As the summer months approach, many of us are looking for refreshing and easy-to-make dishes to enjoy at outdoor gatherings. Salads are a great option, and there are countless variations to choose from. Here are 15 summer salads that are perfect for cookouts, picnics, and backyard meals.
Italian Pasta with Salami
This salad is packed with tri-color rotini, cucumber, cherry tomatoes, olives, Colby cheese, and sliced salami. It’s a hearty option that’s sure to please.
Layered Seven Layer Salad
This salad is a classic, with layers of iceberg lettuce, tomatoes, peas, corn, celery, baked chicken, and bacon. It’s a great option for a crowd, and can be made in just 30 minutes.
Avocado Salad
This salad is a simple but delicious option, with ripe avocado, tomatoes, cucumber, and red onion. It’s a great choice for a light and refreshing side dish.
Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad
This salad is a twist on the classic pasta salad, with smoky bacon and ranch dressing adding a rich and creamy flavor.
Fresh Fruit Salad with Honey & Lime Dressing
This salad is a colorful and healthy option, with a mix of strawberries, pineapple, blueberries, grapes, kiwi, mango, and mandarin oranges. It’s a great choice for a light and refreshing dessert or snack.
Retro Watergate Salad
This salad is a fun and unique option, with a mix of pistachio pudding, crushed pineapple, mini marshmallows, pecans, and Cool Whip. It’s a great choice for a retro-themed party or gathering.
Dense Bean Salad
This salad is a hearty and flavorful option, with a mix of chickpeas and pinto beans, red and yellow peppers, cucumber, Kalamata olives, feta, and parsley. It’s a great choice for a crowd, and can be made in just 15 minutes.
Macaroni Salad
This salad is a classic, with a creamy dressing coating elbow pasta, bell peppers, red onion, celery, green onions, and shredded cheese. It’s a great option for a crowd, and can be made in just 27 minutes.
Mango Shrimp Salad
This salad is a unique and flavorful option, with a mix of poached shrimp, mango, avocado, red onion, bell pepper, cilantro, and lime juice. It’s a great choice for a light and refreshing main dish.
Red Cabbage Coleslaw
This salad is a crunchy and flavorful option, with a mix of shredded red cabbage and carrots, red onion, cilantro, dill, and apple cider vinegar. It’s a great choice for a side dish or topping for sandwiches.
Mexican Street Corn Salad
This salad is a fun and flavorful option, with a mix of charred corn, sour cream, mayonnaise, lime juice, chili powder, cotija, cilantro, red onion, and crushed Fritos. It’s a great choice for a crowd, and can be made in just 25 minutes.
Taco Pasta Salad
This salad is a twist on the classic pasta salad, with seasoned ground beef and rotini, tomatoes, corn, beans, cheddar, red onion, jalapeño, cilantro, and lime. It’s a great option for a crowd, and can be made in just 35 minutes.
Seaweed Salad
This salad is a unique and flavorful option, with a mix of glossy wakame, sesame oil, soy sauce, rice vinegar, ginger, shallot, and sesame seeds. It’s a great choice for a light and refreshing side dish.
Taco Salad
This salad is a fun and flavorful option, with a mix of seasoned ground beef, romaine, black beans, tomato, cheddar, avocado sauce, and cilantro. It’s a great choice for a crowd, and can be made in just 30 minutes.
Egg Salad
This salad is a classic, with a mix of hard-boiled eggs, mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, celery, red onion, and chives. It’s a great option for a crowd, and can be made in just 22 minutes.
Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.
