The 22 Best Salads to Serve Alongside Whatever’s on the Grill

Summer cookouts just aren’t complete without something fresh and colorful on the table. Sure, the burgers, steaks, and skewers are the main event, but having the best salads to serve alongside whatever’s on the grill takes everything up a notch. From crisp greens to hearty grain bowls and even fruit-filled sides, these dishes add balance and flavor that make the whole meal feel special. It’s the kind of spread that keeps everyone coming back for seconds.

Creamy Bacon Cheddar Ranch Pasta Salad

Ranch pasta salad in a bowl with a wooden spoon. — Creamy Bacon Cheddar Ranch Pasta Salad. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

With all the classic flavors of creamy ranch dressing, salty bacon, and cheddar cheese, this ranch pasta salad is a refreshing crowd pleaser, the perfect summer potluck food.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Bacon Cheddar Ranch Pasta Salad

Peach Coleslaw with Vinegar Dressing

A bowl of peach coleslaw without mayo in a bowl with wooden spoons. — Peach Coleslaw with Vinegar Dressing. Photo credit: Butter & Baggage.

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Fresh peaches add a juicy sweetness to this tangy vinegar-based slaw, perfect for hot summer days. It’s a creative twist on throwback salads that’s both refreshing and nostalgic.
Get the Recipe: Peach Coleslaw with Vinegar Dressing

Ham Pasta Salad With Ranch Dressing

A plate of creamy pasta salad with bowtie noodles, cherry tomatoes, peas, and cubes of ham, served on a blue-green plate with a light blue cloth underneath. — Ham Pasta Salad With Ranch Dressing. Photo credit: Southern Plate.

This creamy and cheesy ham pasta salad recipe is the perfect summer supper, with tender smoked ham, fresh veggies, and ranch dressing.
Get the Recipe: Ham Pasta Salad With Ranch Dressing

Creamy Italian Pasta Salad

This four ingredient Creamy Italian Pasta Salad is one quick spring pasta salad recipe. An easy creamy Italian dressing is a fast Alfredo pasta.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Italian Pasta Salad

Ranch Potato Salad with Bacon

A clear bowl of ranch potato salad. — Ranch Potato Salad with Bacon. Photo credit: Butter & Baggage.

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

Parsley Pesto Pasta Salad With Walnuts

A side dish of pesto pasta next to fresh parsley. — Parsley Pesto Pasta Salad With Walnuts. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

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

Cold Lemon Orzo Salad With Shrimp

A large bowl of shrimp orzo salad. — Cold Lemon Orzo Salad With Shrimp. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

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

Old-Fashioned Cucumber Onion Salad

A bowl filled with sliced cucumbers, thin red onion slices, and fresh dill makes a perfect choice for spring salads. A wooden spoon rests beside the bowl, with part of a blue-striped cloth napkin visible. — Old-Fashioned Cucumber Onion Salad. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

This simple salad of sliced cucumbers and onions in a sweet vinegar dressing is a true classic. It’s crisp, tangy, and one of those beloved retro picnic recipes that never goes out of style.
Get the Recipe: Old-Fashioned Cucumber Onion Salad

Southern 7 Layer Salad With Peas And Mayo

A bowl of 7 layer salad next to a serving spoon. — Southern 7 Layer Salad With Peas And Mayo. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

This seven-layer salad gets even more delicious after sitting overnight! It’s stacked with layers of peas, bacon, mayo, romaine lettuce, and cheddar cheese.
Get the Recipe: Southern 7 Layer Salad With Peas And Mayo

Roasted Potato Salad with Bacon and Herbs

Parsley being sprinkled over warm potato salad — Roasted Potato Salad with Bacon and Herbs. Photo credit: Butter & Baggage.

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

Tuna Salad Recipe With Pasta (Ready In 15 Minutes!)

A close-up of a wooden spoon holding creamy bowtie pasta salad with green peas, red onion pieces, and a sprig of fresh dill. The background shows a bowl filled with more of the pasta salad. — Tuna Salad Recipe With Pasta (Ready In 15 Minutes!). Photo credit: Lauren’s Latest.

This creamy Tuna Salad Recipe with Pasta is tangy, crunchy, oniony, and delightful! Perfect for a healthy lunch or light dinner.
Get the Recipe: Tuna Salad Recipe With Pasta (Ready In 15 Minutes!)

