39 Refreshing Cold Salads for Summer (perfect for hot days)

Cold Salads for Summer

When the temperature starts to climb, the LAST thing anyone wants is a heavy, hot meal.

You just want something cool, crisp, and refreshing.

That’s why summer is the absolute BEST season for salads.

And we’re not just talking about a boring bowl of greens.

We mean hearty pasta salads, creamy potato salads, and bright, crunchy veggie salads that are packed with flavor.

They are the PERFECT thing to bring to a potluck, serve at a backyard BBQ, or just eat for a super easy lunch.

So if you’re ready to find a new favorite, here are 39 amazing cold salads to get you started.

1. Avocado Tuna Salad

Avocado Tuna Salad

Avocado Tuna Salad offers a fresh and lighter twist on a classic, loaded with tuna, creamy avocado, and colorful veggies.

This wholesome avocado tuna salad is perfect for a quick lunch or satisfying dinner.

It’s a delicious way to enjoy a meal packed with protein and nutrition.

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2. BBQ Chicken Salad

BBQ Chicken Salad

This BBQ Chicken Salad is a fantastic way to enjoy grilled BBQ chicken in a fresh, colorful meal.

It combines delicious chicken with crisp veggies, cheese, beans, and crunchy tortilla strips, all tossed in ranch dressing.

This flavorful chicken salad truly delivers a satisfying meal.

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3. Mango Salad

Mango Salad

This vibrant Mango Salad offers a zesty mix of fresh mango and colorful vegetables.

It’s quick to prepare, tossed with a homemade dressing, and always earns rave reviews.

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4. Wedge Salad

Wedge Salad

This classic Wedge Salad features crisp iceberg lettuce generously topped with creamy blue cheese dressing.

It’s then loaded with savory bacon, fresh tomatoes, and chives, making it simple to prepare yet elegant for any meal.

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5. Goat Cheese Orzo Salad

Goat Cheese Orzo Salad

Goat Cheese Orzo Salad is a quick and flavorful side dish perfect for any meal. This delightful orzo salad features quick-cooking pasta tossed with creamy goat cheese and tender roasted asparagus spears. It’s a fantastic choice among salads with goat cheese, easy to make and enjoy.

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6. Cucumber Tomato Salad

Cucumber Tomato Salad

Brighten your meal with this delightful Cucumber Tomato Salad, featuring fresh tomatoes and crisp cucumbers.

It’s an easy, tangy, and slightly sweet salad recipe perfect for any summer gathering.

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7. Mango Berry Fruit Salad

Mango Berry Fruit Salad

The Mango Berry Fruit Salad is a delightful treat, perfect for hot summer days.

This berry fruit salad combines sweet, juicy fruit with a tangy honey-lime dressing for a refreshing burst of flavor.

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8. Yogurt Pineapple Coleslaw Recipe

Yogurt Pineapple Coleslaw Recipe

Enjoy this vibrant Yogurt Pineapple Coleslaw Recipe, a truly healthy coleslaw option that’s ready in just 10 minutes.

This no mayo coleslaw offers a delightful sweet and spicy flavor, making it the perfect side for any grilled feast.

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9. Artichoke And Pesto Mediterranean Quinoa Salad

Artichoke And Pesto Mediterranean Quinoa Salad

Enjoy the wholesome goodness of this Artichoke And Pesto Mediterranean Quinoa Salad.

This vibrant dish is perfect for a light lunch or a delightful side, bringing fresh Mediterranean flavors to your table.

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10. Black Eyed Peas Salad

Black Eyed Peas Salad

This Black Eyed Peas Salad offers a delightful blend of fresh flavors in an easy-to-make dish. You’ll love this vibrant vegetarian black eyed peas recipe, featuring hearty black-eyed peas, crisp greens, and colorful diced vegetables. A sweet and smoky dressing pulls this incredible salad with black-eyed peas together beautifully.

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11. Easy Salami Pasta Salad (Antipasto)

Easy Salami Pasta Salad (Antipasto)

Enjoy this Easy Salami Pasta Salad (Antipasto), packed with savory salami and colorful bell peppers.

It features delicious fusilli pasta and tender artichoke hearts, making it perfect for any gathering.

This hearty dish is sure to be a crowd-pleaser.

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12. Italian Chopped Salad

Italian Chopped Salad

This Italian Chopped Salad is a truly fresh and flavorful meal.

