Make and Take Summer Salad Recipes
Looking for a recipe to make and take this weekend? These fresh and easy summer salad recipes are perfect for outdoor entertaining, quick lunches, and summer potlucks with friends and family. For more fresh side dishes, see my Salads page.
When the weather gets warm, the last thing I want is a heavy meal or a hot kitchen. That’s when I start craving all the fresh, colorful summer salad meals that somehow feel light and filling at the same time. They are perfect for a backyard cookout, a picnic, or just a busy weeknight.
A good summer salad always seems to hit the spot. What I love most about these kinds of recipes is how easy they are to throw together while still looking impressive.
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This roundup is packed with fresh summer salad ideas that are perfect for making ahead, bringing to gatherings, or setting out for family dinners on the patio. Some are hearty enough to be full meals, while others make the perfect side dish for all your summer favorites.
And let’s be honest, having a few reliable party salads in your back pocket during the summer is basically a survival skill.
Make and Take Summer Salad recipes
These recipes are full of fresh ingredients, bright flavors, and easy ideas you’ll want to make on repeat all season long.
Summer salad recipes for a crowd!
Spinach Smoked Mozzarella Pasta Salad Recipe
Make your version of the popular Whole Foods Spinach Smoked Mozzarella Pasta Salad! This easy, flavorful recipe is packed with smoky cheese, tender pasta, and fresh spinach. It's perfect for potlucks, lunches, or light dinners.
Creamy Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad with Peas
Looking for an amazing bacon pasta salad recipe? This Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad is an amazing side dish for your next cookout or summer dinner.
Loaded Sweet Corn Salad
This loaded sweet corn salad is an easy, creamy side dish that fits right into summer cookouts, potlucks, and backyard dinners.
Grilled Shrimp & Avocado Salad Recipe
This Grilled Shrimp & Avocado Salad recipe is the perfect summer salad for your next BBQ! This easy shrimp recipe is light, flavorful, and Keto friendly!
Hawaiian Style Loaded Tuna Macaroni Salad
My Hawaiian Style Loaded Tuna Macaroni Salad recipe isn't the typical plate lunch macaroni salad, but a pumped up version of salads that I've eaten at family gatherings. This hearty macaroni salad is full of tuna, eggs, carrots, celery, and onions. This salad can be eaten as a tasty side or as a mid-day snack. Love of
Red White and Blue Fruit Salad
This Red, White and Blue Salad will be perfect for any day or July 4th celebrations. Red strawberries, red raspberries, and white apples all mixed with a yu
Macaroni Salad
Discover how to make a classic Macaroni Salad that's perfect for any occasion. Simple, tasty, and sure to be a hit with everyone!
Creamy Coleslaw with Poppy Seed Dressing
Indulge in the perfect blend of crisp cabbage, carrots, and red onions with an irresistible creamy poppy seed dressing. This Creamy Coleslaw recipe is easy to make and bursting with flavor, it's the ultimate side dish for any meal or BBQ gathering.
Shrimp Salad with Pasta
Shrimp salad with pasta is made with shrimp, pasta, and crisp veggies in a creamy Old Bay dressing. A fresh, easy side fish or light meal.
Old-Fashioned Pea Salad
This classic Old-Fashioned Pea Salad is the perfect cold creamy potluck side! An easy, vegan, gluten-free English pea salad in 10 minutes!
This Broccoli Salad with Cranberries Always Disappears First
Fresh and flavorful, this Broccoli Salad with Cranberries is a must-try side dish that everyone will love at any event.
7 Layer Salad
Make this classic 7 layer salad with lettuce, peas, eggs, cheddar, and bacon under a creamy dressing, perfect for holidays and potlucks.
Marry Me Tortellini Pasta Salad
Marry Me Pasta Salad takes all the rich, creamy flavors you love from the famous Marry Me Chicken and turns them into a cold, hearty salad. It’s parmesan
Chopped Italian Sub Salad
If you love the bold, tangy flavors of an Italian sub but want something a little lighter, this Italian Grinder Salad is your answer!
Mediterranean Orzo Salad
This easy Mediterranean Orzo Salad is colorful, flavorful, & healthy. The simple pasta side dish has a ton of veggies, briny olives, salty cheese, & an homemade lemon vinaigrette dressing. It packs a flavor punch that is irresistible. Why this Mediterranean Orzo Salad Recipe is Amazing: I cannot get enough of this hearty summer salad....
Pizza Pasta Salad
This Pizza Pasta Salad combines all your favorite pepperoni pizza toppings into one delicious pasta salad recipe.
Tomato, Cucumber, and Avocado Salad with Feta Cheese
Tomatoes, cucumbers and avocados, oh my! This simple salad is sure to be refreshing and delicious especially during the summertime or any time of year.
Italian Grinder Pasta Salad
The Italian Grinder Pasta Salad is a classic twist on two favorites, the Italian grinder sandwich and pasta salad, tossed together in a creamy dressing.
Crunchy Napa Cabbage Slaw Recipe
Hands down the best Napa cabbage slaw recipe with crunchy toasted ramen noodles and a tangy dressing! Perfect to take to your next BBQ or get together.
Loaded Potato Salad Recipe
This loaded potato salad recipe is packed with crispy bacon, cheddar, and creamy dressing. It's perfect for BBQs, picnics, or potlucks.
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Thanks for hosting. Have a lovely evening!
Thanks so much for hosting each week!! Happy Memorial Day!!
Hugs,
Debbie
Hi Kim – Thank you for hosting! I love all of the summer and patriotic features and posts. Wishing you a wonderful week. Hugs, Holly