Summer's FINALLY here, so it's time to dust off your grill, pull out your best potluck tupperware, and get ready for outdoor BBQs and picnics. We've got lots of inspiration for all the best grilled mains (including hot dogs, hamburgers, and seafood), but no one can survive on meat alone (even when it's got the perfect char marks). From summer salads, potato salads, pasta salads, and more, these easy 75 summer sides will make sure your BBQ is complete.
We kind of love how the word "salad" transforms to mean all kinds of different dishes during the summer. You've got your chilled pasta salads, like our macaroni salad and pesto pasta salad that are more traditional, or our bloody mary pasta salad or creamy Asian-inspired noodle salad that will bring unexpected flavors to your outdoor meal. It's not a BBQ without potato salad, either, so we've got the OG classic, as well as our hot German potato salad (unlike mayo-based cold ones, this one's served warm with bacon vinaigrette) and jalapeƱo popper potato salad. There's even lots of vegetable options that fall under the salad umbrella, like our bacon jalapeƱo corn salad or caprese salad.
There's even a few *actual* salads in here, leafy greens and all! š² We clearly love carb-y potatoes and pasta, but sometimes you're going to want the fresh stuff. Check out our balsamic grilled steak salad with peaches and our peach burrata caprese salad (look, we love summer peaches), or our strawberry spinach salad. Looking for less effort, but still want that fresh flavor? Try one of our simple grilled vegetable sides, like grilled zucchini or grilled potatoes. Pretty much every vegetable takes well to being charred on the grill, so try out your favorites! Check our our top list of grilled vegetables for more inspiration too.
Park Feierbach
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Bacon JalapeƱo Corn Salad
PHOTO: ANDREW BUI; FOOD STYLING: SPENCER RICHARDS
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Buffalo Cauliflower Kebabs
We know what you're thinking, "... grilled celery?" We were doubtful too. But it tastes even better than it sounds. Glaze the kebabs with more buffalo sauce, grill until the cauliflower is tender, then drizzle with blue cheese dressing. Hard to imagine a better excuse to throw a barbecue.
Get the Buffalo Cauliflower Kebabs recipe.
JUNE XIE
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Peach Burrata Caprese Salad
We changed up the classic caprese salad by switching out juicy tomatoes for plump summer peaches and replacing sliced fresh mozzarella with its creamier cousin, burrata. Surrounded by fragrant basil then topped with candied pecans and a drizzle of spicy honey, this sweet & savory salad is a STUNNER.
Get the Peach & Burrata Caprese recipe.
Parker Feierbach
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JalapeƱo Popper Potato Salad
We love potato salad and can't get enough of its creamy goodness during the summer. This jalapeƱo popper version takes things to a whole new level with a kick of heat. It's a little spicy, but 100 percent worth it! Be sure to remove the seeds if you want your bite to be milder.
Get the JalapeƱo Popper Potato Salad recipe.
Parker Feierbach
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Ethan Calabrese
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Strawberry Watermelon Caprese Salad
PHOTO: ANDREW BUI; FOOD STYLING: TYNA HOANG
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Shrimp Mango Salad
Like most salads, this one is ripe for improvisation. Raw, thinly sliced napa cabbage is exceptionally crunchy and sweet, but sliced romaine is a perfectly good replacement. (If you want to add in some additional crunch, go with thinly sliced endive.) Chopped toasted peanuts are a crucial final addition, but can be replaced with toasted sunflower or sesame seeds for a similar effect.
Get the Shrimp Mango Salad recipe.
PHOTO: JOEL GOLDBERG; FOOD STYLING: LENA ABRAHAM
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Grilled Carrots
As with most root veggies, carrots take awhile to cook through, meaning they've got to be tended to and turned frequently to get tender on the grill. The good news is that your hard work will be rewarded; the carrot's natural sweetness comes out during cooking, a complementary foil to the smoky char achieved on the grill. We love serving this veggie side atop creamy ricotta, with a punchy carrot top-based chimichurri for some brightness.
Get the Grilled Carrots recipe.
Andrew Bui
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Summer Panzanella
Panzanella is one of those summer recipes that truly tastes like summer. It's one that you want to make in peak season—when the tomatoes are extra juicy, the squash slightly sweet, and the basil extra cheap. To give this classic dish more flavor, we grill the bread, zucchini, and onion until charred, then toss those with the remaining ingredients.
Get the Summer Panzanella recipe.
Parker Feierbach
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Perfect Caprese Salad
Since tomatoes are the true star of this dish, it's best to wait until local tomatoes are in season. Then look for tomatoes that feel heavy in your hands and show a bit of resistance when pressed. (But don't squeeze them!) They should smell a bit earthy and sweet.
Get the Perfect Caprese Salad recipe.
PHOTO: ERIK BERNSTEIN; FOOD STYLING: ERIKA JOYCE
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Red Potato Salad
This salad recipe is simple, with 2 types of mustard (Dijon for kick and whole grain for a bit of sweetness) and some pickled red onions for acid and crispness. With only 2/3 cup of mayo, it isn't too creamy but you still get the richness you expect in a potato salad.
Get the Red Potato Salad recipe.
PHOTO: ERIK BERNSTEIN; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE
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Black Bean and Corn Salad
This side dish stores well in the refrigerator and can be made up to one day in advance. If making more than an hour ahead of time, though, we recommend waiting to add the avocado until right before serving to keep it as fresh and green as possible.
