Summer is the best time for fresh healthy salads made with seasonal ingredients that can hang out in the fridge for days. I’ve rounded up these meal prep ready, Ten Summer Healthy Salad Recipes perfect for picnics, road trips, lunch or for al fresco dinning! Which summer salad recipe will you try first?
Vegetarian Salad Recipes, Never Boring
Whipping up a hearty salad for the week ahead is the best way to stay on track with lunch during the work week. I’m less likely to grab something out of convenience if I’ve a ready made salad in the fridge. Several salads are hearty enough for dinner and/or are light enough for a side.
These vegetarian summer salad recipes are make ahead ready and travel with ease. They can hang out in the fridge for days and are packed with all the good things. With vegan and gluten free options, there’s a salad here for everyone!
Versatile and convenient, these salads are among Vanilla And Bean community favorites!
Black Bean Sweet Potato Quinoa Salad
√ Vegetarian √ Vegan √ Gluten Free
Portable, make ahead and meal prep ready with a saucy chipotle dressing. Laura said: “REALLY good! Makes enough for two dinners. We served it with some crusty toasted bread. REPEAT!”
Spinach Pecan Brown Rice Salad
√ Vegetarian √ Gluten Free
A long time favorite vegetarian salad recipe! Creamy, crunchy, packed with goodness: Jenn said: “I LOVE this salad and so does my husband! I’ve been making it once a week since I discovered it about a month ago. The only change I make is to add an extra tablespoon of olive oil =) .”
Quinoa Tabbouleh Salad with Chickpeas
√ Vegetarian √ Vegan √ Gluten Free
Texture, flavor and so hearty… make this healthy salad an easy weeknight summer meal: Rob said: “I’ll take that salad again for lunch!”
√ Vegetarian √ Vegan √ Easily Gluten Free
Oodles of noodles enjoyed chilled with a snappy sesame ginger dressing. A weekday summer salad favorite! Supirya said: “I made this today and loved it! It’s really yummy and healthy really… Me and my friends enjoyed this…”
Lemon-Dijon Asparagus Macaroni Salad
√ Vegetarian √ Vegan √ Easily Gluten Free
That tangy lemon has my heart. A healthy salad recipe that’s picnic and BBQ ready: Tracy said: “I made this this afternoon for a get-together this evening and I have to say–this is going on my make for forever list. This is fantastic.”
Forbidden Rice Salad with Mango
√ Vegetarian √ Vegan √ Gluten Free
A ton of umami flavors in this crunchy-creamy flavorful healthy salad! The coconut curried dressing is over the top!: Selva said: “Made this last night, and it’s now my new very favorite salad! Shared the recipe on line and everyone is excited to try it!”
Quinoa Vegetable Salad with Fresh Mozzarella
√ Vegetarian √ Gluten Free
Find all the goodies at your local farmers market and give this fabulous summer salad a try! The flavorful balsamic lemon dressing has my heart. Kim said: “Found this fantastic salad recipe on Pinterest and made it today using all the veggies I had in my kitchen! It was fabulous, healthy and pretty!!! ….Loved it!!”
Nectarine, Pistachio and Goat Cheese Salad
√ Vegetarian √ Gluten Free
So much summer goodness in this big bowl of greens. The lemon honey dijon dressing has my heart! Use the freshest stone fruit you can find.
Chickpea Salad with Creamy Dill Dressing
√ Vegetarian √ Vegan √ Easily Gluten Free
Meal prep ready, hearty and so perfect for weekday lunches! Versatile enough to include different grains as desired – my version calls for wheat berries, but quinoa or short grain brown rice is fabulous too! You gotta give this healthy salad a go! Kari said: “Colorful, FLAVORFUL, healthy, and delicious. A great go-to summer lunch at work! It makes me feel like I am sticking to my healthy eating goals just by looking at it!”
√ Vegetarian √ Vegan √ Gluten Free
So much to love in this mouth party summer salad recipe! The chipotle lime vinaigrette is fabulous! Hearty, filling and so much flavor! Alissa said: “Made this last night, and we are obsessed! Loved the spiciness of the chipotles with the sweetness of the mango and the tanginess of the lime. By far our most favourite quinoa salad to date (and we make lots)!”
Your salad recipes truly are the best-full of so much flavor and color. I love having them around for lunches and I’m always asked to bring salads for picnics though this summer I’m sharing the recipes instead of the salads (not as much fun, but it’s ok!). Thanks, always, for the inspiration.
There is nothing that I love in this world more than salads.
Hi Haley! I’m a fan too! :D
You have cracked the code on gorgeous and delicious salads, my friend!! :)
Thank you Annie! xo
I think I found my lunch list for the rest of the summer! They all look fabulous, Traci!!
Yesssss! Thank you Tessa! xo
I have tried every one of these and all are super delicious. Complete meals and great for lunches to take to work! Several have been repeated since posted. Would highly recommend them to all.
Thank you for your note, Claudia! So happy to hear you’re enjoying the salads!
What a delicios round of salads, and you make the best. Each one looks so good Traci. I have to try your dill dressing, pasta salad and so many more.
Gorgeous my friend.
xo
Thaaank you Ash! Yes on the dill dressing – do ittt! xo
Will you be making a book soon?
Hi Stephanie! Thank you for your note. No plans, but am considering a series of e-books. Of course if I do, I’ll announce it via social and through my email list. I hope this helps!
I eat so many salads, Traci – it’s pretty much my standard lunch every day so I am always looking for new ideas. I see so many good ones here – the sesame ginger noodle salad is calling my name! Love the different mix of grains and pastas bases – something for everyone.
I know you’re a fan, Geraldine! I love your salads toooo! xo
I love summery salads, what a gorgeous round-up!
Woot woot! Thanks girl!
… your fan definitely ….
Thank you lovely! xo
Dear Traci, thank you for this round-up! Instantly I am craving all of these;)). I have tried some already and loved them all. Healthy and different from any old green or potato salad – for sure. Lots of love, Christine
You got it Christine! So happy to hear you’ve tried a few. Salads take on so many forms… there are no rules, except it must be chilled! :D
Some of the most delicious, beautiful, healthy salads I’ve ever seen Traci! Your photos always make me want to reach through my screen and grab whatever you’re serving up! Well done! Hope you have a wonderful weekend. Stay cool!
Thaaank you Mare! I love salads so much, especially the hearty variety I can stick in the fridge and eat on for daaaays! Hope you’re staying cool too xo!