Salad season is officially here! Many plant-based eaters basically live off salads this time of year, and these vegan summer salads will help keep you cool while everyone else melts. From fruity bowls to slaws with sass, these recipes are just the thing you need for a cool, breezy summer.
When the temperatures start to spike, nobody wants to cook, let alone eat something heavy. Fortunately, nature's got your back.
All that garden-fresh produce? Those cukes, tomatoes, and melons are naturally hydrating and cooling, in addition to offering plenty of nutrients and fiber.
And while many of us are used to traditional salads that come drowning in mayo, these vegan salad recipes keep things light and bright. Think zippy vinaigrettes, nutty tahini, and creamy swaps that cool you down and show up with flavor.
Why you'll crave these hydrating vegan summer salads
Fresh, crisp, and cooling.
We're relying on the freshest, most delicious summer produce here. Plus, all of these recipes prioritize the produce first, adding in a few other simple ingredients as needed to bring everything together.
Great for entertaining.
If you've ever gone to a potluck and found yourself relegated to eating just the sides, you know how helpful it is to have vegan-friendly dishes available. Everyone else may see these as sides, but they're hearty enough for you to enjoy as a main dish.
Meal prep magic.
When it's too hot to cook, it's mighty nice to open the fridge to find a quick lunch ready to go. These salads are chilled and refreshing too, perfect for cooling down on a hot summer day.
27 Healthy Summer Salad Recipes
There are a million ways to make a summer salad but for this post, I wanted to highlight cool-you-down salads - the kind that keep you cool during those lazy days of summer.
Cucumber Salads
Cucumber salads are a mainstay at summer BBQs. They're generally made by tossing fresh cucumbers in mayo, yogurt, or a sweet dressing. These versions check all those boxes - but without all the dairy.
Creamy Vegan Cucumber Salad
Crunchy cucumbers, red onion, and fresh mint and cilantro are tossed in vegan yogurt for a cleansing, aromatic note.
Dill Cucumber Yogurt Salad
This version is similar to the option above, but studded with fresh cherry tomatoes and plenty of fresh dill.
Cooling Slaws
Slaws are just cabbage salads, but don't let that label fool you. These slaws are loaded with big flavor, bold flavors, and serious crunch.
Creamy Tahini Lime Slaw
Toss fresh cabbage with tomatoes, cucumbers, and peppers and a simple tahini-lime dressing. It's naturally creamy from the tahini, infused with tons of textures and flavors, and hearty enough to enjoy for a meal prep lunch all week long.
Street Corn Slaw
Cabbage gets the elote treatment with sweet corn, peppers, lime juice, vegan mayonnaise, cilantro, and chili-lime spice.
Creamy Vegan Cucumber Slaw
This one's a rainbow with cucumbers, red cabbage, yellow bell peppers, tomatoes, and fresh radishes, all tossed in a cooling, lemony yogurt dressing.
Power Slaw with Peanut Sauce
This peanut coleslaw is truly divine. You get tons of crunch with the edamame, cabbage, carrots, and peppers, plus a sweet, nutty peanut dressing that makes it mouthwatering.
Zesty Rainbow Cole Slaw
This colorful side is like a mash-up between a kale salad and coleslaw. The combination of fresh kale with the cabbage makes it even more satisfying, especially when layered with a rainbow of fresh ingredients, like bell peppers and red onions.
Plus, kale holds up like a champ in the fridge, which makes this salad perfect for meal prep.
Cold Noodle Salads
Noodle salads are made for eating cold. They're quick, grab-and-go wonders ideal for busy families.
Soba Noodle Salad
Chilled soba noodles, carrots, peppers, and cabbage are coated in a homemade dressing made with gochujang, maple syrup, soy sauce, and rice vinegar.
Serve it with my Gochujang and Maple Tofu and sesame seeds or eat it solo for a simple summer meal.
Sesame Noodles Salad
I love making this sesame noodle salad because it's both super simple and utterly delicious. You just need udon and a bunch of fresh vegetables, and the most delicious homemade dressing made with sesame oil, soy sauce, and maple syrup.
It tastes even better the next day, so feel free to make a batch on the weekend for a no-cook lunch all week.
Udon Salad with Peanut Sauce
Think Thai takeout, but make it a salad. You get the tender noodles with fresh mango, cilantro, creamy avocado, and a smorgasbord of colorful veggies. They all join forces with the peanut sauce for a total flavor bomb.
