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The Best Summer Salad Round Up

July 1, 2025 by Tami Kramer Leave a Comment

Refreshing, Wholesome, and Perfect for Picnics, BBQs, or Meal Prep

When the weather heats up, nothing hits the spot quite like a fresh, vibrant salad! Whether you’re hosting a summer gathering, heading to a potluck, or just want something light and nourishing to enjoy at home, I’ve got you covered with this Best Summer Salad Recipe Round-Up. From juicy fruit salads to hearty bean and grain-based bowls, and creamy plant-based dressings to tie it all together—these recipes are perfect for every occasion and dietary need. And the best part? They’re all whole food, plant-based, gluten-free, and oil-free!

Simply click on the tab that says Check out this recipe and enjoy choosing something new to make.

1
Lemon Dill Chickpea Salad with Capers
A quick and easy salad that can be made a the beginning of the week and served up in a variety of ways through out the week.
Check out this recipe
Well Bean Bars

These bars are made by a small woman-owned company in Morro Bay, California. Each bar includes half a serving of legumes (like beans or lentils), dates, and sometimes other fruits like figs. They’re SOS-free (no salt, oil, or sugar added), gluten-free, and incredibly travel-friendly. Discount code "Nutmeg" automatically applied in checkout when you use this link.

Well Bean Bars
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2
Tangy Potato & Pea Salad
Delicious served warm, cold or room temperature.
Check out this recipe

🌿 Why You’ll Love These Summer Salad Recipes:

  • Minimal Cooking
  • Packed with seasonal produce
  • Easy to batch prep for the week
  • Perfect for outdoor meals and gatherings
  • Kid and family-friendly options included
3
California Quinoa Mango Salad
This is my version of a popular salad sold in the deli at Whole Food Market. It is perfect for potluck, entertaining or to batch prep and eat all week! Try putting some on your chopped salad – so refreshing. People always ask me for the recipe.
Check out this recipe
4
Zesty Quinoa Black Bean Salad
5
Quinoa Tabbouleh – Gluten Free
Glutne free light and lively salad. The fresh herbs make this salad!
Check out this recipe
6
Watermelon Salad
So refreshing and sweet – it could be dessert!
Check out this recipe
Date Lady Date Sugar

Date Sugar is made from just one ingredient: whole organic dates—gently dried and finely ground into a soft, powder. No extracts. No syrups. No added sugar. And because it’s made from the whole date, it brings the fiber, minerals, and natural goodness that refined sugars leave behind. Use our link and discount code automatically applied.

Description: ✨ One delicious ingredient. Endless possibilities. Our Organic Date Syrup is made from just one ingredient: 100% organic dates. That’s it. No added sugar, no preservatives, no mystery ingredients—just thick, caramel-like syrup with a deep, naturally sweet flavor.
Use discount code: Nutmeg15
Date Lady Date Sugar
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7
Mediterranean Lentil Salad SOS Free
A delightful combination of flavors and textures.
Check out this recipe
8
Greek Chickpea Salad
A delicius, refreshing salad that will satisfy on a hot summer day.
Check out this recipe
Shop JOI - Nutmeg Notebook Affiliate

Use discount code Nutmeg for a 10% discount.

9
Tropical Sunshine Salad
A delightful blend of tropical fruits, red onion, cucumbers jicama, cilantro and lime juice.
Check out this recipe
10
Fruity Coleslaw
A simple easy coleslaw recipe with a twist! The fresh fruit adds a nice sweetness in contrast with the vinegar based dressing. Make a double batch for your next BBQ, Pot Luck or Picnic. Each bite is a full on flavor explosion! I like recipes that are just a little bit different and unique. I am not trying to recreate the old style coleslaw here – there are plenty of those recipes around. This one is deliciously different – that alone makes it special.
Check out this recipe
11
Mexican Chopped Salad
So much flavor, crunch and super satisfying.
Check out this recipe

🥣 Must-Have Homemade Dressings

Say goodbye to store-bought bottles with added oils and preservatives—these easy, creamy dressings will level up any salad!

Oil-Free Vegan Ranch

Creamy, tangy, and herby—just like the classic but made with whole plant foods.

Caesar Dressing (WFPB Style)

Garlicky and bold with that signature umami punch—made with cashews, capers, and a touch of nutritional yeast.

