Hamburgers and hot dogs are a given on a cookout menu. But what else is necessary? Side salads. No plate is complete without a scoop of potato salad or maybe some pasta salad. I’ve found some easy side salad recipes that are full-flavored and delicious.
I was pleasantly surprised at how delicious Marge Taggart’s (The Villages, FL) Coleslaw with Fruit was. It’s cool and creamy with just the right amount of cabbage mixed with the sweet fruit.
“This recipe is delicious with the added fruit ingredients,” shares Marge. “I could never get my coleslaw recipes to taste like many good restaurants served until my husband introduced me to the Marzetti refrigerated slaw dressing. This is my go-to side dish.”
Marge’s slaw isn’t overly sweet but is on the sweet side thanks to the fruit. It is a cross between a savory cole slaw and a fruit salad. Everything blends together nicely. Walnuts add a bit of crunch but also a little salt that balances the sweet fruit. Very yummy!
Sherry Monfils’ (Worcester, MA) Simple Ranch Potato Salad is easy to prepare and has a different flavor profile than traditional potato salad. Even people that typically don’t care for potato salad will like this, I think.
“A simple to make, ranch flavored salad for when you want to make potato salad without a lot of ingredients but with a lot of taste,” says Sherry. It’s super creamy and the ranch flavor is mild. Bacon is a great complement to the flavor – adds texture and a saltiness. A great addition to your summer BBQ.
I loved Meryl Hausner’s (Wood-Ridge, NJ) Lemon Vegetable Pasta Salad. It’s a bit different than other pasta salad recipes I’ve tried.
Meryl mixes in asparagus, snap peas which add tons of crunch to the salad. Everything is tossed with a lemon mayonnaise that has a light, fresh taste. If you’re feeding a crowd, this must be on your menu. The recipe makes a ton of pasta salad.
It can be difficult to replicate the flavor and texture of authentic deli mac, but Helene Mulvihill’s (Magnolia, TX) Deli Mac Salad recipe pulls it off beautifully.
“This is a family recipe from my husband’s family,” explains Helene. “They owned a deli in New Jersey many years ago and this is the mac salad that they made.” Now you don’t have to pick up a pound or two at your local deli. You can make this classic salad at home. Tangy, sweet, and creamy, this will become a family favorite.
Karie Houghton’s (Milton, WA) Garden Couscous Salad is a terrific option if you’re looking to serve a side that’s lighter in calories and still good-tasting.
Couscous is a pasta ground from semolina that originated in North Africa. It’s flavorless on its own, but when mixed with ingredients it takes on those flavors. And Karie’s recipe is packed with flavor!
The dressing is full of cumin and lemon. Karie includes cucumber, tomato, green onions, garbanzo beans, and a bit of Feta in the salad. It’s a light, fresh, and delicious summer salad.
Do you have a favorite side salad recipe you love to prepare for a cookout? Make sure to share the recipe. With all the cookouts this summer, I’m always looking for a bit of inspiration. Happy Pinching!