Hydrating Fruity Salads
If you like your salads sweet and savory, these fruit and vegetable salads are for you! They're cool and refreshing, but also layered with bold flavors that elevate them in every way.
Zesty Watermelon Salad
Watermelon is one of the most hydrating (and delicious) parts of summer, and makes a great addition to any meal. I love taking it in a different direction by pairing it with fresh mango, avocado, cilantro, and fiery chili seasoning for a warm kick of heat.
Nectarine Cantaloupe Salad
This summery salad is the perfect definition of a summery fruit salad. You get the fresh nectarines, cantaloupe, and Moon Drop grapes with more savory ingredients, like Brussels sprouts, corn, and peas.
It's dressed with my delicious lemon and chive vinaigrette, made with lemon juice, maple, and lots of fresh chives.
Sweet Zesty Fruit Salsa
Serve this fruity salsa with tortilla chips or cinnamon crisps and watch the bowl empty almost instantly.
Watermelon and Cucumber Salad
Watermelon and cucumbers are mostly made of water, which makes them naturally hydrating, and the cooling flavor of cucumber plays well with the sweet crispiness of fresh watermelon. It's like spa water in salad form!
Heirloom Tomato Salad with Vegan Feta
Tomatoes are technically fruits, although we certainly don't often lump them in that category. However, those juicy heirloom tomatoes definitely check the "refreshing" box, especially when paired with sweet cantaloupe and peppery arugula.
Dairy-free feta gives it a vegan twist, and you'll definitely find yourself buying ingredients to make this one all the time.
More Cold Vegan Salads
These summery salads are just the start! There are many other cool, refreshing vegan salad recipes out there, like bean salads, pasta salads, and more. I've covered those in-depth in other posts but want to highlight these stand-outs here, too.
Marinated White Bean Salad
This one is fast, no-cook, and packed with flavor from the oil-free dressing made with balsamic vinegar and miso. Scoop it into lettuce cups for a protein and fiber-rich meal that will cool you down while you fill up.
Mediterranean Dense Bean Salad
Want a salad that will keep you full for hours? This dense bean salad offers more than enough protein and fiber to satisfy you for hours.
I crave the Mediterranean flavors, like briny olives, summer squash, cucumbers, and tomatoes.
Southwestern Three Bean Salad
Three types of beans, corn, and cabbage are mixed with jalapeno, fresh cilantro, green onions, and tomatoes. You get tons of color, texture, and flavor, while still getting enough protein, fiber, and essential nutrients to support your well-being. An ideal choice for potlucks, barbecues, and meal prepping!
Mexican Black Bean Corn Salad
The black beans and corn make this summery salad incredibly filling while the cilantro lime dressing keeps it cool and refreshing. Absolutely craveable!
Tortellini Pasta Salad
Yes, vegan cheese tortellini does exist! It's glorious and an easy swap in this chilled pasta salad.
Dill Pickle Macaroni Salad
Every party needs a mac salad, and this pasta salad ticks that box in style. The creamy dressing is made with vegan yogurt and dill pickle brine, plus you get more pickles and crunchy veg in every bite.
Vegan Potato Salad
Although I grew up with classic creamy potato salads, there's something great about vinaigrette-based versions. The tanginess and herbs help cut through the creaminess of the potatoes, making every bite balanced and fresh.
Summery Potato Salad with Vegan Gouda
Or, if you're into smoky, savory notes, try this version with vegan smoked gouda, "bacon" walnuts, corn, tomatoes, and roasted broccoli.
Tahini Chickpea Salad
This chickpea salad fits in a totally different category compared to most of the other options here. It's like a vegan version of chicken salad, and can be eaten in the same way. Perfect for a quick, filling meal!
Vegan "Tuna" Salad
No need to turn on the stove! This vegan tuna salad is a no-cook recipe made by blending silken tofu and chickpeas. It eats like an entree and makes the best lettuce wraps!
Summer Chopped Kale Salad
Once again, those fresh fruits add a cooling, sweet-tart bite that makes any salad more refreshing.
This version is packed with colorful and highly textured fresh veggies, like cabbage, kale, and brussels sprouts, but it's the fresh nectarines that do it for me.
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