Summer BBQs are synonymous with sizzling grills, succulent meats, and relaxed gatherings in the backyard. While the hero of any barbecue is the perfectly grilled ribs, juicy burgers, or tender brisket, it’s often the side dishes that complete the experience. These Summer BBQ salads are the ideal companions to your hero meat dishes, bringing light and fresh flavours to your meal.
Light & Refreshing Summer BBQ Salads
These Summer salads for BBQ will easily complete your meal and add a bit of lightness. As much as you might like to just enjoy a feast of low and slow or grilled meat when entertaining, however, your guests will enjoy having something lighter to pair their mains with.
Salad is perfect for this in Summer and here are some of the best salads for Summer BBQs:
Three Bean Salad with Fresh Cilantro
This simple three bean salad has a fresh cilantro dressing. It’s a classic recipe that is perfect for BBQs, potlucks, and Summer dinners.
Cold Italian Pasta Salad
A Classic Italian Pasta Salad that’s gluten-free, vegan, and allergy-free, in case you’ve got guests with dietary restrictions! The classic cold pasta salad you love, with tri-coloured pasta, fresh veggies, and a healthy homemade Italian dressing!
Simple Cucumber Salad with Lime Vinaigrette
A simple cucumber salad made with a fresh lime vinaigrette. The perfect side dish for any cookout or gathering.
Strawberry Goat Cheese Salad
Strawberries are one of the quintessential summer fruits and they star in this amazingly beautiful and delicious strawberry and goat cheese summer salad.
Spinach Blueberry and Feta Salad with Lemon Dressing
Quick to make with just a few basic ingredients, this spinach, blueberry, fetta green leafy salad with lemon dressing, is a great side dish at a BBQ.
Easy Broccoli Cauliflower Salad
This easy broccoli cauliflower salad has a homemade creamy dressing and is the perfect side dish for family gatherings or a potluck. A delicious side salad that goes well with almost any main dish!
Cottage Cheese Ranch Pasta Salad
This cottage cheese ranch pasta salad is a protein-packed version of a familiar favourite salad recipe, loaded with chicken and bacon, and wrapped up in a creamy, irresistible sauce that will be a hit with your guests.
Mango Manchego Salad with Basil
Gorgeous summer mangoes star in this beautiful mango manchego salad with a Spanish spin. Sweet mangoes combine with shaved Manchego cheese and spicy hard chorizo. All tossed together in a sweet and tangy Sherry Vinaigrette, the flavour combination is unmatched!
Mexican Street Corn Salad
This Mexican street corn salad is fresh and lightly creamy with a spicy kick, with charred corn, sour cream, cotija cheese, and lime zest coming together for a refreshing burst of flavour.
Italian Green Bean Salad
Fresh and so simple, this Italian green bean salad brings a bit of vegetable goodness to your cookout.
Nectarine Salad With Cucumber & Honey Mustard Sauce
Try this energising nectarine salad with cucumber, packed with refreshing flavors! A quick and healthy meal option for BBQ’s, potlocks or busy weeknights.
Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad
This Mexican street corn pasta salad is a delicious twist of flavours, with charred corn, cotija cheese, and a creamy chili lime dressing, all tossed together with tender pasta.
Cantaloupe Salad With Cucumber, Feta and Mint
With a lemon-harissa dressing, plus feta and mint, this cantaloupe salad is a much needed burst of freshness on a summer day.
Creamy Cucumber Salad with Sour Cream
Grandma’s Creamy Cucumber Salad with Sour Cream is made with sliced cucumbers in an easy creamy dressing. It’s the perfect side dish for summer.
Creamy Macaroni Salad
Enjoy this simple and delicious creamy macaroni salad, perfect for your summer menu. Refreshing, flavorful, and easily customizable!
Tuscan Artichoke Salad
This fresh artichoke salad is full of vegetables & Italian herbs! Each bite is filled with marinated artichokes, fire roasted red peppers, and paired with a simple herbed vinaigrette.
Cherry Tomato Salad
This cherry tomato salad recipe is vibrant, tangy, refreshing and oh-so good, reading in just 10 minutes!
Spaghetti Squash Salad
This spaghetti squash salad with a tangy dressing is super versatile and so delicious and will add a splash of colour to your table.
Balsamic Tomato Basil Salad
This tomato basil salad, featuring garden-fresh tomatoes, spicy red onions, and sweet basil, is dressed in a simple three-ingredient balsamic dressing and ready in just 10 minutes from start to finish. Perfect as a light lunch or a delightful side dish to complement any main course, this salad is gluten-free, dairy-free, and low-carb.
Mediterranean Cucumber Tomato Salad
This Mediterranean cucumber tomato salad is bright and colourful and a delicious way to use those summer cucumbers and tomatoes.
Creamy Chickpea Salad
This creamy chickpea salad is a simple-to-make side salad that is perfect for a summer barbecue. It’s protein-packed and an easy make-ahead salad the day before of your BBQ.
Southwest Pasta Salad With Chipotle Dressing
This southwest pasta salad with chipotle dressing is a fantastic addition to your summer barbecues, with bacon, cheese, pasta, and more. This dish will give you a little kick!
Grilled Peach Blackberry Salad
This fun grilled peach blackberry summer salad is perfect for any day of the week! Sweet grilled peaches pair perfectly with blackberries, goat cheese and candied pecans for the ultimate summer salad.
Mexican Chopped Salad with Avocado Dressing
This Mexican chopped salad with avocado dressing makes the perfect lunch salad or an easy side dish to any BBQ or Mexican feast.
Watermelon Salad
This watermelon salad is a fresh, fun and flavour-packed summer salad. Featuring cucumbers, red onions, crumbled feta, candied pecans and watermelon, this salad will be on repeat all summer long!
Chickpea and Halloumi Salad
This chickpea and halloumi salad has a sweet and tangy balsamic and maple syrup dressing, packed with rocket (arugula) and healthy quinoa.
Couscous Salad
Elevate your salad game with this light, nutritious and wholesome pearl couscous salad full of Mediterranean flavours that is perfect for any occasion
Avocado Pineapple Salsa
With sweet pineapple and creamy avocado, plus a kick of chilli, this tangy pineapple salsa is as good loaded on burgers as it is alongside grilled chicken, halloumi or fish.
Spicy Prawn Mango Summer Salad
This simple spicy prawn mango salad takes 15 minutes to prepare and pairs juicy mangoes, cooked prawns and a slightly spicy lime dressing.
5 Minute Asian Cucumber Salad
Sliced cucumbers are tossed in sweet, tangy, and spicy sesame dressing and topped with roasted peanuts making for a delicious Asian cucumber salad side dish that everyone will love.
We hope you find some delicious Summer salads for your next BBQ, potluck or cookout, with fresh flavours and healthy ingredients to take your meat to the next level!
Find more side dish ideas below:
- BBQ sides that kids will like
- Orange chicken side dish ideas
- Make ahead BBQ side dish ideas
- Best sides for beef brisket
- Best sides for ribs
