22 Produce-Packed Summer Salads That Help With Weight Loss

POPSUGAR Photography
POPSUGAR Photography

If you're looking to lose weight, salads are bound to be a big part of your life. Luckily, there's no better season than Summer to enjoy the bounty of produce the season has to offer! Pro tip: find inspiration by wandering around the stalls of a farmers market on a bright, sunny day as you sample all the ripe produce. If you're wondering how to make full use of all those fresh fruits and veggies, we have more than 20 recipes to help you celebrate Summer and stick to your weight-loss goals.

Related: The Best Summer Smoothies

Additional reporting by Michele Foley

01
Watermelon Caprese Salad
POPSUGAR Photography | Nicole Perry

Watermelon Caprese Salad

For a twist on the traditional, try this recipe for a watermelon caprese salad. It's the perfect way to make the most of leftover watermelon from all your Summer BBQ endeavors.

02
Kale and Quinoa Salad
POPSUGAR Photography | Leta Shy

Kale and Quinoa Salad

Toss your grape tomatoes and blueberries into an Asian-inspired kale and quinoa salad with sesame soy ginger dressing and sliced nori. It has the perfect blend of healthy fats, protein, and fiber for a filling meal.

03
Easy Vegetarian Taco Salad
POPSUGAR Photography | Jenny

Easy Vegetarian Taco Salad

If you're craving the flavors of your favorite cantina, channel them into this light yet satisfying layered taco salad that's loaded with fresh flavors.

04
Potato and Asparagus Salad
Gen Y Foodie

Potato and Asparagus Salad

Your next barbecue hit: this potato and asparagus salad, which keeps things healthy by bulking up with veggies and switching up the calorie-laden traditional dressing.

05
Rainbow Quinoa Salad
POPSUGAR Photography | Jenny Sugar

Rainbow Quinoa Salad

This beautiful veggie-packed quinoa salad screams Summer! A bowl of this gluten-free goodness is under 350 calories, offering 13 grams of protein and seven grams of fiber. Any vegetarians or vegans looking for a protein-rich recipe to support weight loss will fall hard for this salad.

06
Lemony Toasted Quinoa and Cabbage Salad
POPSUGAR Photography | Leta Shy

Lemony Toasted Quinoa and Cabbage Salad

Each ingredient in this lemony toasted quinoa and wilted cabbage salad aids digestion, making it an ideal recipe for clean-eating adventures. Quinoa, chickpeas, and cabbage are responsible for the high-fiber content, while the detoxifying properties of lemon and the digestion-supporting dollop of Greek yogurt are added bonuses for your body (and taste buds).

07
Strawberry Avocado Salad
Running to the Kitchen

Strawberry Avocado Salad

An interesting array of Summer produce goes into this fiber-rich strawberry avocado salad: avocado, strawberries, and kiwis are all tied together with a honey lime dressing. The avocados are high in monounsaturated fatty acids, which can help diminish belly fat.

08
Thai Citrus Chicken Salad
POPSUGAR Photography | Leta Shy

Thai Citrus Chicken Salad

The combination of cabbage, carrot, and daikon in this citrus chicken salad is an antioxidant-rich trifecta! This recipe supports your digestive system and keeps your body hydrated in warmer temperatures. It's also high in protein and low in fat, carbs, and calories. In short, it's everything you're looking for in a filling salad that supports weight loss.

09
Tropical Arugula Salad
POPSUGAR Photography | Lauren Hendrickson

Tropical Arugula Salad

For a fruit salad recipe that can stand alone as a lunch, try this easy pineapple and arugula salad that can help beat belly bloat. The ingredients are seasonal with a tropical flair, plus the simple vinaigrette is light, healthy, and versatile.

10
Cucumber Caprese Salad
POPSUGAR Photography | Jenny Sugar

Cucumber Caprese Salad

Another riff on the classic caprese comes in the form of this hydrating and refreshing cucumber caprese salad that might turn into your new go-to recipe. Higher in protein, fiber, and anti-inflammatory omega-3s, this delicious salad aligns with your Summer goals!

