Summer Salads to Make Right Now

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Summer salads should be crisp, colorful, and just a little bit show-offy—and this roundup brings the goods. From the sun-drenched simplicity of Italian Tomato Salad to the zesty crunch of Carrot Cucumber Daikon Salad with Cilantro Citrus Dressing, these dishes are anything but sad desk lunches. Whether you’re into a loaded Vegan Cobb Salad, a smoky Sweet Potato & Steak Salad with Carolina Mustard Vinaigrette, or Jamie’s legendary ‘Mothership’ Tomato Salad, each recipe is big on flavor and built for sharing. Don’t sleep on the Colorful Corn & Avocado Salad or Italian Rice Salad – Insalata Di Riso—they’re easy to prep and perfect for potlucks!

Carrot Cucumber Daikon Salad with Cilantro Citrus Dressing

Shredded carrots, onions, cilantro, feta cheese, pine nuts, and a green dressing.
Photo Credit: Sofa Dinners.

Carrot Cucumber Daikon Salad With Cilantro Citrus Dressing is bright, crunchy, and dressed to impress with a zippy citrus splash and tons of herb-y attitude.
Get the Recipe: Carrot Cucumber Daikon Salad with Cilantro Citrus Dressing

Jamie Oliver’s ‘Mothership’ Tomato Salad

Sliced tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, basil leaves, and red onion rings, seasoned with black pepper.
Photo Credit: Not Entirely Average.

Jamie Oliver’s ‘Mothership’ Tomato Salad layers juicy tomatoes like a throne for summer produce—with olive oil, herbs, and zero chill.
Get the Recipe: Jamie Oliver’s ‘Mothership’ Tomato Salad

Vegan Mexican Street Corn Salad (Gluten-Free, Allergy-Free)

A dish of creamy corn salad garnished with chopped cilantro, a lime wedge, and sprinkled with chili powder.
Photo Credit: Strength and Sunshine.

Vegan Mexican Street Corn Salad ditches the grill but keeps all the bold flavor, from smoky spices to a creamy, dairy-free finish.
Get the Recipe: Vegan Mexican Street Corn Salad (Gluten-Free, Allergy-Free)

Italian Tomato Salad Recipe

A close-up view of cherry tomatoes, sliced red onions, and chopped basil leaves.
Photo Credit: Strength and Sunshine.

Italian Tomato Salad Recipe is your go-to for ripe tomatoes, good olive oil, and simple ingredients that taste like a Tuscan vacation.
Get the Recipe: Italian Tomato Salad Recipe

Sweet Potato & Steak Salad with Carolina Mustard Vinaigrette

A plate of steak salad with fig slices, red onions, and greens, topped with dressing. Garlic bread on the side. A yellow napkin and a fork next to the plate.
Photo Credit: Not Entirely Average.

Sweet Potato & Steak Salad With Carolina Mustard Vinaigrette takes grilled dinner vibes and tosses them into a smoky, tangy, hearty bowl.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato & Steak Salad with Carolina Mustard Vinaigrette

Vegan Cobb Salad

A white bowl filled with rows of chickpeas, diced cucumbers, red cabbage, grated carrots, cherry tomatoes, and crumbled feta cheese.
Photo Credit: Nuts & Twigs.

Vegan Cobb Salad brings the layers, the crunch, and the color—hold the bacon, keep the flair.
Get the Recipe: Vegan Cobb Salad

Italian Rice Salad – Insalata di Riso

Diced cucumbers, red bell peppers, purple onions, feta cheese chunks, and herbs.
Photo Credit: xoxoBella.

Italian Rice Salad – Insalata Di Riso is the picnic MVP, tossed with veggies, olives, and a flavor-packed dressing that travels well.
Get the Recipe: Italian Rice Salad – Insalata di Riso

Colorful Corn & Avocado Salad

A plate of quinoa salad with corn, diced tomatoes, avocado, chopped cilantro, and a lime wedge.
Photo Credit: Little Nomads Recipes.

Colorful Corn & Avocado Salad brings the sweet, the creamy, and the crunch—summer in a bowl, no fork fights necessary.
Get the Recipe: Colorful Corn & Avocado Salad

3 Bean Salad

Kidney beans, edamame, cannellini beans, diced red onion, and herbs.
Photo Credit: Homemade Hooplah.

3 Bean Salad is the vintage classic that still slaps—tangy, protein-packed, and ready to hang out in your fridge all week.
Get the Recipe: 3 Bean Salad

Summer Corn and Chickpea Salad

Chickpeas, cucumber slices, corn kernels, chopped herbs.
Photo Credit: Homemade Hooplah.

Summer Corn And Chickpea Salad mixes sweet corn, tender chickpeas, and a punchy vinaigrette for a side dish with serious staying power.
Get the Recipe: Summer Corn and Chickpea Salad

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About Jenny deRemer

I am a Charleston, South Carolina-based culinary novice, an ardent authority on all things travel, a designer by trade, and the creator of Not Entirely Average. I have a weakness for farmers' markets, delight in adventures way off the beaten path, enjoy documenting my many moods through photography, and have been known to conquer the occasional yard sale with gusto!

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