Summer is here, and it’s time to take your culinary skills outdoors! As the grill heats up and the laughter of friends and family fills the air, there’s one thing that can elevate your cookout to perfection: a selection of fresh and flavorful salads.
From the crunch of garden-fresh vegetables to the zest of tangy dressings, salads are the unsung heroes of summertime gatherings. In this article, we’ll explore 23 insanely delicious summer salads that are not only easy to prepare and perfect for pairing with grilled favorites.
Pistachio Fluff Salad
Pistachio fluff salad is a sweet and creamy make-ahead dessert that brings a touch of nostalgia to your summer cookouts. With its combination of fluffy whipped cream, crushed pineapple, and crunchy pistachios, it’s a delightful treat for all ages.
Get the Recipe: Pistachio Fluff Salad
Blue Cheese Coleslaw
Blue cheese coleslaw is a delicious twist on the classic summer side dish. The creamy coleslaw is elevated with the bold and tangy flavors of blue cheese, adding a unique and irresistible element to every bite.
Get the Recipe: Blue Cheese Coleslaw
Amish Potato Salad
Amish potato salad is a classic make-ahead side dish that’s perfect for summer BBQs. With its creamy dressing, tender potatoes, and a touch of tanginess, it’s a crowd favorite.
Get the Recipe: Amish Potato Salad
Restaurant Style Coleslaw
Elevate your summer dinners with this restaurant-style coleslaw that is crunchy, tangy, and perfectly balanced. With a homemade dressing that combines mayonnaise, vinegar, and spices, this coleslaw is the perfect side dish to complement your grilled meats.
Get the Recipe: Restaurant Style Coleslaw
Broccoli Salad
This broccoli crunch salad is a crowd-pleasing option for summer meals. With crisp broccoli florets, crunchy almonds, and a tangy dressing, it’s a refreshing and nutritious addition to any outdoor gathering.
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Salad
Shirazi Salad
Shirazi salad is crisp, refreshing, and delicious. A tangy citrus-infused dressing puts it over the top, and with no mayo, you don’t need to worry about this salad in the heat.
Get the Recipe: Shirazi Salad
Cajun Pasta Salad
Spice up your summer meals with this flavorful Cajun pasta salad. The combination of cooked pasta, colorful veggies, and zesty Cajun dressing creates a bold and tangy salad that will impress your guests and add a kick to any gathering.
Get the Recipe: Cajun Pasta Salad
Lemon Basil Orzo Pasta Salad
Add a burst of freshness to your summer dinners with this lemon basil orzo pasta salad. The zesty lemon dressing, fragrant basil, and perfectly cooked orzo create a delightful and light dish that is full of flavor.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Basil Orzo Pasta Salad
Texas Caviar
Add some Southwestern flair to your summer dinners with this Texas caviar recipe. The combination of black-eyed peas, colorful veggies, and zesty dressing creates a flavorful and satisfying salad.
Get the Recipe: Texas Caviar
Broccoli Cauliflower Salad
Broccoli Cauliflower salad is a classic make-ahead dish that deserves a spot on your summer menu. The combination of crisp broccoli and cauliflower florets, crunchy bacon, and a creamy dressing creates a flavorful and hearty salad.
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Cauliflower Salad
Old Fashioned Pea Salad
Prepare this old-fashioned pea salad in advance for a cool and refreshing side dish that’s perfect for summer gatherings. The combination of crisp peas, crunchy bacon, and creamy dressing creates a delightful medley of flavors and textures.
Get the Recipe: Old Fashioned Pea Salad
Mexican Street Corn Salad
The perfect pick with anything off the grill or smoker, this easy salad features sweet corn, spicy jalapenos, tangy, cheese, and so much more!
Get the Recipe: Mexican Street Corn Salad
Caprese Salad
Capture the essence of summer with a classic Caprese salad. With its vibrant colors, fresh basil, juicy tomatoes, and creamy mozzarella, it’s a simple yet elegant dish that celebrates the best of the season.
Get the Recipe: Caprese Salad
Beet Cucumber Salad with Feta and Dill
This beet and cucumber salad with feta and dill is packed with sweet, savory, earthy, tangy, and salty flavors. Crunchy cucumbers, tender cooked beets, and a fresh lemon vinaigrette combine to create a delicious beet salad you’ll crave.
Get the Recipe: Beet Cucumber Salad with Feta and Dill
Ramen Noodle Salad
Add a unique twist to your summer dinners with this flavorful ramen noodle salad. The combination of crunchy veggies, toasted almonds, and savory dressing creates a satisfying and refreshing dish.
Get the Recipe: Ramen Noodle Salad
German Potato Salad
This traditional German Potato Salad is a delicious side with warm potatoes, crisp bacon, and a rich, bright dressing with sautéed onions, fresh herbs, and vinegar.
Get the Recipe: German Potato Salad
Lime Jello Salad
Lime Jello salad is a refreshing and nostalgic dessert that brings a burst of citrusy goodness to summer cookouts. With its vibrant green color and sweet-tart flavor, it’s a fun and playful addition to any gathering. This cool and jiggly treat will bring back memories and create new ones.
Get the Recipe: Lime Jello Salad
Watermelon and Feta Salad
Watermelon Feta Salad with Kalamata Olives is a refreshing summer side dish. With only 5 ingredients, it is quick and easy to make and so refreshing!
Get the Recipe: Watermelon and Feta Salad
Amish Macaroni Salad
Get ready to dive into a bowl of creamy and flavorful Amish macaroni salad! It’s a great summer recipe as it offers a cool and creamy complement to grilled meats, and the combination of textures and flavors will make everyone happy.
Get the Recipe: Amish Macaroni Salad
Green Bean Tomato Salad
A fresh and flavorful side dish that you can enjoy year-round is green bean tomato salad. Not only is this delicious salad easy to prepare, but it also contains healthy ingredients that will make you feel great after eating it.
Get the Recipe: Green Bean Tomato Salad
Chickpea Salad
This chickpea salad is a fantastic salad for summer dinners. With its protein-packed chickpeas, crisp veggies, and refreshing dressing, it’s a nutritious and flavorful main course or side dish.
Get the Recipe: Chickpea Salad
Faux Potato Salad Recipe
Our Faux Potato Salad Recipe is made without cauliflower for an even tastier faux-tato salad. Our gluten-free and diabetic version of low carb yogurt mayonnaise potato salad uses turnip radish, which gives you the best potato alternative.
Get the Recipe: Faux Potato Salad Recipe
7 Layer Salad
Wow your guests with this impressive 7 layer salad that is as visually appealing as it is delicious. With layers of fresh lettuce, crispy bacon, tangy cheese, and other colorful veggies, it’s a showstopper at any summer event.
Get the Recipe: 7 Layer Salad
