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It’s Summer, which means time to eat light — and outside! If you’re looking for a few fun Summer salads to make, we’ve got some suggestions for you. From the tried-and-true to some you might not be thinking about, these 7 Summer salads are sure to keep you feeling great and eating right.
This one is a classic. Born in Italy, the melon and prosciutto salad is one that satisfies your sweet tooth as well as your salty, savory cravings. It’s easy, too! Take a wedge of honeydew or cantaloupe, and a thin slice of prosciutto. Wrap the prosciutto around the melon twice, and you’re done! If you want an extra bit of flair, try slipping a basil leaf between the melon and prosciutto, or drizzling it with a touch of balsamic reduction.
One of the more versatile of pastas, orzo is a great one to have on-hand for a quick Summer salad. As an accompaniment or central part of your meal, an orzo salad is one you’ll find satisfying. This recipe from Food Network is a great, basic primer. Orzo is also a great base for any Summer salad you might want to try, should you be so adventurous.
There is nothing more clever than these two options when summer hits! A bit of green, a bit of protein, and life is beautiful. This recipe from My Recipes brings an Asian flair to the dish, which allows the spinach to stay bold but also take its place behind the shrimp (we suggest an organic spinach if possible).
What’s summer without a caprese?! With tomatoes in full bloom and cows producing earthy milk from a grainy diet, the caprese is a traditional Summer dish. We’re lucky to be able to get good mozzarella any time, but a delightful heirloom tomato is a rare treat we suggest you take full advantage of while you can. A recipe we found at Bon Apetit is a great place to start, but feel free to skip the crostini if you’re watching the carbs.
Both bountiful in the early Summer season, peas and mint make a great pairing. Toss in a little hard cheese, and you’re in Summer bliss. One of our favorite recipes also calls for Arugula, another chosen ingredient of ours. Be sure to source fresh peas, though. Nothing says “Summer” like a pea snapping on your tongue.
This might not be one you think of immediately, but we strongly urge you to give this a shot. Grilled red potatoes are always a good choice, and the added watercress in this recipe only add credence to the dish. The addition of green onion and blue cheese vinaigrette just make this one unstoppable. Try it!
It’s Summer, and you’re probably grilling. You’ve got a nice, fat rack of ribs on slow heat and nothing to go with it. Instead of getting far too tipsy on beer, try working up a nice slaw instead (well, first, we wouldn’t stop you from drinking while grilling). A nice vinegary recipe will cut through the fat of whatever you’re grilling, and help balance any meaty dish. It also skips out on the heavy mayonnaise-based recipes you might be familiar with, so give it a crack — you might be surprised!
It’s Summer — you should be eating great and having fun! These are some of our favorite recipes for Summer salads, and are a good start for getting your meal up and running with a lighter twist. We really hope you give them all a shot in this short season. Who knows, you might even find a new favorite!
For more of our own favorite recipes, check out our recipes section!
David is the resident nerd around these parts. Running a popular tech blog (TheUnlockr.com) for the past 6 years, he’s taken his over-analytical mind and made the transition to food.
