Quick and Easy Summer Salads
June 05, 2014
Photo: Randy Mayor; Styling: Lindsey Lower
Gorgeous in presentation and taste, these quick-cooking entrées feature fresh, fast protein-packed salads that are perfect for busy summer nights.
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Watermelon and Arugula Chicken Salad
Watermelon and Arugula Chicken Salad
Recipe
If watermelon wedges are a mainstay at your summer cookouts, try dicing for this instant, gorgeous salad.
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Tomato Salad with Herbed Ricotta and Balsamic Vinaigrette
Tomato Salad with Herbed Ricotta and Balsamic Vinaigrette
Recipe
Sliced heirloom tomatoes are wow-worthy on their own--a simple vinaigrette and dollops of basil-flecked ricotta take them over the top. Serve with toasted baguette slices to sop up any tomato juices.
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Shrimp, Snap Pea, and Chervil Salad
Shrimp, Snap Pea, and Chervil Salad Recipe
This salad is easy to vary depending on what you have on hand; crumbled fresh goat cheese, chicken, or smoked trout can all be subbed in for the shrimp. It's especially refreshing when the ingredients are cold.
This salad is easy to vary depending on what you have on hand; crumbled fresh goat cheese, chicken, or smoked trout can all be subbed in for the shrimp. It's especially refreshing when the ingredients are cold.
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Steak Salad with Tomato and Blue Cheese
Steak Salad with Tomato and Blue Cheese
Recipe
Fast-cooking and flavorful, skirt steak is made for weeknight dinners. The steak starts out quite large; cutting it into three pieces before grilling helps it cook even more quickly.
Fast-cooking and flavorful, skirt steak is made for weeknight dinners. The steak starts out quite large; cutting it into three pieces before grilling helps it cook even more quickly.
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Grilled Salmon Caesar Salad
Grilled Salmon Caesar Salad
Recipe
Quick and easy Grilled Salmon Caesar Salad (ready in less than 25 minutes and in only two steps!) is colorful, tasty, and healthy. Make the Lemony Caesar Dressing ahead of time to make this salad come together even more quickly.
Quick and easy Grilled Salmon Caesar Salad (ready in less than 25 minutes and in only two steps!) is colorful, tasty, and healthy. Make the Lemony Caesar Dressing ahead of time to make this salad come together even more quickly.
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Herbed Shrimp with Tomato-Spinach Salad
Herbed Shrimp with Tomato-Spinach Salad
Recipe
Add heartiness to a simple spinach salad by serving herbed shrimp and tomatoes over greens.
Add heartiness to a simple spinach salad by serving herbed shrimp and tomatoes over greens.
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Smoky Chopped Salad with Avocado
Smoky Chopped Salad with Avocado
Recipe
This smoky salad combines both grilled lettuce and avocado (yep, you can grill that), peppery radishes, crumbled blue cheese, and a creamy buttermilk dressing.
This smoky salad combines both grilled lettuce and avocado (yep, you can grill that), peppery radishes, crumbled blue cheese, and a creamy buttermilk dressing.
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Grilled Tuna Over Green Bean, Tomato, and Chickpea Salad
Grilled Tuna Over Green Bean, Tomato, and Chickpea Salad
Recipe
This easy, high-protein meal comes together quickly following an after-work workout or summer activity.
This easy, high-protein meal comes together quickly following an after-work workout or summer activity.
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Steak Salad with Nectarines, Radicchio, and Blue Cheese
Steak Salad with Nectarines, Radicchio, and Blue Cheese
Recipe
Petite sirloin filets are healthfully lean, and they're also surprisingly full-flavored and meltingly tender--making them an ideal choice for this easy steak salad.
Petite sirloin filets are healthfully lean, and they're also surprisingly full-flavored and meltingly tender--making them an ideal choice for this easy steak salad.
