I Tried These 20 Salads for My Backyard BBQs—They Disappeared Fast

I tried these salads for my backyard BBQs and, no joke, they vanished before the burgers were even done grilling. There’s something about a cold, crunchy, flavor-packed salad that just hits different when you’re eating outside with friends. From creamy classics to fresh twists, these bowls brought serious crowd-pleaser energy. Now I never plan a cookout without at least one of them on the table.

Corn And Cucumber Salad With Greek Yogurt

 

Jazz up your salad menu with a Corn and Cucumber Salad. The mixture of veggies in a creamy yogurt, mayo and dill dressing make it a favorite.
Get the Recipe: Corn And Cucumber Salad With Greek Yogurt

Mango Avocado Broccoli Slaw

This sweet and creamy slaw blends tropical mango, creamy avocado, and crunchy broccoli for a salad that feels retro yet refreshing. It’s a new take on throwback salads with bold textures and flavors.
Get the Recipe: Mango Avocado Broccoli Slaw

Summer Pasta Salad With Fresh Peaches

This refreshing summer salad is made with fresh peach slices, sweet corn, juicy grape tomatoes, pine nuts, and your favorite pasta.
Get the Recipe: Summer Pasta Salad With Fresh Peaches

Roasted Potato Salad with Bacon and Herbs

Roasted baby potatoes tossed with crispy bacon and fresh herbs give this salad a smoky and savory edge. It’s a satisfying twist on classic retro picnic recipes.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Potato Salad with Bacon and Herbs

Tangy Cucumber Salad With Apple Cider Vinegar

This tangy Cucumber Salad is light, refreshing, and since it has no mayo, it’s perfect for warm summer days.
Get the Recipe: Tangy Cucumber Salad With Apple Cider Vinegar

Easy Overnight 7 Layer Salad – It’s a Classic

With its gorgeous rows of colors and bright flavors, this classic Southern seven-layer salad is the perfect make-ahead dish for summer potlucks.
Get the Recipe: Classic 7 Layer Salad

Zucchini Pasta Salad with Balsamic Vinegar

With cherry tomatoes, fresh mozzarella and zoodles, it’s a twist on a classic caprese salad. Just a few ingredients and you’ll have a healthy delicious salad to add to any meal.
Get the Recipe: Zucchini Pasta Salad with Balsamic Vinegar

Cold Lemon Orzo Salad With Shrimp

This cold lemon orzo salad recipe effortlessly marries shrimp, citrus, garlic, and fragrant basil for a quick and easy summer dinner.
Get the Recipe: Cold Lemon Orzo Salad With Shrimp

Roasted Butternut Squash Salad

Warm roasted squash, cranberries, and pecans come together with a maple vinaigrette in this hearty salad.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Butternut Squash Salad

Peach and Tomato Salad with Feta

Juicy peaches and ripe tomatoes are paired with salty feta and crunchy nuts in this refreshing summer salad. It’s a delightful addition to any spread.
Get the Recipe: Peach and Tomato Salad with Feta

Parsley Pesto Pasta Salad With Walnuts

This easy parsley pesto pasta salad with walnuts is a great summertime salad and incredibly simple to make for any occasion.
Get the Recipe: Parsley Pesto Pasta Salad With Walnuts

Old-Fashioned Carrot Raisin Salad

Shredded carrots, sweet raisins, and pineapple are mixed with a light mayo dressing in this nostalgic salad. It’s a sweet and tangy dish that’s stood the test of time in vintage summer salads.
Get the Recipe: Old-Fashioned Carrot Raisin Salad

Bow Tie Pasta Salad With Basil Pesto

Easy to make basil pesto pasta salad with bow tie pasta is a flavorful, colorful side that’s great for summer picnics or cookouts.
Get the Recipe: Bow Tie Pasta Salad With Basil Pesto

Ranch Potato Salad with Bacon

This rich and creamy potato salad features smoky bacon and herby ranch flavor for a satisfying, crowd-pleasing dish. A favorite among retro picnic recipes, it brings big flavor to any table.
Get the Recipe: Ranch Potato Salad with Bacon

Green Bean and New Potato Salad

This refreshing salad combines crisp green beans and tender new potatoes, all tossed in a honey vinaigrette. It’s a delightful addition to any summer gathering, embodying the essence of vintage summer salads.
Get the Recipe: Green Bean and New Potato Salad

Light and Fresh Spinach Salad with Strawberries

This strawberry spinach salad with poppy seed dressing has strawberries, fresh spinach and romaine along with pickled onions.
Get the Recipe: Light and Fresh Spinach Salad with Strawberries

Creamy Southern Pea Salad

This classic pea salad combines tender peas with sharp cheddar, crisp onions, and a creamy dressing for a delightful side dish. It’s a staple at Southern gatherings and a perfect example of vintage summer salads.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Southern Pea Salad

Greek Cucumber Salad With Lemon Dressing

Looking for a quick and flavorful salad recipe? Try our Greek Salad with refreshing cucumbers and zesty lemon dressing. Perfect for a light and satisfying meal.
Get the Recipe: Greek Cucumber Salad With Lemon Dressing

Wedge Salad

This Iceberg Wedge Salad Recipe is amazing! Made with bacon, tomatoes, blue cheese crumbles and drizzled with a homemade creamy dressing.
Get the Recipe: Wedge Salad

Summer Farro Salad

Summer Farro Salad is an easy salad made with hearty farro, olive oil, lemon juice, zucchini, peas, pesto, and freshly chopped parsley.
Get the Recipe: Summer Farro Salad