5 Salads to Enjoy on Repeat This Summer

Late sunsets, tropical produce, and warm weather all point to one thing–summer has officially arrived. We don’t know what’s more exciting, the fact it’s officially summer or the abundance of summer produce. In honor of the warm weather, here are five summer salads that will keep you cool and work well at any cookout.

1. Watermelon Salad with Mint

Watermelon is a bite of hydration because, as the name implies, it contains water–a lot of water. With over 90% water, watermelon is a delicious and nutritious way to stay cool and hydrated. 

If you’re looking for a summer salad that is light, refreshing and can be made in ten minutes or less, try this 3-ingredient Watermelon Salad with Mint. You don’t need to rely only on water to meet all your fluid needs, and this watermelon-inspired summer salad is a sweet and juicy menu addition that can keep you cool.  

Try This: Did you know watermelon rind is edible? Instead of tossing the rind, turn it into a coleslaw to accompany your backyard barbeque.

2. Cucumber and Tomato Salad

If you’re looking for a hydrating savory salad, a quick and simple option is to use cucumbers and tomatoes. These two fruits are low in calories and pair together perfectly. 

Combine crunchy cucumbers, zesty red wine vinegar, and bite-sized tomato pieces to make this easy Cucumber and Tomato Salad. Enjoy this salad as a summer appetizer, or remove the red wine vinegar to create a post-meal palate-cleansing salad.

Did You Know?: Cucumbers contain about 96% water, and tomatoes contain between 93 and 95% water.

3. Grilled Romaine Lettuce

Ready to turn your lettuce into something different and delightful? Lettuce is a versatile summer vegetable. Don’t think of it only as an addition to sliders and wraps, but elevate the flavor and texture of your lettuce by grilling it and serving it as a salad.

Grilling results in a smoky flavor. You can try Grilled Romaine Lettuce by brushing your romaine lettuce with your favorite vinaigrette and quickly grilling it. 

Try This: Romine is one of the most popular greens to grill, but swap out romaine for kale, napa cabbage, or butter lettuce. 

4. Strawberry Spinach Salad

Strawberries are a sweet summertime staple used in shortcake recipes, smoothies, or agua frescas. If you’re looking for another fun way to use them, try adding fresh spinach, purple onions, and feta cheese with strawberries to create a mouthwatering Strawberry Spinach Salad. 

With 90 to 99% water content, strawberries are both hydrating and delicious. Nothing tastes better on a hot summer day than a salad combining sweet, savory, salty, crunchy, and chewy elements.

Did You Know?: Strawberries contain vitamin C, which helps protect the body’s cells from antioxidant damage. 

5. Frozen Fruit Salad

If you’re looking for a salad that will help you cool down on a hot summer day, treat yourself to this Frozen Fruit Salad. 

The best thing about this recipe is that it contains only three ingredients: frozen fruit, lemon juice, and honey. Plus, you do not have to chop up a bunch of fruit. Buying frozen fruit can save both time and money. 

Just One Thing: If you don’t like the fruits used in this recipe, replace them with 4-6 frozen fruits you do like. I tried it with mango, avocado, strawberries, and pineapples, and it was just as tasty.

The Bottom Line:

Enjoy the coolness of summer salads. They’re hydrating and versatile, pairing well with any summer cookout entree. Let us know in the comments section which salad you like the best.