13 easy summer salads for long sunny days

If you're planning on feasting under the summer sun this season, you'll need an arsenal of easy summer salad recipes to complete your table.

Whether you're having a cookout with friends and family, or a romantic summer's evening dinner for two, summer salads are a simple way of bringing colour and flavour to the table.

From robust pasta or cobb salads to flavoursome heirloom tomato-led salads, there's a whole lot of crunch, freshness and flavour offered by a world of summer salads.

With that in mind, here's our roundup of 13 easy summer salads to put on the table this weekend, for each and every occasion.

Easy summer salads

Flavour Hacking: How to Make Salad

First things first, learn how to take your salad game to the next level with our video packed full of salad tips and techniques: whether it's the perfect ratios for salad dressing, and how to build and layer your salad, or our experiment for fiery, fermented kimchi, you're bound to pick up some new salad skills to put to use throughout the season.

Mozzarella, avocado and basil salad

This classic crowdpleaser marries tangy mozzarella di bufala with creamy avocado and tangy seasonal tomatoes.

Italian panzanella salad

If you like crunch in your salad, this is a great way of injecting a taste of Tuscany into your table.

French lentil summer salad

Hearty french lentils hold up this all-in-one salad. Great for vegetarians and for when you need a summer salad that can stand the heat.

Chicken and mango salad with spinach and hazelnuts

Make a meal out of summer salads with this simple chicken, sweet mango and crunchy hazelnut salad.

Fennel and orange salad

This refreshing side salad works well as an appetiser, or alongside grilled white meat or fish.

Watermelon and shrimp salad

Refreshing and light, this watermelon and shrimp salad is designed for the hottest of days.

Persian eggplant and tomato salad

This robust and flavourful eggplant salad champions the flavours of the Middle East.

Salad of peach, citrus and coriander

If summer's all about the sweet and seasonal stone fruit for you, try this elegant starter with a citrus and coriander kick.

Cherry and burrata salad

Sweet and seasonal cherries marry together with wonderful creamy burrata in this simple, unforgettable salad.

Pasta salad with tuna

If you're after an all-in-one easy summer salad, look no further than this pasta salad with tuna, rocket, onions and tomatoes for a satisfying light lunch.

Cobb salad

Chef Mayet Cristobal, from the Getty Museum restaurant, shares his simple recipe for the ever-popular Cobb salad, with chicken breast, blue cheese, vegetables and fruit, topped off with a creamy cider dressing.

Greek salad

This summery classic needs little introduction, so we'll just say top quality ingredients are the secret to making this salad sing.

Rocket, tomato, caper and parmesan salad

For a light, punchy side dish, try this peppery rocket and salty caper salad balanced out with heirloom tomatoes and Parmesan shavings.

This article was updated on 20/05/2024.