These Side Salads So Delicious That You’ll Make Them For Every Occasion
Once upon a time, side salads were reserved for barbecues or visits to a family member’s house. And let’s be honest—while everyone loves enjoying a great salad when dining out, it’s not always the first thing people think to make at home. That’s about to change! These salads are not only delicious and refreshing, but they’re also easy to prepare ahead of time without worrying about them losing their crispness or flavor.
Perfect for any occasion, these make-ahead salads are guaranteed to be a hit with your guests, whether you’re hosting a casual gathering or a festive celebration. I already have a few in mind that I can’t wait to whip up, and I hope you’ll discover some new favorites too!
BLT Pasta Salad
BLT Pasta Salad is the ultimate comfort food! It’s made with veggie rotini, crispy bacon, fresh lettuce, ripened tomatoes, cubed cheese, and a creamy mayo dressing. Plus, it’s got a sprinkle of fresh herbs and aromatics to take it to the next level. Yum!
Get the Recipe: BLT Pasta Salad
Italian Sub Pasta Salad
This pasta salad is destined to be a favorite at any bbq. It has a zesty dressing, colorful pepper rings and plenty of cheese and deli meat paired with perfectly cooked pasta. Make a double batch of this so everyone can try it.
Get the recipe: Italian sub pasta salad
Herbed Potato Salad
Skip the mayo based dressing and take a herbed potato salad along to the bbq. This recipe is perfect for parties as you don’t need to worry about it spoiling as fast, but it still delivers amazing flavor in each bite.
Get the recipe: Herbed potato salad
Fruit Salad
Take a bowl of easy fruit salad along to your summer gathering. It is easy to prepare, offers a variety of sweet fruit, and can be customized to include seasonal fruits or your favorites.
Get the recipe: Easy fruit salad
Big Mac Pasta Salad
Pasta salad meets an iconic fast food sandwich in this unique recipe. Tender pasta, chunks of tomato, onion, diced pickles and Big Mac sauce, every bite has an explosion of great flavors. Take Big Mac pasta salad to a party and you are going to come home with an empty dish.
Get the recipe: Big Mac pasta salad
Five Bean Salad
Making a great side salad for a grill out doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. This five bean salad is so easy to make, and it is budget friendly. Open five cans of beans, chop an onion and mix a few simple pantry staples together to make this healthy and flavorful side.
Get the recipe: Five bean salad
Macaroni Salad
There is always room on the table at a summer grill out for a bowl of cool and creamy macaroni salad. This recipe is very easy to prepare, offers veggies in each bite and can serve a crowd. It pairs well with burgers, chicken, steaks and more.
Get the recipe: Macaroni salad
Charred Corn Couscous Salad
Offer a plant based salad at your summer get together. This recipe is colorful, easy to prepare and has the best Moroccan flavor. With tomatoes, corn, chickpeas and cucumbers, this easy meatless salad pairs well with all of the bbq fixings.
Get the recipe: Charred corn couscous salad
Corn and Black Bean Pasta Salad
This pasta salad delivers bold southwest flavor in every bite. Your family and friends will find this take on pasta salad to be irresistible. The recipe is so easy you might want to double it, so there are no excuses for missing out on a scoop.
Get the recipe: Corn and black bean pasta salad
Antipasto Salad
Deliver Italian flavor in a bowl with this easy antipasto salad. It is perfect for parties and potlucks, and has the best combination of flavors. From roasted red peppers to artichoke hearts, olives and onions, basically all of the antipasto ingredients are tossed together in the best homemade dressing for crowd pleasing flavors by the spoonful.
Get the recipe: Antipasto salad
Southern Pineapple Bacon Coleslaw
This is not your mama’s coleslaw recipe. It is so much more flavorful. With bacon, chunks of sweet pineapple and green onions mixed into tangy dressed slaw, there is a lot to love about this unique twist on classic bbq side dishes.
Get the recipe: Southern pineapple bacon coleslaw
No-Bake Halloween Treats That’ll Steal the Show—No Oven Required
If you’re looking for Halloween treats without the hassle of baking, you’re in the right place. No-bake Halloween treats are perfect for busy days when you want something quick and impressive. These recipes come together fast and still look amazing for any spooky gathering.