The best summer salads that look fancy, but take zero effort.

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I don't know about you, but when it comes to summer, my motivation to cook is at an all-time low.

It needs to be minimal effort for maximum reward.

Oh, and we're avoiding the oven at all costs. The second you turn that bad boy on, your whole house is suddenly a furnace.

Enter: the summer salad. She's easy. She's tasty. She's exactly what we need in our lives.

So, here are 10 of the best to enjoy at home or bring to your next holiday catch up, as recommended by the Mamamia team.

First, watch seven slow cooker recipes. Post continues below.

Orzo and feta salad (Love and Lemons).

Image: Mamamia.

Ingredients.

• 1½ cups dry orzo pasta

• 1 recipe Greek Salad Dressing

• 1 Tbsp red wine vinegar

• 1 Tbsp fresh lemon juice

• ½ tsp oregano

• ¼ tsp sea salt

• 2 Persian cucumbers, halved vertically, and sliced ¼-inch thick

• 2 cups halved cherry tomatoes

• 1 cup cooked chickpeas, drained, and rinsed

• 4 ounces feta cheese, cut into ¼-inch cubes

• ⅓ cup thinly sliced red onion

• ½ cup pitted Kalamata olives

Method.

Full recipe here.

Fennel and orange salad (Eating Around Italy).

Image: Mamamia.

Ingredients.

• 2 large or 3 medium oranges

• 2 medium-sized fennel bulbs

• 2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

• Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Method.

Full recipe here.

Burrata and heirloom tomato salad.

Image: Mamamia.

Ingredients.

• 3 heirloom tomatoes (make sure they're nice and ripe)

• 1 burrata ball, drained

• Fresh basil leaves

Method.

1. Slice the tomatoes into thin rounds.

2. Arrange them on a serving plate.

3. Place the burrata ball in the centre.

4. Top with fresh basil leaves.

5. Sprinkle with salt and freshly ground black pepper.

6. Drizzle with balsamic vinegar and olive oil.

Chickpea cucumber salad (Mallory the Dietitian).

Image: Mamamia.

Ingredients.

Salad:

• 1 can chickpeas, rinsed and drained

• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved or quartered (about 15 tomatoes)

• 4 Persian cucumbers, diced or 1 English cucumber

• ¼ cup red onion, diced

• ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped

• 2 Tbsp fresh dill, chopped

• ½ cup crumbled feta cheese

• If you wish, add a protein of your choice and mixed greens

Dressing:

• 1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil

• 2 Tbsp white wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar

• 1 lemon (juice of)

• ½ tsp garlic powder

• ½ tsp salt

• Freshly ground black pepper

Method.

Full recipe here.

Apple and pomegranate salad (A Simple Palate).

Image: A Simple Palate.

Ingredients

Salad:

• 1 cup pomegranate seeds

• 1 apple sliced thin (I used green, but use your favourite!)

• ¼ cup chopped pecans or walnuts

• Salad greens (Rocket is my fave here)

• 2 tbsp feta cheese

Dressing:

• ⅓ cup olive oil

• ¼ cup balsamic vinegar

• 2 tbsp honey or equal parts maple syrup

• ¼ tsp garlic powder

• ¼ tsp (each) freshly ground black pepper and salt

Method.

Full recipe here.

Cauliflower, pomegranate and pistachio salad (Ottolenghi).

Image: Ottelenghi.

Ingredients.

• 1 large cauliflower

• 1 medium onion

• 80ml olive oil

• 25g parsely, roughly chopped

• 10g mint, roughly chopped

• 10g tarragon, roughly chopped

• seeds from ½ medium pomegranate

• 40g pistachio kernels, lightly toasted and roughly chopped

• 1 tsp ground cumin

• 1 ½ lemon juice

• Salt

Method.

Full recipe here.

Burrata, pickled zucchini and basil oil salad (Matt Preston).

Image: Mamamia.

Ingredients.

• 3 (530g) zucchini, sliced into ribbons using a mandoline

• 1 tbs lemon juice and finely grated lemon zest, to serve

• ½ cup (125ml) extra virgin olive oil

• 1 cup basil leaves

• 2 tbs creme fraiche

• 1 burrata, drained

• We added cherry tomatoes for a burst of extra flavour

• Sliced chargrilled sourdough, to serve

Method.

Full recipe here.

Watermelon, feta and mint salad (Serious Eats).

Image: TikTok/thenakdlife.

Ingredients.

• 1 watermelon, cut into chunks

• 1 Tbsp lemon juice, plus 4 strips of zest

• ¼ cup mint leaves, roughly chopped

• 2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil

• Salt and freshly ground black pepper

• 110g feta cheese

Method.

Full recipe here.

Vermicelli noodle salad (RecipeTin Eats).

Image: RecipeTin Eats.

Ingredients.

Salad:

• 100g dried vermicelli noodles

• 2 cups white or green cabbage, shredded

• 1 ½ cups shredded carrot

• 1 ½ cups bean sprouts

• 2 green onions, finely sliced

• 1 ½ cup coriander

Dressing:

• 2 Tbsp light soy sauce

• 2 Tbsp rice wine vinegar

• 1 ½ tsp sugar

• 1 ½ Tbsp grapeseed oil (or any other neutral oil)

• 1 garlic clove, minced

• 1 birds eye chilli, finely minced

Garnishes (optional):

• Fried Asian shallots

• Red chilli

Method.

Full recipe here.

Charred broccolini and avocado salad.

Image: Mamamia.

Ingredients.

Salad:

• Broccolini, charred

• Spinach

• Parsley

• Basil

• Avocado

• Quinoa

• Meredith goats fetta

• Toasted almond flakes

Dressing:

• Lime

• Garlic

• Olive oil

• Salt and pepper

• Pinch of sugar

Method.

1. Cook quinoa.

2. Char broccolini.

3. Chop parsley, basil and avocado.

4. Crumble goats fetta.

5. Combine salad ingredients and mix.

6. Combine lime, garlic, olive oil, sugar and salt and pepper for dressing.

7. Add dressing and mix.

Feature image: Mamamia.