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Grilled Chicken and Bulgur Salad
Grilled Chicken and Bulgur Salad
Recipe
This main-course salad is similar to the Middle Eastern pita salad called fattoush and is especially crisp if you use thin pita chips rather than thick ones. To save time, make a batch of bulgur on the weekends and use in your courses throughout the week.
This main-course salad is similar to the Middle Eastern pita salad called fattoush and is especially crisp if you use thin pita chips rather than thick ones. To save time, make a batch of bulgur on the weekends and use in your courses throughout the week.
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Golden Beet Salad with Avocado and Feta
Golden Beet Salad with Avocado and Feta
Recipe
Simple, bright, and balanced, this salad pairs perfectly with grilled fish or chicken. To cook the beets in the oven, wrap in foil and bake at 400° for 45 to 50 minutes.
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Grilled Lemon-Dijon Chicken Thighs with Arugula Salad
Grilled Lemon-Dijon Chicken Thighs with Arugula Salad Recipe
This light, quick main is perfect for warmer months. If you have 5 extra minutes, grill some vegetables to toss into the salad; try asparagus or red onion.
This light, quick main is perfect for warmer months. If you have 5 extra minutes, grill some vegetables to toss into the salad; try asparagus or red onion.
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Porcini, Artichoke, and Parsley Salad
Porcini, Artichoke, and Parsley Salad
Recipe
Wild porcini mushrooms and artichokes are in season from late spring to early summer and again in early fall in the Pacific Northwest. Fresh porcini are sweet, woodsy, and delicious when thinly sliced and served raw.
Wild porcini mushrooms and artichokes are in season from late spring to early summer and again in early fall in the Pacific Northwest. Fresh porcini are sweet, woodsy, and delicious when thinly sliced and served raw.
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Summer Veggie Salad
Summer Veggie Salad
Recipe
Beautiful grilled summer vegetables lend an extra boost flavor and crispy texture in this 40-minute, vegetarian salad. To make it a budget-friendly dinner, swap out the pine nuts and Manchego for walnuts and Parmesan cheese.
Beautiful grilled summer vegetables lend an extra boost flavor and crispy texture in this 40-minute, vegetarian salad. To make it a budget-friendly dinner, swap out the pine nuts and Manchego for walnuts and Parmesan cheese.
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Kale Caesar Salad with Grilled Shrimp
Kale Caesar Salad with Grilled Shrimp
Recipe
Caesar salad gets a healthy boost with nutritious kale and lightly marinated grilled shrimp. Serve with sliced baguette for a complete summer entrée in a no-time.
Caesar salad gets a healthy boost with nutritious kale and lightly marinated grilled shrimp. Serve with sliced baguette for a complete summer entrée in a no-time.
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Grilled Portobello-Flank Steak Salad with Blue Cheese Vinaigrette
Grilled Portobello-Flank Steak Salad with Blue Cheese Vinaigrette Recipe
Tangy blue cheese, spicy arugula, scrumptious steak, and portobellos make Grilled Portobello-Flank Steak Salad with Blue Cheese Vinaigrette an undeniable winner.
Tangy blue cheese, spicy arugula, scrumptious steak, and portobellos make Grilled Portobello-Flank Steak Salad with Blue Cheese Vinaigrette an undeniable winner.
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Layered Salad with Buttermilk Ranch Dressing
Layered Salad with Buttermilk Ranch Dressing Recipe
The various colors and textures of Layered Salad with Buttermilk Ranch Dressing make for a pretty presentation in a clear glass bowl. You can even prepare this layered salad a few hours in advance up until the point at which you add the dressing.
The various colors and textures of Layered Salad with Buttermilk Ranch Dressing make for a pretty presentation in a clear glass bowl. You can even prepare this layered salad a few hours in advance up until the point at which you add the dressing.
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Steak and Potato Salad
Steak and Potato Salad Recipe
Steak and potatoes get a new portfolio with crunchy radishes, blue cheese, and refreshing watercress in this delicious summer salad that will satisfy any meat lovers.