Get the Black Bean and Corn Salad recipe.
Parker Feierbach
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Homemade Coleslaw
Mayo dressing is the classic when it comes to coleslaw, but we find that mayo-based dressing can sometimes be overly heavy or cloyingly sweet and fatty. Adding vinegar along with some bright and tangy dijon mustard really lightens up the dressing in the best way possible.
Get the Coleslaw recipe.
Ethan Calabrese
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Grilled Balsamic Steak Salad With Peaches
Peppery arugula is the perfect vessel for this savory-sweet combo, and you just can't beat ripe, juicy peaches come summertime. We love this with funky blue cheese crumbles, but you can use feta too if you prefer.
Get the Balsamic Grilled Steak Salad With Peaches recipe.
PHOTO: JOEL GOLDBERG; FOOD STYLING: MICAH MORTON
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Pesto Pasta Salad
This pasta salad is classic, featuring a homemade basil-and-pine nut pesto, a generous amount of Parmesan, and juicy grape tomatoes. Any type of short pasta will do as long as it has good texture to snag the sauce. It's worth getting out your nicest olive oil for this recipe since the flavor will shine through.
Get the Pesto Pasta Salad recipe.
Tara Donne
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Fried Okra
Frying it is the BEST way to enjoy okra. Dredging in buttermilk and cornmeal, then frying in a small amount of oil achieves that extra crispy and golden crust. It's a Southern-inspired staple that makes the summer heat worth it.
Get the Fried Okra recipe.
Ethan Calabrese
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Mexican Corn Salad
This simple salad hits all the right notes: creamy, spicy, salty, and citrusy, just like the beloved Mexican street food dish elote (grilled sweet corn coated in mayo, cotija cheese and spices) that it is inspired by.
Get the Mexican Corn Salad recipe.
PARKER FEIERBACH
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Parker Feierbach
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Italian Pasta Salad
A good pasta salad can only be good if the pasta is good. It's the foundation of the entire dish! Here are some important things to remember when boiling pasta for pasta salad, or any dish with pasta, really: Salt your water, keep your pasta al dente, and don't rinse your pasta after it's drained.
Get the Italian Pasta Salad recipe.
Parker Feierbach
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Parker Fierbach
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Watermelon Feta Salad
Watermelon + cucumbers is one of the most refreshing combos of all time. Throw in some mint, red onion, and feta and toss it all with a very simple vinaigrette (just olive oil + red wine vinegar), and you've got yourself a mean summer salad.
Get the Watermelon Feta Salad recipe.
Parker Feierbach
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Corn Salad
This is the quintessential summer salad. Even though we are big feta lovers at Delish, toasted nuts, seeds, or cubed avocado would all be delicious substitutes (or additions)!
Get the Basil & Feta Corn Salad recipe.
PARKER FEIERBACH
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Avocado, Tomato, and Corn Salad
Avocados love to go brown on us quickly, so this dish is best when served straight away. The lemon will help prolong the browning, but only for so long. Just know that even if your avo goes brown, it's just a little oxidation from exposure to air, and it is still totally safe to eat despite its appearance!
Get the Avocado Tomato Salad recipe.
Ethan Calabrese
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Bruschetta Pasta Salad
This salad is the epitome of summer in a bowl. We love using orecchiette pasta here to soak up the simple extra virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar dressing, but you can use whatever pasta shape you like!
Get the Bruschetta Pasta Salad recipe.
Parker Feierbach
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Parker Feierbach
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Perfect Fruit Salad
Sweet syrupy honey, fresh tart orange juice, and bright lemon zest come together to elevate fresh spring fruit to new heights.
Get the Fruit Salad recipe.
Parker Feierbach
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Homemade Pickles
Perfect on the side with your burgers! We kept it simple by adding a few crushed garlic cloves and fresh dill, but feel free to get creative. Add mustard seeds, whole black peppercorns, crushed red pepper flakes, or even fresh chiles for a kick!
Get the Homemade Pickles recipe.
Parker Feierbach
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Mediterranean Chickpea Salad
Our lemon-parsley vinaigrette is perfectly tart and fresh with a hint of spice and you can put it on everything. Not a fan of olives or bell peppers? Cherry tomatoes and diced ripe avocado will fill that flavor gap. Want to keep it dairy free? Sub in another form of protein in place of the feta, like a couple of hard-boiled eggs or a can of tuna, or a handful of chopped toasted nuts.
Get the Mediterranean Chickpea Salad recipe.
PARKER FEIERBACH
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Elote: Mexican Street Corn
If you think mayo is the worst, and are worried this recipe won't be for you, think again. Elote will have you reconsidering your stance; or, at the very least, make one incredible exception. The mayo becomes more like a creamy sauce, absorbing the flavor of the chili powder, cotija cheese, and lime juice. It's tangy without overpowering the corn—exactly the kind of refreshing treat you could use at your next cookout or backyard BBQ.
Get the Elote: Mexican Street Corn recipe.
Ethan Calabrese
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Grilled Creamed Corn
Baked creamed corn is one of our favorite winter holiday sides, and it's always seemed crazy we don't see more of it during peak corn season in the summer! We're putting it firmly in summer territory by grilling the corn first and adding a little heat from jalapeƱos.
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