From big, leafy salads to hearty pasta salads and surprising summer grain and veggie salads that won’t wilt, these easy salads will please everyone in the family. Plus, many of them have steps for making them ahead of time, so making dinner on a busy summer night is easy. In this quick summer salad, strawberries and tomatoes from the farmer’s market come together in a way that might surprise you. When you roast the tomatoes, they become very sweet, which goes well with the salty feta cheese.
Salad with grilled corn and jalapenos
This tangy and slightly creamy salad is based on elite, which is street corn made in the Mexican way. Change the amount of jalapeno pepper you use to make it spicier or less spicy.
To make this dish, cut the ends off of each ear of corn and pull out the silk. Then, put the corn in water at room temperature for 20 minutes while you heat up the grill. Mix the cream cheese, sour cream, lime juice, and salt together in a bowl while you wait. When the corn is cool enough to touch, cut off the seeds and add them to the dressing.
Mix in the Cotija cheese, scallions, and cilantro, and then fold in the jalapeño. Cover and put in the fridge before serving. This salad is a great side dish for a barbecue or a tasty dip for chips. You can also put it in tacos as a filler. For a hearty and filling meal, you could even try adding cooked and crumbled bacon to this dish.
Salad with peaches and corn
Fresh vegetables are the key to this summer salad. For the best taste, choose ripe nectarines or peaches and sweet corn that is in season. Grilling the corn gives the dish a nice smoky, salty taste. And using avocado is a great way to give the salad healthy fats and a delicious creamy texture.
Chef Nyesha Arrington combines these seasonal all-stars with crunchy English cucumber and basil to create this delicious salad. And the basil dressing is so good that you’ll want to lick the bowl clean.
The recipe calls for bibb lettuce, but you could also use romaine, baby spinach, or even arugula. And instead of couscous, you can use cooked grains like quinoa or barley. Add some grilled chicken or shrimp for a heartier version, or leave them out if you want a veggie salad. For an extra smoky bite, season some portobello mushrooms with smoked paprika and grill until tender before adding them to the salad.
Chicken Salad with Grapes and Bacon
This standard recipe for chicken salad is easy and quick to make. It has very simple materials that you should be able to find at any grocery store. Sweet red grapes without seeds make them juicy and fresh. The salad is balanced out with a light creamy dressing and is topped with crunchy toasted pecans (or swap for chopped apples, walnuts or almonds if you have a nut allergy).
If you want to save a few calories and fat, use low-fat mayonnaise and/or sour cream. If you want to add some extra flavour, stir in some fresh herbs or spices like chives, sage, tarragon, or basil.
You can use a store-bought herb blend or mix on your own. We love the fresh, bright flavors of tarragon and basil but you can also try herbs like garlic powder, paprika, or curry powder for a little kick.
Greek Chicken Salad
Toss a classic Greek salad with some grilled chicken and it becomes the ultimate meal. The dressing and chicken are both simple to prepare. The ingredients are also healthy and versatile.
The salad can be served with pita bread for a delicious lunch or dinner. It is also great with crackers or toast for a light snack. It can even be eaten as a vegetarian salad without the chicken. In a non-reactive dish combine olive oil, lemon juice, garlic powder, oregano and salt. Place chicken breasts into the mixture and coat both sides. Cover and let marinate in the refrigerator for 30 minutes or up to 4 hours.
When ready to grill, spray a large pan with nonstick spray and heat over medium-high heat. Cook the chicken for a few minutes on each side or until the internal temperature of the chicken is 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Remove from the heat and allow to cool before slicing.
“Easy and Delicious Summer Salad Recipes” has many refreshing summer recipes. “Popular Diets” complements these healthful dishes. Discover how these diets can improve your summer salad options. Our complete guide to healthy eating includes everything from the Mediterranean diet’s fresh foods to a vegetarian or vegan diet’s plant-based wonders. These diet ideas can make summer salad recipes tasty and healthy.