Steak and potatoes get a new portfolio with crunchy radishes, blue cheese, and refreshing watercress in this delicious summer salad that will satisfy any meat lovers.
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Cobb Salad with Green Goddess Dressing
Cobb Salad with Green Goddess Dressing Recipe
The fresh herbs in the Green Goddess dressing add another dimension of flavor to this classic salad. This salad works great for a summer party appetizer as well when served with crackers or toast.
The fresh herbs in the Green Goddess dressing add another dimension of flavor to this classic salad. This salad works great for a summer party appetizer as well when served with crackers or toast.
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Warm Salad of Summer Squash with Swordfish and Feta
Warm Salad of Summer Squash with Swordfish and Feta Recipe
This recipe for Warm Salad of Summer Squash with Swordfish and Feta provides the perfect opportunity to use that bumper crop of summer squash.
This recipe for Warm Salad of Summer Squash with Swordfish and Feta provides the perfect opportunity to use that bumper crop of summer squash.
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Flank Steak and Cucumber Salad
Flank Steak and Cucumber Salad Recipe
Quick-Pickled Cukes add a punch of garlic and a hit of salt to this delicious grilled and healthy flank steak.
Quick-Pickled Cukes add a punch of garlic and a hit of salt to this delicious grilled and healthy flank steak.
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Grilled Corn, Crab, and Asparagus Salad
Grilled Corn, Crab, and Asparagus Salad Recipe
Grilled corn and asparagus add smoky summertime flavor to this easy salad. Lumb crabmeat provides protein, making this salad worthy of the main course.
Grilled corn and asparagus add smoky summertime flavor to this easy salad. Lumb crabmeat provides protein, making this salad worthy of the main course.
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Shrimp, Chorizo, and Corn Salad
Shrimp, Chorizo, and Corn Salad
Recipe
Prepping the ingredients takes less than 10 minutes, and dinner is on the table in less than 20.
Prepping the ingredients takes less than 10 minutes, and dinner is on the table in less than 20.
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Grilled Chicken-and-Strawberry Salad
Grilled Chicken-and-Strawberry Salad Recipe
Take advantage of summer's bountiful crop of strawberries with this light and refreshing meal of Grilled Chicken-and-Strawberry Salad.
Take advantage of summer's bountiful crop of strawberries with this light and refreshing meal of Grilled Chicken-and-Strawberry Salad.
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Scallop, Prosciutto, and Mâche Salad
Scallop, Prosciutto, and Mâche Salad Recipe
Serve this party-worthy salad as soon as you make it--the tender mâche wilts fast.
Serve this party-worthy salad as soon as you make it--the tender mâche wilts fast.
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Roasted Shrimp, Avocado and White Bean Salad
Roasted Shrimp, Avocado and White Bean Salad Recipe
A terrific combination of flavors unite for Roasted Shrimp, Avocado and White Bean Salad. This one-dish meal is quick and easy and perfect for busy weeknights.
A terrific combination of flavors unite for Roasted Shrimp, Avocado and White Bean Salad. This one-dish meal is quick and easy and perfect for busy weeknights.
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Grilled Chicken and Spinach Salad with Spicy Pineapple Dressing
Grilled Chicken and Spinach Salad with Spicy Pineapple Dressing Recipe
Pineapple, cilantro, orange juice, vinegar habanero peppers and garlic unite to create a tangy vinaigrette with a kick that pairs perfectly with grilled chicken and tropical fruit.
Pineapple, cilantro, orange juice, vinegar habanero peppers and garlic unite to create a tangy vinaigrette with a kick that pairs perfectly with grilled chicken and tropical fruit.
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Summer Hoppin' John Salad
Summer Hoppin' John Salad Recipe
A New Year's tradition, Hoppin' John is usually served hot, but this cool salad is perfect for a summer picnic or lunch, or as a side salad for grilled meats.
