55 Delicious BBQ Salads for Your Next Summer Outing
From pasta to potato salad, add these tasty sides to your grilling menu!
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Yes, a BBQ menu isn't complete without juicy burgers, perfectly charred hot dogs, corn on the cob and more. But what would your meal be without BBQ salads? From creamy potato salad and pasta salads to fresh and crisp green salads that cut through the richness of smoked ribs, these BBQ salad recipes come in clutch.
We’ve got salads that are great for vegans and meat-eaters alike (hello, charred cabbage with bacon and creamy caraway dressing!). Plus, there are plenty of options here that the kids will enjoy, too. These easy BBQ salads are great for the summer because they are packed with fresh seasonal ingredients like corn, cherry tomatoes and even grilled fruit. Besides the BBQ salads, and of course, the burgers and dogs, we also have tons of ideas for flavorful BBQ sides that will go perfectly with your summer feast. And you can’t forget about the summer desserts, which some would say is the best part of any BBQ. These easy summer recipes are perfect whether you’re getting ready to serve the whole neighborhood, or just your own family.
So what are you waiting for? Time to fire up the grill and open a can of something cold as you enjoy a whole season of backyard BBQs.
Grilled Cabbage Wedges with Creamy Caraway Dressing
This show-stopping salad serves up unique flavor thanks to charring greens before dressing them in an herby vinaigrette.
Get the Grilled Cabbage Wedges with Creamy Caraway Dressing recipe.
11-Layer Salad
Hello, potluck pleaser! Layers of colorful, crunchy veggies get a hefty boost from bacon, eggs, cheese and grains in this centerpiece.
Get the 11-Layer Salad recipe.
Tomato and Charred Pepper Farro Salad
Studded with juicy grape tomatoes and smoky, charred peppers and scallions, this punchy grain salad puts the incredible bounty of summer veggies front and center.
Get the Tomato and Charred Pepper Farro Salad recipe.
RELATED: 40 Easy Summer Salads That Pack in the Best Seasonal Flavors
Wedge Salad with Creamy Herb Dressing
We turned up the volume of this steakhouse classic with plenty of fresh herbs and a spoonful of Dijon.
Ranch Slaw
This salad is made with carrots, cabbage, cucumbers, scallions and sugar snap peas, but what really makes it sing is the zesty ranch dressing. Tip: No Memorial Day menu is complete without a good crunchy slaw!
Get the Ranch Slaw recipe.
Cucumber Radish Salad
Preparing radish in a variety of ways — halving, quartering, thinly slicing — is an easy way to make this colorful spring salad both aesthetically and texturally interesting.
Get the Cucumber Radish Salad recipe.
Shaved Fennel and Celery Salad
Grilling up a rich ribeye? This BBQ salad serves up salty notes that will balance out the steak beautifully.
BBQ Chickpea and Grilled Nectarine Salad
Grill spiced chickpeas (on a cast-iron skillet) and sweet, juicy nectarines to impart every element of this dish with delicious, smoky flavor.
Roasted Beet and Orange Salad
By slicing the beets into rounds and wedges, we cut the cooking time in half — so you can spend less time waiting around for your beets to roast and more time actually digging into this colorful, earthy salad that hits all the right (read: sweet, salty, crunchy, punchy) notes.
Get the Roasted Beet and Orange Salad recipe.
Thai Green Papaya Salad
Super fresh and slightly spicy, this BBQ salad will complement grilled proteins perfectly.
Get the Thai Green Papaya Salad recipe.
Old Bay–Spiced Potato Salad
This is what BBQ dreams are made of: potatoes and eggs topped with a flavorful vinaigrette made with olive oil, Dijon mustard and (you guessed it!) Old Bay seasoning.
Get the Old Bay–Spiced Potato Salad recipe.
Waldorf Chicken Salad
This classic salad deserves a spot on the table at your next backyard BBQ. The apples and celery add a nice fresh crunch.
Get the Waldorf Chicken Salad recipe.
Peach Caprese Salad
The grill isn't just for burgers this season. These grilled peaches pair perfectly with fresh mozzarella and basil.
Get the Peach Caprese Salad recipe.
Succotash
Summer corn is the star of the show in this mix, though the fresh cherry tomatoes, zucchini and green beans definitely shine too.
Get the Succotash recipe.
Cobb Salad
This hearty crowd favorite can be the main meal at your BBQ. Just toss the chicken on the grill and assemble everything while it cooks. Can you say easy?
Get the Cobb Salad recipe.
BLT Pasta Salad
Kick your go-to pasta salad up a notch with this BLT-inspired recipe. Fresh tomatoes, bacon and pasta come together in this flavorful recipe everyone will love.
Get the BLT Pasta Salad recipe.
Vegan Caesar Salad
While this dressing (and the whole salad!) is completely vegan thanks to nutritional yeast and Dijon mustard, it is sure to be a fan favorite.
Get the Vegan Caesar Salad recipe.
RELATED: 70 Vegan Recipes That Are Satisfying and Delicious to Eat
Grilled Romaine Lettuce with Creamy Feta Dressing
Move over, burgers. We've gotta make space on the grill for some lettuce. The creamy, cheesy dressing drizzled on top adds the perfect amount of flavor.
Get the Grilled Romaine Lettuce With Creamy Feta Dressing recipe.
Watermelon Salad with Feta
This is a perfect summer salad, thanks to the watermelon, cucumber and mint. Add some crumbly feta cheese and scallion and it's ready to go.
Get the Watermelon Salad With Feta recipe.
Grilled Leek Potato Salad
Throw this oniony veg on the grill for a boost of charred flavor to a classic mustardy potato salad.
Get the Grilled Leek Potato Salad recipe.
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