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18 Summer Salad Recipes for BBQ Season

ByJenny deRemer Posted on Updated On

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Take your backyard BBQs to the next level with these 18 summer salads that are perfect for any gathering. Whether you’re hosting a casual get-together of close friends or a large festive celebration, these salads will add fresh flavor options. From classic favorites like creamy potato salad with dill and a chicken bacon cobb salad to creative ideas like a cabbage crunch salad or chickpea taco salad, these summer salads will compliment your grilled main dishes.

Roasted Broccoli Quinoa Salad

Broccoli salad in a bowl with quinoa and feta cheese, and chickpeas.
Image Credit: Jacqueline Piper for My Plant Based Bowl.

Enjoy the satisfaction and nutrition of this Roasted Broccoli Quinoa Salad, filled with delightful flavors and crunchy textures. The blend of fluffy quinoa and toasted quinoa provides a nice contrast in texture, while also offering a substantial source of protein to this wholesome and simple dish.

GET THE RECIPE: ROASTED BROCCOLI QUINOA SALAD

Cabbage Crunch Salad

Closeup of cabbage salad with sliced green onions and chopped peanuts.
Image Credit: Jacqueline Piper for Pipercooks.

This Cabbage Crunch Salad is ready in just 20 minutes, and combines crispy, crunchy vegetables with a creamy peanut butter dressing. It’s topped with sliced green onions, cilantro, and chopped peanuts, making it a deliciously fresh and flavorful dish. A great make-ahead salad.

GET THE RECIPE: CABBAGE CRUNCH SALAD

Sweet Potato And Steak Salad

A plate with greens, sliced steak, and fresh figs.
Image Credit: Jenny DeRemer for Not Entirely Average.

Sweet Potato And Steak Salad offers a hearty and wholesome meal, featuring roasted sweet potatoes, grilled filet, ripe figs, red onion slices, and cave-aged Roquefort. This combination of flavorful ingredients is brought together with a sweet and tangy homemade Carolina mustard vinaigrette.

GET THE RECIPE: SWEET POTATO AND STEAK SALAD

Spicy Cucumber Salad

Cucumber salad in a bowl, topped with green onion and sesame seeds.
Image Credit: Jacqueline Piper for Pipercooks.

Crispy, smashed cucumbers are drizzled with a sweet, spicy, and tangy sauce, and then topped with sliced green onions and toasted sesame seeds. The result is a delicious and refreshing Spicy Cucumber Salad perfect for any meal.

GET THE RECIPE: SPICY CUCUMBER SALAD

Southwest Chopped Salad

Two bowls filled with chopped salad.
Image Credit: Jacqueline Piper for Pipercooks.

Grilled sweet corn on the cob shines in this Southwest Chopped Salad. It features a delicious blend of southwestern flavors, including charred corn, tomatoes, jalapeños, lime, bell pepper, and diced avocado, tossed with crisp romaine.

GET THE RECIPE: SOUTHWEST CHOPPED SALAD

Greek Salad Without Lettuce

A plate with chopped fresh vegetables.
Image Credit: Jacqueline Piper for My Plant Based Bowl.

Indulge in this refreshing and effortless Greek Salad Without Lettuce (aka Horiatiki), an ideal side dish boasting Mediterranean flavors with crisp veggies and a simple homemade dressing. Perfect for fresh summer vegetable season.

GET THE RECIPE: GREEK SALAD WITHOUT LETTUCE

Zesty Italian Pasta Salad

Pasta salad with chopped salami, cherry tomatoes, olives, balls of cheese, and basil leaves.
Image Credit: Jacqueline Piper for Pipercooks.

This Zesty Italian Pasta Salad is perfect for an easy dinner or as a side for a picnic or BBQ. It features simple pantry items like pasta, vinegar, oil, and spices, along with jarred artichokes, roasted red peppers, olives, and pepperoncinis.

GET THE RECIPE: ZESTY ITALIAN PASTA SALAD

Kale Crunch Salad

Kale and chickpea salad on a plate.
Image Credit: Jacqueline Piper for My Plant Based Bowl.

This Kale Crunch Salad combines crisp cabbage and tender kale, finished with toasted pecans, crunchy chickpeas, and a tangy apple-Dijon vinaigrette made from scratch. Crunchy, savory, and satisfying!

GET THE RECIPE: KALE CRUNCH SALAD

Tomato Chickpea Cucumber Salad

A bowl of chickpeas and chopped tomatoes and cucumbers.
Image Credit: Jacqueline Piper for Pipercooks.

