Stuck in a salad slump? We'll help! These are some of our favorite recipes for anyone looking for exciting, abundant and full-flavored summer salads.
Everyone seems to be talking about summer salads right now. I’ll be honest: The only way I can get myself to eat a salad daily is if it’s exciting. I am quite picky and often find myself gravitating toward salads that use only in-season ingredients, out-of-this-world dressings and easy-to-prepare components. That’s a tall order, but these salads fit the bill. They’re bountiful with the summer harvest, very easy to meal prep and, most importantly, exciting. Dress them up further with other intriguing elements, like Hawaiian roll croutons, freshly minced chives or, my favorite, blue cheese crumbles from a quality wedge. We always look forward to favorite salad recipes.
1/14
Summer Salad
From the Recipe Creator:
I came up with this recipe to show appreciation to all the teachers at my son’s school. The dish had to be as special as the teachers, who always go the extra mile for their students. I think this salad did the trick! It's hearty, earthy, sweet and loaded with nothing but good stuff. —Ramya Ramamurthy, Fremont, California
Nutrition Facts:
3/4 cup: 269 calories, 15g fat (2g saturated fat), 3mg cholesterol, 700mg sodium, 29g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 3g fiber), 7g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 starch, 2 fat.
2/14
Peach Caprese Salad
From the Recipe Creator:
When you have beautiful, juicy summer produce, you want to let it shine. This refreshing peach Caprese salad is made with sweet peaches, juicy ripe tomatoes, earthy basil and buttery mozzarella with just a drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkle of flaky salt for the ultimate seasonal side. —Julie Andrews, Rockford, Michigan
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 286 calories, 21g fat (11g saturated fat), 59mg cholesterol, 190mg sodium, 9g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 1g fiber), 14g protein.
3/14
Mediterranean Salad
From the Recipe Creator:
Got a crowd coming over for a backyard barbecue? This crisp, big-batch Mediterranean salad recipe makes a great accompaniment to any main dish you fix on the grill. —Pat Stevens, Granbury, Texas
Nutrition Facts:
3/4 cup: 69 calories, 6g fat (1g saturated fat), 2mg cholesterol, 117mg sodium, 2g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 1g fiber), 1g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 vegetable, 1 fat.
4/14
Strawberry Spinach Salad
From the Recipe Creator:
Spinach salad looks best-dressed when dotted with luscious red strawberries and toasted pecans. Finish it with a sweet poppy seed dressing. —Erin Loughmiller, Ridgecrest, California
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 141 calories, 11g fat (1g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 23mg sodium, 11g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 2g fiber), 2g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1-1/2 fat, 1/2 starch.
5/14
Shrimp Avocado Salad
From the Recipe Creator:
The delicious taste and smooth texture of avocados and the crisp shrimp salad create a heavenly combination. Serve the salad as a cool and satisfying lunch or a light, quick and easy dinner. —Teri Rasey, Cadillac, Michigan
Nutrition Facts:
3/4 cup avocado mixture: 252 calories, 16g fat (2g saturated fat), 115mg cholesterol, 523mg sodium, 11g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 5g fiber), 17g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 fat, 2 lean meat, 1/2 starch.
6/14
Spinach and Beet Salad
From the Recipe Creator:
Here's a super easy salad that looks and tastes festive but is also wonderful all year round. Vinaigrette dressing coats the greens nicely. —Nancy Latulippe, Simcoe, Ontario
Nutrition Facts:
3/4 cup: 113 calories, 10g fat (2g saturated fat), 4mg cholesterol, 128mg sodium, 5g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 1g fiber), 2g protein.
7/14
Blueberry Salad
From the Recipe Creator:
Blueberries are a fun surprise in this salad. I received the recipe from a co-worker's wife, and it's become one of my favorites. —Heidi Gilleland, Lees Summit, Missouri
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 254 calories, 24g fat (5g saturated fat), 13mg cholesterol, 407mg sodium, 6g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 2g fiber), 6g protein.
8/14
Greek Salad
From the Recipe Creator:
The heart of a Greek salad recipe is in the olives, feta, cucumbers and tomatoes. Dress it with olive oil and vinegar, then add more olives and cheese. —Arge Salvatori, Little Ferry, New Jersey
Nutrition Facts:
3/4 cup: 148 calories, 12g fat (2g saturated fat), 6mg cholesterol, 389mg sodium, 7g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 2g fiber), 3g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 vegetable, 2 fat.
9/14
Quinoa Tabbouleh
From the Recipe Creator:
Tabbouleh is a super fresh, mostly parsley salad with finely cracked wheat, juicy tomatoes, onion, fresh lemon juice, good quality extra virgin olive oil and a hint of fragrant mint. I added a little gluten-free twist to this recipe by replacing the cracked wheat with quinoa. Then I also added some cucumbers for a nice crunch. For a delicious and colorful appetizer, serve it in butter lettuce cups or endive leaves. —Nikki Haddad, Germantown, Maryland
Nutrition Facts:
3/4 cup: 160 calories, 8g fat (1g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 258mg sodium, 18g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 3g fiber), 4g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1-1/2 fat, 1 starch.
10/14
Green Bean Salad
From the Recipe Creator:
Serve up those green beans in a whole new way–with a green bean salad recipe! The tangy flavors and crunch of these balsamic green beans complement any special meal or holiday potluck. —Megan Spencer, Farmington Hills, Michigan
Nutrition Facts:
3/4 cup: 77 calories, 5g fat (1g saturated fat), 4mg cholesterol, 112mg sodium, 7g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 3g fiber), 3g protein. Diabetic exchanges: 1 vegetable, 1 fat.
11/14
Summer Corn Salad
From the Recipe Creator:
This beautiful salad truly captures the summer season. It's chock-full of fresh veggies and basil, and feta cheese gives it a rich, tangy flavor the whole family will love. —Priscilla Yee, Concord, California
Nutrition Facts:
3/4 cup: 136 calories, 8g fat (2g saturated fat), 4mg cholesterol, 231mg sodium, 16g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 3g fiber), 4g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1-1/2 fat, 1 starch.
12/14
Grilled Chicken Caesar Salad
From the Recipe Creator:
Whenever we're invited to potlucks, I'm always asked to bring a salad because people know it's one of my specialties. This dish is especially good on summer days when it's too hot to cook on the stove. —Deb Weisberger, Mullett Lake, Michigan
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/2 cups: 376 calories, 25g fat (4g saturated fat), 74mg cholesterol, 688mg sodium, 12g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 3g fiber), 26g protein.
13/14
Cucumber Watermelon Salad
From the Recipe Creator:
Capturing the fantastic flavors of summer, this refreshing watermelon-cucumber salad will be the talk of any picnic or potluck. —Roblynn Hunnisett, Guelph, Ontario
Nutrition Facts:
3/4 cup: 60 calories, 3g fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 78mg sodium, 9g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 1g fiber), 1g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1/2 fruit, 1/2 fat.
14/14
Couscous Salad
From the Recipe Creator:
This couscous salad makes the most of summer's bounty. I used to prepare it with a mayonnaise dressing but lightened it with a lemon vinaigrette. It's even better now! —Priscilla Yee, Concord, California
Nutrition Facts:
3/4 cup: 173 calories, 6g fat (1g saturated fat), 3mg cholesterol, 264mg sodium, 25g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 2g fiber), 6g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1-1/2 starch, 1 fat.
