11 Summery Salads for a Barbecue

Collard Greens, Blue Potato and Bacon Salad
Photo: © Paul Costello

Pair these easy salads — including red and green coleslaw, sesame-ginger chicken pasta salad, and creamy cucumber and grilled potato salad — with your favorite barbecue dish.

01 of 11

Red and Green Coleslaw

Red-and-Green Coleslaw
© Con Poulos

This classic coleslaw dressed in mayo and sour cream is excellent on its own or piled onto pulled pork, brisket, or smoked-meat sandwiches.

02 of 11

Grilled Okra, Corn, and Tomato Salad

Grilled Corn, Tomato and Okra Salad
Victor Protasio

This next-level summer salad turns heads with its punchy charred jalapeño-and-herb-spiked dressing and a palate-perking topping of toasted crunchy coriander and cumin seeds.

03 of 11

Roasted Carrot and Red Quinoa Salad

Roasted Carrot and Red Quinoa Salad
© Eric Wolfinger

Anna Zepaltas grew up preparing tamales in her mother's Southern California kitchen, but she also loves Indian and Middle Eastern dishes. Cumin, coriander, and cardamom punch up this salad, inspired by a favorite dish at Chloe's French Cafe in Santa Rosa, California.

04 of 11

Sesame-Ginger Chicken Pasta Salad

Sesame–Ginger Chicken Pasta Salad
© Kristen Stevens

This quick-prep, creamy, Asian-inspired pasta salad is a meal in itself or a great barbecue or picnic side dish.

05 of 11

Creamy Cucumber and Grilled Potato Salad

Creamy Cucumber and Grilled Potato Salad
© Christina Holmes

"When I was a kid, my mom would marinate cucumbers, red onions, and canned potatoes in jarred creamy Italian dressing," says Jamie Bissonnette. "I'm not saying she was a great cook, but creamy Italian dressing is still my favorite. I make a version of it for this salad."

06 of 11

Green Bean Slaw

Green Bean Slaw
© Fredrika Stjärne

In this salad, tender haricots verts get tossed with crunchy strips of carrot, red pepper, and parsnip. When TV personality Rachael Ray (who is originally from upstate New York) visited the Beekman farm, Lee Woolver made a version of this salad with bacon, but it's just as delicious without.

07 of 11

Corn, Basil, and Quinoa Salad

Corn, Basil, Quinoa Salad
© Ian Knauer

This dairy-free and vegetarian salad serve as the perfect side for lunch.

08 of 11

Grilled Squash, Corn, and Kale Salad with Sunflower Seed Vinaigrette

Grilled Squash, Corn and Kale Salad with Sunflower Seed Vinaigrette
Adrian Gaut

The creamy sunflower seed dressing for this hearty summer salad is flavored with za'atar, the classic Middle Eastern spice mix that often includes thyme, oregano or marjoram, sesame seeds, tangy sumac, and often salt.

09 of 11

Classic Potato Salad

Classic Potato Salad
© Fredrika Stjärne

Baby potatoes have a naturally sweet flavor and creamy texture that's delicious in this classic potato salad recipe. Make it as a simple side for your next backyard barbecue or summer picnic.

10 of 11

Greens Pasta Salad

Greens Pasta Salad
© Con Poulos

Justin Chapple set out to improve pasta salad, which is often bland, thick, and laden with mayonnaise. Here, he dresses pasta with a tangy and creamy mix of buttermilk, vinegar, and mayo, then mixes in plenty of greens to add a fresh, bright flavor. It's the best pasta salad ever.

11 of 11

Avocado and Cabbage Slaw

Avocado-and-Cabbage Slaw
© Marcus Nilsson

When Suvir Saran's mother tried this spicy, crunchy cabbage slaw at his restaurant Tapestry in New York City, she said, "Baba, this is the best chaat I've ever eaten!" While Saran didn't intend to make over the traditional Indian snack, a dish with chickpeas, potatoes, yogurt, and chutney, the crunch, spice, and tang immediately elicit an iconic chaat. "There is nothing Indian about it, and yet, it's entirely Indian," says Saran.

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