Whether you're looking for the perfect picnic dish, a BBQ side or a tasty lunchbox idea, our selection of delicious summer salad recipes are sure to inspire. See more Summer recipes.
Whizz up this salmon salad in just 10 minutes for a delicious and satisfying lunch or light dinner. We've used hot smoked salmon and mixed grains for ease and speed, alongside lots of lovely citrus flavours and fresh, fragrant herbs. You couldn't wish for a better lunch!
Grilled halloumi cheese and crisp homemade croutons make this vibrant salad feel hearty and substantial. Served with a delicious warm tomato and chilli dressing, this salad is packed full of flavour too.
Use the barbecue to liven up your midweek meals with this charred greens and tuna Niçoise salad
Inspired by the French classic tuna Niçoise, this bold and bright salad features smoked mackerel, which adds a lovely rich, aromatic quality. We've still included most of the ingredients of the much-loved Niçoise salad, including a quick and delicious dressing. Throw together in 25 minutes for a super-fresh springtime meal!
Rich, fragrant and gently spiced, a good satay sauce is a hero ingredient in your fridge, just the ticket for pepping up meat, fish, veg and salads. We like it drizzled over steak or vegetable skewers, or try tossing it through noodles and shredded veggies for a quick and flavoursome meal.
If you fancy something a bit different drizzled over your salads, try this quick salad dressing recipe, inspired by spicy-sweet teriyaki sauce. It's bold, fragrant and versatile – try it with grilled salmon, rice and salad leaves topped with sesame seeds – delicious!
This French dressing recipe is the business! Whip up a batch in 5 minutes and store in the fridge, ready to use for grilled veg, meat or fish (see tip, below). Or try drizzling over a leafy salad topped with jammy boiled eggs for the perfect side.
Shake up your chicken salads with this exciting Chinese-inspired recipe that's high in protein and gives 2 of your 5-a-day. Smashing a cucumber allows the marinade ingredients to penetrate throughout, creating bold flavour. Serve with vibrant, juicy bang bang chicken thighs for a fun, street food-style meal.
Soba noodles include some buckwheat flour, which has a distinctive nutty quality. It pairs beautifully with zesty, fragrant flavours – here we've added fresh coriander, spring onion, lime and green chilli for a big hit of flavour. This is lovely noodle salad for lunch or a light dinner for two.
This flavoursome pasta salad makes a great lunch on the go or simple spring dinner. Ready in 15 minutes, it uses leftover marinated courgettes (see tip, below) and budget-friendly tinned salmon, so it's a super-easy solution when hunger strikes!
We love the bold Mediterranean-inspired flavours in this vibrant spring salad. You only need a microwave and 20 minutes to make this delicious dish that makes a lovely light lunch, side or part of a sharing spread.
Use leftover chicken thighs and fragrant Thai green curry sauce to create this fresh and zesty noodle salad for the perfect packed lunch or light dinner.
This BBQ side classic is made even tastier with the addition of seasonal asparagus, peas and peppery watercress or rocket
This courgette and pea salad adds a wonderful freshness to a spring roast. The lemon and fresh herbs give a zingy, fragrant lift, while the toasted almonds lend a lovely crunch. You could try making your own pesto too, if you're feeling adventurous.
Let your guests dig into this easy-to-assemble aubergine starter at your next barbecue while you appreciate just how easy it was to make
This flavour-packed mackerel salad makes the most of storecupboard ingredients and comes together in minutes. A tin of three bean salad adds variety, but use whatever beans or lentils you fancy, see tip below. This makes a satisfying lunch or light dinner for two.
This tasty buddha bowl proves salads can be adventurous! With ready-made mixed grains and falafel, plus a delicious homemade dressing, it comes together in just 15 minutes, perfect for a quick and easy midweek lunch.
Taking cue from the hot honey trend, this honey mustard dressing is a must-try. Brilliant for pepping up roasted veg as well as any type of salad, it's a handy cook's shortcut to have in the fridge all year round. Add more crushed chillies if you like it hot!
Liven up your BBQ with this smokin' hot broccoli recipe. With carrots, cabbage and lime, this summery side is packed full of flavour.
This all-American classic cobb salad recipe lines up crispy bacon, succulent chicken and golden boiled eggs with plenty of colourful veg and a drizzle of creamy blue cheese dressing, for an indulgent salad more than worthy of main course status.
This warm Asian-style salad is ready in a flash but doesn't scrimp on flavour. Crispy duck is layered over noodles and colourful veggies, then drizzled in an umami sesame and hoisin dressing. It's quick, fresh and bursting with bold Asian flavours.
Tabbouleh is a wonderfully flavoursome and fragrant sharing dish for summer feasts, but is delicious enjoyed all year round. This autumnal twist features sweet Cox apples and earthy kale. Keep it in the fridge for a wholesome lunch or serve it as part of a get-together meal.
This classic Italian salad gets an upgrade with the help of crispy, skin-on chicken breasts, salty olives and capers
This summer potato salad is packed with veg and great for using up leftover chicken
Fresh peaches, juicy tomatoes and creamy burrata make a summery trio in this 15-minute salad
Fresh and zesty, this fibre-rich bean salad is bursting with black beans, chickpeas, sweetcorn, mango, avocado and tangy feta—tossed in a zingy lime and olive oil dressing. Ideal for barbecues, picnics or an easy lunch.
Food writer Nargisse Benkabbou's colourful salad is packed with fresh and aromatic flavours inspired by Moroccan cuisine. Drizzled with a simple honey and olive oil dressing, enjoy as part of a lunchtime spread, or try alongside Nargisse's spiced chicken meatballs (see recipe, below).
This hearty pasta salad is bursting with flavours of the Mediterranean: garlic-roasted courgettes, sweet baby tomatoes, zingy lemon and fragrant basil. With juicy prawns, crisp pancetta and creamy mozzarella too.
Marinated figs, Parma ham and mozzarella is a classic salad combo and for good reason – with the perfect balance of sweet and salty alongside peppery rocket and creamy mozzarella. A lovely lunch or light supper.
A simple, homemade chicken jalfrezi that will have you tossing all those takeaway menus
Chicken and asparagus are a lovely combination – and even more so when combined with butter and cannellini beans, cherry tomatoes, parsley and lemon in this easy, summery supper dish. A great midweek meal option.
Impress your guests with this innovative twist on a BBQ classic. Accompany with a tangy mango slaw for a fast and flavoursome dish
Baking fish in paper locks in moisture and enhances its delicate flavours. Try this recipe with any white fish, its complemented with a crunchy walnut, beetroot and rice salad for a healthy midweek meal