Creamy Balsamic Vinaigrette

Naturally sweetened with dates and blended to perfection—this dressing will be a weekly staple in your kitchen.

12
Ultimate Vegan Caesar Dressing with Nuts
Garlicky, tangy, thick and creamy so it clings to the salad greens. Everyone loves this dressing, even the non vegans! I make a double batch!
Check out this recipe
Nutmeg Notebook s Amazon Page

Take a peek at my Amazon Shop to see my favorite small kitchen appliances, gadgets and pantry items.

Nutmeg Notebook s Amazon Page
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13
Vegan Ranch Dressing
A delicious Ranch dressing without oil!
Check out this recipe
14
Creamy Balsamic Dressing
Nut free, oil free and absolutely fabulous!
Check out this recipe

15
Creamy Lemon Dill Dressing
Lemon Dill Dressing has a bright fresh tangy flavor. It is creamy and so fresh tasting.
Check out this recipe

We invite you to explore our online courses designed to support your journey toward a healthy, whole-food, plant-based lifestyle. This post may contain affiliate links where your purchase helps us to earn a commission with out any extra cost to you.

Use code nutmeg30 to save 30% on any of our courses.

Batch Cooking with Tami: Discover the essential What, When, Where, Why, and How of batch cooking. This course includes instructional videos and over 50 delicious recipes that you can prepare in advance, making it easier to maintain your healthy eating habits. Learn how to work smarter not harder in the kitchen.

The Beautiful Chopped Salad Course: Tami teaches you how to batch prep salads for the entire week. This video course covers various chopping techniques, provides recipes for mouthwatering oil-free dressings, crunchy toppings, salsas, and all the details you need to create satisfying, filling salads you’ll eagerly anticipate. The downloadable PDF is full of recipes to help you create amazing salads

Cooking for Company: Enjoy 10 carefully curated, plant-based menus that are tried and tested in Tami’s kitchen. These are the menus she uses when cooking for family and friends. With over 50 recipes, full-color photos, and detailed instructions, this course will make plant-based entertaining a breeze.

Elevate your snacking with Cream Cheese & Crackers: Chips & Dips! This delightful eBook offers a variety of whole food, plant-exclusive recipes for dips, spreads, and snacks—low sodium, oil and sugar free. Perfect for anyone seeking healthier alternatives without sacrificing flavor, this collection will transform your appetizers into nutritious and delicious creations. This new eBook is a collaboration with my dear friend, Shayda Soleymani, from Healthy Cooking with Shayda.

We are thrilled to be Holland Bowl Mill Affiliates. The 15 inch Holland Bowl Mill Cherry fruit bowl has a permanent place in our kitchen – it’s both beautiful and incredibly functional. One of my other absolute favorites is the heart shaped bowl. I have always had a soft spot for heart shaped items and this one never fails to bring me joy!

Every day, we rely on our 15 inch Beechwood and Cherry bowls (one for each of us) to chop our salads. Since 2013, incorporating a daily salad into our meals has been a cornerstone of our journey toward better health. This simple habit helped us lose weight, maintain our healthy weight and significantly improve our overall well-being. Over the years, our salads have evolved into what we now call Big Beautiful Chopped Salads which keep us feeling satisfied, energized, and in great shape.

If you are looking for tips on how to add chopped salads to your daily menu, be sure to check out our Chopped Salad Blog Post . You’ll find helpful guidance and inspiration to make salads a delicious and enjoyable part of your routine.

As a special bonus, when you use our Holland Bowl affiliate link  and purchase a 15 inch or larger wood bowl, you’ll receive a free mezzaluna knife with your salad bowl order. You’ll also enjoy free engraving and free shipping, making it the perfect time to elevate your salad game with these stunning, handcrafted bowls. Start your journey to healthier meals today with Holland Bowl Mill.

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Filed Under: American, American, Featured, Salad, Salad, Sauces/Dressings, SOS Free, SOS Free, Veggies Tagged With: 4th of July plant based recipes, bean and grain salads, healthy salad dressings, healthy salads, oil free salad dressings, picnic salads, Plant based recipes, plant based salads, pot luck salads, quinoa salads, salads, summer salads, Tami Kramer, vegan, Vegan Recipes, vegan salads, whole food plant based, whole food plant based recipes

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