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Summer Vegetable Salad

posted by Liz Berg on August 7, 2016 (updated 7/24/23)

We had some impromptu company one Sunday night, so I threw together a refreshing, crisp Summer Vegetable Salad with what I could find in my fridge.

Learn how to make a beautiful Composed Salad with some simple tips.

Summer Vegetable Salad in a white serving bowl.

Why You Must Make this Summer Salad

Summer is the best time of year to find delicious produce that’s perfect for a salad.
From tender greens to ripe garden tomatoes to tender fresh sweet corn, you can use what’s available to you.
Serve with your favorite salad dressing and you’ll have the best summer salad of the season!

When putting together a salad, I start with the greens. We typically have a box of spinach in the fridge, so that was my base. A couple of ears of fresh corn, an English cucumber, carrots plus a juicy ripe tomato were cut into bite-sized pieces. I aim for a rainbow of veggies. A can of black beans and artichoke hearts rounded out the mix. My classic balsamic vinaigrette was drizzled atop the salad just before serving. Lots of crunch, a variety of textures and colors made for a terrific, refreshing side dish.

Ingredient Notes

Salad Dressing – Use your favorite. I’ve linked to my homemade balsamic vinaigrette above, plus my blue cheese and French dressings in the FAQs.
Baby Spinach – Any tough stems removed. May use baby arugula or any favorite lettuce variety.
Fresh Corn – Steamed briefly, then kernels sliced off the cob.
Tomato – Fresh garden tomato. Cubed.
English Cucumber – Half, peeled and cubed.
Artichoke Hearts – One jar of marinated artichoke hearts, drained and cut in half if needed.
Carrots – Peeled and chopped.
Black Beans – I used about half a can, drained and rinsed.

Overhead view of a composed Summer Vegetable Salad in a white bowl.

How to Make a Composed Salad

I am a fan of the composed salad. Instead of just tossing all the ingredients together in a salad bowl, the main components are artfully arranged. I like to line the ingredients in rows across a platter, but when working with a bowl, wedges seem to make more sense.

Begin with a base of greens, then decide on what goes where according to colors and shapes.
Note how the carrots and beans are rounder items and they’re across from each other. The red bell peppers and the red tomatoes are also not adjacent. I thought the beans popped more when placed between the bright yellow corn and red tomatoes.
There’s no real right or wrong, just use your judgment and it will be lovely!! I did notice a little pile of black beans on the hubster’s plate when clearing the plates.
Shake up the ingredients any way you like. Some cheese chunks would be a great substitute for those beans. I love hearts of palm, too, and use them interchangeably with artichoke hearts.
Make sure you try my favorite balsamic vinaigrette (link in the recipe). Just make sure to use good-quality vinegar for the best results.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Ingredients Are Best for a Summer Salad?

Use the fruit and vegetables that are at their peak in the summer months. Fresh tomatoes from your garden or the farmer’s market, fresh berries, peaches, corn on the cob (steamed and removed), and tender baby spinach. Add some minced fresh herbs to brighten the flavors!

What Salad Dressings Work on a Summer Salad?

I love a good, flavorful balsamic vinaigrette, but almost any favorite salad dressing will work well on a summer salad. These include French, Ranch, Blue Cheese, and more!