These summer salad recipes are crowd-pleasers and the perfect way to complete your cookout menu.
Do you have a potluck or BBQ coming up that needs just the right dish? I’ve got exactly what you’re looking for with all of my favorite summer salads right here!
I love these kinds of big-batch salads and I make them all the time, because they’re so good and everyone always loves them. In fact, some of these are recipes that my parents used to make and sell at their resort-town deli, and they would literally sell out of them every weekend. That’s how good they are!
So, if you’re making some grilled chicken, beef ribs, or burgers and need a great side, I promise you that these summer salad recipes are going to finish off your meal perfectly, and they may even outshine the main course!
Potato Salad Recipes
Potato salads are a classic cookout dish and there are so many varieties. Here you’ll find a classic potato salad recipe, a bacon-y twist, and one that has a surprising but delicious ingredient, apples!
![White round casserole dish with creamy potato salad with green onions.](https://cookthestory.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Creamy-Potato-Salad-DSC_3748-portrait-1200x1800-1.jpg)
![Loaded baked potato salad with bacon and green onion on a white plate.](https://cookthestory.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/ROTD-Loaded-Baked-Potato-Salad-DPV-edited.jpg)
![White bowl of potato salad with apples.](https://cookthestory.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Apple-Potato-Salad-7-landscape-1200-x1800-660x440.jpg)
Pasta Salad Recipes
Pasta salads are one of those things that both kids and adults love, so they’re always a great choice when you need a crowd-pleaser. Whether you like yours with a vinaigrette or a creamy dressing, I have recipes for you. All of them are colorful and they’ll definitely get gobbled up at your next party.
![Glass serving bowl of Italian pasta salad.](https://cookthestory.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Italian-Pasta-Salad-DSC_3704-portrait-1200x1800-1.jpg)
![Round white serving dish with creamy pasta salad with cucumbers and tomatoes.](https://cookthestory.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Creamy-Garlic-Pasta-Salad-DSC_3701-portrait-1200x1800-1.jpg)
![White dish of pasta salad with tomatoes and slices of fresh mozzarella.](https://cookthestory.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Caprese-Pasta-Salad-1392x780-660x370.jpg)
Coleslaw Recipes
My favorite are creamy coleslaws, so that’s what you’ll find here. Full of flavor, so that people actually eat it and don’t just leave it on the side of the plate. I have a classic recipe and then one specific for pulled pork. And stay tuned because I’m about to publish a recipe for a coleslaw designed perfectly to go with fish tacos too!
![Round white serving bowl with creamy coleslaw.](https://cookthestory.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Best-Creamy-Coleslaw-DSC_3726-square-1200.jpg)
![Colorful coleslaw in a white bowl with extra cabbage and carrots in background.](https://cookthestory.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/coleslaw-square-01.jpg)
Corn Salad Recipes
The first time I had a corn salad was at a BBQ course I was taking. I was blown away. My riff on that salad is the creamy spicy one below. And loving that one got me experimenting with others. Try all of them because they’re so easy to make (you can use defrosted frozen corn) but are full of sweet summery flavor every time!
![Creamy spicy corn salad in a white dish](https://cookthestory.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/creamy-summer-corn-salad--660x345.jpg)
![Summer corn salad with tomatoes and cucumber.](https://cookthestory.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Corn-Salad-660x440.jpg)
![White bowl of black bean and corn salsa.](https://cookthestory.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/black-bean-corn-salsa-square-01-660x660.jpg)
![White dish of corn salad with cojita cheese.](https://cookthestory.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Mexican-Corn-Salad-660x440.jpg)
More Summer Salads
Here are a few more salads that I think work perfectly at any summer gathering. Lots of fresh flavors but easy to make, I think you’re going to really love adding these to your BBQ rotation.
![Hearts of palm salad in a wooden bowl, fresh tomato and lime in background.](https://cookthestory.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/Hearts-of-Palm-Salad-8-1200x1200-1-660x660.jpg)
![Bacon and Egg Salad Sandwich](https://cookthestory.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/bacon-and-egg-salad-sandwichDSC_5669-edit-portrait-660.jpg)
![A rectangular plate with a salad of baby kale, beets, sliced apples, and Parmesan cheese shards, topped with a white creamy dressing. There are wine glasses in the background.](https://cookthestory.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/beet-and-kale-salad-square-1200-660x660.jpg)
![Shrimp salad on a plate with lettuce avocado slices, and lemon wedge.](https://cookthestory.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Shrimp-Salad-660x440.jpg)
![Tropical mango salsa in a white bowl with crackers in background.](https://cookthestory.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/tropical-mango-salsa-square-02-660x660.jpg)
![Brazilian Onion Salad in a blue bowl.](https://cookthestory.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Brazilian-Onion-Salad-SC_5991-edit-landscape-660.jpg)
![Glass bowl of steak salad with black beans, corn, avocado, and tortilla strips.](https://cookthestory.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/southwest-steak-salad-square-01-660x660.jpg)
Keep On Summering!
The summer is long, hot, and full of fun. Here are even more delicious recipes to make your summer tastier than ever. Enjoy!
![Best Basic Hamburger](https://cookthestory.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Burger-21-edit-landscape-660.jpg)
![Learn the method for how to grill chicken breasts that are super-juicy, and never ever dried out.](https://cookthestory.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/How-to-grill-chicken-breastsDSC_5897-landscape-660.jpg)
![Sauteed garlic mustard greens in a stainless steel pan.](https://cookthestory.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/mustard-greens-square-01-660x660.jpg)
![Red potatoes, onion pieces, all with a crispy Parmesan crust, garnished with chives](https://cookthestory.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Parmesan-Roasted-Potatoes-Crispy-Square-1200-660x660.jpg)
![Summer Salad Recipes](https://cookthestory.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Best-Creamy-Coleslaw-DSC_3729-portrait-1200x1800-1.jpg)
Leave a Reply