Summer on the farm means the garden is bursting, the farmers market tables are overflowing, and the last thing I want to do is turn on the oven. These gluten free summer salads are what I make on repeat from June through September, and I have rounded up 25+ of my favorites all in one place so you always know where to find them.
From hearty pasta salads and creamy coleslaws to fresh green salads and potluck favorites, this collection covers every summer occasion.
Every salad here is completely gluten free and made with simple ingredients you can find at your local store.
Whether you are headed to a backyard BBQ, planning a picnic, or just need an easy weeknight meal that does not heat up the kitchen, there is a salad in this roundup for you.
If you are looking for the perfect fresh basil pesto recipe for these salads try my Gluten Free Homemade Walnut Pesto.
If you are looking for more gluten free summer recipe inspiration try my roundup of 75+ Easy Gluten Free Summer Recipes.
Gluten Free Green Summer Salads
Fresh greens, seasonal vegetables, and homemade dressings make these gluten free green salads a summer staple. They are light enough for a warm day but satisfying enough to serve as a complete meal alongside grilled chicken or steak.
Strawberry Spinach Salad with Balsamic Poppyseed Dressing
This strawberry spinach salad with balsamic poppyseed dressing is one of those recipes that looks like you spent a lot of time on it but comes together in just minutes. Sweet fresh strawberries, tender baby spinach, creamy feta, and crunchy pecans are tossed in a homemade balsamic poppyseed dressing that is tangy, slightly sweet, and so much better than anything from a bottle.
Taco Layer Salad
This Taco Layer Salad is the ultimate crowd pleasing dish to bring to your next cookout, potluck, or summer gathering. Layers of shredded iceberg lettuce, seasoned taco meat, black beans, sweet onion, Roma tomatoes, and sharp cheddar cheese are piled high in a trifle dish and topped with a thick and creamy homemade ranch dressing that ties every layer together.
Chopped Wedge Layer Salad
This easy recipe for chopped wedge layer salad is made with chopped iceberg lettuce and ranch dressing. It is a healthy option for parties and barbecues. This is the best wedge salad variation made without blue cheese.
Gluten Free Kale Caesar Salad
This healthy recipe for gluten free kale caesar salad is keto and low carb friendly. This recipe uses the best homemade caesar salad dressing! I love how quick and easy this salad is to make.
Seven Layer Salad
This classic recipe for seven layer salad has a delicious dressing and is easy to make. This is the best healthy salad with sour cream and mayo in the dressing. This traditional recipe is gluten free and just like the old fashioned seven layer salads I remember growing up.
Gluten Free Kale Salad with Peanut Dressing
This healthy recipe for gluten free kale salad with peanut dressing is vegan and keto/low carb friendly. The dressing is easy to make and goes so nicely with this raw, chopped salad. This is such a simple summer salad!
Gluten Free Pasta Summer Salads
Gluten free pasta salads are one of my favorite things to bring to a summer gathering because they make ahead beautifully and feed a crowd. Every pasta salad here is made with gluten free pasta and a dressing that gets better the longer it chills.
Gluten Free Lime Cilantro Pasta Salad
This easy gluten free lime cilantro pasta salad is the most vibrant and flavorful cold pasta salad you are going to make all summer long. Gluten free fusilli pasta gets tossed with juicy halved grape tomatoes, crisp cucumber, colorful bell peppers, red onion, and creamy chunks of fresh avocado and then coated in the most incredible homemade lime cilantro dressing made with fresh lime juice, cilantro leaves, olive oil, and a perfectly balanced blend of cumin, garlic powder, and a touch of sugar.
Gluten Free High Protein Deviled Egg Pasta Salad
This High Protein Gluten Free Deviled Egg Pasta Salad is the pasta salad I bring to every summer gathering and it is always the first bowl to be scraped clean. Gluten free chickpea elbow pasta is tossed with chopped hard boiled eggs, finely diced red onion, and a creamy deviled egg inspired dressing made with both mayonnaise and Greek yogurt for the richest and most satisfying pasta salad you will ever make.
Gluten Free BLT Pasta Salad
This easy recipe for gluten free BLT pasta salad is a delicious side dish full of veggies. It's a cold salad made with mayo, lettuce, tomatoes and bacon. The creamy dressing makes this healthy pasta salad recipe over the top good!
