10 Summer Salads That Make Perfect Light Lunches

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Beat the heat with summer salads that pack enough flavor and texture to make them the star of your lunch spread. Put your Chef’s hat on and get creative by mixing fresh leafy greens with seasonal produce, a variety of condiments, and occasionally some grilled meat, to come up with hearty salads that make perfect light lunches. Here are the 10 best summer salads of all time that can easily jump the line – from sides to lunches.

Balsamic Pasta Salad

Go full vegetarian with this flavor-packed pasta salad with grilled vegetables. Grill your choice of summer vegetables after marinating them in balsamic vinegar. The greens of choice here are basil leaves, but grilled vegetables steal the show. Toss in some cooked pasta for a hearty, wholesome texture. Full Recipe: Balsamic Pasta Salad

Strawberry Goat Cheese Salad

The crunch of candied walnuts and leafy greens complements the tender, juicy texture of strawberries and creamy goat cheese in this heavenly salad. Add a balsamic vinaigrette dressing to add a hint of tanginess to the burst of different flavors and textures. Full Recipe: Strawberry Goat Cheese Salad

Grilled Halloumi and Strawberry Salad

Add a Mediterranean twist to your summer salads by introducing grilled halloumi – salty white cheese straight from Cyprus. Grill the balsamic-marinated strawberries for a few minutes before tossing them with grilled halloumi. Top with your choice of herbs to add some greens. Full Recipe: Grilled Halloumi and Strawberry Salad

Balsamic Chicken Salad

Pair the fresh, peppery arugula with grilled balsamic chicken and fresh, juicy tomatoes for this flavorful, protein-packed salad. Use the leftover balsamic marinade as a salad dressing to add a tangy edge to your salad. Full Recipe: Balsamic Chicken Salad

Mexican Watermelon Salad

Adding a Mexican twist to watermelons in a salad mix has been one of the best innovations so far. Toasty pepitas and fresh arugula give this salad a crunchy texture, and the lime dressing gives a tangy undertone, perfect to have with tacos. It goes better solo – just mix up the ingredients, grab a fork, and dig in! Full Recipe: Mexican Watermelon Salad

Greek Chicken Salad

This salad features juicy chicken marinated with the classic Greek marinade to bring the signature Mediterranean flavors right to your kitchen. The green of choice is romaine, but cherry tomatoes and cucumbers steal the show. This crunchy, flavor-filled salad is packed with proteins and vitamins, making it a perfect healthy, light lunch. Full Recipe: Greek Chicken Salad

BLT Chicken Salad

BLT chicken salad hits the nostalgia buttons right on the spot! The said nostalgia is mainly because of BLT chicken sandwich, a certified comfort food. This recipe is the salad version of the classic sandwich, complete with flavorful grilled chicken, crispy bacon, crunchy fresh lettuce, juicy tomatoes, and hearty croutons. Full Recipe: BLT Salad With Chicken

Santa Fe Salad

Essentially a burrito bowl, Santa Fe salad is a whole meal on its own. Beans for proteins, tomatoes and romaine for vitamins and minerals, corn for carbs and fibres, and balsamic vinegar for flavor – this salad bowl is packed with nutrients and flavors! And the best part? It’s entirely no-cook, which means no stove time. Full Recipe: Santa Fe Salad

Italian Pasta Salad

If you’re craving Italian pasta but don’t want something heavy, try this light Italian Pasta salad. With fresh tomatoes, loads of provolone, handfuls of salami, and tangy Italian dressing, this pasta salad brings the heart of Italian cuisine right to your salad bowl. Full Recipe: Italian Pasta Salad

Ancient Grains Salad

A hearty combination of the earthy, nutty farro, fresh arugula, and crunchy homemade pita chips, topped with the one and only cilantro lime dressing, results in this nutritious, healthy, flavorful salad. It is also no-cook, which is just an added bonus in this summer heat. Full Recipe: Ancient Grains Salad