16 Easy Summer Salad Ideas & Homemade Salad Dressing Recipes

Salads are great year-round, but especially during those hot spring and summer days! A summer salad can be a perfect side dish for a party or BBQ. Plus, they are often fresh, light, and healthy, which is a bonus for swimsuit season. That being said, some of my favorites are of the not-so-healthy variety too (of course).

Although I’m a big fan of salad, I often find myself making the same salad recipes over and over again just because it’s easy. To get out of that routine, I’m sharing with you some of my favorite summer salad recipes and homemade dressings.

There are so many different salad recipes to choose from, I’m sure you’ll find one (or many more) that are just right for you. Plus, there are some more unique salad recipes on this list as well (one of them contains snickers)!

Easy Homemade Summer Salad Recipes

1. Pea Salad Recipe

This pea salad recipe is perfect for a big gathering because it makes about 10-12 servings. Plus, it’s got bacon in it, and who doesn’t love bacon?

2. Chinese Chicken Salad Recipe

This Chinese chicken salad is filled with nutritional ingredients and you could probably get away with serving it as a main dish. It’s quick to make too which is a bonus!

3. Berry Quinoa Salad

This Berry Quinoa Salad is the essence of a healthy and delicious summer salad. It is so easy to throw together and is perfect for summer parties or a simple afternoon snack.

4. Honey Lime Fruit Salad Recipe

Fruit salad is a summer classic, and this one keeps it light and fresh. This recipe includes a super yummy honey and lime homemade salad dressing recipe as well!

5. Green Salad Recipe with Homemade Zesty Italian Dressing

You can’t go wrong with this delicious green salad recipe. It’s easy to make and served with a delicious homemade zesty Italian dressing.

6. Cafe Rio Style Burritos and Salad

Cafe Rio is great. But to be able to make it homemade is fantastic. This sweet pork Cafe Rio copycat recipe is just what you need for a summer night, stay-at-home dinner.

7. Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad Recipe {Homemade Caesar Dressing Recipe}

With the homemade Caesar Dressing on this fresh salad, you really can’t go wrong for any summer party. This chicken Caesar salad is a perfect addition to any meal.

8. Italian Green Bean Pasta Salad

I think green beans make everything better. So naturally, this green bean pasta salad is just what we needed for an epic summer pasta salad.

9. Healthy Lemon Herb Potato Salad Recipe

I’ve never been a fan of potato salads. But this salad is so fresh, delicious, and light. I am a big fan. I love bringing this salad to family parties (or any party for that matter).

10. Asian Pasta Salad

This Asian noodle salad is so easy and simple. We love having it as a summer night salad.

11. Broccoli Salad Recipe

Broccoli salads are a classic and make perfect summer salads. I love the mixture of flavors, especially the hint that the sunflower seeds add. It is oh so good.

12. Caramel Apple Snickers Salad Recipe

This Caramel Apple Snickers Salad recipe is so fun and so delicious. We love making it together as a family and we eat it right up! This salad is always a hit at any summer party. I wish we could eat it just for dinner, but lets be real it makes a wonderful dessert.

13. Raspberry Yogurt Pudding Salad

Nothing says summer like raspberries. This raspberry pudding salad is just what you need this summer. It is so light and wonderful. Not to mention, so easy to make.

Homemade Salad Dressing Recipes

14. Light Lemon Vinaigrette Salad Dressing Recipe

Sometimes finding the right dressing can be tricky. But this light lemony salad vinaigrette is divine and perfect for a typical summer green salad. It adds so much flavor and is only 5 ingredients. And as a bonus, it is dairy free and gluten free.

15. Healthy Homemade Ranch Seasoning Mix Recipe

This homemade ranch seasoning mix is everything you didn’t know you needed. It is a healthy addition to your pantry and can be used in a variety of recipes (my favorite, Cream Cheese Chicken Chili). Plus, you can make homemade ranch dressing with it. A perfect dressing for most summer salads.

16. Easy Homemade Poppy Seed Dressing Recipe

This is hands down one of my favorite summer homemade dressings. It is so creamy and easy to make. And it makes a delicious dressing with this summery special Red, White, and Blue salad.

Final Thoughts

Homemade summer salad recipes are so much easier than we make it. Any and all of these recipes are perfect for parties, lunches, dinners, and even dessert.

I hope you found a salad that you’d like to try in this list of easy salad ideas. Make sure to check out our Pinterest boards for lots of other Salad ideas and homemade Salad Dressing Recipes!

Let us know which salad you’re going to try first from this list!

PS. Check out this inflatable salad bar. This thing would be perfect for summer gatherings, camping trips, days at the beach, you name it!