Gluten Free Green Goddess Pasta Salad
This easy recipe for gluten free green goddess pasta salad is a healthy side dish option. The cold gluten free salad is made with peas, pesto and mayonnaise. It is a creamy salad packed with veggies that is perfect for summer barbecues.
Easy Gluten Free Bow Tie Pasta Salad
This easy gluten free bow tie pasta salad recipe is the perfect summer side dish! It's a simple cold salad with feta cheese and the best homemade dressing. This healthy salad is loaded with veggies and brown rice pasta.
Air Fryer Grilled Vegetable Orzo Salad
This easy cold air fryer grilled vegetable orzo salad is the perfect summer side dish! It's a healthy pasta salad loaded with veggies and a simple Italian dressing. I like to make this salad a day ahead to serve at barbecues and with meals.
Gluten Free Pesto Pasta Salad
This easy recipe for gluten free pesto pasta salad is a delicious summer side dish. It is a cold Italian pasta salad that uses creamy basil pesto. This healthy salad includes arugula, cannellini beans and walnuts.
Easy Gluten Free Macaroni Salad
This easy recipe for gluten free macaroni salad is the best cold pasta salad for summer! It's a classic barbecue staple that uses a mayonnaise dressing and brown rice elbow macaroni noodles. This summer salad is quick and simple to make for the perfect side dish.
Salad Bowls and Serving Spoons
Coleslaws
A great coleslaw is one of the most versatile summer side dishes you can make. These gluten free coleslaw recipes are crisp, creamy, and the perfect companion to anything coming off the grill.
Southwestern Style Coleslaw
This easy southwestern style coleslaw recipe has a vinegar dressing and is keto, vegan and gluten free. This slaw recipe is made without mayo and is the perfect side dish. I use bags of coleslaw mix to make this recipe quickly for weeknight meals.
Pineapple Coleslaw
This easy recipe for pineapple coleslaw is the perfect summer side dish! The cabbage salad is made without mayo with a spicy dressing. It goes great with pulled pork, tacos or as a side at barbecues.
Easy Apple Slaw with Poppyseed Dressing
This easy apple slaw with poppyseed dressing is a quick side dish salad recipe! The healthy cabbage coleslaw includes sweet apples and a tangy dressing with apple cider vinegar. This is the best creamy salad to use with pork, tacos or on it's own.
Thai Style Cabbage Salad
This healthy recipe for Thai style cabbage salad has an easy peanut dressing that is delicious! This cold salad uses peanut butter and sesame oil the dressing to give it great flavor. It makes a creamy side dish or is great on it's own.
Gluten Free Coleslaw
This easy recipe for gluten free coleslaw has a creamy, homemade dressing. This healthy salad is keto and low carb friendly. I walk you through how to make the best gluten free coleslaw. #glutenfree #recipe #salad #summer
Fruit and Veggies Salads
Layered salads are made for summer gatherings. They look stunning on a table, travel well, and can be assembled hours in advance so you are not scrambling at the last minute.
High Protein Potato Salad
This high protein potato salad is the ultimate make ahead BBQ side dish that is as satisfying as it is delicious. Tender baby potatoes, chopped hard boiled eggs, crisp celery, finely diced dill pickles, sweet yellow onion, and creamy cannellini beans are all tossed in a rich and tangy Greek yogurt dressing seasoned with dijon mustard, yellow mustard, and dill pickle seasoning for a potato salad that is packed with protein and so much more interesting than the standard mayo version.
Fruit Salad with Honey Lime Dressing
This easy fruit salad with honey lime dressing is the most refreshing and vibrant summer side dish and it comes together in just 15 minutes with fresh seasonal fruit and a simple three ingredient dressing. Juicy red and green grapes, sweet fresh pineapple, sliced strawberries, and plump blueberries get tossed in a light and zesty dressing made with honey, fresh lime juice, and lime zest that brings all the fruit flavors together beautifully.
Honey Dijon Carrot Salad
This Honey Dijon Carrot Salad is a fresh, simple side dish inspired by classic French carrot salad. The crisp shredded carrots are tossed in a light honey dijon dressing that adds the perfect balance of sweetness and tangy flavor.
