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Quick and Easy Summer Salads

Quick and Easy Summer Salads

Updated June 05, 2014

Credit: 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

Credit: Erin Kunkel Styling: Chelsea Zimmer

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

Credit: Erin Kunkel; Styling: Chelsea Zimmer

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

Credit: Annabelle Breakey; Styling: Randy Mon

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.

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Steak Salad with Tomato and Blue Cheese

Credit: Annabelle Breakey

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.

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Grilled Salmon Caesar Salad

Credit: Stephen Devries; Styling: Linda Hirst

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.

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Herbed Shrimp with Tomato-Spinach Salad

Credit: Alison Miksch; Styling: Claire Spollen

Herbed Shrimp with Tomato-Spinach Salad Recipe

Add heartiness to a simple spinach salad by serving herbed shrimp and tomatoes over greens.

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Smoky Chopped Salad with Avocado

Credit: Hector Sanchez; Styling: Caroline M. Cunningham

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.

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Grilled Tuna Over Green Bean, Tomato, and Chickpea Salad

Credit: Randy Mayor; Styling: Caroline Cunningham

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.

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Steak Salad with Nectarines, Radicchio, and Blue Cheese

Credit: Hector Sanchez; Styling: Claire Spollen

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.

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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.

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Golden Beet Salad with Avocado and Feta

Credit: Erin Kunkel Styling: Chelsea Zimmer

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

Credit: Randy Dausch; Styling: Lindsey Lower

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.

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Porcini, Artichoke, and Parsley Salad

Credit: Neil Dacosta

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.

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Summer Veggie Salad

Credit: Iain Bagwell; Styling: Lindsey Lower

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.

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Kale Caesar Salad with Grilled Shrimp

Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Styling: Gerri Williams for James Reps

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.

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Grilled Portobello-Flank Steak Salad with Blue Cheese Vinaigrette

Credit: Stephen Devries; Styling: Linda Hirst

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.

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Layered Salad with Buttermilk Ranch Dressing

Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Styling: Gerri Williams

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.

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Steak and Potato Salad

Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Styling: Gerri Williams for James Reps

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.

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Cobb Salad with Green Goddess Dressing

Credit: Oxmoor House

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.

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Warm Salad of Summer Squash with Swordfish and Feta

Credit: Becky Luigart-Stayner; Styling: Cindy Barr

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.

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Flank Steak and Cucumber Salad

Credit: Jacob Snavely; Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller

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.

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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.

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Shrimp, Chorizo, and Corn Salad

Credit: Becky Luigart-Stayner; Stylist: Cindy Barr

Shrimp, Chorizo, and Corn Salad Recipe

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

Credit: Christopher Baker; Styling: Linda Hirst

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.

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Scallop, Prosciutto, and Mâche Salad

Credit: Erin Kunkel; Styling: Nissa Quanstrom

Scallop, Prosciutto, and Mâche Salad Recipe

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

Credit: Andrew McCaul; Stylist: Gerri Williams for James Reps

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.

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Grilled Chicken and Spinach Salad with Spicy Pineapple Dressing

Credit: John Autry; Styling: Leigh Ann Ross

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.

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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.

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Lemony Grilled Shrimp Salad

Credit: Mary Britton Senseney/Wonderful Machine; Styling: Mary Clayton Carl

Lemony Grilled Shrimp Salad Recipe

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

Credit: Hector Sanchez; Styling: Caroline M. Cunningham

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.

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Grilled Chicken Greek Salad

Credit: Annabelle Breakey

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.

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Seafood Salad with Creamy Tarragon Dressing

Credit: Thomas J. Story; Food Styling: Robyn Valarik

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.

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BBQ Shrimp, Corn, and Zucchini Salad

Credit: Jennifer Davick; Stylist: Linda Hirst

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.

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Asian Shrimp Salad

Credit: Kate Sears; Styling: Gerri Williams for James Reps

Asian Shrimp Salad Recipe

"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

Credit: Hector Sanchez; Stylist: Buffy Hargett

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.

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Quick and Easy Summer Salads

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Watermelon and Arugula Chicken Salad

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Tomato Salad with Herbed Ricotta and Balsamic Vinaigrette

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Shrimp, Snap Pea, and Chervil Salad

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Steak Salad with Tomato and Blue Cheese

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Grilled Salmon Caesar Salad

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Herbed Shrimp with Tomato-Spinach Salad

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Smoky Chopped Salad with Avocado

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Grilled Tuna Over Green Bean, Tomato, and Chickpea Salad

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Steak Salad with Nectarines, Radicchio, and Blue Cheese

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Grilled Chicken and Bulgur Salad

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Golden Beet Salad with Avocado and Feta

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Grilled Lemon-Dijon Chicken Thighs with Arugula Salad

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Porcini, Artichoke, and Parsley Salad

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Summer Veggie Salad

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Kale Caesar Salad with Grilled Shrimp

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Grilled Portobello-Flank Steak Salad with Blue Cheese Vinaigrette

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Layered Salad with Buttermilk Ranch Dressing

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Steak and Potato Salad

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Cobb Salad with Green Goddess Dressing

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Warm Salad of Summer Squash with Swordfish and Feta

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Flank Steak and Cucumber Salad

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Grilled Corn, Crab, and Asparagus Salad

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Shrimp, Chorizo, and Corn Salad

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Grilled Chicken-and-Strawberry Salad

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Scallop, Prosciutto, and Mâche Salad

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Roasted Shrimp, Avocado and White Bean Salad

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