1. Food & Drink

Discuss in my forum

Summer Salads

A Variety of Flavorful Summer Salad Recipes

By , About.com Guide

Here are some of my summer salad favorites, including some light and easy salads, chopped salad, pasta salads, potato salads, and more.

Red Cabbage Slaw

Red Cabbage SlawPhoto of Red Cabbage Slaw © Diana Rattray
This red cabbage slaw is easy to make and delicious. It's a tangy salad made with red cabage, a sweet and tangy dressing, and raisins and pecans.

Pasta Salad With Chicken and Bacon

Pasta Salad With Chicken and BaconPhoto of Pasta Salad With Chicken © Diana Rattray
Bacon adds a delicious, smoky flavor to this pasta salad, along with diced tomatoes, celery, and onion. I used mini penne pasta in this recipe, but macaroni or similar pasta shapes would work as well.

Red Potato Salad With Sour Cream and Dill

Red Potato Salad RecipeDiana Rattray

This potato salad is made flavorful with the addition of dried dill and chopped dill pickle, along with a tangy mayonnaise and sour cream dressing.

Broccoli Salad Recipe

Broccoli SaladPhoto of Broccoli Salad © Diana Rattray
This is a delicious broccoli salad with raisins, bacon, and a sweet and tangy mayonnaise dressing.

Pasta Salad With Peas and Ham

Pasta Salad RecipeDiana Rattray
This is a delicious pasta salad recipe and it's hearty enough to be served for dinner or lunch. Try to prepare this in advance and chill for several hours or overnight for best flavor.

Green Pea Salad With Easy Creamy Dressing

Green Pea SaladDiana Rattray
This green pea salad is as pretty as it is flavorful, with bright green peas, shredded carrot, bell pepper, red onion, and celery. Serve this salad with any summer meal or cookout, or take it along to a potluck event or picnic. Make this a few hours in advance and chill thoroughly for best flavor.

Favorite Carrot Salad

Carrot SaladDiana Rattray
This easy carrot salad is flavored with mayonnaise and honey, and the pecans and dried cranberries or raisins give it extra texture. I used multi-colored carrots from our local farmer's market, giving it even more appeal.

Roasted Potato Salad

Roasted Potato SaladPhoto of Roasted Potato Salad © Diana Rattray
This potato salad uses roasted potatoes and onions, giving it interesting flavor. This potato salad will be a hit at any cookout or potluck, and it's wonderful with grilled meat, chicken, or burgers. Try this delicious potato salad recipe for your next summer gathering.

Cucumbers With Dill

Cucumbers With DillDiana Rattray
This is a simple cucumber salad recipe with chopped fresh dill and cucumber. For best flavor, chill this salad for at least 2 hours before serving.

Cole Slaw With Tangy Dressing

Tangy ColeslawDiana Rattray
This is one of my favorite cole slaw recipes, with a tangy sweet but creamy dressing.

©2012 About.com. All rights reserved.

A part of The New York Times Company.