Summer Salads

Fresh vegetables fill the farmer's markets when summertime arrives, and I get excited about summer salads. Even though most people associate salad with a side dish, I consider vegan summer salads an opportunity for creativity. And with creativity comes summer salad recipes that wow even those who don't like salad. Vegan summer salads scream freshness and endless possibilities for lunch, dinner, potlucks, barbeques, and picnics for those salad skeptics. 

So, I decided to share my favorite summertime salads for those looking to take your vegan salad recipes up a notch and explore the beauty of summer salads. Also, all my dressings are oil-free, so enjoy the adventure.

First, let's talk about having a barbeque with your friends and family. One of my favorite go-to salads for barbeque is my Vegan Potato Salad. Not only can this salad be prepared beforehand, but it is also always a crowd-pleaser.

(VEGAN POTATO SALAD)

And, what goes better with potato salad than my family's favorite traditional  Vegan Macaroni Salad. Like grandma used to make, this vegan version of my grandma's macaroni salad even has green peas! Dressed is a sweet cashew mayo dressing; Vegan Macaroni Salad disappears from my house fast as I put it on the tables. 

(VEGAN MACARONI SALAD)

Another great salad recipe for any barbeque is my Charred Corn Salad. Sometimes, I have so many people that I don't have room for the grilled corn on the cob. So instead, I grill the corn ahead of time and make a Charred Corn Salad from the corn on the cob. 

Then, my guests get corn on the cob, but in a bowl mixed with colorful vegetables in an oil-free dressing. 

(CHARRED CORN SALAD)

I like to make summer salads that combine vegetables and fruit on those hot summer nights. As a result, the sweetness of the fruit with the vegetables is enhanced by the kinds of vinegar in the oil-free dressings. A few of my favorite summer salads are served with grilled peaches, grilled grapes, and raw mango. 

(SALAD WITH GRILLED PEACHES)

The grilled corn and peaches are incredible, with peaches in season with a vegan Yogurt Dressing Recipe. The fresh bed of lettuce, mixed with arugula, gives it a peppery undertone of flavor that tastes fabulous with the combination of red and white onion. 

On the other hand, my Grape Salad is incredibly savory with the pop of jammy grapes fresh off the grill. Within minutes, red grapes transform into little balls of flavor.

(GRAPE SALAD)

Loaded with Simple Rosemary Infused Pickled Red Onions and roasted pecans, this summer salad is a savory, sweet explosion in every bite. 

The next salad on my favorite list is Mango Salad because it yells summertime. Since I love mango almost as much as I love summer peaches, mango is the highlight of this summer salad recipe. 

(MANGO SALAD)

Dressed to impress, this summer salad is loaded with cucumbers, tomatoes, kale, red onions, and mangos. Mango salad is simply fresh and delicious in a light peanut lime dressing with cilantro garnish. Even though it only has six simple ingredients, the intense flavors bring you back for more. 

Of course, I can't forget about entree salads, perfect for the summertime heat. Who wants to eat hot food on those hot summer nights? Not me. Often, I skip the oven and grill and go right for a summer salad. My family, who I depend on to be candidly honest about the food I prepare, picked these three salads as their favorites. 

My husband, who is sometimes a picky eater, loves Asparagus Salad. So when we go to the farmer's market, he chooses the asparagus and prefers it thin and delicate. My job, of course, is to make it into something fabulous. 

(ASPARAGUS SALAD)

Asparagus salad, although savory and tangy, is simple and only contains a few simple ingredients. Make no lettuce at all; this summer salad is full of cold orzo pasta: tomatoes, green onions, parsley, and asparagus. Tossed in an oil-free champagne vinegarette, this salad is a keeper. 

Because we love cold pasta salads in the summer, my favorite is Healthy Greek Pasta Salad! To create a greek pasta salad, I focused on typical ingredients in a vegan Greek salad.   I also used the same hummus and lemon dressing in my Quinoa Greek Salad with OMG Oil-Free Dressing. The combination of hummus, lemon, and red wine vinegar is tangy and tart.

(HEALTHY GREEK PASTA SALAD)

Without a doubt, the Tofu Feta Cheese and vegetable pasta make this one of my favorite salads to eat all year round. 

Next up is another family favorite, my version of a Panzanella Salad Recipe. Tuscan chopped salad, also called a tomato bread salad or bread salad, Panzanella salad can be made in various ways, making it easy to create your unique version. My version, of course, is oil-free and full of vegetables! And an additional twist is the use of baby potatoes. 

(PANZANELLA SALAD RECIPE)

The oil-free balsamic dressing brings all the flavors together and soaks into the crusty bread for this summer salad. 

(VEGAN PASTA SALAD) 

And let's not forget the pasta. Vegan pasta salad full of spring's most vibrant vegetables, dressed in a light and tangy oil-free vinaigrette dressing. This spring pasta salad is so fresh and delicious, and your guests will come back for seconds.

(MEXICAN QUINOA SALAD)

Mexican quinoa salad is a blend of tri-colored quinoa, pinto beans, and various vegetables mixed in an oil-free cilantro lime dressing. Great as an entree salad or side dish, Mexican quinoa salad is earthy and delicious. Prepare in under 20 minutes!

(VEGAN CAESAR SALAD)

Vegan Caesar salad is a copycat version of a traditional Caesar salad, veganized for plant-based salad lovers. Oil-free, down to the croutons, this vegan Caesar salad is savory and delicious, with all the tasty flavors in a Caesar salad just healthier.

(ISRAELI SALAD)

(CAJUN POTATO SALAD)

(SWEET POTATO SALAD RECIPE)

Sweet potato salad is a combination of savory and sweet and full of superfood goodness. Roasted sweet potatoes are tossed into various veggies and greens and dressed in a tangy oil-free dressing. Salads don't have to be boring, so mix them with a sweet potato salad recipe.

(SUPERFOOD SALAD)

(ITALIAN PASTA SALAD) 

Italian pasta salad is one of my favorite cold pasta salads. Loaded with various fresh vegetables, roasted asparagus, and white beans, this pasta salad checks all the boxes in one delicious bowl. Dressed in a creamy, oil-free Italian dressing, this pasta salad will be your new favorite vegan summer salad to serve this spring and summer.

(BEET SALAD) 

(APPLE WALNUT SALAD)

Something magical happens when toasted walnuts, apples, red onions, and vegan tofu feta cheese are in a bowl of green. Then those fabulous ingredients are tossed in an oil-free walnut apple salad dressing, and the world becomes a better place. Turn simple ingredients into an incredible vegan summer salad.

And last, but certainly not least, is a popular salad at my house, Antipasto Salad, veganized of course. Traditionally a meat and cheese salad, this summer salad is hearty and filling with only vegetables and a tangy oil-free Italian dressing. 

There are several variations of antipasto salad recipes, but I created an antipasto salad full of my favorite Italian ingredients. Even though I love my Italian Chopped Salad, vegan antipasto salad is heartier and contains more ingredients. Antipasto salad is so filling and delicious that I eat it as an entree salad. 

So, the next time someone suggests all vegans do is eat salad, show them what you are made of, and make a vegan summer salad to wow your crowd. 

Summertime is almost here, so eat your veggies while they are at their freshest!