There’s something special about summertime dinners. I can just picture the gentle breezes, filling food, and laughing family members, all of which are characteristic of our family meals in the summer. My favorite moment is when all the food has been laid out, and the warm glow of the kitchen lights illuminate my loved ones’ faces as we all settle in at the table.

Some of my favorite festivities include summer nights gathered around heaping helpings of delicious recipes. Naturally, the meal is always a crucial part of these fond memories. From main dishes to sides, it’s all important! With scrumptious food shared between us, somehow our talks seem bigger and our smiles feel sweeter. 

This summer, I wanted to share four flavorful salad recipes that even the kiddos will beg for at the dinner table! These ingredients are fresh, unique, and perfectly refreshing in such warm temperatures. Salads are a summer staple, so it’s only right that every beautiful summer dinner has a delicious, satisfying salad to pair with the feast!

1. Hearty Mediterranean Orzo Salad

With a big family like ours, I always make sure whatever salad I make is irresistible yet filling. That way, everyone gets enough! This recipe is a fun spin on the traditional Greek Salad, with the light yet satisfying addition of orzo pasta. (If you have picky eaters, just tell them this is a pasta dish–technically, you’re not lying!)

This recipe makes enough for two, so adjust accordingly!

Ingredients

• ½ cup orzo pasta
• 1 ½ tsp extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 garlic clove, peeled and crushed
• ⅛ tsp salt
• 1 ½ tsp lemon juice
• ⅛ tsp ground pepper
• 1 14-oz can artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
• 1 7-oz can chickpeas, rinsed
• ⅓ cup feta cheese, crumbled
• 2 tbsp chopped dill, fresh or dried
• 1 ½ tbsp chopped mint, fresh or dried
• 1 large tomato, deseeded and chopped
• 2 cups baby spinach leaves

Instructions:

Step 1

Bring a pot of water to a boil and add orzo. Cook until tender for about 9 minutes, or as the box instructs. Drain and rinse until cool. Ensure it is dry before transferring to a medium bowl and tossing with oil. 

Step 2

Use the back of a spoon to mix garlic and salt into a paste in a medium bowl. Whisk in pepper and lemon juice. Add the cooked orzo, chickpeas, artichokes, feta, mint, and dill. Toss gently to combine. Add tomatoes and toss again.

Step 3

Divide spinach onto 2 plates and top with your Mediterranean salad mix. Enjoy!

2. Colorful Endive and Apple Salad with Sweet Cranberry Vinaigrette

This showstoppingly beautiful salad makes you happy just looking at it. Then you try it and–wow! Apples in salad is generally a win for me, but this recipe is next level when you add the cranberry and endive flavors. This salad will complement most meals, as it is light and mild yet perfectly sweet. Sometimes I even whip it up as a quick lunch or meal prep item!

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 tbsp cranberry juice concentrate
• 1 tbsp white wine vinegar
• 3 heads Belgian endive, thinly sliced crosswise
• 2 red apples, cored, unpeeled, and chopped (I love Honeycrisp!)
• ½ cup chopped cranberries, fresh or dried
• ¼ cup green onion, thinly sliced
• ¼ cup walnuts, toasted and chopped

Instructions:

Step 1

Whisk vinegar, oil, and cranberry juice concentrate in small bowl until mixed to make dressing.

Step 2

Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Step 3

In a medium bowl, combine apples and endive.

Step 4

Pour dressing over. Toss if desired.

Step 5

Add green onions, walnuts, and cranberries. Toss once. Serve and enjoy!

3. Refreshing Cucumber Pasta Salad

If you’re cooking some comfort food and in need of an easy and light salad to complement your main dish, look no further! This Refreshing Cucumber Pasta Salad could even stand on its own for a yummy lunch, with chickpeas serving as your protein. I love this recipe because nothing is more classic than a fresh pasta salad for summer!

Ingredients

• 1 cucumber, peeled and chopped into ½-inch pieces
• 1 cup roma tomato, diced
• 3 tbsp fresh lime juice
• 2 tbsp cilantro
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• ¼ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp pepper
• 1 cup macaroni pasta

Instructions:

Step 1

Cook pasta, drain, and rinse. Ensure it’s dry before using.

Step 2

Combine cilantro, lime juice, sugar, salt, and pepper in a small bowl to make dressing.

Step 3

Combine pasta and vegetables in large bowl.

Step 4

Toss gently with dressing.

4. Sweet and Savory Spinach Salad with Honey Bacon Dressing

The unique flavor profile of this salad is simply mouthwatering! Between the egg, bacon, honey, and mustard, you’re in for a combination of flavors that will make your taste buds dance. I also love the sweet and savory aspect in a salad, especially on a hot summer night. Serve with a simpler meal to liven up the dinner table!

Ingredients

• 8 cups fresh spinach
• 1 cup baby bella mushrooms, sliced
• ¼ cup green onion, sliced
• 1 medium tomato, deseeded and chopped
• 1 hard-boiled egg, chopped
• ½ cup parmesan cheese, shredded through bigger holes on cheese grater
• 7 bacon pieces, sliced, cooked, and crumbled
• ½ cup honey
• ½ cup vinegar
• ⅓ cup vegetable oil
• 1 tsp yellow mustard (alt: 1 tsp spicy brown mustard)
• 1 tsp fresh lemon juice

Instructions:

Step 1

Hard boil the egg and cook the bacon. Set aside separately. Do not crumble bacon yet for measurement purposes.

Step 2

Combine spinach, mushrooms, green onion, tomato, hard-boiled egg, and parmesan cheese in a large bowl. Add 5 of the crumbled bacon slices. Toss.

Step 3

Whisk honey, oil, vinegar, mustard, lemon juice, and remaining 2 slices of crumbled bacon in small bowl to make dressing.

Step 4

Drizzle dressing over salad. Toss if desired.

Step 5

Serve immediately and enjoy!