• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Grits and Pinecones
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Southern
  • All Recipes
  • About me
  • Contact form
  • Subscribe
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Southern
    • All Recipes
    • About me
    • Contact form
    • Subscribe
  • ×
    Home » Recipes » Recipe Collections

    Salad Extravaganza: 12 Delicious Recipes to Wow at Your Next BBQ

    Modified: Jul 11, 2024 · Published: May 25, 2024 by Sharon Rigsby · Leave a Comment

    Pinterest pin with a collage of four summer salads including potato salad.

    Make your BBQ unforgettable with these 15 delicious and vibrant summer salad recipes. From tangy to sweet, there is something for everyone!

    Four salads including potato, classic house, and pasta salad.

    Fresh ingredients, bold flavors, and easy to prepare! Make them today!

    1
    Spinach Strawberry Salad with Pecans and Poppy Seed Dressing on a table.
    Best Spinach Strawberry Salad Recipe with Pecans
    Discover my delicious Spinach Strawberry Salad Recipe featuring sweet strawberries, crunchy roasted pecans, and fresh baby spinach. My irresistible homemade Poppy Seed Dressing adds a touch of magic to this quick, effortless, and guilt-free side dish and makes it a real crowd-pleaser.
    Check out this recipe
    2
    A house salad on a white plate featuring lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, cheese and croutons.
    Quick and Easy Classic House Salad Recipe
    Say goodbye to complicated prep and prepare to embark on a journey of crisp, vibrant flavors that will make this Classic House Salad your new salad obsession.
    Check out this recipe
    3
    Tomato Avocado Feta Salad in a white serving dish.
    Tomato Avocado Feta Salad Recipe with Fresh Corn
    Flavorful Tomato Avocado Feta Salad with Fresh Corn is a refreshing and vibrant dish full of ripe summer tomatoes bursting with juiciness, creamy and buttery avocado, tangy feta cheese, and tender sweet corn with its natural sweetness.
    Check out this recipe
    4
    Spinach salad topped with sliced apples, pecans and feta cheese in a white bowl.
    Simple Spinach Salad with Apples and Pecans Recipe
    This easy and flavorful salad is the perfect blend of crisp, juicy, tart apples, crunchy pecans, tender spinach, tangy dried cranberries, and creamy feta cheese. A zesty homemade poppy seed dressing seals the deal and enhances the flavor and texture of the salad. 
    Check out this recipe
    5
    Cranberry chicken salad with pecans in a white bowl.
    Chicken Salad with Cranberries and Pecans
    This easy Chicken Salad with Cranberries and Pecans is creamy, crunchy, sweet, and savory with rotisserie chicken, dried cranberries, buttery pecans, celery, and a simple mayo dressing. Perfect for sandwiches, croissants, lettuce wraps, meal prep lunches, and easy entertaining.
    Check out this recipe
    6
    Wild rice chicken salad topped with cranberries.
    Wild Rice Chicken Salad with Cranberries
    Flavorful Wild Rice Chicken Salad with Cranberries is a stunning, make-ahead, cold main dish salad showcasing a kaleidoscope of vibrant colors and textures. 
    Check out this recipe
    7
    A blue and white bowl full of watermelon feta salad.
    Watermelon Feta Salad with Basil and Blueberries
    Every bite of this make-ahead, cold and refreshing Watermelon Feta Salad with Basil and Blueberries tastes like a beach party in your mouth! It features a winning combination of sweet ripe watermelon, tangy feta cheese, juicy blueberries, fresh basil, and an optional tangy homemade vinaigrette dressing.
    Check out this recipe
    8
    Sliced cucumbers, tomatoes and onion in a white bowl.
    Old Fashioned Cucumbers, Tomatoes and Onions in Vinegar
    Old Fashioned Cucumbers, Tomatoes and Onions in Vinegar features a lovely combination of fresh flavors with crisp, cool cucumbers, sweet, ripe tomatoes, and just a touch of zesty red onions. These vegetables are marinated in a simple but tasty, sweet and tangy, salad dressing made with apple cider vinegar.
    Check out this recipe
    9
    Grape salad topped with pecans and brown sugar in a white bowl.
    Creamy Southern Grape Salad with Pecans
    This creamy Southern grape salad is an easy make-ahead potluck favorite made with sweet red and green grapes, tangy cream cheese dressing, and a crunchy brown sugar pecan topping. Perfect for Easter brunch, church suppers, and summer cookouts, this classic grape salad recipe comes together in minutes and always disappears quickly.
    Check out this recipe
    10
    Southern Broccoli Salad in a white metal bowl with a blue rim.
    Southern Broccoli Salad Recipe with Bacon & Craisins
    Easy Southern Broccoli Salad with Bacon and Craisins is a healthy, make-ahead, delicious, cold vegetable salad. In addition to the broccoli and Craisins, it's loaded with pecans, cheese, tomatoes, and bacon!
    Check out this recipe
    11
    Southern Corn Salad in a white bowl garnished with strips of basil.
    Southern Corn Salad Recipe
    Easy Southern Corn Salad only takes minutes to prepare and, because it's made without mayonnaise, it's fresh, light, and healthy.
    Check out this recipe
    12
    A glass trifle dish with a layered cornbread salad.
    Cornbread Salad Recipe
    Easy Southern Cornbread Salad is layer after layer of pure old-fashioned goodness with chunks of cornbread surrounded by romaine lettuce, fresh tomatoes, ham, bell pepper, onion, celery, and, of course, shredded cheese.
    Check out this recipe
    13
    A white bowl full of creamy potato salad topped with paprika.
    Easy Southern Potato Salad Recipe
    A classic Southern Potato Salad, just like Grandma used to make; this easy old-fashioned side-dish is creamy, tangy deliciousness. And, it's full of crunchy dill pickles, yellow mustard, mayonnaise, and must-have hard-boiled eggs!
    Check out this recipe
    14
    Shrimp Pasta Salad in a white bowl garnished with a sprig of dill.
    Roasted Shrimp Pasta Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette
    Roasted Shrimp Pasta Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette is a magical combination of fresh succulent shrimp, orzo pasta and a tasty lemon vinaigrette that you can make in less than twenty minutes.
    Check out this recipe
    15
    A large bowl with pasta salad and vegetables on a white and green napkin.
    Summer Pasta Salad – Loaded with Fresh Vegetables
    Summer Pasta Salad is a delicious, healthy, veggie-filled salad loaded with summer squash, zucchini, carrots, scallions, edamame, broccoli, and cherry tomatoes!
    Check out this recipe

