Whether you’re serving it as the main meal or as a side at a barbecue, salad is a bold summer dish! Salads go great with just about anything, and there are so many ways to customize them. The summer heat has people craving the refreshing crispness of a freshly made salad. To help you plan your next summer salad, we’ve created a list of our top nine favorite light summer salads that will have everyone asking for seconds!
Spicy Carrot Salad
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mommypotamus.com[/caption]
All the flavor, and none of the calories! This spicy carrot salad from
Mommy Potamus is an easy “go to” recipe when you’re in a crunch for time. Not only does it look gorgeous, but with only seven all-natural ingredients, this salad will leave you feeling energized and refreshed. The cayenne pepper in this spicy carrot salad will also help boost your metabolism and keep you on track to achieving that summer bod!
Gluten Free Pasta Salad
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glutenfreeonashoestring.com[/caption]
Pasta salad is one of the more filling salad options. However, it doesn’t have to be a heavy meal. By choosing gluten free pasta, and topping it with a roasted shallot vinaigrette, you’ll create a flavor combination that will have people running back for more. Because this recipe from
Gluten Free on a Shoestring uses gluten free noodles, it accommodates most diets.
Artichoke and Asparagus Chicken Salad
[caption id="attachment_1021490" align="aligncenter" width="680"]
mynaturalfamily.com[/caption]
Artichoke, spinach, asparagus, and chicken . . . what more could you want in a salad? Not only is this salad paleo-friendly, but it's also gluten and dairy free, which makes it easier to bring to a party knowing you can accommodate a variety of diets. Another thing that makes this salad from
My Natural Family a winner in our book is that it has no added sugar, so you don’t have to worry about that nasty energy crash afterward. To make sure everyone at the party has energy, bring this salad as your next dish and get ready to rake in the compliments!
Marinated Beet and Apple Salad with Banana Peppers
[caption id="attachment_1021487" align="aligncenter" width="699"]
primalpalate.com[/caption]
We’ve heard that an apple a day keeps the doctor away. However, beets are just as great. Beets contain an abundance of antioxidants that keep our brain healthy and active. This superfood salad will undoubtedly leave you feeling refreshed and ready for the rest of the day. Oh, and did we mention it's vegan and paleo friendly? Just one more reason to love this salad from
Primal Palate.
Mango Quinoa Salad
[caption id="attachment_1021493" align="aligncenter" width="800"]
www.barefeetinthekitchen.com[/caption]
Quinoa is so versatile that it can take on a variety of different flavors, making it great to add to just about anything! This Mango Quinoa Salad from
Barefeet in the Kitchen is a sweet and tangy dish packed with so much flavor your mouth will be watering before your first bite. The amount of quinoa used in this dish makes it a great source of protein, and can quickly fill you up! Try out Bob's Red Mill
Red Quinoa with this salad for a perfect dish!
Paleo Shrimp Salad
[caption id="attachment_1021524" align="alignnone" width="700"]
grassfedgirl.com[/caption]
What’s summer without shrimp? This salad from
Grass Fed Girl is the perfect low carb meal when you’re craving something light and filling. The shrimp adds substance and texture to the salad, while also keeping it low in calories and carbs.
Fresh Ahi Tuna Salad
[caption id="attachment_1021530" align="aligncenter" width="683"]
savingdinner.com[/caption]
We’ve heard it before; omega-3s are amazing for you. The good news is tuna is jam-packed with them. This fresh tuna salad from
Saving Dinner has such a vivid and uplifting flavor that your day will automatically improve with each bit you take. This salad is a must for seafood lovers!
Summer Salmon Salad
[caption id="attachment_1021542" align="aligncenter" width="678"]
wickedspatula.com[/caption]
The combination of salmon and basil used in this salad from
Wicked Spatula would have anyone's taste buds screaming for more. This Summer Salmon Salad is also great for your digestive tract, as the proteins in it are easily digested.
Citrus and Pomegranate Salad
[caption id="attachment_1021559" align="aligncenter" width="683"]
vegetarianventures.com[/caption]
If you're looking for an immediate way to curb your sweet tooth, this Citrus and Pomegranate Salad from
Vegetarian Ventures is the perfect choice for you! It packs all the sweetness of candy without the refined sugar, additives, and crash later. It is also stunning to look at and perfect for the summer time when the fruit is it's freshest!
mommypotamus.com[/caption]
All the flavor, and none of the calories! This spicy carrot salad from Mommy Potamus is an easy “go to” recipe when you’re in a crunch for time. Not only does it look gorgeous, but with only seven all-natural ingredients, this salad will leave you feeling energized and refreshed. The cayenne pepper in this spicy carrot salad will also help boost your metabolism and keep you on track to achieving that summer bod!
glutenfreeonashoestring.com[/caption]
Pasta salad is one of the more filling salad options. However, it doesn’t have to be a heavy meal. By choosing gluten free pasta, and topping it with a roasted shallot vinaigrette, you’ll create a flavor combination that will have people running back for more. Because this recipe from Gluten Free on a Shoestring uses gluten free noodles, it accommodates most diets.
mynaturalfamily.com[/caption]
Artichoke, spinach, asparagus, and chicken . . . what more could you want in a salad? Not only is this salad paleo-friendly, but it's also gluten and dairy free, which makes it easier to bring to a party knowing you can accommodate a variety of diets. Another thing that makes this salad from My Natural Family a winner in our book is that it has no added sugar, so you don’t have to worry about that nasty energy crash afterward. To make sure everyone at the party has energy, bring this salad as your next dish and get ready to rake in the compliments!
primalpalate.com[/caption]
We’ve heard that an apple a day keeps the doctor away. However, beets are just as great. Beets contain an abundance of antioxidants that keep our brain healthy and active. This superfood salad will undoubtedly leave you feeling refreshed and ready for the rest of the day. Oh, and did we mention it's vegan and paleo friendly? Just one more reason to love this salad from Primal Palate.
www.barefeetinthekitchen.com[/caption]
Quinoa is so versatile that it can take on a variety of different flavors, making it great to add to just about anything! This Mango Quinoa Salad from Barefeet in the Kitchen is a sweet and tangy dish packed with so much flavor your mouth will be watering before your first bite. The amount of quinoa used in this dish makes it a great source of protein, and can quickly fill you up! Try out Bob's Red Mill Red Quinoa with this salad for a perfect dish!
grassfedgirl.com[/caption]
What’s summer without shrimp? This salad from Grass Fed Girl is the perfect low carb meal when you’re craving something light and filling. The shrimp adds substance and texture to the salad, while also keeping it low in calories and carbs.
savingdinner.com[/caption]
We’ve heard it before; omega-3s are amazing for you. The good news is tuna is jam-packed with them. This fresh tuna salad from Saving Dinner has such a vivid and uplifting flavor that your day will automatically improve with each bit you take. This salad is a must for seafood lovers!
wickedspatula.com[/caption]
The combination of salmon and basil used in this salad from Wicked Spatula would have anyone's taste buds screaming for more. This Summer Salmon Salad is also great for your digestive tract, as the proteins in it are easily digested.
vegetarianventures.com[/caption]
If you're looking for an immediate way to curb your sweet tooth, this Citrus and Pomegranate Salad from Vegetarian Ventures is the perfect choice for you! It packs all the sweetness of candy without the refined sugar, additives, and crash later. It is also stunning to look at and perfect for the summer time when the fruit is it's freshest! 
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