It combines crisp ingredients with a tangy, zesty homemade vinaigrette.

This delightful chopped Italian salad offers bright goodness in every bite.

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13. Ranch Pasta Salad

Ranch Pasta Salad

This creamy Ranch Pasta Salad offers a delightful twist on traditional cold pasta salad.

It’s a flavorful and easy-to-make dish, perfect for any gathering or a simple side.

You’ll find this delicious recipe quickly becomes a new favorite.

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14. Shrimp Salad

Shrimp Salad

Enjoy this refreshing and filling Shrimp Salad that’s incredibly easy to make.

This simple shrimp salad recipe comes together quickly with just a few ingredients.

It’s the perfect dish to enjoy in so many delicious ways.

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15. Curry Chicken Salad

Curry Chicken Salad

Curry Chicken Salad is a creamy, flavorful dish, brightened with warm curry and ginger.

Enjoy bursts of sweet grapes and crunchy pecans in every bite, perfect on its own or as delicious curry chicken wraps.

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16. Chicken Salad with Grapes

Chicken Salad with Grapes

Chicken Salad with Grapes is often called the best chicken salad around.

It’s packed with tender chicken, juicy grapes, and a delicious slightly sweet creamy dressing.

This simple recipe is perfect for any occasion.

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17. Perfect Egg Salad with Bacon

Perfect Egg Salad with Bacon

Enjoy the ultimate Perfect Egg Salad with Bacon, a recipe that truly stands out.

This vibrant egg salad combines tender eggs with savory bacon, sweet onion, and a bright touch of lemon for incredible flavor.

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18. Waldorf Salad

Waldorf Salad

Discover the famous Waldorf Salad, a timeless classic known for its delightful blend of flavors.

This refreshing salad is loaded with sweet fruit and crunchy nuts, all brought together by a creamy, tangy dressing.

It’s a wonderfully balanced dish perfect for any occasion.

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19. Butter Lettuce Salad with Apples and Fresh Herbs

Butter Lettuce Salad with Apples and Fresh Herbs

Enjoy the delightful Butter Lettuce Salad with Apples and Fresh Herbs, a truly light, fresh, and crunchy experience. This healthy spring salad is bursting with herby flavor, making it perfect as a quick lunch or a vibrant side dish.

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20. Healthy Taco Salad (Gluten Free)

Healthy Taco Salad (Gluten Free)

This Healthy Taco Salad (Gluten Free) offers a truly satisfying and wholesome meal.

It’s a hearty dish that proves you can enjoy a delicious taco salad that’s actually good for you.

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21. Maple Dijon Apple Coleslaw

Maple Dijon Apple Coleslaw

Maple Dijon Apple Coleslaw offers a delightful combination of crisp apples and creamy texture. This healthy coleslaw recipe is a fantastic gluten-free side dish that the whole family will enjoy. It’s truly a quick and easy apple cole slaw everyone will gobble up.

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22. Taco Slaw

Taco Slaw

This easy Taco Slaw brings a crunchy, fresh taste with a hint of spice. Use this vibrant cilantro lime slaw to tuck into tacos, or as a delicious topping for burgers and burrito bowls.

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23. Kale Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette

Kale Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette

Enjoy a vibrant and healthy Kale Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette, a truly refreshing dish. This easy-to-make salad is perfect as a light lunch or a wonderful side you can prepare ahead for any meal.

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24. Mexican Street Corn Salad (Gluten-Free)

Mexican Street Corn Salad (Gluten-Free)

Enjoy the vibrant flavors of our Mexican Street Corn Salad (Gluten-Free), a delightful off-the-cob twist on classic elotes. This easy prep salad features roasted corn with fresh vegetables, herbs, and Mexican-style spices, making it a perfect creamy side dish, snack, or meal prep option.

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25. Honey BBQ Chicken Salad

Honey BBQ Chicken Salad

This Honey BBQ Chicken Salad offers a deliciously easy way to enjoy a satisfying meal.

It’s a fantastic chicken salad choice, perfect for gluten-free lunches, and a kid-friendly option the whole family will love.

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26. Kale Apple Slaw

Kale Apple Slaw

Enjoy this bright Kale Apple Slaw featuring crisp fresh veggies and a creamy, tangy vinaigrette.