    More Recipe Collections

    • Collage of easy chicken thigh recipes including grilled chicken thighs, skillet chicken dinners, casseroles, and baked chicken thigh recipes.
      These 16 Easy Chicken Thigh Recipes Will Save Dinner Tonight
    • A collage of four old fashioned recipes including pecan pie, mac & cheese, and creamed potatoes.
      21 Old-Fashioned Recipes That Taste Just Like Grandma’s
    • A collage of four spring desserts including strawberry pie, carrot cake and lemon cheesecake.
      15 Easy Spring Desserts Everyone Will Love
    • Collage of easy spring party food including appetizers, salads, and desserts for casual entertaining.
      12 Easy Spring Party Food Ideas & Recipes for Casual Entertaining

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Sharon Rigsby, blogger at GritsandPinecones.com

    Hello, I'm Sharon Rigsby, blogger, content creator, videographer, and photographer for Grits and Pinecones®. I have over 50 years of experience in the kitchen, and I like nothing better than developing and reimagining recipes for my family, friends, and you!

    More about me →

    What's New in My Kitchen

    • Bourbon bacon onion jam made with caramelized onions, crispy bacon, bourbon, and balsamic vinegar, served in a glass jar.
      Bourbon Bacon Onion Jam (Sweet, Smoky, and Easy to Make)
    • Slices of smoked chuck roast topped with bourbon bacon onion jam on a platter.
      Smoked Chuck Roast with Bourbon Bacon Onion Jam (Poor Man’s Brisket)
    • Savory mashed sweet potatoes in a bowl topped with brown butter and roasted pecans.
      Savory Mashed Sweet Potatoes with Brown Butter (Creamy & Easy)
    • Slow cooker country style ribs with Vidalia onion gravy served over creamy mashed potatoes.
      Slow Cooker Country-Style Ribs with Vidalia Onion Gravy
    • Grilled Boneless Chicken Thighs (Easy Indoor Grill Pan Chicken)
    • Spicy coleslaw piled high in a white bowl.
      Spicy Coleslaw (Perfect for Pulled Pork, BBQ & Sandwiches)

    Browse more recipes →

    Reader Favorites & Southern Classics

    • A white bowl full of creamy potato salad topped with paprika.
      Classic Southern Potato Salad
    • Six hoecakes or fried cornbread on a white plate.
      Quick and Easy Hoe Cakes (Fried Cornbread)
    • A blackened grouper filet on a plate with grits, garnished with a lemon slice.
      Blackened Grouper
    • Hanky Panky appetizers piled high on a black plate.
      Hanky Panky Recipe
    • Cornbread in a cast iron skillet.
      Best Southern Cornbread Recipe
    • A plate of oven-baked country-style ribs topped with BBQ sauce and garnished with parsley.
      Boneless Country-Style Ribs in the Oven (Tender, Easy & Foolproof)

    Browse more recipes →

    Featured in Parade, The Today Show, Better Homes & Gardens, Greatist, and more.

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    Disclosures

    • Privacy Policy & Terms of Service
    • Disclaimer

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    About

    • About
    • Contact

    Copyright © 2025 Grits and Pinecones®

    Grits and Pinecones submark logo with pinecone.
    • Facebook
    • X
    • Pinterest
    • Email
    • Flipboard