13 of the Best Healthy Salad Recipes
You guys, it’s finally feeling like summer! Once the heat hits, I find myself wanting to eat cooler foods. I am less inclined to cook big meals and instead rely on salads. I am lucky enough to have garden space and I love being able to pick greens and vegetables from my backyard to make fresh summertime meals.
These are 13 of my favorite summer salads. Actually, they are all great year round but they are especially refreshing on hot summer days. These recipes are all vegan and gluten free. You are sure to find something you will love. Click on the pictures for full recipes!
Vegan Caesar Salad with BBQ Tempeh
This Vegan Caesar Salad from This Wife Cooks contains a few of my favorite foods: kale, Brussels sprouts and tempeh. With the addition of a flavorful cashew based dressing, this salad is sure to be a hit in your house!
Thai Zucchini Noodles With Peanut Sauce
This beautiful and delicious Thai Salad from Profusion Curry is sure to be a favorite this summer. Zucchini Noodles are tossed with a medley of fresh, crunchy, colorful vegetables and drizzled in delicious peanut sauce.
Black Bean Mango Salad with Lime dressing
This Black Bean Mango Salad from Spice Cravings is bursting with sweet mangoes and savory black beans tossed together with a bounty of fresh vegetables and homemade lime dressing. It’s a healthy, colorful, crunchy and refreshing salad ready in 15 minutes!
Cold Italian Pasta Salad
This Italian Pasta Salad from Strength and Sunshine features a really amazing homemade Italian Dressing. This is a great salad to meal prep for the week and it is sure to impress your friends at any summer BBQ or potluck.
Easy Kale Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette
If you invite me to your summer gathering and there’s a kale salad on the table you can be pretty certain it’ll be the first thing I’m going to go for. I love a good kale salad. You can make this Simple Kale Salad from Little Sunny Kitchen in just 15 minutes! The vinaigrette is tangy, sweet, and savoury at the same time. It’s perfect for a BBQ or as a side dish to be served with any meal.
Zucchini Avocado Salad
This Zucchini Salad from That Girl Cooks Healthy is tasty, simple and full of flavor. Toasted cashews, sliced tomatoes, chopped avocados and zucchini noodles are drizzled in an olive oil dressing.
Simple French Lentil Salad
I love lentil salads. This French Lentil Salad is light and refreshing on hot summer days while still being packed with protein. French lentils hold their shape remarkably well after cooking so they are a great option for a healthy salad that can easily be made without gluten, oil or soy.
Persian Cucumber Tomato Onion Salad
Shirazi salad or salad-e Shirazi is a simple, crunchy, and lettuce-free Iranian salad made with cucumber, tomato & onion. This recipe from Fit Meal Ideas is seasoned with multiple herbs, lemon juice & a dash of olive oil. It goes very well with any dish.
Green Salad With Pumpkin Seed Dressing
Salad definitely doesn’t have to be boring! This Green Salad with Pumpkin Seed Dressing is extra special with slices of pear and apple, plus a super-easy, tasty pumpkin seed (pepita) dressing. This recipe from Veggie Desserts is a perfect summer salad.
Simple Watermelon, Cucumber and Mint Salad
If watermelon and cucumber don’t scream “SUMMER,” I don’t know what does. This Simple Watermelon, Cucumber and Mint Salad from Healthy Feels is quick and easy to make. It is refreshing on hot summer days and is a great salad to make with kids.
Mexican Quinoa Salad
This Mexican Quinoa Salad is full of fluffy quinoa, crunchy vegetables, and a sweet and tangy dressing. Serve this for lunch or dinner alone or with your favorite dishes for a deliciously satisfying meal.
Lucky Black-Eyed Pea Salad
Lucky Black-Eyed Pea Salad from Crinkled Cookbook is super easy, a little spicy and full of fresh flavor. The peas are coated with a vinaigrette-style dressing that’s full of garlic and fresh cilantro. Check out the full recipe to learn why this recipe is “lucky!”
Millet Vegetable Salad Recipe
Millet may not be the most common grain but it is definitely one of my favorites. This Millet Vegetable Salad from Everyday Nourishing Foods is an easy and quick vegan, gluten-free recipe that has the goodness of veggies along with cooked millet. You can have this for any meal!