Everyday Cooking Seasonal Summer Side Dishes 30 Cold Side Dishes for Picnics and Potlucks By Corey Williams Corey Williams Corey Williams is a food writer for MyRecipes and Allrecipes. She has a decade of journalism experience. Allrecipes' editorial guidelines Published on February 23, 2021 Close Photo: naples34102 Warm weather calls for cool and refreshing sides that pair perfectly with your favorite summer meals. Whether you're looking for a classic picnic staple (we've got more potato and pasta salad recipes than you'll ever need) or something light and healthy (seasonal fruits and veggies are abundant in this collection), you'll absolutely love these cold side dishes. 01 of 31 Perfect Potato Salad View Recipe Chef John This family recipe is an American classic, according to Chef John. Remember to allow the potatoes to cool to room temperature before adding the five-ingredient dressing. Potato Salad Recipes 02 of 31 Best Ever Cowboy Caviar View Recipe Bibi We love Cowboy Caviar with tortilla chips, but it works just as well as a refreshing side dish. This top-rated recipe comes together in about half an hour. 03 of 31 Savoy Cabbage Salad View Recipe Buckwheat Queen This delicate salad is easy to assemble with just eight ingredients: cabbage, a pear, lemon juice, walnuts, Pecorino Romano, black pepper, olive oil, and champagne vinegar. 04 of 31 Cold Macaroni Salad with Hot Dogs View Recipe Photo by lutzflcat. Hot dogs in salad sounds weird, but just trust us on this one. It couldn't be easier to throw this recipe together with just pasta, hot dogs, olives, Cheddar, and a bottle of creamy dressing. 05 of 31 Ranch, Bacon, and Parmesan Pasta Salad View Recipe naples34102 "A great side dish for the summer picnic," says recipe creator Chef John Politte. "I made this on accident when I put some soup ingredients into the bowl instead of the stock pot. I doctored it up and added other ingredients, and voila!" Ways to Use Ranch Dressing 06 of 31 Dad's Creamy Cucumber Salad View Recipe cheesemite Looking for a cool and refreshing summer side dish that everyone will love? Your search ends with this creamy cucumber salad. 07 of 31 Cilantro Lime Cucumber Salad View Recipe lutzflcat This five-ingredient side dish (made with a cucumber, cilantro, lime juice, garlic, and chile paste) is great alongside steak or tacos, according to recipe creator Alli Shircliff. 08 of 31 Lebanese Radish Salad View Recipe How gorgeous is this restaurant-worthy radish salad? "The simple combination of peppery radishes, toasted walnuts, and fresh mint is satisfying and somehow greater than the sum of its parts," according to recipe creator nicholio. 09 of 31 Lemony Cabbage Avocado Slaw View Recipe bd.weld Here's a colorful coleslaw that is sure to make an impression at your next picnic or potluck. Lemon juice perfectly complements the creamy avocado and the pungent red onion. Easy Picnic Recipes 10 of 31 Peppery Coleslaw with Cucumbers and Celery View Recipe moaa This savory coleslaw is a nice change from the sweet alternatives, according to recipe creator Susan Bray Garrison. 11 of 31 Refreshing Watermelon Salad View Recipe CookinBug "LOVED this," raves reviewer CookinBug. "I figured I would like it, but this salad really wowed me. I love the sharp contrast of flavors; the saltiness of the feta plays off the watermelon so nicely." Watermelon and Feta Recipes 12 of 31 Sweet and Peppery Watermelon Salad View Recipe Soup Loving Nicole "When I first tasted this salad at a gathering I couldn't stop eating it," says recipe creator Elma. "I was sure to obtain the recipe and have been making it ever since." 13 of 31 Tomato Cucumber Salad View Recipe muffinmom You only need six ingredients (tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, lemon juice, salt, and pepper) for this delightfully simple summer salad. 14 of 31 Peach and Tomato Caprese Salad View Recipe Allrecipes "Heirloom tomatoes, peaches, and fresh mozzarella are layered and topped with a simple balsamic vinaigrette in this peach Caprese salad," says recipe creator Julie Hubert. 