When the gang's all here for an impromptu cookout, toss hot dogs on the grill and whip up a salad. The salad is the secret to a perfect barbecue party!
45 Barbecue Salads for a Last-Minute Cookout
Updated on Sep. 23, 2024
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Creamy Coleslaw
For me, this is the best coleslaw recipe because a package of shredded cabbage and carrots really cuts down on prep time. This coleslaw recipe is great for potlucks or to serve to your family on a busy weeknight. —Renee Endress, Galva, Illinois
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Cucumber Salad with Sour Cream
It’s been a tradition at our house to serve this dish with the other Hungarian specialties my mom learned to make from the women at church. It’s especially good during the summer when the cucumbers are fresh-picked from the garden. —Pamela Eaton, Monclova, Ohio
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Cool Beans Salad
This protein-filled dish could be served as a colorful side dish or a meatless main entree. When you make it, double the recipe because it will be gone in a flash! The basmati rice adds a unique flavor and the dressing gives it a bit of a tang. —Janelle Lee, Appleton, Wisconsin
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Green Bean Salad
Serve up those green beans in a whole new way–with a green bean salad recipe! The tangy flavors and crunch of these balsamic green beans complement any special meal or holiday potluck. —Megan Spencer, Farmington Hills, Michigan
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Snickers Salad
This creamy, sweet salad with crisp apple crunch is a real people-pleaser. It makes a lot, which is good, because it will go fast! —Cyndi Fynaardt, Oskaloosa, Iowa
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Italian Pasta Salad
The first time I tasted this delicious salad was at my wedding, and I recall, even in the blur of that day, the recipe was in high demand. That was years ago and I’m still asked to bring it to cookouts and parties! —Sarah Ryan, Geneva, Ohio
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Potato Salad with Bacon
It isn’t a summer cookout without potato salad, but the stuff from the deli just isn’t our thing. I toyed with many recipes until I developed this one. Now if I even mention grilling or barbecuing, it’s my family’s top request for a side. —Paul Cogswell, League City, Texas
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Southern Potato Salad
This potato salad with a Southern twist is perfect for a church supper or potluck. The pickles add an extra sweetness. —Gene Pitts, Wilsonville, Alabama
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Macaroni Salad Recipe
This classic macaroni salad recipe is a refreshingly light take on an all-time favorite. It’s perfect for a fast weeknight dinner or a festive weekend barbecue. —Dorothy Bayes, Sardis, Ohio
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Cowboy Caviar (Corn and Black Bean Salad)
This colorful, crunchy black bean and corn salad is chock-full of nutrition that all ages love. Try it with a variety of summer entrees, or as a wholesome salsa! —Krista Frank, Rhododendron, Oregon
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Pistachio Salad
This fluffy salad is a real treat since it’s creamy but not overly sweet. It’s easy to mix up, and the flavor gets better the longer it stands. It’s perfect for St. Patrick’s Day, served in a green bowl. —Pattie Ann Forssberg, Logan, Kansas
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Tri-Color Pasta Salad
Tackle gatherings with a bright side dish. This tri-color pasta salad with broccoli, tomatoes, olives and a hardworking dressing is one of the easiest cold pasta salad recipes you could take. —Amanda Cable, Boxford, Massachusetts
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Kansas Cucumber Salad
Cucumbers are my very favorite garden vegetable, so I use this recipe often. I got it from a friend years ago. I’ve heard this refreshing dish keeps very well in the refrigerator, but it goes so fast around our house, I’ve never found out for myself. —Karen Ann Bland, Gove, Kansas
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Couscous Salad
This couscous salad makes the most of summer’s bounty. I used to prepare it with a mayonnaise dressing, but lightened it with lemon vinaigrette. It’s even better now! —Priscilla Yee, Concord, California
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Ramen Noodle Salad
For potlucks and picnics, this ramen noodle salad is a knockout. I tote the veggies in a bowl, dressing in a jar and noodles in a bag. Then I just shake them all together when it’s time to eat. —LJ Porter, Bauxite, Arkansas
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Ramen Coleslaw
My daughter gave me the recipe for this delightful salad. The sweet dressing nicely coats a crisp blend of broccoli slaw mix, onions, almonds and sunflower kernels. Crushed ramen noodles provide even more crunch. It’s a smash hit wherever I take it. —Dora Mae Clapsaddle, Kensington, Ohio
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Spinach Pasta Salad
This healthy recipe will shine as is, or double the vinaigrette and use half to marinate and grill chicken breasts if you want to add a protein. Slice and add to the salad. —Benice Silver, Carmel, Indiana
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Cornbread Salad
To feed a crowd, especially when I want to make a good impression, I make this eye-popping cornbread salad. It’s beautiful in a trifle bowl. I love it in summer, when we can make it with our own garden produce. —Debbie Johnson, Centertown, Missouri
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The Best Creamy Potato Salad
My grandma makes the best potato salad, but she doesn’t use a recipe! So I watched while she put together “a little of this and a little of that” and jotted a creamy potato salad recipe that comes close. The dressing also works well for making deviled eggs. —Jill Steiner, Hancock, Minnesota
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Tuna Macaroni Salad
Pack this classic salad for a picnic or workplace lunch. For best results, allow the salad to sit in the fridge overnight for flavors to blend. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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Easy Broccoli Salad
You've probably had this full-of-flavor broccoli salad with bacon at a backyard barbecue. The secret to its fame is a combination of textures and balanced flavor. Here's how to make the very best version.