This flavorful apple slaw recipe is incredibly easy to make, coming together in just 15 minutes.

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27. Smashed Chickpea Salad Sandwich

Smashed Chickpea Salad Sandwich

The Smashed Chickpea Salad Sandwich makes a delicious vegetarian lunch.

This easy and filling recipe features creamy chickpea salad spread onto soft bread.

Enjoy the satisfying combination of protein-rich chickpeas with a delightful crunch from fresh vegetables.

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28. Mexican Avocado Salad with Grilled Shrimp

Mexican Avocado Salad with Grilled Shrimp

Mexican Avocado Salad with Grilled Shrimp offers a light and refreshing meal. This easy, low carb, and gluten-free option features perfectly grilled shrimp, making it excellent for lunch or dinner.

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29. Couscous Salad With Orange And Pomegranate

Couscous Salad With Orange And Pomegranate

Discover the vibrant Couscous Salad With Orange And Pomegranate, a colorful dish bursting with the fresh taste of oranges, pomegranate, cranberries, and mint. This delightful vegan couscous salad offers a bright and satisfying experience for any meal.

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30. Easy Spicy Cucumber Salad With Peanuts

Easy Spicy Cucumber Salad With Peanuts

Easy Spicy Cucumber Salad With Peanuts is a refreshing and crunchy side dish.

This spicy cucumber salad comes together quickly in just 15 minutes, featuring a homemade dressing and peanuts.

It makes a wonderful light and healthy addition to any meal.

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31. Easy And Healthy Chicken Salad Recipe (No Mayo)

Easy And Healthy Chicken Salad Recipe (No Mayo)

Discover the Easy And Healthy Chicken Salad Recipe (No Mayo), a delicious and nutritious take on a classic. This Healthy Chicken Salad No Mayo version is packed with fresh flavors from olive oil and lemon. It’s truly an Easy Healthy Chicken Salad perfect for any meal or a low-carb sandwich.

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32. Cold Lobster Salad

Cold Lobster Salad

This Cold Lobster Salad is perfect for a light lunch or dinner.

Enjoy this classic lobster salad atop crisp greens or tucked into a roll for a delicious cold lobster roll.

It’s a wonderfully refreshing meal.

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33. Layered Tropical Fruit Salad with Coconut Chia Cream

Layered Tropical Fruit Salad with Coconut Chia Cream

Discover the delightful Layered Tropical Fruit Salad with Coconut Chia Cream, a vibrant fruit salad recipe perfect for summer. This healthy and fun tropical fruit salad is a fantastic kid-friendly snack that’s easy to enjoy anytime. It’s a beautifully layered treat everyone will love.

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34. Turkey Burger Salad (Ground Turkey Salad)

Turkey Burger Salad (Ground Turkey Salad)

Discover the Turkey Burger Salad, a fantastic way to enjoy a savory meal. This delightful ground turkey salad combines tender meat with a creamy sun-dried tomato dressing. It’s like having a deluxe, bunless burger served right in a bowl.

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35. Almond & Broccolini Salad

Almond & Broccolini Salad

This Almond & Broccolini Salad is a delightful warm salad, perfect for any meal. You will love the satisfying mix of textures in this broccolini salad.

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36. Asian Slaw

Asian Slaw

This vibrant Asian Slaw is a fresh and delicious side dish, packed with crisp veggies and tossed in a homemade sesame ginger dressing.

It’s the perfect easy Asian coleslaw to complement chicken, seafood, or beef.

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37. Mango Pineapple Quinoa Salad

Mango Pineapple Quinoa Salad

Mango Pineapple Quinoa Salad brings the taste of summer straight to your table.

This easy-to-make dish is packed with vibrant tropical flavors.

It’s a healthy and simple way to enjoy a satisfying, plant-based meal.

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38. Easy Coronation Chicken Recipe

Easy Coronation Chicken Recipe

This Easy Coronation Chicken Recipe makes a truly delicious sandwich filling.

Enjoy it piled high on a baked potato or alongside a fresh green salad for a simple meal.

It’s a beloved British classic that’s incredibly easy to make.

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39. Italian Pasta Salad

Italian Pasta Salad

This Italian Pasta Salad is a quick and easy cold side, perfect for your next potluck or barbecue. Enjoy this colorful and flavorful pasta dish, filled with refreshing freshness.

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