A collection of crowd-pleasing summer salad recipes perfect for backyard barbecues, cookouts, and picnics! These summer salads are some of my most popular recipes!
Summer Salad Recipes
You simply can’t have a summer cookout or barbecue without an array of summer salads! Whether you like yours creamy and crunchy, tangy, or even sweet, I have just about every option you could think of. Below you’ll find my collection of summer salad recipes featuring everything from classics *literally* everyone loves, to new and unique options you will be so excited to try!
I usually like to highlight my top recommendation when sharing a list of recipes like this. Today, I can’t help but choose my macaroni salad. Not only has it been one of my top recipes for years, but it’s also been #1 on Google for years too! If you love macaroni salad, you must try my version at least once!
1. Macaroni Salad
Starting off with what might be one of my most popular summer salad recipes, macaroni salad. This recipe has thousands of 5-star reviews!
2. Broccoli Salad
Another fan favorite, my broccoli salad turns green veggies into an irresistible side dish!
3. Corn Salad
Perfect for summer! This corn salad features all the summer veggies: corn, tomatoes, jalapeno, and more.
4. Potato Salad
A cookout classic! My potato salad is always such a hit, I always come home with an empty bowl when I bring it to parties.
5. Cucumber Salad
This cucumber salad pairs well with so many dishes, but especially Mediterranean inspired ones like my Greek chicken orzo.
6. Ambrosia Salad
A bit different from the rest of my summer salad recipes, ambrosia salad is an old-fashioned dessert salad. It’s so refreshing and an absolute must-try!
7. Chicken Salad
Great for picnics or school lunches, my chicken salad is easy to make and packs nicely.
8. Fruit Salad
A little sweet among all the savory, fruit salad is the perfect anytime salad. We love it equally at brunch and cookouts!
9. Ramen Noodle Salad
Switch up your summer salads with this unique ramen noodle salad! It’s so quick and easy to make.
10. Shrimp Pasta Salad
Similar to my macaroni salad, this shrimp pasta salad is one of my family’s favorite recipes!
11. Caprese Salad
Turn the Italian classic into an easy-to-eat salad! We love serving this alongside spaghetti with meat sauce or rigatoni.
12. Egg Salad
Perfect for egg salad sandwiches or serving on a bed of lettuce! This is a great warm weather lunch option.
13. Coleslaw
Another classic summer salad, coleslaw pairs nicely with barbecue like pulled pork or pulled chicken.
14. Texas Caviar
Also known as cowboy caviar, this dish can be served as a salad or even as a dip with tortilla chips!
15. Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad
If you love buffalo chicken dip or buffalo chicken pizza, you’re going to love this pasta salad!
16. Brussels Sprouts Salad
Brussels sprouts salad is the perfect salad to transition from summer into fall.
17. Strawberry Pretzel Salad
Another dessert salad option, this is a favorite in my family.
18. Pasta Salad
Perfect for cookouts and picnics! This recipe is loved by everyone–even kids.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! In fact all of these summer salad recipes benefit from having a little bit of time to sit so the flavors can meld before serving.
Yes! Since many of these salads are mayo or dairy-based, they need to be refrigerated. If you plan to serve them outdoors on a hot day, keep them in a cooler or place them on ice to keep them as cold as possible, then stick them back in the fridge as soon as you can.
What pairs well with summer salad recipes?
These warm-weather salads always pair well with picnic or barbecue foods like pulled chicken, pulled pork, sloppy joes, or smashburgers. They also pair nicely with grilled chicken, hot dogs, and anything else you like to serve during the summer!
I hope you found at least one summer salad recipe you’d like to try in this list. Personally, we tend to rotate between, macaroni, potato, and broccoli salads for our cookouts all summer long. And of course, we serve lemonade on the side to wash it all down!
Did I miss any of your favorites? Or do you have an idea for another summer salad recipe? I’d love to hear about it in the comments!
Have a great summer!
If you try any of these recipes, be sure to tag me on Instagram (I love seeing what you create!), and you can also find me on YouTube and Facebook
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