15 Tasty Summer Salads That Don’t Have Mayonnaise
Say hello to your new favorite vinaigrettes.
Mayo-based potato salads and pasta salads are pretty much the norm. And hey, that’s okay! Their creamy goodness has a place at the table. But what if you (gasp!) don’t like mayo or want to switch things up? There are actually quite a few no-mayo summer salads that bring a ton of flavor to the table. They’re bright, fresh, and ideal for switching up the usual cookout spread.
When making a summer salad, you still want some kind of dressing to pull it together. Meet your new best friend: vinaigrette! This zingy type of homemade salad dressing typically relies on a mixture of oil and an acid like vinegar (hence the name!) or lemon juice. Then, there are lots of add-ins to switch up the flavor profiles, like grainy mustard and fresh herbs.
Don’t overthink it! The dressings are just as easy to toss together as mayo-based salads. Bonus: The longer they sit, the more they soak into ingredients, infusing them with extra flavor. Everyone at your next potluck or cookout will take their first bite and be blown away. They won’t even miss the mayo, and neither will you. So, let’s get tossin’! You’ve got lots of tasty summer salads to make—no mayonnaise required.
Mediterranean Tuna Salad
Yes, tuna without mayo! This salad is chock-full of cucumber, briny olives, artichoke hearts, bell peppers, and cannellini beans. They’re all tossed together in a tangy vinegar-based dressing.
Get the Mediterranean Tuna Salad recipe.
Greek Pasta Salad
Greeks know their way around bold and fresh flavors! Combine pasta, tomatoes, red onions, cucumbers, olives, capers, and fresh herbs. Add a vinegary dressing and some salty feta, and all will be right with the world.
Get the Greek Pasta Salad recipe.
Lemon Herb Pasta Salad
This bright salad is loaded with pasta, peas, feta, and marinated artichokes, all tossed in a zippy homemade dressing thanks to Dijon mustard. Toss in some fresh herbs and top with toasted slivered almonds for crunch.
Get the Lemon Herb Pasta Salad recipe.
Grilled Corn Salad with Cilantro Vinaigrette
Summer means corn! Char it up and toss the kernels with creamy avocado, sweet onions, yellow tomatoes, pinto beans, and a zippy cilantro vinaigrette that’s hard to resist.
Get Ree’s Grilled Corn Salad with Cilantro Vinaigrette recipe.
Warm German Potato Salad
You don’t even have to let this cool! Warm potatoes are tossed in a mustardy vinaigrette with a handful of herbs and crispy bacon. Ree says, “It’s bright, tangy, and flavorful.” No mayo in sight!
Get Ree’s Warm German Potato Salad recipe.
Cowboy Pasta Salad
You don’t have to live on a ranch to love this pasta salad! It’s packed with kielbasa, black-eyed peas, crunchy veggies, cheese, and a light lime vinaigrette to keep it bright and fresh.
Get Ree’s Cowboy Pasta Salad recipe.
Radish Salad
Crisp radishes pair perfectly with thinly sliced juicy cucumbers. For a light dressing, a drizzle of olive oil and some lemon juice. If you want it creamy, toss in a little sour cream or Greek yogurt.
Get the Radish Salad recipe.
Watermelon-Feta Orzo Salad
Sweet watermelon, salty feta, and peppery arugula are a delicious balance of flavors and textures. The dressing has oil, lime juice, and just a little bit of honey. Lightly toasted pine nuts add a nice crunch.
Get the Watermelon-Feta Orzo Salad recipe.
Mediterranean Pasta Salad
The dressing for this summery salad is inspired by a Spanish-style romesco sauce featuring olives, roasted bell peppers, garlic, and rosemary. Wait until the end to add the crispy chickpeas on top to keep them crunchy.
Get the Mediterranean Pasta Salad recipe.
Couscous Salad
Toss tiny Moroccan couscous with cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, toasted walnuts, fresh dill, pomegranate seeds, and a light and bright dressing. It will stay fresh in the fridge for days.
Get the Couscous Salad recipe.
Burrata Salad
If you like Caprese salad, upgrade your summer salad with creamy burrata. Layer with an array of colorful tomatoes, tons of fresh basil, and a rich balsamic glaze. It will disappear fast!
Get the Burrata Salad recipe.
Spring Pea Pesto Pasta Salad
Pasta shells are a great vehicle to carry crispy prosciutto, peas, peppery arugula, fresh mozzarella, and delicious lemon-parmesan breadcrumbs in their little nooks. Oh, and there’s a gloriously green pesto dressing!
Get Ree’s Spring Pea Pesto Pasta Salad recipe.
Tomato Cucumber Feta Salad
“When it's this hot, big, beautiful summer salads are just about the only thing I can stand to eat,” says Ree. Try her go-to with “crunchy cucumber, heirloom tomatoes, lots of fresh herbs, and good salty feta.”
Get the Tomato Cucumber Feta Salad recipe.
Italian Pasta Salad
Herby pesto saves the day! Combine it with pasta, salami, mozzarella, olives, cherry tomatoes, and bell peppers. Don’t forget a hearty sprinkle of parmesan, too.
Get the Italian Pasta Salad recipe.
French Potato Salad With Mustard Vinaigrette
Another potato salad that’s better warm or at room temperature is the French version. The mustard vinaigrette and lots of fresh herbs make it stand out in the potluck crowd.
Get Ree’s French Potato Salad With Mustard Vinaigrette recipe.
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