Creamy Cucumber Salad
This Creamy Cucumber Salad is one of those simple recipes that I make on repeat all summer long because it is so easy, so refreshing, and goes with absolutely everything. Crisp English cucumbers are tossed in a rich homemade dressing made with sour cream, mayonnaise, dried dill, garlic powder, and white vinegar and the result is a cool and creamy salad that is completely addictive.
High Protein Ranch Broccoli Cauliflower Salad
This High Protein Ranch Broccoli Cauliflower Salad is the side dish you will want to bring to every summer gathering this season. Fresh broccoli and cauliflower are tossed with crispy bacon, shredded cheddar, red onion, and sunflower seeds, then coated in a creamy homemade ranch dressing made with plain Greek yogurt and buttermilk powder.
Healthy Mexican Street Corn Salad
This easy recipe for healthy Mexican street corn salad is the perfect summer side dish! The cold salad recipe uses frozen corn and is made without mayonnaise. It's so simple to roast the corn on your stovetop and then put this salad together for picnics and gatherings.
The Best Old Fashioned Chicken Salad
This is the best old fashioned chicken salad recipe that is healthy and great for lunch! It is an easy homemade recipe that is made without grapes so it is keto and low carb friendly. I cook my chicken in the instant pot and then shred it in the mixer. This recipe is perfect to make ahead to serve on a sandwich or salad.
Sugar Free Broccoli Salad
This recipe for a healthy version of broccoli salad is sugar free and Whole30 compliant. The salad is creamy and easy to make. This Paleo version is siple and has bacon and sunflower seeds! I think this is the best broccoli salad to bring as a side dish!
Black Beans and Corn Salad
This easy recipe for black beans and corn salad is the perfect summer side dish! It's a zesty cold salad that you can make ahead. The vegan recipe is full of colorful veggies with a lime dressing.
Easy Pea Salad
This recipe for easy pea salad is made with bacon and green peas. This cold and creamy old fashioned salad is perfect for Spring! My classic recipe is made with sour cream and vinegar dressing.
Cucumber Salad with Vinegar Dressing
This quick and easy cucumber salad with vinegar dressing is a great side dish. It's a healthy vegetable option with onion, olive oil and apple cider vinegar. The cucumber and onion is marinated in a tangy and refreshing dressing for the perfect cold salad.
Watermelon Cucumber and Feta Salad
This healthy recipe for watermelon cucumber and feta salad is a summer favorite! It's a refreshing salad with a zesty dressing that uses feta cheese. I love to make this side dish the day before so it's cold and ready to serve.
Apple Cucumber Salad
This easy recipe for apple cucumber salad is a delicious side dish! It is really quick to make and has a tangy lime dressing. This healthy salad is made without mayonnaise and has a lot of flavor.
More Recipes You Might Enjoy
I get my ingredients from Thrive Market. Thrive Market has been a game changer for me eating gluten free. They have so many options I can't get at my rural grocery stores! Use this link to get 25% off your first order!
Tips for Making Great Summer Salads
A few simple tips make all the difference when it comes to summer salads.
- Use what is in season. Summer produce is at its peak right now and the flavor shows in every bite. Fresh corn, tomatoes, cucumbers, berries, and stone fruits all make incredible salad additions when they are at their best.
- Make it ahead. Most of these salads get better as they chill. Make them the night before or the morning of your gathering and let the flavors come together in the refrigerator.
- Salt your vegetables. If your salad includes cucumbers, zucchini, or tomatoes, a light salting before adding the dressing draws out excess moisture and keeps your salad from getting watery as it sits.
- Dress it right before serving. For green salads especially, wait until the last minute to add the dressing so the greens stay crisp and fresh.
- Double the recipe for a crowd. Every salad in this roundup scales up easily. Simply double the ingredients and use a larger bowl.
Make Ahead and Meal Prep
These gluten free summer salads are some of the best recipes for meal prep. Pasta salads, coleslaws, and layered salads all keep well in the refrigerator for two to three days, making them perfect for prepping on Sunday and enjoying throughout the week. Green salads are best assembled fresh but the dressings can be made ahead and stored separately in a jar in the refrigerator for up to five days.
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