Fresh Summer Salads for a Picnic

Summer, picnics, and salads seem to go hand in hand, and without a doubt, our thoughts turn to summer salad staples such as coleslaw, pasta salad, and potato salad.

There’s a whole world of salads beyond the old favorites – exciting ways to breathe new life into the creamy three.

You can’t go wrong with these summer salad recipes, whether for a summer beach picnic or a family BBQ picnic in the park.

Bowl of Mexican corn salad with lime garnish.

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The Appeal of Summer Picnic Salads
Summer Salad Recipes
Related Summer Picnic Ideas
Sensible Picnic Salad Storage Containers

Food Safety Tips: Food safety is a greater consideration during summer. See my tips for keeping food cold and how to keep food warm for a picnic to ensure your picnic food is always at its best.

The Appeal of Summer Picnic Salads

The beauty of summer salads starts with the ingredients. There is an abundance of fruits and vegetables that are not only at their nutritional peak but also offer brighter and more intense flavors.

Fresh, seasonal produce like tomatoes, cucumbers, bell peppers, berries, fragrant herbs, and leafy greens are readily available and can transform any salad into a celebration of summer produce.

Summer’s bounty gives us endless possibilities for fresh, vibrant picnic salads.

Summer Salad Recipes

Whether it’s a summer vegan salad, something fresh, something fancy, or a robust salad mix to feed a crowd. I’ve even got elegant salads perfect for a romantic picnic date.

There’s no reason your summer picnic salads can’t be the belle of the picnic basket this season with these great summer salad ideas.

Cucumber Carrot Salad with Sesame Dressing

Enjoy the freshness of this Asian-inspired Cucumber Carrot Salad. Whip up this crunchy, flavor-packed salad in less than 20 minutes for a refreshing summer picnic dish.

Get the Cucumber Carrot Salad Recipe

A bowl of carrot and cucumber salad with sesame seeds, accompanied by a side of dressing.

Greek Chicken Salad with Tzatziki

This Greek Chicken Salad with Tzatziki is the Summer Salad you'll crave all summer long. Bursting with Mediterranean flavors, this healthy Greek Chicken Salad with an easy Tzatziki Dressing makes a satisfying salad or chicken salad wrap.

Get the Greek Chicken Salad Recipe

A bowl of Greek Chicken Salad with a creamy Tzatziki dressing. Lime wedges and dill sprigs are nearby.

Herbed Couscous Salad with Tofu (vegan)

Full of fresh summer flavors, this Mediterranean-inspired couscous salad with tofu is easy to prepare and has boundless variation possibilities. Switch fresh herbs to suit the style, add olives or roasted red peppers for more Mediterranean flair, or change your vegetables to suit the season.

Get the Coucous Tofu Salad Recipe

Smoked Mozzarella Pasta Salad

My take on the Smoked Mozzarella Pasta Salad everyone was gaga for at Whole Foods Market is so easy to make at home, a powerhouse of flavor and a fantastic summer picnic salad.

Get the Smoked Mozzarella Pasta Salad Recipe

A bowl of penne pasta with spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, and herbs.

Dill Pickle Potato Salad

This fresh and crunchy Dill Pickle Potato Salad is a delicious spin on a classic. Thanks to the zesty punch of pickled gherkins and a vibrant, creamy dressing, it is loaded with texture and flavor, making it a great salad for summer picnics and BBQs.

Get the Dill Pickle Potato Salad Recipe

Dill pickle potato salad on a serving plate with wooden serving spoons on a white picnic table.

Zucchini Tomato Basil Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette

When the summer months explode with tomatoes, basil, and zucchini, this take on a Caprese is a gorgeously light and breezy summer salad.

A fresh and colorful Zucchini Tomato Basil Salad with Lemon Basil Vinaigrette reminds us that sometimes less is more. Keeping it simple, using the season's produce can often reap the greatest rewards.

Get the Zucchini Salad Recipe

Photo credit: goodlifeeats.com

Pesto Orzo Salad with Prosciutto

This effortless orzo pasta salad is a fantastic picnic salad no matter the season, perfect as a main or a versatile side. Dressed with fresh and flavorful pesto and finished with a refined touch of prosciutto, this Mediterranean Orzo Salad celebrates the simplicity and sophistication of Italian cuisine.

Get the Pesto Orzo Salad Recipe

Pesto Orzo salad with parma ham, tomatoes and olives on a white plate.

Mediterranean Chickpea Pasta Salad

Bursting with ripe summer tomatoes and fresh arugula, this chickpea pasta salad is the perfect summer make-ahead picnic salad.

A great alternative to creamy pasta salads, this pasta salad is perfect for summer. It can be made even the day before and will only get better with time. It is substantial enough to serve as a main or as a hearty side.

Get the Chickpea Pasta Salad Recipe

A bowl of chickpea salad with tomatoes, cheese, and arugula on a wooden table, garnished with herbs and lemon.

