Who wants to cook inside when the temps outside are super-hot? Check out some of our quick and easy summer salads you can whip up for dinner time. These salads might require some grilling or stovetop time but can conveniently be made ahead of time for an easy meal. You’ll be the BBQ hero when you bring one of the best summer salads on the block!
We have curated our top salad recipe from our sites that are tried and true. Each recipe was made by a human for humans to enjoy- a.k.a my family. Most of the produce found in these pasta and garden salads are also in-season for a frugal dinner idea. Check out my personal favorites below!
Pasta Salads for Your Next Picnic
Who doesn’t love a chilled pasta salad? Here are our must-try recipes.
- Easy Pesto Pasta Salad
- Dill Pickle Pasta Salad
- Crab Pasta Salad
- Italian Sausage Pasta Salad
- Deviled Egg Pasta Salad
- Pineapple Pasta Salad with Ham
- Tuna Pasta Salad with Pickles
- Amish Macaroni Salad
Easy Pesto Pasta Salad
This easy pesto pasta salad is made with pesto, cherry tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, spices, and fresh basil.
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Dill Pickle Pasta Salad
Dill pickle pasta salad is a classic summer dish that is perfect for potlucks, picnics, and backyard barbecues. It is easy to make, and the flavors are sure to please everyone who loves tangy dill pickles.
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Crab Pasta Salad
A blend of diced veggies, seasoning, and imitation crab meat are mixed with pasta shells in a creamy dressing. This seafood crab pasta salad is best served chilled and is an ideal BBQ side dish, or potluck salad recipe idea.
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Italian Sausage Pasta Salad
Savory, salty, and slightly sweet, this flavorful Italian Sausage Pasta Salad is sure to be a hit at any summer gathering. The dish is easy to make and can be customized to your liking, making it a perfect choice for potlucks, picnics, and barbecues.
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Deviled Egg Pasta Salad
Tender pasta is tossed with crunchy veggies, egg whites, and a creamy egg-yolks based dressing. This is a winning, crowd-pleasing pasta salad.
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Pineapple Pasta Salad with Ham
A sweet and tangy pasta salad that is loaded with delicious flavor. The pineapple, ham, and cheddar cubes pair so perfectly together making for a scrumptious cold pasta salad.
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Tuna Pasta Salad with Pickles
A hearty cold pasta salad with tuna and the delicious flavor of dill pickle.
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Amish Macaroni Salad
Boiled macaroni is enveloped with a sweet, zesty, and creamy dressing, boiled eggs, and a variety of finely diced vegetables. This macaroni salad is such a family-friendly dish that my kids and husband request time after time. If you're looking for a potluck dish that will have your guests raving, this is the side to try out!
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Salads Made with Fresh Produce Like Berries
- Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad
- Chicken Bowtie Pasta Salad with Grapes
- Strawberry Fields Pasta Salad
- Vegetable Quinoa Pasta Salad
- Sweet Macaroni Salad
- Chicken Salad with Grapes, Cranberries, and Walnuts
- Classic Tuna Salad with Peas
- Broccoli Salad with Turkey Bacon
- Creamy Grape Salad
- Cranberry Tuna Salad
- Zesty Crab Salad
- Classic Egg Salad
- Garden Fresh Cucumber Salad
- Cheeseburger Salad
Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad
A chilled pasta salad that features white meat chicken, shaved parmesan, romaine, and Caesar dressing for a hearty meal in just 15 minutes!
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Chicken Bowtie Pasta Salad
A crunchy, sweet, and tangy chicken pasta salad that makes a tasty meal or side dish. This creamy bowtie pasta salad is colorful and contains grapes, pineapple, mandarin oranges, dried cranberries, red onion, cubed chicken and more!
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Strawberry Fields Pasta Salad
This Strawberry Fields Pasta Salad is the perfect dish to bring to your next picnic or potluck. Loaded with fresh flavors, it is easy to make and it's sure to be a hit with everyone!
