Summer Salad Recipes

By By the editors of MidwestLiving.com
These fresh, colorful salads—with veggies, fruits, hearty grains and more—are gorgeous enough to brighten up a picnic table all by themselves.
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Peach Panzanella

Make this gorgeous twist on the classic Italian salad with only the ripest summer peaches and tomatoes, so the bread soaks up all the sweet juices.Peach Panzanella recipe.

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Mexican Street Corn Macaroni Salad

In Mexico, grilled corn comes coated in mayonnaise, lime, cheese and cilantro. We just added pasta, plus lots of green onion for bite. It's a macaroni salad that's anything but basic.Mexican Street Corn Macaroni Salad recipe.

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Thai Beef and Noodle 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

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Bacon, Blue Cheese and Nectarine Salad

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

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Arugula Salad with Brioche Croutons

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 

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Quinoa Salad with Roasted Zucchini, Almonds and Feta

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 

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Boston Lettuce Stacks with Grilled Peaches, Feta and Pecans

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

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Watermelon, Feta and Mint Salad

Discover the savory potential of watermelon in this five-ingredient salad.Watermelon, Feta and Mint Salad

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24-Hour Tex-Mex 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

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Greek Orzo Salad

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

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Orange Tabbouleh

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

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Garden Slaw with Spicy Asian Dressing

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

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Creamy Spinach-Basil Pasta Salad

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

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BLT 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

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Bavarian-Style Potato 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

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Broccoli Grape 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

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Rice and Red Bean Salad

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

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