Summer may not officially kick off until June 20, but we all know that it unofficially<\/em> arrives once the sidewalks start to radiate heat. Which, depending on where you are, can be in late April or early May (we see you, Florida).<\/p>\n Our favorite thing to eat when it’s positively scorching? A crisp, cooling salad. Bonus points if it’s totally no-cook. Here are 41 of our best and brightest summer salad recipes to get you through the long, hot months\u2014enjoy them in a sunny spot or curled up next to the A.C. unit, whatever works.<\/p>\n Thinly sliced and shredded red cabbage, beets, cucumber, carrots, and celery are composed along with sprouts and sliced avocado for this fresh and crunchy salad that was a contender in our Tournament of Salads<\/a>.<\/p>\n The classic cocktail meets salad dressing and the results are glorious. Bonus: It can double as a marinade for chicken and veggies.<\/p>\n The ultimate brunch dish becomes the ultimate warm-weather salad.<\/p>\n Sweet mango and lemon-ginger dressing make a superstar team in this quinoa salad.<\/p>\n There’s something about the creamy-tangy buttermilk dressing and the snappy-sweet corn kernels that just sings out: Summer is here!<\/p>\n Nutty farro, little hunks of mozzarella, fresh basil, drizzles of balsamic and red wine vinegar\u2014what’s not to love?<\/p>\n Consider this the ultimate feel-good salad: plenty of greens, a citrusy mint dressing, and a ball of fresh burrata for good measure.<\/p>\n This gingery tofu and buckwheat soba noodle is perfect for those sweltering summer days when you need something ultra-refreshing. Plus, it just so happens to be vegan.<\/p>\n This salad strikes a masterful balance of textures with crisp cucumbers and buttery avocado and feta.<\/p>\n Sweet meets salty in this salad\u2014a finalist in our “Your Greatest Salad of All Time” recipe contest.<\/p>\n Emma Laperruque and Founding Editor Kristen Miglore joined forces to create the most<\/em> Genius salad of all time. You’re welcome.<\/p>\n Consider this salad a new-fashioned take on Caprese, with nectarines and a balsamic vinegar reduction.<\/p>\n This mayo-less potato salad gets it’s verve from rice vinegar, red wine vinegar, Dijon, and a sprinkling of chopped chives.<\/p>\n Broiling the pineapples before incorporating into the salad enhances their natural sweetness, but also adds a bit of smoky, charred depth.<\/p>\n “This simple, hearty salad earned rave reviews from the whole family,” wrote one reviewer. Sold.<\/p>\n The perfect salad for late summer days.<\/p>\n Grilled peaches and apricots turn heads<\/a> in a salad that’s not only beautiful, but tasty, too.<\/p>\n This superlative pasta salad is best defined by what it is not<\/em>: soggy, over-seasoned, boring-tasting, or just meh.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n A super-flavorful, creamy dressing that also happens to be vegan? Yep, add it to your summer salad rotation.<\/p>\n Serve this simple shaved Brussels sprout salad next to grilled meats, fish, or even a veggie burger.<\/p>\n “If you’re looking for tuna salad, turn back now,” writes Sarah Jampel. Chickpeas are the name of the game here.<\/p>\n This green goddess dressing was designed with crisp lettuce in mind, but it’d be excellent with seafood, too.<\/p>\n Grilled salad? Oh, yes.<\/p>\n Everything you love about the classic summer sandwich, in sublime salad form.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n This lush Cobb salad was designed for one, but simply scale up if you’re making it for a crowd.<\/p>\n Shake up your pasta salad routine by turning to lentils instead.<\/p>\n This highly adaptable recipes features many elements of traditional Burmese salads (known as thokes), but features a few twists, from the convenience of packaged coleslaw mix to its use of lemon juice.<\/p>\n A quick kiss on the grill gives potatoes and green beans extra spunk in this easygoing salad.<\/p>\n If you prefer your salads to have a kick of heat (even in the summer), try this spicy miso eggplant and broccoli salad that can be served cold or warm.