Summer Salads – Sugar Spun Run

Must Try


A collection of crowd-pleasing summer salad recipes perfect for backyard barbecues, cookouts, and picnics! These summer salads are some of my most popular recipes!

collage of summer salads, chicken salad, cuccumber, fruit, and pasta salad

Summer Salad Recipes

You simply can’t have a summer cookout or barbecue without an array of summer salads! Whether you like yours creamy and crunchy, tangy, or even sweet, I have just about every option you could think of. Below you’ll find my collection of summer salad recipes featuring everything from classics *literally* everyone loves, to new and unique options you will be so excited to try!

I usually like to highlight my top recommendation when sharing a list of recipes like this. Today, I can’t help but choose my macaroni salad. Not only has it been one of my top recipes for years, but it’s also been #1 on Google for years too! If you love macaroni salad, you must try my version at least once!

1. Macaroni Salad

Starting off with what might be one of my most popular summer salad recipes, macaroni salad. This recipe has thousands of 5-star reviews!

Macaroni Salad
Macaroni Salad

My macaroni salad is made with classic ingredients like celery, bell pepper, and onion and a simple creamy dressing.

GET THE RECIPE

2. Broccoli Salad

Another fan favorite, my broccoli salad turns green veggies into an irresistible side dish!

Broccoli salad with bacon and cheese
Broccoli Salad

This broccoli salad incorporates, bacon, cranberries, sunflower seeds, and cheese for lots of flavor and texture. Less than 15 minutes to prep!

GET THE RECIPE

3. Corn Salad

Perfect for summer! This corn salad features all the summer veggies: corn, tomatoes, jalapeno, and more.

close up of corn salad in bowl
Corn Salad

Corn salad is so easy to make, and you can use either fresh or frozen corn. It’s topped with a simple lime vinaigrette.

GET THE RECIPE

4. Potato Salad

A cookout classic! My potato salad is always such a hit, I always come home with an empty bowl when I bring it to parties.

Large serving bowl of potato salad.
Potato Salad

A bit different from the norm, my potato salad includes a sprinkle of sugar and sweet pickle juice, a dash of smoked paprika, and the option to add bacon. 

5. Cucumber Salad

This cucumber salad pairs well with so many dishes, but especially Mediterranean inspired ones like my Greek chicken orzo.

Overhead view of a serving bowl of cucumber salad made with dill and red onion.
Cucumber Salad

Cucumber salad takes just 10 minutes to prepare, making it the perfect quick and easy side! My version incorporates dill and onion for flavor.

GET THE RECIPE

6. Ambrosia Salad

A bit different from the rest of my summer salad recipes, ambrosia salad is an old-fashioned dessert salad. It’s so refreshing and an absolute must-try!

Glass bowl of ambrosia salad topped with a maraschino cherry.
Ambrosia Salad

Dessert salad perfection! My version is made with homemade whipped cream, colorful marshmallows, and sweet fruit.

GET THE RECIPE

7. Chicken Salad

Great for picnics or school lunches, my chicken salad is easy to make and packs nicely.

Chicken salad sandwich with lettuce and toasted wheat bread.
Chicken Salad

A 7-ingredient chicken salad recipe! My version includes chopped celery, apples, and onions.

GET THE RECIPE

8. Fruit Salad

A little sweet among all the savory, fruit salad is the perfect anytime salad. We love it equally at brunch and cookouts!

Overhead view of a bowl of fruit salad.
Fruit Salad

Fruit salad takes just 5 minutes to prepare and tastes amazing with my honey lime dressing. Feel free to customize it with your favorite fruits!

GET THE RECIPE

9. Ramen Noodle Salad

Switch up your summer salads with this unique ramen noodle salad! It’s so quick and easy to make.

Close-up shot of ramen noodle salad.
Ramen Noodle Salad

Skeptics will be pleasantly surprised at how crunchy ramen noodles make the most flavorful summer salad! Just 10 minutes to prep.

GET THE RECIPE

10. Shrimp Pasta Salad

Similar to my macaroni salad, this shrimp pasta salad is one of my family’s favorite recipes!

Closeup of shrimp pasta salad
Shrimp Pasta Salad

This shrimp salad incorporates salad shrimp and veggies like celery, onion, and bell pepper into a creamy macaroni salad.

GET THE RECIPE

11. Caprese Salad

Turn the Italian classic into an easy-to-eat salad! We love serving this alongside spaghetti with meat sauce or rigatoni.

Caprese salad in bowl
Caprese Salad

Basil, mozzarella, and cherry tomatoes combine with an incredible balsamic glaze in this caprese salad. Only 10 minutes to prep!

GET THE RECIPE

12. Egg Salad

Perfect for egg salad sandwiches or serving on a bed of lettuce! This is a great warm weather lunch option.

Egg salad in a white serving dish.
The Best Egg Salad Recipe

A fast and easy egg salad! I use fresh ingredients like dill and celery for extra flavor and freshness.

GET THE RECIPE

13. Coleslaw

Another classic summer salad, coleslaw pairs nicely with barbecue like pulled pork or pulled chicken.

large bowl of homemade coleslaw full of shredded green and purple cabbage, carrots, and creamy dressing co
Easy Coleslaw Recipe

Homemade coleslaw is surprisingly easy to make. My recipe includes a homemade dressing that tastes so much better than store-bought!

GET THE RECIPE

14. Texas Caviar

Also known as cowboy caviar, this dish can be served as a salad or even as a dip with tortilla chips!

Texas Caviar
Texas Caviar

Featuring beans, onion, avocado, tomato, corn, and peppers, this Texas caviar is full of fresh flavor. Serve it with chips for a dip!

GET THE RECIPE

15. Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad

If you love buffalo chicken dip or buffalo chicken pizza, you’re going to love this pasta salad!

Buffalo chicken pasta salad in a large serving bowl.
Buffalo Chicken Style Pasta Salad

Perfect for hot weather, this recipe takes all the flavors of buffalo chicken dip and turns them into a flavorful pasta salad.

GET THE RECIPE

16. Brussels Sprouts Salad

Brussels sprouts salad is the perfect salad to transition from summer into fall.

Close-up shot of a shaved brussels sprouts salad topped with pomegranate arils.
Brussels Sprouts Salad

Crunchy, tangy, and packed full of nutritious produce, my brussels sprouts salad is the perfect light and unique salad option.

GET THE RECIPE

Frequently Asked Questions

Can these salads be made ahead?

Yes! In fact all of these summer salad recipes benefit from having a little bit of time to sit so the flavors can meld before serving.

Do summer salads need to be refrigerated?

Yes! Since many of these salads are mayo or dairy-based, they need to be refrigerated. If you plan to serve them outdoors on a hot day, keep them in a cooler or place them on ice to keep them as cold as possible, then stick them back in the fridge as soon as you can.


What pairs well with summer salad recipes?

These warm-weather salads always pair well with picnic or barbecue foods like pulled chicken, pulled pork, sloppy joes, or smashburgers. They also pair nicely with grilled chicken, hot dogs, and anything else you like to serve during the summer!

Preparing corn salad by combining ingredients

I hope you found at least one summer salad recipe you’d like to try in this list. Personally, we tend to rotate between, macaroni, potato, and broccoli salads for our cookouts all summer long. And of course, we serve lemonade on the side to wash it all down!

Did I miss any of your favorites? Or do you have an idea for another summer salad recipe? I’d love to hear about it in the comments!

Have a great summer!

If you try any of these recipes, be sure to tag me on Instagram (I love seeing what you create!), and you can also find me on YouTube and Facebook

More Summer Cookout Favorites:



LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Latest Recipes

More Recipes Like This