A New Year's tradition, Hoppin' John is usually served hot, but this cool salad is perfect for a summer picnic or lunch, or as a side salad for grilled meats.
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Lemony Grilled Shrimp Salad
Lemony Grilled Shrimp Salad Recipe
Combine citrusy grilled shrimp with arugula, avocado, and jicama to make a Mexican-inspired main dish salad
Combine citrusy grilled shrimp with arugula, avocado, and jicama to make a Mexican-inspired main dish salad
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Tomato Salad with Grilled Shrimp
Tomato Salad with Grilled Shrimp Recipe
Look for beautiful and tasty heirloom tomatoes in a rainbow of colors at your local farmers' market, and keep them at room temperature until you're ready to slice and serve.
Look for beautiful and tasty heirloom tomatoes in a rainbow of colors at your local farmers' market, and keep them at room temperature until you're ready to slice and serve.
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Grilled Chicken Greek Salad
Grilled Chicken Greek Salad Recipe
Sunset reader Elena Burgeno-Berman, of Cardiff-by-the-Sea, California, created this dinner salad because she wanted to avoid simple carbs, like pasta, and eat more beans.
Sunset reader Elena Burgeno-Berman, of Cardiff-by-the-Sea, California, created this dinner salad because she wanted to avoid simple carbs, like pasta, and eat more beans.
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Seafood Salad with Creamy Tarragon Dressing
Seafood Salad with Creamy Tarragon Dressing Recipe
Serve this seafood mix on a bed of watercress or butter lettuce, or as a sandwich in toasted brioche buns or on crusty bread.
Serve this seafood mix on a bed of watercress or butter lettuce, or as a sandwich in toasted brioche buns or on crusty bread.
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BBQ Shrimp, Corn, and Zucchini Salad
BBQ Shrimp, Corn, and Zucchini Salad Recipe
Dinner's a breeze when BBQ Shrimp, Corn, and Zucchini Salad can be table-ready in 20 minutes. This grilled salad of fresh, seasonal veggies with juicy shrimp provides a meal that more than satisfies.
Dinner's a breeze when BBQ Shrimp, Corn, and Zucchini Salad can be table-ready in 20 minutes. This grilled salad of fresh, seasonal veggies with juicy shrimp provides a meal that more than satisfies.
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Asian Shrimp Salad
Asian Shrimp Salad Recipe
"In warmer weather I grill the shrimp, but this refreshing salad satisfies year-round." -Yusuan Smithson, 54, Annapolis, Md.
"In warmer weather I grill the shrimp, but this refreshing salad satisfies year-round." -Yusuan Smithson, 54, Annapolis, Md.
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BLT Salad with Olive Vinaigrette
BLT Salad with Olive Vinaigrette Recipe
Chockful of fresh ingredients and topped with savory bacon and Gorgonzola cheese, BLT Salad with Olive Vinaigrette is a crowd favorite.
Chockful of fresh ingredients and topped with savory bacon and Gorgonzola cheese, BLT Salad with Olive Vinaigrette is a crowd favorite.
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Halibut and Peach Salad with Lemon-Mint Vinaigrette
Halibut and Peach Salad with Lemon-Mint Vinaigrette Recipe
This easy, breezy salad has been described as "restaurant-quality" by several of our reviewers. You can substitute another sustainable white fish (such as tilapia or striped bass) for the halibut, and pecans or hazelnuts for the almonds.
This easy, breezy salad has been described as "restaurant-quality" by several of our reviewers. You can substitute another sustainable white fish (such as tilapia or striped bass) for the halibut, and pecans or hazelnuts for the almonds.
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Easy Summer Salad
Easy Summer Salad Recipe
Both delightfully healthy and easy, this salad takes just 10 minutes to put together. Using a precooked rotisserie chicken shaves off some time, while adding substance to this light dish.
Both delightfully healthy and easy, this salad takes just 10 minutes to put together. Using a precooked rotisserie chicken shaves off some time, while adding substance to this light dish.