This simple Tomato Chickpea Cucumber Salad combines the earthy flavor of chickpeas with the juiciness of ripe Roma tomatoes and the crispness of fresh cucumbers. Tossed in lemon juice and Za’atar seasoning, this easy salad is perfect for a light lunch, side dish, or backyard cookout.

GET THE RECIPE: TOMATO CHICKPEA CUCUMBER SALAD

Broccoli Crunch Salad

Broccoli salad in a bowl topped with almonds and pumpkin seeds.
Image Credit: Jacqueline Piper for Pipercooks.

Bursting with flavor, this vibrant summer Broccoli Crunch Salad is sure to impress. Featuring crispy broccoli, crunchy pepitas, and a creamy chipotle mayo dressing, this salad is both delicious and satisfying. Great to make-ahead of time.

GET THE RECIPE: BROCCOLI CRUNCH SALAD

Chicken Bacon Cobb Salad

Cobb salad ingredients lined up in rows in a white bowl.
Image Credit: Jenny DeRemer for Not Entirely Average.

Looking for a satisfying meal? Look no further than this Chicken Bacon Cobb Salad recipe featuring all the classic ingredients like tender chicken breast, crisp romaine lettuce, avocado, tomato, cucumber, cheese, and a tasty homemade dressing!

GET THE RECIPE: CHICKEN BACON COBB SALAD

Spinach and Arugula Salad

A bowl with a salad of spinach, arugula, sliced apples, and goat cheese.
Image Credit: Jacqueline Piper for Pipercooks.

Whip up this simple Spinach and Arugula Salad with juicy apples, tangy feta cheese, pecans, sunflower seeds, and pepitas. Drizzle with a made from scratch honey balsamic vinaigrette to tie it all together.

GET THE RECIPE: SPINACH AND ARUGULA SALAD

Creamy Potato Salad With Dill

Potato salad in stacked bowls, topped with fresh dill.
Image Credit: Jacqueline Piper for Pipercooks.

Made with only 7 ingredients, this Creamy Potato Salad With Dill is a breeze to whip up. It’s the ideal addition to your summer BBQ spread, complementing anything from veggie burgers to juicy meat patties.

GET THE RECIPE: CREAMY POTATO SALAD WITH DILL

Vegan Israeli Couscous Recipe

A bowl with salad made of pearl couscous, chopped tomatoes and chopped herbs.
Image Credit: Jacqueline Piper for Pipercooks.

Made with chewy pearl couscous, fresh vegetables, and fragrant chopped herbs, this Vegan Israeli Couscous Recipe is bursting with freshness. Dressed with the zesty tang of lemon juice, it’s an effortless cold salad, ideal for preparing ahead.

GET THE RECIPE: VEGAN ISRAELI COUSCOUS RECIPE

Greek Cucumber Salad

Sliced cucumber and onions coated in Tzatziki sauce on a plate.
Image Credit: Jacqueline Piper for My Plant Based Bowl.

Experience the light and refreshing taste of this Greek Cucumber Salad with creamy Tzatziki dressing. Ideal for summer, it pairs beautifully with pasta, sandwiches, grain bowls, or as a side to any grilled main course.

GET THE RECIPE: GREEK CUCUMBER SALAD

Chopped Mexican Salad

A bowl with salad inside topped with tortilla strips.
Image Credit: Jacqueline Piper for Pipercooks.

This Chopped Mexican Inspired Salad features a hearty mix of corn, creamy avocado, and cilantro, tossed in a zesty olive oil, lime and Mexican oregano dressing. Topped with tangy pickled onion and crispy corn tortilla strips.

GET THE RECIPE: CHOPPED MEXICAN SALAD

Chickpea Taco Salad

A bowl with sections of corn, black beans, olives, tomato wedges, chips, and greens.
Image Credit: Jacqueline Piper for Pipercooks.

Chickpea Taco Salad is quick, easy, and fresh. This easy salad is loaded with fresh vegetables and topped with savory chickpea taco filling, making it light yet satisfying. Perfect for summer evenings and cookouts!

GET THE RECIPE: CHICKPEA TACO SALAD

Chicken And Kale Salad

A bowl with a rows of kale, lettuce, sliced cooked chicken, and green onions.
Image Credit: Jacqueline Piper for Pipercooks.

This Chicken And Kale Salad is bursting with flavor, featuring savory cumin chicken, crisp cucumbers, kale, and romaine lettuce, topped with a creamy avocado cilantro dressing. Ai fry or toss the chicken on the BBQ and pile it on top of the salad for a great summer dish.

GET THE RECIPE: CHICKEN AND KALE SALAD

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