20 Simple Summer Salads That Really Fill You Up

Make Salad the Star of Your Summer

Food Editor at Kitchen Stories

When the temperatures soar, the last thing I want is a heavy meal. Besides, it's already far too warm for hot food, isn't it?
So that your stomach doesn't growl, you have enough energy for all the fun that summer has to offer, and you never have to miss out, I present to you:

Our favorite summer salad recipes that actually fill you up!

They're hefty enough to serve as a main course, but still fresh and exciting–so now's the time.

Discover your new favorites from our salad recipe collection that are perfect for any summer day, are quick (all under 40 minutes, most even quicker!) and easy to prepare, taste even better and, above all, are really filling.

Satisfying Summer Salads That You Absolutely Have to Try!

Gado-gado (Indonesian salad with peanut sauce)

This mixed salad from Indonesia is colorful, exciting, and absolutely delicious! Raw and cooked vegetables combined with fried tofu and a boiled egg, served with a generous portion of addictive peanut sauce.

Roasted potato salad with baba ganoush dressing

Creamy, smoky Baba Ganoush as a dressing for oven-roasted potatoes, juicy-crunchy, sweet pomegranate seeds plus roasted pistachios: A perfect interplay of flavors and textures that leaves you wanting more!

Warm potato and green bean salad with herby feta

From stew to salad! Take the flavor and ingredient combinations of your favorite comfort foods into the summer. This salad is inspired by the Greek stew Fasolakia Lathera.

Sheet pan Niçoise salad with chickpeas

Le classique goes veggie! The French salad gets a vegetarian twist with fake "tuna" made from mashed chickpeas and red onions. Roasted beans and potatoes add a nice contrast to the crunchy salad and juicy tomatoes.

Super crispy smashed potato salad

The upgrade for your potato salad: Crispy smashed potatoes! Combined with crunchy sugar snap peas (yes, you can eat them raw!), soft-boiled eggs, herbs, Parmesan, and a creamy dressing, it becomes the ultimate dish.

Gnocchi pesto salad with snap peas

Why choose between pasta salad and potato salad when you can have gnocchi salad? Parsley pesto, crunchy sugar snap peas, and earthy hazelnuts give it that extra something and make it the perfect quick summer recipe.

Summer pasta salad with zucchini

Zucchini are the stars of summer vegetables and are perfectly at home in this exceptional pasta salad! It combines the best of the season with crunchy nuts, caramelized and fresh onions, olives, and fresh herbs.

Easy Mediterranean tortellini salad with pesto

Pasta salad is fantastic, but have you tried tortellini salad? We take it a step further and use filled pasta from the refrigerator–this adds variety and saves time. Plus, there are aromatic tomatoes, quick arugula pesto, and more Mediterranean flair.

Glass noodle salad with lemongrass dressing

Completely vegan and packed with delicious vegetables, fruity mango, and flavorful herbs, this colorful glass noodle salad is finished off with a refreshing lemongrass-lime dressing and crunchy peanuts.

Cold noodle salad with peanut sauce

(Soba) noodle salad is always a good choice on hot days, and this version has it all: Crunchy vegetables, soba noodles, and an aromatic, creamy peanut sauce. Add a squeeze of lemon and voilà, refreshment is guaranteed.

5-ingredient panzanella with nectarines and halloumi

Bread salad is the best choice if you have old bread at home and ideally some juicy nectarines. Add golden brown Halloumi, basil, a splash of olive oil, and honey, and your summer dish is ready–in just a few minutes and with only a handful of ingredients.

Crispy bread salad with chicken and radicchio

Crispy croutons, golden brown, juicy chicken, and colorful salad sounds luxurious, but you don't have to do much: No need to precisely cut the ingredients; you can tear most of them by hand.

Vegan larb tofu

Especially in summer, this is definitely one of the best ways to eat tofu! It's the optimal, protein-rich canvas for many flavors and absorbs the spicy-fresh dressing like a sponge. It's especially fun to eat everything directly from the lettuce leaves.

Quinoa, corn and avocado salad

For this salad's ingredient combination, we asked you, our community, for your opinion. The winners were: cucumber, sweet corn, feta, and zesty lime. Together with colorful quinoa, this becomes a filling summer salad that suits every taste!

Tangy marinated lentil salad with feta

Don't be shy! Dare to combine intense ingredients like feta, capers, fresh herbs, cumin, chili, and roasted almonds, which become a flavor explosion. Swiss chard and al dente cooked black lentils form the perfect base.

Mango-avocado salad with lime dressing

This refreshing fruity summer salad is inspired by Tex-Mex flavors: fruity mango and lime, avocado, red onion, and cilantro meet corn and protein-rich black beans, and if you like, add crunchy tortilla chips.

Roast salmon salad with chickpea and tomatoes

A salad perfect for a dinner in the fresh, balmy summer evening air–whether in the garden, park, balcony, or even just by an open window. Tip: Enjoy the mustard-salmon leftovers the next day in a delicious sandwich!

Cobb salad

This salad proves that salads can be main courses! Its mix of tangy blue cheese, crispy bacon, tomatoes, juicy chicken breast, avocado, and soft-boiled eggs arranged on a fresh salad bed draws all eyes.

Antipasto salad

Salad might not be your first association with Bella Italia–but that’s about to change! This includes everything that belongs on a good antipasti platter: fennel salami, Pecorino, mozzarella, your favorite pickled vegetables, crispy ciabatta, and more. Buonissimo!

Chicken piccata salad

The simple Italian classic Piccata with juicy chicken in an intense, tangy-creamy caper sauce also works perfectly with a crunchy salad. This makes it a fresh summer version that is hearty and filling, but light enough to leave you feeling good.

What are your absolute favorite summer salads? Let me know in the comments!

Here you'll find more tips to perfect your summer salad game:

– Never go wrong again: The 5 most common mistakes in preparing salads
– A good salad stands and falls with its dressing: 1 Vinaigrette - 8 Variations
– No stopping at salads: In 5 steps to the perfect bowl

Published on June 28, 2024

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