While no backyard barbecue is complete without burgers and dogs on the grill, these delicious summer potluck salads will be the real stars of the show.
39 Summer Potluck Salads for Your Cookouts
Updated Aug. 22, 2024
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Creamy Macaroni Salad
When we grill, my mother asks me to make this creamy macaroni salad. To make it extra creamy, I like to keep a small amount of dressing separate and stir it in just before serving. —Carly Curtin, Ellicott City, Maryland
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Fruit Salad in a Pineapple Boat
A sweet, summery treat that looks as good as it tastes! No one, young or old, will be able to resist this healthy fruit salad. Amy Short, Lesage, WV
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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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Creamy Pasta Salad
I love creating new and tasty foods, such as this popular salad. I make it often for my husband and me, especially during the summer months. If you add some shredded cooked chicken breast, you can make this a meal for two. —Lorraine Menard, Omaha, Nebraska
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Grilled Romaine Salad
For a great-tasting salad, try this recipe on the grill! It's equally good with any dressing of your choice.—Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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Tortellini Pasta Salad
This tortellini pasta salad is bursting with flavor, thanks to the cheese tortellini, olives, peppers and vinaigrette dressing coating all the components. It also plays well with leftover grilled chicken or salmon on top.
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Italian Potato Salad
A lighter take on the traditional potato salad that packs Italian flavors.
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Blood Orange Avocado Salad
My refreshing side salad is such a nice addition to our calorie-loaded Thanksgiving dinner. Use regular oranges if you can't find blood oranges. Finely chopped walnuts work well in place of the pomegranate seeds, too. —Nancy Heishman, Las Vegas, Nevada
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Grilled Potato and Corn Salad
Corn salad and potato salad are two summer classics. I smashed them together for a crowd-pleasing side that we love with burgers. Locally sourced ingredients from the farmers market make it extra special. —Donna Gribbins, Shelbyville, Kentucky
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Spicy Thai-Inspired Noodle Watermelon Salad
Our county is famous for its fabulous Green River melons. While you won’t find this unique and refreshing salad at the county fair, it’s definitely our favorite way to eat watermelon all summer long! —Carmell Childs, Orangeville, Utah
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Hawaiian Macaroni Salad
One bite of this Hawaiian macaroni salad and you'll understand why it's an island favorite! Tender macaroni combines with a super creamy dressing and grated carrots in this no-frills pasta salad recipe.
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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, Oregon
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White Balsamic Blueberry, Corn and Feta Salad
I'm not typically a huge fan of summer corn, but when it comes to this sweet, salty, refreshing salad, I can't put my fork down. —Colleen Delawder, Herndon, Virginia
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Strawberry Kale Salad
This fresh, zingy salad is super easy and tastes just like the one I get at Culver's! The sliced strawberries and fresh mint give it an extra-summery feel, and crumbled bacon and toasted almonds add the perfect amount of crunch. —Luanne Asta, Hampton Bays, New York
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Dill Pickle Potato Salad
This creamy dill pickle potato salad makes a flavorful and attractive addition to a Fourth of July picnic or church supper.—Nancy Holland, Morgan Hill, California
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Cubano Macaroni Salad
One of my favorite sandwiches is a hot Cubano, piled high with juicy pork, layers of ham and melty Swiss cheese. These same ingredients are amazing in a macaroni salad. —Marina Castle Kelley, Canyon Country, California
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Favorite Mediterranean Salad
Got a crowd coming over for a backyard barbecue? This crisp, big-batch Mediterranean salad recipe makes a great accompaniment to any main dish you fix on the grill. —Pat Stevens, Granbury, Texas
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Bok Choy Toss
Chop some fresh veggies, add a gingery bottled dressing and savor this unique bok choy salad that’s big on flavor and crunch. How cool is that? —Andrew McDowell, Lake Villa, Illinois
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Glazed Fruit Medley
The homemade orange dressing on this salad complements the fresh fruit flavors beautifully. It’s perfect for a spring or summer brunch. —Karen Bourne, Magrath, Alberta
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Corn Tomato Salad
This fresh and colorful corn tomato salad is a perfect blend of sweet corn, juicy cherry tomatoes and fragrant basil, all tossed in a tangy lime dressing. It's an easy summer salad that will be a hit at any family meal or summer picnic.
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Mexican Layered Salad
Here’s another popular dish I like to prepare in advance, adding the cheese and chips just before serving. It’s a slightly different version of the traditional layered salad.—Joan Hallford, North Richland Hills, Texas
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Summer Salad
This is the perfect summer salad recipe for picnics and potlucks. It's full of pearl couscous, quinoa, colorful vegetables and fruit.
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Avocado & Artichoke Pasta Salad
A squeeze of lime, a sprinkle of cilantro and a little avocado make this a creamy and zingy pasta salad. —Carrie Farias, Oak Ridge, New Jersey
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Bacon Salad
This bacon salad combines crispy romaine, smoky bacon, juicy tomatoes and creamy avocado, all tied together with a tangy homemade dressing. It's perfect for a light lunch or as a fresh, flavorful side dish.
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Mexican Roasted Potato Salad
My husband is the No. 1 fan of this south-of-the-border potato salad. The leftovers make an awesome late-night snack, straight from the fridge. —Elisabeth Larsen, Pleasant Grove, Utah
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Spam Macaroni Salad
I have always loved Spam, so I decided to combine it with pineapple to make this Polynesian-inspired macaroni salad recipe. It reminds me of vacationing in Hawaii. —Susan Bickta, Kutztown, Pennsylvania
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Southern Vinegar Slaw
This has been a very popular salad from my recipe box for a long, long time! Before I retired, when my office had a covered-dish-get-together, I was always asked to bring my tangy Southern vinegar coleslaw. My family loves it, too. —Fern Hammock, Garland, Texas
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Strawberry Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing
My family is always happy to see this fruit and veggie salad on the table. If strawberries aren’t available, substitute mandarin oranges and dried cranberries. —Irene Keller, Kalamazoo, Michigan
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Carrot and Raisin Salad
This carrot and raisin salad combines crunchy carrots, sweet raisins and a creamy dressing for a quick and refreshing side dish that's perfect for any occasion. Ready in just 10 minutes!
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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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Caprese Pasta Salad
Our Caprese pasta salad is a simple summertime recipe that packs a fresh, flavorful punch.
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Yummy Corn Chip Salad
Corn chips give a special crunch and an unexpected flavor to this potluck favorite. Bacon adds a hint of smokiness, while the cranberries bring a touch of sweetness. It's the perfect picnic companion! —Nora Friesen, Aberdeen, Mississippi
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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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Tex-Mex Potato Salad
I created this Tex-Mex potato salad for one of my cooking classes, and it was a hit. It's perfect for a cookout or potluck. The secret ingredient is pickled jalapenos—they add so much interest and flavor! Add a can of black beans for more protein. —Dianna Ackerley, Cibolo, Texas
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Marinated Cucumbers
These marinated cucumbers make a cool summer side dish dressed in a light, tangy vinegar and oil mixture seasoned with herbs. The refreshing salad is always a hit when served with cold sandwiches or grilled meat. -Mary Helen Hinson, Lamberton, North Carolina
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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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Sliced Tomato Salad
I got this recipe from my grandmother. It's a perfect platter to serve with burgers or hot sandwiches. —Kendal Tangedal, Plentywood, Montana
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Strawberry Arugula Salad
Strawberry arugula salad uses an unexpected blending of ingredients to yield a wonderfully tasty side dish. Or go ahead, make it a meal.Originally Published: May 16, 2018