15 of 31 Simple Pasta Salad View Recipe CookinBug "Very simple and light, yet a tasty salad," according to five-star reviewer THERESA. "Perfect for those summer days!" 16 of 31 Picnic Potato Salad with No Mayonnaise View Recipe Wyattdogster No mayonnaise? No problem. Whether you're skipping the mayo because of health reasons or because you just ran out, this is a summer side dish you don't want to miss. 17 of 31 Chickpea, Artichoke, and Feta Salad View Recipe Christina "A fresh-tasting salad from ingredients that last a long time in the pantry and refrigerator, with a pleasing balance of earthy, sharp, salty, and green," says recipe creator KELLYJEANNE. 18 of 31 Sarah's Ambrosia Fruit Salad View Recipe Molly "This recipe has been in my family for years and years," according to recipe creator smviolante. "We make it at every holiday family get together and everyone loves it. It's a great refreshing fruit salad for every occasion, especially summer months and hot days." Retro Recipes 19 of 31 Strawberry and Feta Salad View Recipe bellepepper This sweet and tangy salad is sure to please your guests, according to recipe creator Andrea Longo Policella. A dressing made with Dijon mustard and raspberry vinegar is a bright finish. 20 of 31 Almond Mandarin Salad View Recipe Almond Mandarin Salad | Photo by SunnyByrd. This unusual combination of ingredients (slivered almonds, bacon, and canned Mandarin orange wedges) is surprisingly delicious and easy to make. 21 of 31 Fruit and Broccoli Buffet Salad View Recipe Bibi "Oh my this is a delicious salad," raves reviewer and Allrecipes Allstar Bibi. "The dressing is just perfectly zingy for this interesting combination of ingredients. I think I have found my next potluck dish and I'm so happy!!!!!" 22 of 31 Tortellini Pesto Salad View Recipe Photo by Maria. This hearty side dish is substantial enough to serve as an entree. "I was looking for a pasta salad with a twist and I definitely got what I was looking for," says reviewer amyd. Tortellini Recipes 23 of 31 Panzanella Salad View Recipe SunnyByrd Serve this classic side with your favorite Italian meal. If you don't have olives on hand, says recipe creator veggiemom, you can substitute capers. 24 of 31 Creamy Macaroni Salad View Recipe Photo by SunnyDaysNora. "I have looked all over for a great macaroni salad; this one is it," says recipe creator Mandy Franke. "It's easy and is a huge hit at every function I take it to." 25 of 31 Pepperoni Pizza Pasta Salad View Recipe Christina A package of pepperoni slices, black olives, mushrooms, mozzarella, tomatoes, and oregano make this fun pasta salad taste just like your favorite pizza. 26 of 31 Arugula-Fennel Salad View Recipe Photo by airrayd. Try this simple salad — made with arugula and fennel bulbs and tossed in a lemon-olive oil dressing — next time you're in need of a light and fresh side dish. 27 of 31 Persian-Style Tomato Avocado Salad View Recipe bd.weld "A refreshing summer salad that is bit more substantial than a greens-based salad," according to recipe creator Chad. "It is unparalleled for taking advantage of the first succulent tomatoes of the season." 28 of 31 Summer Veggie Salad View Recipe naples34102 Make the best of seasonal summertime veggies. If you want to take this salad from a side dish to a main, suggests recipe creator Lisa Striffler, add grilled chicken. Corn Side Dishes 29 of 31 Horseradish Potato Salad View Recipe lutzflcat Horseradish adds a surprising-yet-welcome zip to this potato salad, made extra creamy with mayonnaise and sour cream. 30 of 31 Perfect Summer Fruit Salad View Recipe RainbowJewels "The perfect fruit salad for a backyard bbq or any occasion," says recipe creator Nicole Graham Holley. "There are never leftovers! This is one of my favorite fruit salad recipes, as I think the sauce really makes it." 31 of 31 More Inspiration Photo by Joey Joan. Hungry for more? Find delicious inspiration in our collection of Quick and Easy Side Dish Recipes. Garlicky Potatoes Parmesan Brussels Sprouts Easy Roasted Broccoli Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit