Easy Summer Salad Inspirations: Simple Recipes & No-Soggy Tips

Summer just says salad to me.  The fresh produce coming right out of the garden inspires me to combine it in unique summer salads.  I think that keeping it simple really respects the freshness of the ingredients.

The possibilities with salads are endless! That is what I love the most.  I get bored with the same green salad, so I like to change it up and experiment with different combinations of greens, vegetables, fruits, proteins, and dressings, creating a unique salad every time. Enjoy the summer salad inspirations I'll share in this blog.

Fresh Summer Salad Inspirations to Get Started

Why This Summer Salad Recipe Works

• Salt Tomatoes & Cucumbers for Crunch: Drawing out excess moisture from cucumbers and tomatoes before tossing keeps the salad from turning into a soggy mess in the bowl.

• Clingy Herb Dressing: Whisking cold-pressed olive oil with fresh lemon juice and Dijon mustard creates a light emulsion, which means the lemon juice and the olive oil stay mixed together instead of separating.  When you mix it with the lettuce, it clings to every leaf without weighing it down.

• Balanced Flavor Profile: Sweet summer corn, bright citrus acidity, creamy goat cheese, and fresh garden herbs hit every taste bud simultaneously.

Here's the Recipe

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use frozen or canned corn instead of fresh corn?

While fresh raw sweet corn sliced right off the cob gives the best texture and natural sweetness, you can certainly use frozen corn in a pinch! Thaw it completely and pat it thoroughly dry with paper towels before tossing. Avoid canned corn if possible, as it carries too much liquid and alters the crunch of the salad.

How do I keep this summer salad from getting soggy?

The secret is salting your cucumbers and tomatoes ahead of time, as outlined in Step 1. Additionally, only toss the salad with the vinaigrette right before serving, and hold off on adding fresh leafy herbs like basil until the last possible minute.

What protein pairs best with this summer salad?

This bright, herb-forward salad pairs beautifully with grilled chicken breast, seared salmon, or garlic-marinated shrimp.

Other Refreshing Summer Salad Inspirations from Around the World

Classic Greek Salad

A Mediterranean staple featuring juicy tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, salty feta cheese, Kalamata olives, and a tangy vinaigrette dressing. I love this type of salad because it is chunky and fresh. I like to take this idea and make my chopped salad.

Watermelon Feta Salad

If you like sweet and savory, this is the salad to try.  It is a perfect combination of watermelon and feta cubes combined with fresh mint and a drizzle of balsamic glaze. If you like these types of salads I’ve experimented with some fruits I love and created this berry salad and blueberry & nectarine salad.  

Thai Mango Salad

This salad bursts with flavors of ripe mango, shredded carrots, red onion, cilantro, peanuts, and a zesty lime dressing. It is such a great combination. I replicated something like this using broccoli slaw.  It is a perfect salad to bring to an event because it holds up really well and gets better the longer it lasts.

Caprese Salad

Who doesn’t love the simple combination of fresh mozzarella with tomatoes and basil right from the garden? Whether you make this as is or even toss in pasta.  It is a quintessential taste of summer for me. 

Mexican Corn Salad

Mexican Corn Salad

Also known as "Elote," this salad features grilled corn, cotija cheese, lime juice, chili powder, and cilantro. I grill my corn and substitute feta for cotija. Then I add a bit of sour cream in my grilled Mexican corn salad.

Fattoush

A colorful mix of toasted pita bread, tomatoes, cucumbers, parsley, mint, and a sumac-infused dressing. It is a new salad for me this year, and I’m really enjoying it.

Nicoise Salad

Nicoise Salad

This salad combines tuna, green beans, potatoes, hard-boiled eggs, olives, and a vinaigrette dressing. It is a typical French salad found in southern France.

Shirazi Salad

Similar to the Greek Salad, this Iranian salad is a refreshing combination of diced cucumbers, tomatoes, onions, and a simple dressing of lime juice and olive oil.