7 summer salads you'll actually want to eat

Summer is upon us, as is salad season. The time when it’s too hot out to contemplate cooking a hearty meal so you crave lightness, freshness and simplicity instead. But there’s one issue… Salads can be a little bit boring, to put it bluntly.

It can be tough to be imaginative when it comes to salads. Wilted lettuce isn’t a good look. And how many variations can there really be on the leaf-tomato combo? Luckily, lots! We’ve trawled the internet to find seven of the most appetising summer salads you’ll actually want to eat this season. Give them a go and let us know what you think!

1. Grilled pineapple, chicken and avocado salad

Throw some pineapple into the mix and your salad is sure to feel like a tropical treat of a meal. Grab the below ingredients and click the link above for the full recipe.

2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
2 tsp olive oil
salt and pepper
1 fresh pineapple, peeled, cored and sliced into 1-inch thick rings
1800g baby spinach
1 cup fresh blueberries
1 avocado, peeled, pitted and diced
115g crumbled feta cheese
quarter of a red onion, thinly sliced
honey garlic vinaigrette

2. Sliced fennel, orange and almond salad

This flavoursome salad takes only 15 minutes to prepare – perfect for those hot summer evenings after work when you’d much rather spend your time eating something delicious than making it.

3 bulbs of fennel
1 handful of almonds
3 oranges
a few springs of fresh mint
2 handfuls of rocket
sherry vinegar
extra virgin olive oil

3. Lentil tabbouleh

A salad doesn’t need to contain meat in order to fill you up. Lentils are a great protein source, and hearty, too. Give this tabbouleh a try.

200g puy lentils
1 bunch of spring onions
200g ripe cherry tomatoes
1 large bunch of fresh flat-leaf parsley
1 large bunch of fresh mint
extra virgin olive oil
1 lemon

4. BLT salad

It’s hard to go wrong with a classic bacon-lettuce-tomato combo. Bring this one to life with a delicious buttermilk and parmesan dressing.

565g cubed white bread
3 tbsp butter, melted
1 tbsp minced onion
60ml cider vinegar
120ml buttermilk
180ml mayonnaise
115g grated Parmesan cheese
340g romaine lettuce hearts, chopped
680g assorted fresh tomatoes, sliced
6 slices cooked bacon, chopped
Flat-leaf parsley and torn basil leaves to garnish

5. Roasted potato salad with mustard-walnut vinaigrette

The flavours in this recipe make it an irresistible take on the timeless potato salad. Shake things up and let us know how it goes!

1800g mixed marble potatoes, or other small potatoes
225g walnuts, toasted and roughly chopped
1 bunch basil, leaves torn into bite-sized pieces
1 bunch spring onions, white and green parts thinly sliced crosswise

6. Grilled peach and apricot salad

Fruits do belong in salads – and the proof lies right here in this recipe, with juicy, grilled peaches and apricots. Bring the below ingredients together for a summery taste sensation.