table of Contents
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. Strawberry Salad with Raspberry Vinaigrette
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, red onion, avocado, and goat cheese, this dish is both nutritious and delicious. (Feel free to use dairy-free goat cheese to make it vegan.) It even calls for a bright raspberry vinaigrette 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. Vegan Taco Salad
Vegan, Vegetarian, Gluten-free | Total time: 45 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. A spiced tempeh walnut “meat” and vegan cheese are served with a mix of fresh vegetables, 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. Spring Grain Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette
Vegan, Vegetarian, Gluten-free | Total time: 30 minutes
Although this grain salad has “spring” in the name, it works beautifully as a summer dish. Chewy farro is tossed with creamy avocado, sautéed asparagus, and spicy sliced radishes, then topped with a homemade lemon vinaigrette. The dressing is especially perfect if you’re looking for a quick and easy condiment that will brighten up your meal.
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. Easy Dragon Fruit Salad
Vegan, Vegetarian, Gluten-free | Total time: 15 minutes
Looking for a new way to enjoy fruit this summer? Try this colorful dragon fruit salad, complete with a mouthwatering maple-lime dressing. Thanks to the combo of dragon fruit, kiwi, mango, and pomegranate, this tropical fruit salad adds a fun twist to your typical spread. Serve it as an appetizer or side dish.
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
Best Summer Salads: Easy Farro Salad
Ingredients
Lemon Vinaigrette
- 3 to 4 tablespoons lemon juice about 1 lemon
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 ½ teaspoons maple syrup or sugar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ⅓ cup olive oil
Summer Farro Salad
- 3 cups cooked farro chilled
- ½ cup red onion diced
- ¾ cup canned corn drained
- 1 cup grape tomatoes halved
- 2 cups baby spinach sliced
- ¾ cup blueberries
- ⅓ cup hemp seeds or sunflower seeds (optional)
- Basil small bunch
Instructions
Lemon Vinaigrette
- Squeeze the lemon. You’ll need about 3 to 4 tablespoons of lemon juice.
- In a bowl or jar, combine the lemon juice and remaining ingredients. Whisk well, taste, and adjust if needed. Cover, then chill in refrigerator for at least 15 minutes to let the flavors meld together.
Summer Farro Salad
- In a large bowl, combine all the salad ingredients.
- Toss until combined. Spoon onto shallow bowls and drizzle with lemon vinaigrette. Top with basil, if desired.
