Nutrition & Recipes

20+ Anti-Inflammatory Summer Salad Recipes

Posted by author-avatar
On May 26, 2025
0 comments
20+ Anti-Inflammatory Summer Salad Recipes

These delicious salads are perfect if you’re looking for inspiration to use some bountiful summer produce. Since they are made with anti-inflammatory ingredients like chickpeas, dark leafy greens and whole grains, these salads could help relieve uncomfortable symptoms of inflammation, like stiff joints, digestive issues and high blood pressure. Recipes like our Strawberry & Kale Salad with Burrata and our Broccoli Crunch Salad are packed with flavor to nourish your body and keep you satisfied.

Love any of these recipes? Tap “Save” to add them to MyRecipes, your new, free recipe box for EatingWell.

White Bean Salad with Feta & Lemon-Garlic Vinaigrette

Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen


This white bean salad with feta and lemon-garlic vinaigrette is a quick salad that requires no stove time. White beans provide plant-based protein while also adding fiber to help keep you full. Creamy feta cheese provides a tangy, salty contrast to the bright vinaigrette. Tossed with fresh herbs and toasted walnuts, this salad is perfect for a light lunch.

Strawberry & Kale Salad with Burrata

Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Lydia Purcell


This strawberry-and-kale salad with burrata is a delicious, nutrient-packed dish that offers a host of anti-inflammatory benefits. The base of tender lacinato kale is rich in antioxidants, while sweet, juicy strawberries provide a healthy dose of vitamin C and anthocyanins, known for their powerful anti-inflammatory properties. Creamy burrata balances the earthy greens perfectly.

Broccoli Crunch Salad

Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Renu Dhar, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle


From the crunchy nuts and Parmesan crisps to the chewiness of sun-dried tomatoes, this broccoli salad has a satisfying medley of textures. The red-wine vinaigrette brings a briny flavor that is balanced by the nuttiness of the cheese.

Cucumber, Tomato & Avocado Salad with Lemon-Shallot Vinaigrette

Ali Redmond


Crisp cucumbers, juicy tomatoes and creamy avocado create a delicious contrast in this easy salad. Tossed with a zesty lemon-shallot vinaigrette, this salad is bright, tangy and perfectly balanced.

Arugula, Beet & Feta Salad

Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Prop Stylist: Phoebe Hausser, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling


Peppery arugula and tender, sweet beets are balanced by a simple vinaigrette and briny bits of feta cheese in this arugula, beet and feta salad. Using cooked, peeled beets helps make prep a breeze.

Simple Carrot & Cabbage Salad

Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Marianne Williams, Prop Stylist: Abby Armstrong


This simple carrot-and-cabbage salad is crisp and refreshing. It’s tossed in a light vinaigrette made with lemon, honey and Dijon mustard, allowing the natural sweetness of the carrots and the crunch of the cabbage to shine.

No-Cook Chickpea, Beet & Quinoa Salad

Ali Redmond


This easy, no-cook chickpea salad comes together in minutes. Look for precooked beets in the produce section of the grocery store. With a bright lemony-garlic dressing, this salad is the perfect side to accompany grilled chicken or roasted salmon.

Chickpea Chopped Salad with Pita Chips

Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Priscilla Montiel


Packed with crunchy pita chips, creamy feta and briny olives, this chickpea, cucumber and tomato salad is fresh and delicious. Enjoy it as a side dish or add grilled or roasted chicken or salmon to make it a main dish.

Strawberry Caprese Salad

Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle


This caprese salad is a fruity twist on the classic Italian dish, with juicy, ripe strawberries standing in for tomatoes. The sweet-tart flavor of strawberries pairs beautifully with fresh mozzarella, basil and a drizzle of balsamic vinegar.