<\/p>\n Traditional Caesar salad gets a Korean-inspired spin, with the addition of roasted seaweed snack.<\/p>\n “A wedge salad is one of those retro dishes that needs no improvement,” writes Rebecca Firkser, but this recipe perfect every element.<\/p>\n This laid-back salad was designed to be riffed on, so make any substitutions or swaps you see fit.<\/p>\n What makes this chopped salad Genius-worthy? A handful of why didn’t I think of that?<\/em> tricks that take the flavors and textures over the top.<\/p>\n If you’ve never tried crispy chickpeas in your salads, well, what are you waiting for?<\/p>\n This three-ingredient salad lives up to the “magic” in its name. You’ll see.<\/p>\n As is to be expected with a salad recipe from EmilyC<\/a>, this celery and lentil number is an absolute home run.<\/p>\n The ultimate salad topping: farro broiled till it’s crackly and crunchy.<\/p>\n Bright, summery, and just the right balance of savory and sweet (oh, and a hint of spicy).<\/p>\n There are endless ways to play around with this minty banana salad\u2014add cocoa nibs, scoop the bananas on peanut buttered toast, it’s totally up to you.<\/p>\n Buffalo sauce fans, this one’s for you.<\/p>\n The key to this steak salad? Marinate the meat after<\/em> you grill it, rather than ahead of time.<\/p>\n Juicy summer tomatoes and slightly stale bread get marinated in a zingy garlic scape pesto, then grilled in this contest-winning panzanella.<\/p>\n 1. The Source Aware Salad From \u2018Health Nut\u2019<\/a>
\n<\/h3>\n2. Dirty Martini Salad Dressing<\/a>
\n<\/h3>\n3. Avocado Toast Salad<\/a>
\n<\/h3>\n4. Quinoa & Mango Salad With Lemony-Ginger Dressing<\/a>
\n<\/h3>\n5. Dilled, Crunchy Sweet-Corn Salad with Buttermilk Dressing<\/a>
\n<\/h3>\n6. Summer Farro Salad<\/a>
\n<\/h3>\n7. Pea, Asparagus, & Avocado Salad With Burrata<\/a>
\n<\/h3>\n8. Citrus Ginger Tofu Salad with Buckwheat Soba Noodles<\/a>
\n<\/h3>\n9. Crunchy, Creamy Cucumber-Avocado Salad<\/a>
\n<\/h3>\n10. Melon, Bacon & Spinach Salad with a Melon Vinaigrette<\/a>
\n<\/h3>\n11. The Genius Super-Salad<\/a>
\n<\/h3>\n12. Tomato, Nectarine & Mozzarella Salad<\/a>
\n<\/h3>\n13. Potato Salad With Arugula & Dijon Vinaigrette<\/a>
\n<\/h3>\n14. Maricel E. Presilla’s Cuban Avocado, Watercress & Pineapple Salad<\/a>
\n<\/h3>\n15. Warm Chicken Salad<\/a>
\n<\/h3>\n16. Tomato Salad With Crispy Spiced Chickpeas<\/a>
\n<\/h3>\n17. Grilled Peach & Apricot Salad<\/a>
\n<\/h3>\n18. Our Best Pasta Salad<\/a>
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19. Easy, Creamy Vegan Salad Dressing<\/a>
\n<\/h3>\n20. Shaved Brussels Sprout Salad with Red Onion, Lemon & Pecorino<\/a>
\n<\/h3>\n21. Chickpea “Tuna” Salad<\/a>
\n<\/h3>\n22. Green Goddess Salad<\/a>
\n<\/h3>\n23. Grilled Broccolini Salad With Basil-Walnut Vinaigrette<\/a>
\n<\/h3>\n24. BLT Salad<\/a>
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25. Cobb Salad for One<\/a>
\n<\/h3>\n26. Marinated Lentil Salad with Zucchini & Tomatoes<\/a>
\n<\/h3>\n27. Jennie\u2019s Burmese Slaw With Frizzled Onions<\/a>
\n<\/h3>\n28. Grilled Potato & Green Bean Salad<\/a>
\n<\/h3>\n29. Spicy Miso Eggplant & Broccoli Salad, From Deliciously Ella<\/a>
\n<\/h3>\n30. Roasted Seaweed Caesar Salad With Anchovy Croutons<\/a>
\n<\/h3>\n31. Wedge Salad With All the Fixins<\/a>
\n<\/h3>\n32. Southwestern Quinoa Salad, by Way of the Pantry<\/a>
\n<\/h3>\n33. Nancy’s Chopped Salad<\/a>
\n<\/h3>\n34. Crispy Chickpea Fattoush with Asparagus & Radishes<\/a>
\n<\/h3>\n35. Cucumber Salad With Magic Spice Blend<\/a>
\n<\/h3>\n36. Celery & Lentil Salad with Tossed Salsa Verde<\/a>
\n<\/h3>\n37. Crispy Farro & Tomato Salad<\/a>
\n<\/h3>\n38. Honeydew With Prosciutto, Olives & Mint<\/a>
\n<\/h3>\n39. Banana-Mint Salad<\/a>
\n<\/h3>\n40. Buffalo Chickpea Salad With Vegan Ranch<\/a>
\n<\/h3>\n41. Grilled Steak Salad With Fish Sauce Vinaigrette<\/a>
\n<\/h3>\n42. Early Summer Panzanella<\/a>
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\nWhat’s your go-to summer salad? Tell us in the comments!<\/em>
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