During the summer months, salads are a saviour. Whether you’re after a light lunch or a quick, refreshing supper, having a few summer salad recipes in your repertoire is a great way to guarantee a vibrant veg-packed meal.
And the best thing about salads? Just about anything goes. You can’t beat a simple green salad or a classic Caesar, but have fun with whatever combo of protein, veg and leaves you fancy – it’s all about texture, colour and seasonality. Shake things up with a portable healthy salad dressing and say goodbye to soggy salads forever.
Step up your barbecue game with this summer sizzler – grilled prawns glazed in a fragrant mix of garlic, spring onions and chilli. All piled on soft avocado, ripe tomatoes and fresh basil, finished with hot garlicky focaccia. Yum!
Griddle halloumi, courgettes and asparagus until beautifully charred, then layer onto a serving dish with shallots, broad beans and tomatoes, drizzle over a honey and mustard dressing and dig in.
Toss green beans, cherry tomatoes and fresh chilli in a warm arrabbiata dressing for this fiery little number. Scatter over cooling mozzarella, fresh mint and serve with hot toast. Lovely served warm and is just as delicious cold the next day.
Try something a bit different this summer with a beautiful watermelon and feta salad. Peppery radishes and tangy cheese are balanced perfectly by the sweetness of watermelon and fresh mint.
The contrast of grilled and raw seasonal veg makes this summer ratatouille salad really special. It makes a delicious side, or add some grilled meat, fish or goat’s cheese for a stunning main.
A celebration of different textures and flavours, there’s a reason a Cobb salad is a classic. Shredded roast chicken, crunchy lettuce and smooth avocado with a tangy blue cheese dressing and a sprinkling of crispy pancetta will always be a winner.
Revamp the classic potato salad with hot smoked salmon, cucumber and soft herbs. Coating the potatoes in the yoghurt and lemon dressing while they’re still warm will ensure they soak up more of that lovely flavour.
For an easy Indian-inspired salad, simply grate and chop crunchy veg and mix with fresh herbs, toasted spices and lemon juice. Add crunched-up poppadoms too if you fancy.
A summer alternative to classic roast chicken, this salad has it all – tender meat, golden croutons, smoky bacon and a quick mustard dressing. The perfect dish for using up leftovers, but totally worth cooking a whole chicken for, too.
This five-ingredient broad bean salad is perfect for a quick and easy lunch – ready-roasted peppers are a great midweek cheat, while the toasted almonds and Manchego cheese bring bags of flavour and crunch.
Make the most of British courgettes and tomatoes in this vibrant salad. Fresh, garlicky veg is paired with tangy feta to make a flavour-packed salad that’s just as delicious served hot or cold.
Juicy prawns are marinated in lime juice and stir-fried, then tossed in a vibrant salad with mint, chilli, watermelon chunks and toasted nuts and seeds. It’s a super-refreshing dish that’s so good you’ll come back to it time and again!
Find in-season new potatoes to take this salad to the next level. It looks pretty sprinkled with edible flower petals, but fresh herb flowers would also work a treat. Serve this dish hot, warm or cold for a seriously tasty salad.
Minimal ingredients with maximum flavour, Jamie’s fun take on the classic Italian salad is perfect for hot days. On the table in under 30 minutes, this lovely little dish will be especially good if you can find quality mozzarella and British tomatoes.
Chicken thighs work so well in this salad — they’re full of flavour and cheaper than other cuts. And the bread makes the most of them by soaking up all of those herby roasting juices, creating the crunchiest croutons evers
This simple main is filling and tastes utterly delicious. Tender green beans, black olives and sweet cherry tomatoes pair beautifully with oily mackerel and pasta for the perfect summer salad. It’s on the table in 30 minutes — a winning fuss-free dish!
A properly done old-school classic that is out-of-this-world delicious! If you haven’t made your own salad cream from scratch before, you’re in for a treat. So simple, so delicious and ready in just 20 minutes.
Lighter, fresher and just as delicious, Jamie’s healthy chicken Caesar salad doesn’t compromise on flavour. This recipe uses yoghurt rather than mayo for the dressing, so it contains less saturated fat than the traditional version. Paired with rosemary-infused chicken breasts and sprinkled with a grating of Parmesan, it doesn’t get better than this!
For more summer salad recipes and inspiration, check out our video playlist for fresh vegetables and to learn more about the wonderful world of veg, visit Vegepedia!
