12 Easy Summer Salad Recipes That Use The Season's Best Ingredients

Though citrus season is typically a bit earlier in the year, most grocery stores carry oranges, grapefruits, and other citrus options all year round, and they still taste delicious. Use the juiciest citrus fruits you can get your hands on to make this fresh salad, which also includes radicchio, parsley, Manchego, and roasted almonds. You'll get an extra burst of citrus courtesy of an orange juice-based dressing, which also helps ensure that every bite is crunchy, salty, nutty, bright, sharp, and bitter. Enjoy this vibrant salad solo, or serve it alongside salmon or grilled chicken.

There are a few reasons why this delicious grilled halloumi cheese salad is going to become your summer dinner fave. First, it's easy to throw together after work, and still manages to be super filling. Second, it hits all the right flavor notes, from briny olives to spicy garlic and cool, crunchy cucumbers. But, the most important reason to make this salad is to eat grilled halloumi, a firm cheese that can stand the heat of a grill or grill pan. The taste is salty like feta, but you can cut into the planks of crispy, melty cheese with a knife and fork like you would tofu or a portobello mushroom.

Look no further: your go-to summer side dish for every potluck, barbecue, and picnic is here. If you've never eaten a raw squash salad before, you're in for a treat (and there's no need to cook a thing). Tossing the rounds with salt allows them to soften and absorb every bit of flavor. While the vinegar adds the right amount of acidity to pair well with almost any meat, but grilled steak, roasted chicken, or quick-sautéed shrimp are particularly perfect alongside. Topped with a chopped almond dressing, the result is light, flavorful, and perfect for a hot summer evening.

What pairs perfectly with a crispy chicken cutlet? A fresh, green salad that's dressed in a lemony vinaigrette and showered with cheese. The vinaigrette in this simple recipe might just become a house favorite—the shallots become lightly pickled in the vinegar, and fresh oregano lends sophisticated flair to an everyday dressing. The salad can be adjusted based on the season—try tomatoes and arugula in the summer and roasted squash and kale in the fall. Bitter greens work particularly well, as they balance the rich, fried cutlet.

This simple salad recipe proves that a fresh-tasting hearty plate of greens and mix-ins can be part of a delicious dinner that the whole family will love. The base is romaine lettuce hearts—the crispiest of lettuces—with chopped cucumber, snap peas, and edamame mixed in. Add in chives and mint from the garden, plus pistachios for crunch and it's pretty much a perfect salad. The dressing's a creamy avocado and yogurt situation with a Caesar-esque twist. If anchovies freak your kiddos out, you can skip them and just season the dressing to taste with salt.

Watermelons are synonymous with summer and certainly don't need much help to shine. This recipe makes use of the whole fruit—pairing sweet watermelon slices with a rind that's been quick-pickled in a chili-spiked mixture. A whipped feta base, peppery arugula, and a confetti of chopped salted pistachios complete this sweet and savory dish that's bound to become a summer fave.

If you need a protein boost, give this healthy yet hearty salad a whirl. Smoked trout, chickpeas, and soft-boiled eggs are packed with the muscle-building nutrient, while blanched sugar snaps and cherry tomatoes add some sweetness. And don't forget the salty garlic and anchovy dressing, which ties everything together.

Watermelon isn't the only melon that peaks in the summertime. Cantaloupe and honeydew come into their own, with their buttery textures and richly floral flavors, so take advantage of the spoils of melon season with a unique salad. Only a simple coating of lime zest and fresh ginger are needed to make the whole dish coherent. The fruits get to shine in this dish.

Are you searching for a recipe for a flavorful, healthy chicken dinner? Look no further than this simple, summery number. The Aleppo pepper-rubbed chicken packs just enough heat, and is paired with a lemony-marinated zucchini salad, all of which gets drizzled with a garlic and herb dressing. To make this recipe even more filling, add some grilled bread or pita. Shopping tip: If you can't find Aleppo pepper, which is imported from Syria, you can use regular chili flakes.

Want a low-maintenance chicken salad minus the mayo? Simply use your broiler to make irresistibly crispy chicken thighs then pair them with quick-pickled onions, green cabbage, and raw chard leaves (think kale that's easier to chew). It's quick, it's easy, and best of all, it's delicious.

Who doesn't love pasta salad? Salty olives and feta cheese combined with fresh tomatoes, chewy pasta, and tender cubes of roasted eggplant make this the perfect satisfying and healthy lunch or dinner. The longer it sits, the more the flavors meld together, so make extra and eat well all week long.

Against the heat and kick of jalapeños, watermelon stands sweet and firm. Against buttery avocado, the tart fruit breaks through. But altogether, these ingredients make for a truly special summer salad. What's more, this whole dish is ready in 30 minutes, so you can get a presentation-worthy dinner on the table for company in a blink when the need arises.

If you're a baba ghanoush fan, you'll love this summer salad, which is basically a deconstructed version of the popular dip. It's made with eggplant, lemon juice, olive oil, parsley, and pita, and features a flavorful green tahini that can pull double duty as a dip for crudités or a roasted vegetable accompaniment. The best part about this simple salad is that it comes together in just 15 minutes.

Though there are minimal greens in this salad, we have a feeling that you won't miss 'em. That's because the sweet and savory combo of creamy burrata, tangy pickled onions, and juicy nectarines easily steal the show. And let's not forget the mint leaves and salty Marcona almonds, which balance the rich flavors. Serve this salad at your first BBQ of the summer and your guests will thank you!