As summer winds down, let’s give salads the credit they deserve. We’ve rounded up 15 great salads that will make you forget about the impending pumpkin spice takeover. These recipes are perfect for those last warm days, giving you a reason to enjoy every bite and soak up the final rays of summer sun. So, grab a fork and get ready to dig into something great before the leaves start to fall.
German Potato Salad
German Potato Salad is great for potlucks and family gatherings. It features tender potatoes, crispy bacon, and a tangy vinegar-based dressing. Ready in under an hour, this dish is perfect for end-of-summer barbecues. Boil Yukon Gold potatoes until tender, then mix with crispy bacon and a dressing made from apple cider vinegar, mustard, and seasonings. Finish with fresh parsley and optional chives for garnish. This salad is a great way to enjoy those last summer get-togethers.
Get the Recipe: German Potato Salad
Italian Orzo Pasta Salad
Italian Orzo Pasta Salad is a great dish for family dinners or barbecues. This salad features tender orzo pasta mixed with cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red bell pepper, red onion, and Kalamata olives. The dressing, made from red wine vinegar, olive oil, Dijon mustard, honey, salt, and pepper, ties everything together perfectly. Fresh basil and crumbled feta add the final touches. Chill it for at least 30 minutes to let the flavors meld. This pasta salad is fresh, flavorful, and perfect for those last summer gatherings.
Get the Recipe: Italian Orzo Pasta Salad
Tuna Egg Salad
This Tuna Egg Salad is a quick and easy meal, ready in just 25 minutes. Perfect for a light dinner or a make-ahead lunch, this salad combines hard-boiled eggs, canned tuna, Greek yogurt, celery, red onion, pickles, and seasonings. It’s creamy and packed with protein, making it a great choice as summer winds down.
Get the Recipe: Tuna Egg Salad
Creamy Dill Cucumber Onion Salad
This Creamy Dill Cucumber Onion Salad is a crisp, refreshing side dish ready in just 30 minutes. Perfect for family dinners, picnics, or weekend cookouts, this salad combines sliced cucumbers and red onions with a simple dressing of sour cream, mayo, fresh dill, and pepper. Mix everything together, chill for at least 15 minutes, and serve with a sprinkle of sea salt. A quick and easy addition to any meal as summer winds down.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Dill Cucumber Onion Salad
Quinoa Chickpea Salad
Quinoa Chickpea Salad is great for any occasion. Cook quinoa and let it cool. In a large bowl, mix chickpeas, chopped cucumber, red bell pepper, red onion, parsley, and cilantro. Whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, vinegar, honey, minced garlic, salt, and pepper for the dressing. Combine the cooled quinoa and dressing with the veggies, tossing everything together. Chill for at least 30 minutes. Perfect for a quick lunch, light dinner, or potluck side, making it a refreshing choice as summer ends.
Get the Recipe: Quinoa Chickpea Salad
Big Mac Salad
This Big Mac Salad is perfect for weeknight dinners and weekday lunches. Cook crispy bacon and browned ground beef, then mix with chopped romaine, pickles, and shredded cheddar. Blend a dressing of mayo, sour cream, pickles, pickle juice, sweetener, mustard, and onion powder. Toss everything together and chill for an hour. Enjoy a flavorful, filling meal that captures the essence of a Big Mac.
Get the Recipe: Big Mac Salad
Bacon Ranch Chicken Salad Cucumber Boats
These Bacon Ranch Chicken Salad Cucumber Boats are a quick and easy snack or lunch. Cook canned chicken with spices, then mix with sour cream, cheddar, bacon, and apple cider vinegar. Chill for 15 minutes. Meanwhile, prepare cucumber boats by halving and seeding cucumbers. Spoon the chilled chicken salad into the cucumber boats, sprinkle with sea salt and pepper, and serve. Perfect for a light meal as summer ends.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Ranch Chicken Salad Cucumber Boats
Fresh Corn Salad
Fresh Corn Salad is a great way to end summer on a high note. Boil fresh corn until tender, then slice off the kernels. Mix the corn with cherry tomatoes, red bell pepper, cucumber, red onion, and basil. For extra flavor, you can add cilantro and avocado. Toss everything with a dressing of lime juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Chill for at least 15 minutes, then top with crumbled feta or cotija cheese before serving. It’s crisp and refreshing, perfect for those last warm days.
Get the Recipe: Fresh Corn Salad
Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad
Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad is a quick meal, ready in just 25 minutes. Using pre-cooked chicken and store-bought Caesar dressing, this salad is great for meal prepping, quick dinners, or potluck events. Its ease of preparation makes it a perfect option as summer wraps up.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad
Tuna Macaroni Salad
Tuna Macaroni Salad is a straightforward meal ready in 40 minutes. Combining elbow macaroni, canned tuna, hard-boiled eggs, mayonnaise, sweet relish, and mustard, it’s a budget-friendly option for beginner cooks. Great for workday lunches, weeknight dinners, or potlucks.
Get the Recipe: Tuna Macaroni Salad
Jalapeño Popper Chicken Salad
Jalapeño Popper Chicken Salad combines the flavors of traditional jalapeño poppers into an easy-to-make meal. Start by cooking chicken breasts and bacon until crispy. Broil jalapeños until charred, then chop. Mix cubed chicken, crumbled bacon, jalapeños, green onions, mayo (or sour cream), hot sauce, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Chill for an hour. Perfect for a quick lunch or dinner as summer ends.
Get the Recipe: Jalapeño Popper Chicken Salad
Greek Salad Meal Prep Jars
Greek Salad Meal Prep Jars are perfect for busy schedules and ready in minimal time. These jars make a quick and simple lunch option, great for those on the go as summer wraps up. Start by chopping a cucumber, tomatoes, green pepper, and red onion. Layer these with Kalamata olives and feta cheese in jars. Mix olive oil, red wine vinegar, dried oregano, salt, and pepper for the dressing. Drizzle the dressing over the layered veggies, seal the jars, and refrigerate. Grab one for a fresh, easy meal anytime.
Get the Recipe: Greek Salad Meal Prep Jars
Cauliflower Potato Salad
Cauliflower Potato Salad is a great side dish that’s easy to make and perfect for a meal as summer ends. Roast cauliflower florets with avocado oil, garlic, salt, and pepper. You’ll then cook the bacon until crispy, then crumble. Mix the cooled cauliflower with sour cream, mayo, bacon, cheddar cheese, green onions, hot sauce, and paprika. Chill for at least 2 hours. Garnish with extra green onions and paprika before serving.
Get the Recipe: Cauliflower Potato Salad
Avocado Tuna Salad
Avocado Tuna Salad is a protein-packed meal that’s quick and easy to make. Combine tuna with a medium avocado, finely chopped celery, lemon juice, lemon zest, fresh dill, salt, and pepper. Mix until well combined, using a fork to mash the avocado if needed. Cover and chill in the refrigerator for 1-2 hours. Perfect for a low-carb, refreshing meal as summer winds down.
Get the Recipe: Avocado Tuna Salad
Thai Chicken Salad
Thai Chicken Salad is a flavorful main dish full of nutrients. Featuring marinated chicken and a variety of veggies, this salad is both easy to make and packed with flavor, perfect for a refreshing meal as summer winds down.
Get the Recipe: Thai Chicken Salad
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