Summer salad recipes – 19 delicious, wholefood, nutritious salad and plant-based side dishes for summer barbecues and picnics. Some a meal in themselves.

19 Summer salad recipes
I never used to be a big salad eater. If you’d told me I’d be writing a post with 19 of my favourite salad recipes a few years ago I’d have laughed.
I think it’s because I used to think that ‘salad’ was just iceberg lettuce with some cut up tomato, onion, maybe some grated other veggies and coated in vinaigrette.
I kid you not it wasn’t until a couple of years ago that I started to realise there was a whole world of salad recipes out there without an iceberg lettuce leaf in sight.

I’m rather obsessed with vegetable salads and today have put together what was mean to be a list of 14 summer salad recipes but turned into 19 wholefood, mostly plant-based salads from me and some of my favourite side salads (some can be a whole meal in themselves) from around the web.
Ok mostly they’re from Alice Nicholls’ Instagram feed because she makes the most incredibly delicious salad recipes.

One of my absolute favourites from the blog though, is my pumpkin, spinach and goat’s cheese salad. It has been a winner every time I’ve served it and everyone who has tried it has loved it and requested the recipe.
That’s one of the awesome things about having a food blog – I can just send people a link when they request a recipe!
Most of these recipes can be made in advance making them perfect for the festive season when you’ve been asked to bring a plate or if you’re hosting a holiday party.
Ok onto the recipes…
Summer salads
Healthy potato salad recipe
My healthy potato salad is one of the most popular recipes on the blog. It's vegetarian (suitable for preggas who can't have raw egg!) and can be served warm or cold.
Pumpkin spinach and goats cheese salad
This pumpkin, spinach and goat's cheese salad would have to be one of my absolute favourites. It does have a few steps involved in putting it together but it's very much worth the effort.
Fresh Corn Salad
Corn, bacon, avocado and feta are the ultimate combination in this lovely summer salad perfect for BBQs.
Pesto pasta salad
Add a bit of grilled chicken and this pesto pasta salad could be a meal in itself. It's easy and quick and can be made in advance.
Lemon risoni salad
Lemon risoni salad is another quick and easy salad or side for summer BBQs. You could swap out the risoni for brown rice or quinoa to make it gluten-free.
Super simple stylish side salad
This is a salad to make when you're at the supermarket and realise you need a side dish but have ZERO time to make it. Just throw it all together and you're ready to go and it looks really fancy!
Broccolini, feta and roasted pecan salad
Broccolini, feta and roast pecan salad is more of a side dish than a salad but I had to include it because it's just too good not to.
Quick and easy salad dressings
This is easily one of the most delicious salad dressing recipes I make. It's super nutritious too and suitable for vegans, Paleo & Keto diets.
Brown rice salad from She Cooks She Gardens
The combination of pomegranate and parsley makes this brown rice salad a festive treat.
Marinated zucchini salad
I'm very good at getting in vegetable ruts serving nothing but steamed chopped vege topped with a dollop of butter. Take your zucchini a notch up with this marinated zucchini salad.
Fresh vegetable chopped salad
If you have a food processor or Thermomix then this salad can be whipped up in less than 15 minutes and packs a nutritious punch.
Samphire and Kipfler Potato Salad
Another lovely alternative to the often heavy traditional potato salad.
Maple pumpkin and walnut pasta salad with chicken
This maple pumpkin salad with chicken is a meal in itself and perfect to make a big batch of for easy grab-and-go lunches.
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About Claire Cameron
Claire Cameron
Nutrition and Wellness Coach, mum of 3 and creator of Claire K Creations, Claire Cameron is passionate about simplifying natural living for busy families.
Through good food, natural products & simple living she'll help you achieve better health and a happier planet in a quick, easy & affordable (but not hippie!) way.
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