Roasted Cabbage Salad with Lemon-Shallot Dressing

Photographer Victor Protasio, Food Stylist Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist Christina Daley


Cabbage is roasted to perfection, caramelizing and developing a sweet, nutty flavor that pairs perfectly with the bright, zesty notes of the lemon-shallot dressing. This salad is a perfect match for just about anything, from a side with grilled chicken or roasted salmon to a topping for hearty grain bowls.

Rotisserie Chicken & Roasted Sweet Potato Salad

Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Prop Stylist: Abby Armstrong, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey


This rotisserie chicken and roasted sweet potato salad is the perfect anti-inflammatory dish. Tossed with fresh greens, apples and a tangy-sweet dressing, this salad is a wholesome meal that’s perfect for busy days.

Bhel Puri-Inspired Salad

Ali Redmond


This flavorful salad was inspired by bhel puri, a type of chaat (savory snack) served across India, and features puffed quinoa and lentils for extra protein and fiber.

Raspberry-Spinach Salad with Avocado & Walnuts

Photographer: Jen Causey, food stylist: Julian Hensarling, prop stylist: Josh Hoggle


This salad includes juicy raspberries, creamy avocado and crunchy walnuts, which create a delightful mix of colors and flavor. The bright, citrusy dressing sets this salad apart and complements the richness of the avocado and the walnuts.

Roasted Carrot Salad

Photographer: Jen Causey, Food stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop stylist: Josh Hoggle


Sweet roasted carrots are the star of this salad, with some reserved for blending into a creamy, vibrant dressing. The carrot-based dressing, brightened with orange juice, whole-grain mustard and rice vinegar, adds a cohesive flavor to the salad.

Crunchy Chopped Salad

Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Christina Brockman


This chickpea-cabbage salad features carrots and cucumbers, giving it a quartet of ingredients that all begin with the letter “C”! This chopped salad is loaded with fiber and prebiotic chickpeas, promoting a healthy gut.

Cucumber-Blueberry Spinach Salad

Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Prop Stylist: Lydia Pursell, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall


This spinach-blueberry salad has the perfect balance of sweet and tart flavors complemented by refreshing cucumber slices and creamy goat cheese. Champagne vinegar adds a mild, delicate touch that pairs beautifully with summer fruit. You can use white-wine vinegar instead; simply reduce the amount by a teaspoon to maintain the balance of flavors, as it has a sharper taste.

Spinach Salad with Quinoa, Chicken & Fresh Berries

Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Margaret Dickeyt, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless

This flavorful salad is packed with tender rotisserie chicken, juicy berries and hearty quinoa for a filling and satisfying lunch.

Zucchini Salad with Burrata

Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop stylist: Lindsey Lower


This zucchini salad is a taste of peak-season bliss, combining sun-kissed zucchini with the creaminess of burrata cheese. Pink peppercorns offer a sweet, fruity and slightly floral taste which pairs nicely with the citrus flavors in the dressing; however, freshly ground black pepper can be used in their place.

No-Cook White Bean & Spinach Caprese Salad

This easy white bean and spinach caprese salad features the classic combination of juicy tomatoes, creamy mozzarella, fragrant basil and tangy balsamic vinegar, but adds tender white beans and fresh baby spinach to the mix.

Tuna, White Bean & Dill Salad

Take canned tuna to new heights by adding creamy cannellini beans, fresh dill and a tangy Dijon dressing.

Chickpea, Beet & Feta Salad with Lemon-Garlic Vinaigrette

Photographer: Rachel Marek, Food stylist: Holly Dreesman, Prop stylist: Addelyn Evans


This chickpea, beet & feta salad is a vibrant blend of flavors and textures, marrying the earthy sweetness of beets with the creamy richness of feta cheese, all tied together with a zesty lemon-garlic dressing. If you have the time, you can roast or steam your own beets or, to keep prep fast and simple, opt for precooked beets found in the produce section of well-stocked grocery stores.

Newer The Best Memorial Day Sneaker Deals to Shop in 2025
Back to list
Older How to Be More Positive—Without Faking or Forcing It

Related Posts

    Leave a Reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *