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Put all that seasonal produce to good use!

Looking for ways to cool down this summer? You might enjoy a glass of frozen lemonade or take a dip in the pool. Of course, turning on the oven is out of the question, so you'll want to have a few summer recipes that don't require a hot kitchen. That's where these summer salad recipes come in handy: They're crisp, seasonal, and quick to prepare so you'll have plenty of time to kick back and relax—that's what summer is all about after all! Just ask Ree Drummond who says, "In the summer, we'll usually have a big lunch before noon—we do the cooking outside and keep the fixings cool and crisp." Here, you'll find all kinds of salad recipes—from leafy spinach salads to pasta salad recipes that are perfect for adding to your barbecue menu.

When it comes to making the best summer salads, the key is using fresh ingredients. Head to the farmers' market to look for cucumbers, corn, watermelon, and juicy tomatoes. You'll put them all to good use with recipes like the classic caprese salad and the watermelon salad with feta and mint. Looking for a picnic side dish? We've got you covered! Try a salad that can be made ahead of time, like the broccoli salad or the layered salad. Whichever recipe you choose, be sure to have your favorite salad dressing handy. (Might we suggest the Drummond all-time favorite, homemade ranch?

Swap out your typical corn on the cob for a corn salad instead. It's loaded with hearty mix-ins like pinto beans and avocado.

Get Ree's Grilled Corn Salad with Cilantro Vinaigrette recipe.

Light, bright, and filled with sweet fruits—this salad is perfect for enjoying on a hot summer day.

Get the Strawberry Spinach Salad recipe.

This classic salad is made up of cucumbers, tomatoes, olives, and feta. It's perfectly refreshing, easy to make, and delicious when paired with your favorite lamb burger.

Get Ree's Greek Salad recipe.

Does anything scream summer more than a juicy watermelon? We certainly don't think so! This salad pairs the sweet fruit with crunchy cucumber, mint, and roasted pistachios for a refreshing salad that everyone will love.

Get Ree's Watermelon Salad with Feta and Mint recipe.

Not all salads have leafy greens. This one swaps the lettuce for fresh broccoli and tons of tasty add-ins (bacon, cheddar, and dried cranberries).

Get the Broccoli Salad recipe.

Everything you love about a BLT sandwich with the delicious addition of pasta! It even has a dressing made with ranch seasoning mix!

Get the BLT Pasta Salad recipe.

The combination of warm, grilled pork with crisp lettuces and juicy strawberries is utter perfection. And, it's even hearty enough for a hungry cowboy.

Get Ree's Grilled Pork Salad with Strawberries recipe.

If you're hosting a big cookout, this is a great way for serving salad to a crowd. Simply give each person a spear or two alongside grilled steaks or whatever your main course might be.

Get Ree's Caesar Salad Spears recipe.

"I love panzanella with beautiful tomatoes and chunks of bread," Ree says. In fact, it's one of her favorite summer meals.

Get Ree's Grilled Shrimp Panzanella recipe.

Loaded with ground beef, cheese, and avocado—this salad recipe is hearty enough to serve for dinner any night of the week. But it's especially fun on "taco Tuesdays."

Get the Easy Taco Salad recipe.

Every good cookout needs a good potato salad. This one has a tangy, herby, mayo-based dressing that's sure to brighten up your meal.

Get Ree's Green Goddess Potato Salad recipe.

Grab a big glass bowl! You'll love being able to see all the beautiful layers in this picnic-friendly salad.

Get Ree's Layered Salad recipe.

This quick side dish has a ton of texture thanks to fresh green beans. But we also love the bits of diced onion and celery for crunch.

Get the Classic Three-Bean Salad recipe.

To give this simple salad a fun twist, add homemade toasted pita chips instead of croutons. It couldn't be easier!

Get Ree's Greek Salad with Chicken recipe.

Marinate your shrimp in a mixture of garlic, ginger, brown sugar, and soy sauce for a delicious mix-in to this simple green salad.

Get Ree's Ginger Shrimp Salad recipe.

There are so many different kinds of tortellini out there. For this recipe, it's best to use the refrigerated tortellini, but you can pick the filling—anything from cheese to spinach would work!

Get the Tortellini Pasta Salad recipe.

Ree likes to serve this salad as a side to her favorite steak dinners. It's simple, refreshing, and sure to please everyone in the family.

Get Ree's Wedge Salad with Buttermilk Ranch Dressing recipe.

No summer roundup would be complete without some kind of barbecue chicken recipe. Serving it over a crisp salad is one way to keep things light and flavorful.

Get Ree's Barbecue Chicken Salad recipe.

Fresh arugula acts as the base for this flavorful salad. It's peppery, tender, and perfect when paired with seasonal peas.

Get Ree's Arugula and Three-Pea Salad recipe.

Whether you're making a light and summery pasta or grilling up pizzas, you can't go wrong with this Italian-inspired chopped salad on the side.

Get Ree's Antipasti Chopped Salad recipe.

If you love the fresh ingredients of a classic Greek salad, you'll go crazy for this variation made in pasta salad form! It has all the same herby flavor, plus feta and olive to boot!

Get the Greek Pasta Salad recipe.

Calling all ranch lovers! This salad has a homemade ranch dressing that's perfect for pairing with crispy bacon and shredded cheese.

Get Ree's Ranch Chopped Salad recipe.

You'll want to put this creamy potato salad recipe on repeat all summer long. It's best served chilled alongside grilled meats, burgers, or ribs.

Get the Red Potato Salad recipe.

The trick to this refreshing salad is using the adobo sauce from a can of chipotles in both the salad dressing and the marinade for the fish. It'll turn a simple salad into something bold and flavorful.

Get Ree's Chipotle Caesar Salad with Grilled Salmon recipe.

This simple salad is one of Ree's "favorite things on earth" and we can see why! The juicy tomatoes, creamy mozzarella, and tangy balsamic are a match made in heaven.

Get Ree's Caprese Salad recipe.