11
Cucumber Quinoa Salad
POPSUGAR Photography | Lizzie Fuhr

Cucumber Quinoa Salad

It's high in fiber, iron, and vitamin C, so you can see all the healthy reasons actress Jennifer Aniston loves this simple quinoa salad. Think of it as a bulked-up tabbouleh, since detoxifying parsley lays the base of the greens, while a scoop of quinoa and diced avocado provide over 60 percent of your daily recommended fiber. Squeeze fresh lemon juice on top for a brighter flavor and even more detoxifying power.

12
Black Bean and Mango Salad
POPSUGAR Photography | Lizzie Fuhr

Black Bean and Mango Salad

For a refreshing vegan recipe that's packed with protein, add this quick black bean and mango salad to your lunchtime rotation. With more than 13 grams of fiber and nearly 17 grams of protein, this light, clean, and potassium-rich dish will support your goals, refuel your body after a tough workout, help you rehydrate, and even help soothe sore muscles.

13
Salad-Stuffed Avocado
POPSUGAR Photography | Lizzie Fuhr

Salad-Stuffed Avocado

Eating the rainbow at lunch has never tasted so good! Offering 60 percent of your recommended fiber for the day, this antioxidant-rich rainbow salad supports healthy digestion and will keep you feeling full and energized. Chopped tomatoes, peppers, and radishes are tossed in a spicy lime dressing, then neatly tucked into a halved avocado for a pretty presentation.

14
Flat-Belly Salad
POPSUGAR Photography | Jenny Sugar

Flat-Belly Salad

Made with fiber-rich Bibb lettuce, this flat-belly salad gets an extra boost from every ingredient tossed into the mix. From the monounsaturated fats from the avocado and almonds to the chia seeds in the dressing, every tasty ingredient in this satisfying vegan salad helps fight belly bloat and supports healthy weight loss.

15
Cabbage Hemp Salad
POPSUGAR Photography | Lizzie Fuhr

Cabbage Hemp Salad

If you're on the hunt for a quick and tasty detoxifying recipe that supports digestion, this crunchy cabbage and hemp salad is for you. Hemp seeds are a great source of anti-inflammatory omega-3s and vitamin E for vegans and vegetarians, and the combination of the cold-pressed oil and seeds in this recipe gives this fresh and fiber-rich salad a nutty flavor you'll love.

16
Watermelon-Bowl Salad
POPSUGAR Photography | Jenny Sugar

Watermelon-Bowl Salad

Could anything be more refreshing than serving up a tasty salad in its very own watermelon bowl? Highly doubtful. This vegan-friendly recipe is packed with tons of fresh produce and plenty of protein to fill you up.

17
Cucumber, Watermelon, and Mango Salad
POPSUGAR Photography | Nicole Perry

Cucumber, Watermelon, and Mango Salad

For a sweet and salty take on fruit salad, try this cucumber, watermelon, and mango salad that offers just the right hint of metabolism-boosting heat.

18
Watermelon, Feta, and Arugula Salad
POPSUGAR Photography | Nicole Perry

Watermelon, Feta, and Arugula Salad

Peppery arugula and sweet cubed watermelon are a match made in heaven in this Summer salad. A little feta offers the protein you need to make this a light lunch.

19
Southeast Asian Heirloom Tomato and Cucumber Salad
POPSUGAR Photography | Nicole Perry

Southeast Asian Heirloom Tomato and Cucumber Salad

The flavors of this heirloom tomato and cucumber salad are sure to surprise and delight guests. The addition of fish sauce and lime take the fresh veggies beyond the typical olive oil and salt dressing.

20
Simple Salad With Carrot-Miso Dressing
POPSUGAR Photography | Lizzie Fuhr

Simple Salad With Carrot-Miso Dressing

After trying this greens and avocado with carrot-miso dressing, it's likely this will be the only salad you'll ever want. The sweet and savory dressing works with a variety of greens, so be sure to make a big batch to use all week!

21
Lightened-Up Cobb Salad
POPSUGAR Photography | Lizzie Fuhr

Lightened-Up Cobb Salad

The Cobb salad is a classic for a reason, and this lightened-up version has all the flavors and textures you crave from the traditional.

22
Hydrating Summer Salad
POPSUGAR Photography | Jenny Sugar

Hydrating Summer Salad

It's hard not to think Summer when looking at this gorgeous Summer salad. Full of hydrating and fiber-rich veggies, it's the perfect addition to your al fresco dinner menu.