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Vegetable Quinoa Pasta Salad
Vegetable Quinoa Pasta Salad- A gluten-free, and allergy free pasta alternative. This pasta salad is perfect for summer and loaded with veggies like kale.
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Sweet Macaroni Pasta Salad
Our deliciously sweet macaroni salad is perfectly balanced and a must-try for your next barbecue, picnic, or summer meal side.
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Chicken Salad with Grapes, Craberries, and Walnuts
Chicken salad with walnuts and grapes is a sweet and savory delight that is perfect for a light lunch or dinner. This crowd-pleasing salad is perfect for using leftover or freshly grilled chicken!
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Classic Tuna Salad with Peas
Looking for a budget friendly meatless meal that features tuna fish? Made with mayo, fresh, veggies, and peas this Classic Tuna Pasta Salad with Peas is a family friendly meal that everyone will love.
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Broccoli Salad with Bacon
Crunchy broccoli is tossed with sweet raisins, crisp turkey bacon, roasted sunflower seeds, onion, and a a homemade, light dressing. This broccoli salad eats like a meal and is the perfect summer salad to try tonight!
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Creamy Yogurt Grape Salad
Looking for the perfect dessert salad for the summer? Check out this sweet, tart, and creamy grape salad topped with homemade candied pecans.
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Cranberry Tuna Salad
Canned albacore tuna is tossed with celery, dried cranberries, sour cream, mayo, lemon juice, and simple spices. This meal is quick and easy to make and produces a flavorful, tuna salad.
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Zesty Crab Salad
If you love crab meat salad, you'll love this zesty spin on a classic. This chunky seafood salad is creamy, and loaded with flavor and texture. Enjoy it alone, on a salad, or in a toasted, buttered roll.
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Classic Egg Salad
Ever had the urge to eat a salad but just couldn't find that perfect recipe? Well, look no further! This Classic Egg Salad Recipe is delicious and as an added bonus is keto-friendly. It is sure to satisfy your craving without any of the high-carb guilt. It's loaded with low-carb ingredients and protein for an energizing meal or snack on-the-go
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Cucumber Greek Salad
Garden-fresh cucumbers, tomatoes, red onion, fresh basil, and kalamata olives are tossed with a house made Greek dressing. Salty feta cheese brings a nice tang to the salad making this a bright and flavorful Summer salad or side dish.
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Cheeseburger Salad
There is nothing tastier than a freshly grilled cheeseburger. Today, we are sharing our homemade Cheeseburger Salad that features a homemade special sauce!
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Feta Cheese Summer Salads
- Greek Pasta Salad with Feta Cheese
- Shrimp Pesto Pasta Salad with Feta
- Mediterranean Chickpea Salad
- Feta Grilled Chicken Salad
- Grilled Summer Vegetables Pasta Salad
Greek Pasta Salad
This colorful, fresh pasta salad makes a wonderful BBQ, or cookout salad that you can easily make or prep ahead of time. Loaded with vibrant flavor thanks to the homemade Greek dressing, this recipe is incredibly easy and a crowd-pleaser!
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Shrimp Pesto Pasta Salad
A quick and easy pasta salad side dish that is LOADED with flavor! This is the perfect potluck salad because it is so stinkin easy to create! Make it ahead of time to allow the flavors to meld for an even zestier salad. The bold flavors of pesto, fresh basil & feta pair well.
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Chickpea Avocado Salad
This is the perfect make-ahead salad. Loaded with fresh ingredients like avocado, cucumber, tomatoes, sweet peppers, red onion, and vibrant flavors, this salad is an excellent side dish or weekly meal prep staple.
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Feta Chicken Salad Recipe
Grilled, cubed chicken is tossed with salty feta, fresh veggies, and a creamy dressing. Mixed together, this salad is delicious for a quick bite!
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Grilled Summer Vegetables Pasta Salad
This pasta salad is perfect for picnics, potlucks, or a light summer meal. Enjoy it on its own or pair it with your favorite summertime meals.
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