21 Best Side Salads for Summer BBQs, Potlucks, and Parties

Look no further for an awesome side for your next summer get-together.

Potlucks really are the best, aren’t they? You only have to make one dish and then end up tasting a fantastic variety of other dishes. Minimal effort with maximum rewards!

You know what's fun? Bringing new dishes to potlucks! There’s just something so satisfying about having people come up to you after they’ve enjoyed every last bite of your side dish and ask you for the recipe.

In choosing the recipes for this round-up, we wanted sides that go beyond the traditional and get everyone’s taste buds buzzing. Each one of these sides really is meant for summer potlucks because they’re quick and easy to make.

Not to sound like a broken record, but it’s all about minimal effort in making the sides and maximum rewards with flavor, right? The hardest thing for you will be deciding which one to make!

Mom's Easy Macaroni Salad

It seems that every potluck/BBQ/picnic needs some sort of macaroni salad... so what exactly sets this apart? The roasted red pepper, of course! It brings in a smokey flavor that's a pleasant surprise.

Get Recipe: Mom's Easy Macaroni Salad

Pasta and Bean Picnic Salad

The name certainly says it all, but what it’s not telling you is that this salad is made without mayo! It has a light vinaigrette so you don’t have to worry about it feeling too heavy.

Get Recipe: Pasta and Bean Picnic Salad

Caprese Corn Salad

I think we can all agree that we adore a good Caprese salad...so let’s take it to the next level with grilled corn, shall we? It’s an easy way to use up all that garden bounty but in a new way!

Get Recipe: Caprese Corn Salad

Watermelon Salad with Feta and Mint

Do watermelon and salty cheese really go together? Yes, yes they do – especially when you throw a little mint into the mix. It’s one side salad that people will notice.

Get Recipe: Watermelon Feta Salad with Mint

Greek Pasta Salad

This has all the bright and zesty flavors of your favorite Greek salad but is way better suited for potlucks because of the pasta. You can even make this gluten-free by subbing a legume-based pasta.

Get Recipe: Greek Pasta Salad

Asian Coleslaw

It technically may not be Asian, but versions of this slaw are a staple of American cookouts and potlucks. Our features a zesty dressing of peanut butter and rice wine vinegar. Serve it with burgers or alongside fish and shrimp.

Get Recipe: Asian Coleslaw

Panzanella Bread Salad

First of all, a salad with bread?! Gimme all of it, please! This is a fabulous recipe to keep in your back pocket during the summer months because it uses up all that bounteous garden produce in a fun way.

Get Recipe: Panzanella Bread Salad

Roasted Radish and Feta Salad

Go ahead and get a little fancy with your contribution to the table with this roasted radish salad with fresh herbs and feta cheese. It's a delicious, unexpected side, and perfect if steaks are coming off the grill.

Get Recipe: Roasted Radish and Feta Salad

Spinach and Orzo Salad

This simple salad of spinach, orzo, olives, and feta will be a hit. If you don’t have orzo on hand, try substituting couscous!

Get Recipe: Spinach and Orzo Salad

Cucumber Mint Quinoa Salad

You’ve heard the expression, “Cool as a cucumber,” right? This salad is sure to produce double the coolness thanks to the cucumbers AND mint.

Get Recipe: Cucumber Mint Quinoa Salad

Cold Pea Salad

Here's something a little different—a cold pea salad with smoked almonds, green onions, water chestnuts, and a hint of curry in the mayonnaise dressing. Make it ahead, but leave the almonds out until just before serving to retain their crunchiness.

Get Recipe: Cold Pea Salad

Broccoli Salad

Blanching broccoli florets them vibrant green and crisp-tender. They're the perfect base for this salad with almonds, red onion, bacon, and peas with a mayo-based dressing. It goes particularly well with chicken, steak, or salmon.

Get Recipe: Broccoli Salad

Kale Salad With Balsamic Dressing

Kale doesn't wilt easily so it's great for summer get-togethers. Made with dried cranberries, pine nuts, Parmesan, and a balsamic vinaigrette, the kale becomes more tender while it sits and the dressing softens the tough kale leaves.

Get Recipe: Kale Salad With Balsamic Dressing

Three Bean Salad

Packed with protein, this three bean salad is full of canned cannellini, kidney, and garbanzo beans plus red onion and celery. Fresh herbs and a sweet and sour dressing help to meld all the flavors together.

Get Recipe: Three Bean Salad

Tuna Macaroni Salad

Celery and peppers add some crunch to this budget-friendly salad. Use tuna packed in oil or water, but if you add the packed in water variety, add a little olive oil for flavor.

Get Recipe: Tuna Macaroni Salad

Classic Potato Salad

Is it even a potluck or a party if there isn't potato salad? This classic version—made with boiled potatoes, sour cream, mayo, green onions, celery, parsley, pickles, and bacon—will please everyone. It's the ultimate accompaniment to a grilled burger.

Get Recipe: Classic Potato Salad

Classic Carrot Salad

Grated carrots, raisins, mayo, and a crunchy apple. That's all you need to make this slightly sweet salad that's a cousin to coleslaw. For extra eye appeal, use a variety of colored carrots.

Get Recipe: Classic Carrot Salad With Apples, Raisins, and Mayo

Easy Cucumber Salad

Cucumbers, fresh herbs, and seasoned rice vinegar (plus a little salt and pepper) are all it takes to make this crunchy, healthy salad that's a side for just about anything at the party.

Get Recipe: Easy Cucumber Salad

Stone Fruit, Tomato and Cucumber Salad

An explosion of summer fruits and veggies. Peaches, plums, cherry tomatoes, celery, cucumber, cherries, and Serrano pepper (the combination works, trust us), plus a simple vinaigrette.

Get Recipe: Stone Fruit, Tomato and Cucumber Salad

Grilled Corn Salad

This easy grilled corn salad goes great with burgers or juicy grilled chicken. With red bell pepper, zucchini, red onion, chili pepper, and a cider vinaigrette, it's simple and flavorful. Top with feta or cotija and watch it disappear.

Get Recipe: Grilled Corn Salad

Caprese Salad

Did we save the best for last? Maybe. Classic, simple, and screaming of summer, heirloom tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil plus a drizzle of good olive oil and balsamic should end up on your seasonal table many, many times before fresh tomatoes disappear in the fall.

Get Recipe: Caprese Salad With Tomatoes, Basil, and Mozzarella

Read the original article on Simply Recipes.