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Italian Tomato Cucumber Salad
This yummy medley of vegetables is a cool complement to zesty dishes like my fish, and also barbecued meats and poultry. —Florine Bruns, Fredericksburg, Texas
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Peach Mango Caprese Salad
Summer in the Midwest offers a bounty of fresh produce. I wanted to come up with a new recipe for the harvested goods, and this bright, flavorful salad is the refreshing end result. —Richard Robinson, Park Forest, Illinois
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Cauliflower Potato Salad
Cauliflower in potato salad? You bet, along with carrots, olives and other yummy surprises. —Mike Schulz, Tawas City, Michigan
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Juicy Watermelon Salad
This fruit salad has such a surprising yet fabulous mix of flavors that friends often ask for the recipe. Combine seedless watermelon varieties in yellow, red and pink for a colorful twist. —Heidi Haight, Macomb, Michigan
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Greek Salad
The heart of a Greek salad recipe is in the olives, feta, cucumbers and tomatoes. Dress it with olive oil and vinegar, then add more olives and cheese. —Arge Salvatori, Little Ferry, New Jersey
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Amish Broccoli Salad
This pretty Amish broccoli salad always gets rave reviews when Mom serves it. She fixes it the night before so that the creamy sweet dressing marinates the vegetables.
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Summer Orzo Salad
I’m always looking for fun ways to use the fresh veggies that come in my Community Supported Agriculture box, and this summer orzo salad is one of my favorite creations. I like to improvise with whatever I have on hand, so feel free to do the same here! —Shayna Marmar, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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Tomato-Cucumber Mozzarella Salad
I used fresh mozzarella for the first time last year and loved it. I wanted to incorporate it into as many dishes as possible and came up with this tomato cucumber basil salad. It has quickly become a mainstay at my house. —Jennifer Klann, Corbett, Oregon
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Tomato Feta Salad
One summer I combined my love for onions with a bumper crop of tomatoes and a homemade balsamic dressing. The result was this salad that receives thumbs-up approval whenever it’s served. —Robert Golus, Greer, South Carolina
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Fresh Corn Salad
This fresh corn salad uses seasonal ingredients and provides subtly sweet, spicy and zesty bites. The nice part? It takes less than 20 minutes from start to fridge.
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Broccoli Slaw
Here’s my favorite twist on broccoli salad. It’s so easy to make and has an irresistible tangy crunch. —Konny Thomas, Citrus Heights, California
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3-Bean Salad
We make this three bean salad all summer long! It’s a delicious summer side dish for a small gathering. —Barbara Wiggins, Lexington, North Carolina
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Marinated Tomatoes
My niece introduced me to this colorful recipe some time ago. I now make it when I have buffets or large gatherings because it can be prepared hours ahead. This is a great way to use a bumper crop of tomatoes. —Myrtle Matthews, Marietta, Georgia
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Summer Squash Salad
Packing a satisfying crunch, this salad is a tasty alternative to coleslaw. Like most gardeners, we usually have an abundance of squash and zucchini in summer, so this dish is a colorful way to use our fresh produce. —Diane Hixon, Niceville, Florida
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Bacon Salad
Everyone in my family loves this bacon and avocado salad—even the younger kids! I serve it at pretty much every get-together I’ve hosted, and at this point, the recipe’s been shared too many times to count. —Noreen McCormick Danek, Cromwell, Connecticut
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Southwestern Pasta Salad
I created this southwestern pasta salad for a friend who owns a catering business. I was told it was a hit at her events and it's now among the most-requested dishes. —Valonda Seward, Coarsegold, California
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Spinach Salad with Warm Bacon Dressing
This spinach salad with warm bacon dressing proves that it's not difficult to get through an entire bag of spinach if it's dressed in a tangy, mustardy, brown-sugar bacon vinaigrette. Customize this classic salad with any toppings you like.
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Greek Orzo Salad
This tart, refreshing salad is a big hit in my home. All the tasty toppings—including red onions, tomatoes, olives, feta cheese and a zesty dressing—give it extra interest. —Judy Roberts, Las Vegas, Nevada
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Copycat KFC Coleslaw
We love going to Kentucky Fried Chicken. Although we enjoy the chicken, we actually go for the coleslaw. We buy several pints at a time. I tried for several years before getting the recipe right. If you are in a hurry get a bag of the preshredded slaw mix. —Donna Gribbins, Shelbyville, Kentucky
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Swift Strawberry Salad
A simple blend of syrup, orange juice and caramel topping forms the light dressing for the fresh berries and the crunchy cashews found in this sensational salad. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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Popcorn Salad
I make this unique Popcorn Salad all the time. It’s something you’ll never see at any other picnic. My family and friends love it. —Rebecca Page, Franklin, New Hampshire
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Sunflower Broccoli Salad
This crisp salad is so refreshing that we always eat every bit. —Marilyn Newcomer, Sun City, California
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Easy Macaroni Salad
This hearty pasta salad is sure to please appetites of all ages—and it serves a lot of folks! —LaVerna Mjones, Moorhead, Minnesota
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Asian Noodle Salad
This rice noodle salad is easy, sweet, spicy, nutty and light. Many friends request this for get-togethers, and our family enjoys it at least once a month for dinner. —Krista Frank, Rhododendron, OregonBarbecue Salads FAQ
What are good sides for a barbecue?
A good barbecue side should feature summer ingredients, complement rich grilled foods and stand up to a bit of resting or marinating time. Some of our favorite barbecue sides are classics like potato salads, coleslaw, pasta salads and hearty vegetable salads.
How do you keep a salad cold at a cookout?
To keep your salad cold, take notes from our guide on keeping cold food fresh all day long: Put your dishes on ice, chill your serving dish ahead of time and keep food in the shade.
How far in advance can you make a salad?
That depends on the recipe. A fresh fruit salad might only be good for the day, but a marinated vegetable salad might last for several days. And if you’re making pickled recipes, those salads could last weeks! Pay attention to the recipe details, and respect the recommended time limit.