Smoked Duck, Fig & Grilled Pear Salad

Tender slices of smoked duck breast, sweet figs, and sticky grilled pears are topped with salty goat's cheese. This simple yet classy salad is an excellent make-ahead picnic salad that will make a statement on any summer picnic spread. ess.

I even teach you how to smoke a perfect duck breast and offer delicious variations for those who don't fancy duck.

Save Recipe for Later

Get the Fig and Duck Salad Recipe

White Bean & Blueberry Salad with Turmeric Dressing

A refreshing summer picnic white bean salad dressed in creamy tahini turmeric with blueberries, herbs, and pickled onions. It's a fiber-rich, anti-inflammatory treat that's crunchy with seeds and sprouts, perfect for the summer season.

Get the White Bean Blueberry Salad Recipe

Photo credit: runningtothekitchen.com

White Bean & Blueberry Salad with Turmeric Dressing

Asian Coleslaw

Fresh, zesty, and colorful, this easy-to-make crunchy Asian coleslaw recipe can add so much versatility to your summer picnic.

Served it as a light and fresh side, or add shredded chicken or pork to make it the picnic main. Add it to summer sandwiches, wraps, or burgers for an Asian twist, or team it with fresh rice paper Summer Rolls for an Asian-inspired picnic.

Get the Asian Coleslaw Recipe

Asian coleslaw with fresh bread at a picnic.

Creamy Crunchy Coleslaw

Do you prefer a creamy coleslaw? This crunchy coleslaw recipe ticks a lot of boxes. A great make-ahead salad (it gets better with time), this creamy coleslaw is loaded with seeds and nuts, making it a substantial and nutritious main salad dish served with sides. You can also load this onto wraps, sandwiches, or burgers for a deliciously crunchy salad alternative.

Get the Crunchy Coleslaw Recipe

Creamy Pesto Potato Salad

Love a traditional creamy potato salad? This Pesto Potato Salad is bursting with fresh summer flavors of basil and is quick and easy to make.

Get the Pesto Potato Salad Recipe

Roasted Beetroot Salad With Feta & Walnuts

While readily available all year round, beets are at their best in summer, so why not put them to work?

Balsamic Roasted Beet Salad is a fabulous side dish or main meal and is so easy to make. It is especially great because once you roast the beets, it literally takes minutes to put together—a perfect make-ahead salad, especially for picnics.

Get the Roasted Beet Salad Recipe

A vibrant beetroot salad with feta cheese, mixed greens, and nuts, on a blue textured background.

Mexican Corn Salad

Light, refreshing, and flavorful, this Mexican corn salad is a cinch to whip up and the perfect summer picnic dish. It's a fabulous dish for a picnic with a Mexican theme.

The corn is charred on the grill to give the salad a lovely hint of smoke, tossed together with a creamy and citrusy dressing and topped with feta cheese.

veganhuggs.com

Photo credit: veganhuggs.com

Kale Slaw With A Creamy Lemon Garlic Dressing

For a delicious variation and nutrient-dense take on traditional coleslaw, kale slaw is the answer.

With many of the same ingredients as a traditional coleslaw, kale takes up much of the heavy lifting previously done by cabbage, and yogurt steps in to ease some of the unhealthy burdens of mayo.

Get the Kale Slaw Recipe

Photo credit: earthfoodandfire.com

Summer Zucchini Ribbon Salad

Summer is the time for zucchini, so why not make the most of them at their freshest?

Raw zucchini ribbons marinated in a zesty vinaigrette with nuts, salty cheese—vegan or regular—and crunchy corn and walnuts make a perfect make-ahead summer salad that won't wilt under pressure.

Get the Zucchini Ribbon Salad Recipe

Fresh zucchini ribbon salad, walnuts, corn, and diced cheese served on a decorative plate.

Salads With Fruit and Nuts for Every Season

Summer is a great time for seasonal fruits, and there are so many ways to incorporate fruit into your summer salads. These recipes give you ideas for gorgeous salads with fruit and nuts that are a nod to the season.

Get the Fruit and Nut Salad Recipes

A tray with watermelon slices topped with feta and herbs, accompanied by a bread roll on a striped blue and white tablecloth.

Sensible Picnic Salad Storage Containers

S’well Stainless Steel Triple-Layered Vacuum Insulated Food Bowls

S'well Eats 16oz 2-IN-1 Nesting Food Bowl with 10oz Prep Bowl, Blue Suede (12814-B19-42540)

S'well Stainless Steel Bowls-21.5 Oz Triple-Layered Vacuum-Insulated Containers Keeps Food and Drinks Cold for 11 Hours and Hot for 7 - with No Condensation - BPA Free, 21.5oz, Blue Granite

These stylish 2 in 1 containers (16 oz | 450 gm and 21.5 oz | 610 gm) are perfect for picnic salads. Triple-layered vacuum insulation keeps salads cold for hours, and they can double as a serving bowl. They come in a range of gorgeous colors and designs to suit your picnic style.

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