10 Easy and Flavorful Salads for Summertime

My family loves a good salad. It doesn’t have to be complicated or fancy; sometimes just romaine leaves with a simple vinaigrette make them happy. Because we live in California, we have great produce year-round; therefore, I make salads as main courses and as a side dish all the time. I especially enjoy throwing a salad together when summer rolls around because of all the fresh produce, and a main-course salad means I don’t have to cook! I have put together a list for you of 10 easy and flavorful salads for summertime. A few of them are main-course salads, and the rest are side-dish salads that can become main dishes by adding grilled chicken, steak, or fish. It’s up to you!

 

Mexican Street Corn Salad

I was visiting my kids (when they lived in Texas) when I tried this salad for the first time. We were at a small chain called Torchy’s, and they were sure I would love the guacamole made there. This side salad beat out the guacamole! After one bite I was hooked and wanted to make this at home. This recipe tastes very much like the one I ate in Texas.

Easy Caesar Salad

This Caesar salad does not include raw eggs, is super simple, and the ingredients are probably ones you have on hand. Included with the salad is a recipe for homemade croutons. Homemade croutons taste 10x better than store-bought.

Mexican Caesar Wedge Salad

This salad is my husband’s favorite, and he asks me to make it every year on his birthday. The first time I made it, I couldn’t find Anaheim peppers, so I used a Jalapeno instead. This wedge salad is very flavorful! Also, I found it tastes best if you make the dressing earlier in the day, so the flavors have time to blend.

Arugula Salad with Parmesan, Lemon, and Olive Oil

I wouldn’t necessarily call this a recipe because it is so simple, but I wanted to include it because the flavors together are so yummy. It’s a salad I can throw together quickly because I usually have all the ingredients in my kitchen. I make this for a quick lunch or as a side at dinner.

Italian Chopped Salad with Marinated Chickpeas

This chopped salad is tangy, salty, and so good! I serve it as a main course, and my family loves it. Also, I purchase the ingredients separately that are listed at the bottom, not as a package.

My Big Fat Greek Quinoa Salad

This quinoa salad recipe is healthy, wonderful and so easy. There are so many ways you could change it up to your preference. It is a perfect summertime dinner!

Tuscan Bread Salad

This salad is one of those perfect and quick recipes. You could easily add roasted chicken to make this one your main course. While I have not tried this one yet, I have saved the recipe to try soon. If you make it, let me know what you think!

 

Warm Chickpea Salad with Shallots and Red Wine Vinaigrette

This chickpea salad is another of my husband’s favorites. I whip this one up all year-long. It is super simple and so good. It makes a great side dish served warm, or a yummy lunch served cold.

 

Buffalo Chicken Slaw Salad

This spicy salad is fabulously easy! When you need to throw together a fast meal, this one is it. It does have strong flavors, but my family loves this slaw salad.

 

Southwest Style Cobb Salad with Cilantro Ranch Dressing

Who doesn’t love a Cobb salad??? This salad looks like the perfect one to take to a picnic or barbecue, or to serve on a hot summer day. Yum!

I also want to include an incredibly simple salad recipe that my youngest loves. You probably have every single ingredient in your kitchen. Here you go:

Emily’s Favorite  Salad:

• 4 cups lettuce mix
• one small can of mandarin oranges, drained
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries or cherries
• 1/4 cup slivered almonds, toasted (or pecans)
• one garlic clove, chopped
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
• 1/4 cup honey
• salt and pepper to taste

Directions: Make the dressing first by mixing the garlic, olive oil, vinegar, honey, salt, and pepper together in a mason jar or by using a whisk. Then put the lettuce in a bowl and top with the oranges and dried cranberries. Drizzle the dressing over the salad, and toss to combine. Sprinkle the nuts on top and serve immediately.

Happy salad eating!!

Natalie xo