16 Summertime Salads

Nectarines appear twice in this irresistible rainbow of a salad: sliced on top for pretty summer punch and pureed in the dressing for fruity tang and silky smoothness. (Note: The dressing can be made ahead and chilled for up to 3 hours; if possible, return the dressing to room temperature before serving.)

Bacon, Blue Cheese and Nectarine Salad

Lean flank steak, whole wheat pasta and crisp vegetables make this Asian-inspired salad a healthy choice. Ditching that time-consuming (and all-too-easy-to-forget) step of marinating the meat makes it genius.

Thai Beef and Noodle Salad

Any crouton is delicious, but a crouton made with buttery brioche? Divine. It’s a luxe addition to this simple lemon-dressed salad from Epicure Catering in Michigan. (This recipe makes a generous amount of croutons; store extras in an airtight container for a day or two.)

Arugula Salad with Brioche Croutons 

You could make a meal of this dish: caramelized zucchini, crunchy almonds, salty cheese and hearty quinoa, all dressed in honey-basil vinaigrette. The recipe comes from Little Eater, in Columbus, Ohio.

Quinoa Salad with Roasted Zucchini, Almonds and Feta 

This easy summer salad pairs the textures and flavors of buttery, slightly sweet and crisp Boston lettuce with grilled warm peaches and crunchy nuts.

Boston Lettuce Stacks with Grilled Peaches, Feta and Pecans

Discover the savory potential of watermelon in this five-ingredient salad.

Watermelon, Feta and Mint Salad

Layered salads, popular in the 1970s and 1980s, are making a comeback. Assemble this easy potluck salad in either individual jars or a clear salad bowl, dressing and all, then refrigerate.

24-Hour Tex-Mex Salad

Olives and feta give salty punch to this pasta salad from Surdyk's Liquor and Cheese Shop in Minneapolis.

Greek Orzo Salad

This hearty, healthy salad combines juicy fruit, flavorful fresh herbs and warm spices. Even people who are skeptical of the nutritious bulgur wheat will be surprised how much they like it.

Orange Tabbouleh

Cheesy, tender Brussels sprouts are just three-microwave-minutes away.  

Brussels Sprouts Salad with Hazelnuts

This side-dish salad tastes great with burgers or pulled pork sandwiches. Or you can toss the slaw with shredded chicken or chopped cooked ham for a main-dish salad.

Garden Slaw with Spicy Asian Dressing

Fresh basil in the dressing lends a hint of pesto-inspired sophistication to this mayo-rich pasta salad.

Creamy Spinach-Basil Pasta Salad

We took a summertime staple (a bacon, lettuce and tomato sandwich) and made it a main-dish salad. Creamy mustard dressing is the perfect topping.

BLT Salad

Serve this tangy vinegar-based potato salad with bratwurst and sauerkraut for a meal worthy of a German beer garden.

Bavarian-Style Potato Salad

Salty bacon flavors juicy grapes and crunchy broccoli. The side-dish saladrecipe comes from the Triangle Ranch B&B in South Dakota.

Broccoli Grape Salad

Chili powder and cumin flavor this hearty, nutritious Tex-Mex dish from The Spice House in Milwaukee.

Rice and Red Bean Salad

Blood oranges bring a pop of color to a classic spinach salad, while walnuts cooked in ginger and cayenne deliver a spicy crunch.

Blood Orange and Spinach Salad with Ginger-Spiced Walnuts