Few dishes capture the spirit of summer quite like a vibrant, fresh salad. All over the world, people transform simple, seasonal produce into colourful, flavour-packed plates that are as nourishing as they are delicious, so say goodbye to limp lettuce, tired tomatoes and pale peppers, and celebrate bold textures, bright herbs and diverse culinary traditions. This is Britain, so summer is a bit hit and miss, but these scrumptious salads are most definitely hits!
Chinese Spiced Duck Salad
This Chinese spiced duck salad is fragrant, colourful and full of contrast, and is a perfect example of how a big salad can still feel light enough for summer. It combines warming spices with fresh, crunchy textures, making it both satisfying and refreshingly light at the same time. It’s an easy way to elevate a casual lunch or add something a little more special to a warm-weather spread and above all, it’s delicious!
Mexican Brown Rice Salad
Hearty, vibrant and full of summer sunshine, this Mexican brown rice salad is a fabulous fiesta of colour and texture. Inspired by the bold, fresh ingredients of Mexican cuisine, it combines rice and beans with punchy herbs, zingy citrus, and the gentle warmth of spice for a dish that’s wholesome and satisfying. And of course no Mexican salad worth its salt is complete without fiery jalapenos! Perfect for picnics, barbecues or easy summer lunches, you can make this salad ahead of time and you’re guaranteed big flavour with minimal fuss.
Spanish Summer Butterbean Salad with Hot Sauce Vinaigrette
This butter bean salad is creamy, fiery and full of Spanish sunshine, and it’s a brilliant example of how humble ingredients can shine in the summer months. With its roots in simple, seasonal cooking, the soft, buttery beans, corn, cucumber, onion and tomatoes are dressed with a punchy hot sauce vinaigrette that brings some proper zing. It’s the kind of dish that works just as well as a laid-back lunch as it does on the BBQ table, and it’s a classy addition to any warm-weather table.
Thai Green Papaya Salad with Prawn & Pork
Thai salads are famous for being punchy, vibrant and bright, and this green papaya salad with prawn and pork is no different! This summer sensation captures the iconic flavours of Thailand with the sharp fruit lifted up with the zingy flavours of fish sauce, chilli, garlic, lime juice, and a whole host of happy herbs and spices. And don’t forget the pork and prawns that transform this salad from a side to a centrepiece superstar. When you want something refreshing with a bit of edge, bring a taste of Southeast Asia to the table.
Indian Rice Bowl with Curried Roasted Cauliflower & Green Chutney
Earthy, spiced cauliflower meets vibrant green chutney in this flavour-packed bowl inspired by Indian cooking. Built on a base of wholesome brown rice, it’s a satisfying yet summery dish that’s healthy and delicious, and you get the salty crunch of chopped cashews and potato sticks. It’s really easy to make, suitable for vegetarians, and it’s perfect for a light lunch or as part of a big picnic spread.
Greek Meatball Salad
Sun-soaked and full of Mediterranean character, this Greek meatball salad brings together the comforting richness of herby meatballs with the bright, fresh flavours the region is known for. The mini meaty morsels go perfectly with a classic Greek salad of mint, garlic, tomatoes, lettuce, peppers, yoghurt and crunchy pitta chips for a salad even the kids will love! It’s a seriously scrummy crowd-pleaser for picnics and barbecues and it sits just as well with plates of grilled meat as it does on its own with a cold crisp glass of white!
Moroccan Potato Salad
The warming spices of coriander and cumin take centre stage in this Moroccan-inspired potato salad, transforming a familiar staple into something far more exotic. This isn’t your normal potato salad! It’s lifted up by a classic North African dressing of mustard, honey, lemon, olive oil and garlic, as well as olives, pine nuts and parsley for a salad that’s full of character. You can serve it warm or chilled, and it’s a great addition to a summer table and it goes especially well with grilled meat or fish.
Italian Lentil Salad
Simple, rustic and full of Italian charm, this lentil salad shows how a handful of well-chosen ingredients can deliver plenty of flavour. Green lentils - usually puy - are mixed with spring onions, cucumber and pepper, as well as red and green grapes for an unusual but delicious summer salad. LIke Italians themselves, this dish is effortlessly elegant and is perfect for a light lunch on the terrace overlooking the Med. Failing that, the garden is just as good!
Korean Bibimbap Salad
Few dishes capture the balance and harmony of Korean cuisine quite like bibimbap, and this salad-style version brings all of those iconic elements into a light, summer-ready special. It’s a colourful mix of rice, mushrooms, courgettes, beansprouts and carrots with the iconic Korean flavours of soy sauce, sesame oil, garlic, ginger, lime juice and honey that make up the bibimbap sauce. It’s a dish that you can riff endlessly with - add chicken or beef, fiery gochujang sauce, and lots of different veggies - but one thing is for certain, if you’re looking for something slightly different, this summer salad hits the spot!
Canadian Bacon & Black-Eyed Pea Salad
Black-eyed peas from the American South and Canadian bacon bring a proper North American feel to this great summer salad. It’s simple, but it’s seriously good. It’s got the zing of red wine vinegar, the crunch of spring onions and carrots, and the peppery tang of watercress, and it’s a picnic classic. You can switch out the black-eyed peas for chickpeas or black beans, but however you riff, it’s a bright plate of outdoor joy.
