20 Ways to Grill Your Salad for Dinner Tonight

Smoky, flame-kissed vegetables are perfect summer food

By July 03, 2019

Grilled Halloumi and Cherry Salad
Farideh Sadeghin

We’re big fans of the all-grilled meal, charring everything from steaks to desserts to even cocktails. Once you have those coals going, why not take full advantage of them? To that end, meet the grilled salad, the best way to add a smoky, savory edge to summer side dishes. These easy salad recipes will keep you going all summer long, but for further reading, be sure to check out all our essential grilling recipes.

The sweetness of cherries balances the saltiness of halloumi in this simple summer salad, perfect for a side or a main dish. Get the recipe for Grilled Halloumi and Cherry Salad

Grilled Asparagus with Citrus-Beet Salad and Whipped Ricotta

Crisp-tender asparagus and a sweet, earthy mixture of beets and citrus are tossed in an herb-packed, umami-rich salsa verde. Get the recipe for Grilled Asparagus with Citrus-Beet Salad and Whipped Ricotta »

Shaved Fennel and Grilled Corn Salad

A base of crunchy, fresh fennel contrasts perfectly with grilled corn kernels and crumbled feta cheese in this summer salad.

Grilled Watermelon, Avocado, and Shrimp Salad

Grilling makes everything better—watermelons get even sweeter from the flames, shrimp gets crisp and plump, and avocado turns deliciously smoky. Get the recipe for Grilled Watermelon, Avocado, and Shrimp Salad »

Green Cabbage Salad with Charred Cabbage Vinaigrette and Hazelnuts

Chef-owner of New York City’s Wildair and Contra, Jeremiah Stone combines the juice from grilled cabbage with vinegar and browned butter and tosses the resulting vinaigrette with raw cabbage and hazelnuts for an all-season slaw that showcases everything the brassica has to offer. Get the recipe for Green Cabbage Salad with Charred Cabbage Vinaigrette and Hazelnuts »

Warm Red Potato Salad

Tender grilled red-skinned potatoes are doused in herb vinaigrette in this warm salad. Get the recipe for Warm Red Potato Salad »

Cilantro and Lime Chicken with Grilled Corn and Black Bean Salad

A simple and fresh black bean salad with grilled corns pairs perfectly with a quick marinated and grilled chicken. Get the recipe for Cilantro and Lime Chicken with Grilled Corn and Black Bean Salad »

Charred Cabbage Slaw

Charred Cabbage Slaw
At The Willows Inn, chef Blaine Wetzel presents a version of this chopped salad as a composed dish. Tossing the hot, just-grilled escarole and apples with the cold vinaigrette intensifies the flavor of the vinegar.
Charred Asparagus and Egg Salad
Super easy and fresh, this is a perfect dish for spring, but also translates well to outdoor cooking in the summer. Get the recipe for Charred Asparagus and Egg Salad » Farideh Sadeghin

Grilled Vegetable Salad (Sallad på Rostade Grönsaker)

Grilled Vegetable Salad

Grilled Romaine with Blue Cheese and Bacon

Fresh heads of romaine lettuce are split down the middle, grilled until charred and smoky, and then topped with blue cheese and bacon for this satisfying salad. Get the recipe for Grilled Romaine with Blue Cheese and Bacon »

Grilled Vegetable and Barley Salad

Grilled Vegetable and Barley Salad

Summer Succotash Salad

This summer mainstay is elevated with grilled sweet corn, plus fresh edamame in place of the traditional limas. Get the recipe for Summer Succotash Salad »

Grilled Octopus with Chickpeas, Tomatoes and Anchovy Vinaigrette

Tacolicious owner Sara Deseran first discovered this smoky salad, from Neil Fraser of LA’s Redbird, while cooking at the annual Sabores San Miguel festival in Mexico. The trick to getting tender, flavorful octopus is boiling it first, then marinating and grilling it.

Grilled Cantaloupe with Peach Agrodolce

In this elegant dessert, cantaloupe is grilled until it caramelizes and is then dressed with agrodolce, a sour-sweet Italian sauce made by reducing vinegar and sugar. Get the recipe for Grilled Cantaloupe with Peach Agrodolce »

Grilled Squash and Scallions with Chile-Honey Vinaigrette

Grilling adds smokiness to summer squash, a flavor that chef Steven Satterfield of Atlanta’s Miller Union balances with bright ingredients like vinegar, chile, and honey. Get the recipe for Grilled Squash and Scallions with Chile-Honey Vinaigrette »

Grilled Peach with Rosemary, Smoked Country Ham, and Toasted Pistachios

Grilled Peach with Rosemary, Smoked Country Ham, and Toasted Pistachios

Endive Salad with Bee Pollen Vinaigrette

A thick honey vinaigrette pairs with pleasingly bitter endives that are steamed, grilled, and marinated in this recipe from Castle Hill Inn in Newport, Rhode Island. Get the recipe for Endive Salad with Bee Pollen Vinaigrette »

Frida Kahlo’s Zucchini Salad (Ensalada de Calabacín)

This simple Mexican salad consists of grilled zucchini, avocado, and salty, crumbled añejo cheese.

MORE TO READ

Want more Saveur?

Get the world's best recipes and kitchen tips in your inbox.

LET'S GO