Easy Caprese Orzo Salad

This Easy Caprese Orzo Salad recipe is the perfect summer lunch. Click here for all of the details and the simple recipe!
Get the Recipe: Easy Caprese Orzo Salad

Summer Pasta Salad With Fresh Peaches

A pasta salad with peaches, corn and tomatoes in a serving bowl. — Summer Pasta Salad With Fresh Peaches. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

This refreshing summer salad is made with fresh peach slices, sweet corn, juicy grape tomatoes, pine nuts, and your favorite pasta. It’s one of my go-to cold pasta dishes to beat the heat.
Get the Recipe: Summer Pasta Salad With Fresh Peaches

Zesty Mexican Macaroni Salad

A bowl of creamy macaroni salad with kidney beans, corn, diced tomatoes, green peas, and fresh cilantro garnish—just like one of grandma’s favorite spring dishes. — Zesty Mexican Macaroni Salad. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

Zesty Mexican macaroni salad with a creamy, tangy dressing, fresh vegetables, and a perfect kick of spice is a twist on a classic favorite of easy pasta salad recipes.
Get the Recipe: Zesty Mexican Macaroni Salad

Jalapeno Popper Pasta Salad

A close-up of macaroni salad topped with sliced jalapeños, crispy bacon pieces, and chopped green onions on a green plate. The salad appears creamy with a mix of pasta, vegetables, and dressing. — Jalapeno Popper Pasta Salad. Photo credit: Spicy Southern Kitchen.

Jalapeno Popper Pasta Salad has all the flavor of a jalapeno popper: bacon, cream cheese, and jalapenos! Makes a spicy, creamy picnic side.
Get the Recipe: Jalapeno Popper Pasta Salad

Bow Tie Pasta Salad With Basil Pesto

Delicious pesto pasta salad with fresh basil and cherry tomatoes in a glass bowl. — Bow Tie Pasta Salad With Basil Pesto. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

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

Refreshing Watermelon Caprese Salad

Juicy watermelon is paired with fresh mozzarella, fresh basil, and drizzled with balsamic glaze in this refreshing Watermelon Caprese Salad.
Get the Recipe: Refreshing Watermelon Caprese Salad

Green Bean and New Potato Salad

A platter of green bean and potato salad. — Green Bean and New Potato Salad. Photo credit: Butter & Baggage.

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

Easy Salmon Pasta with Cream Cheese

Close-up of creamy rotini pasta mixed with flakes of smoked salmon, garnished with chopped chives, and a gold fork twirling some pasta. — Easy Salmon Pasta with Cream Cheese. Photo credit: State of Dinner.

This Salmon Pasta with Cream Cheese is a creamy, flavorful dish that is ready in just 20 minutes. It’s simple but feels indulgent & without much effort.
Get the Recipe: Easy Salmon Pasta with Cream Cheese

Sweet Broccoli Apple Pasta Salad

A glass bowl filled with pasta salad mixed with broccoli florets, red onion slices, carrots, and celery, with a serving spoon inside the bowl. — Sweet Broccoli Apple Pasta Salad. Photo credit: On My Kids Plate.

This broccoli apple salad is the perfect recipe for a summer potluck, party or BBQ. Apple cider vinegar and creamy yogurt make a delicious dressing.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Broccoli Apple Pasta Salad

Spicy Fruit Salad With Star Anise

A bowl of spicy fruit salad with wooden spoon. — Spicy Fruit Salad With Star Anise. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

You can never go wrong with a bowl of fresh fruit. Spicy Fruit Salad adds just a hint of spice and seasoning to improve even the best fruit at the market.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Fruit Salad With Star Anise

Corn and Cucumber Salad

A creamy cucumber salad with corn in a glass bowl with a serving spoon — Corn and Cucumber Salad. Photo credit: Butter & Baggage.

This crisp salad features fresh corn and cucumbers tossed in a light vinaigrette, perfect for cooling off in the summer heat. It’s a crunchy, hydrating favorite among vintage summer salads.
Get the Recipe: Corn and Cucumber Salad

If Grandma Made It, You Know It Was Good—20 Cakes That Prove It

A collage of cakes: a key lime bundt cake with icing, a close-up of a sliced pecan cake with caramel frosting, chocolate sheet cake, coconut-topped bars, and a round strawberry cake—did everyone's mom make these recipes?. — If Grandma Made It, You Know It Was Good—20 Cakes That Prove It. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Some recipes just have that magic touch—and let’s be real, if grandma made cakes, you know it was good. There’s a reason her baking disappeared faster than anyone else’s at family gatherings. These timeless favorites bring back all those warm, cozy memories with just one bite. Ready to revisit the sweet side of nostalgia? Get the Recipes: If Grandma Made It, You Know It Was Good—20 Cakes That Prove It

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