30 BBQ Salad Recipes That Will Fight For Attention at Your Cookout! 

October 14, 2024
Written by Kristy J. Norton

As you are probably aware, salads are an important part of any BBQ. They help to add a lighter element to the meal and can also be super refreshing when the weather is warm. Well, these BBQ salad recipes show you all the ways to whip up a truly delicious salad - from pasta salads to creamy concoctions, the options are endless! 

bbq salad

1. Simple Coleslaw

Coleslaw is a classic dish that is also a fan favorite - it certainly helps that it is easy to make too! Mix mayo, lemon juice, sugar, and vinegar to form the dressing. Drizzle this over shredded cabbage and carrot and combine well. For best results, let the coleslaw sit for a while before serving. 

Get the recipe here

Simple Coleslaw

2. Creamy Potato Salad

Potato salad is another crowd pleaser! Boil the potatoes, cube, and toss in vinegar. Then, combine sour cream, mayo, and mustard. Pour this over the potatoes along with a ton of fresh herbs, onions, pickles, and hard boiled eggs. Mix and enjoy! 

Get the recipe here

Creamy Potato Salad

3. Grilled Corn Salad

Instead of eating grilled corn by itself, make a salad out of this smoky ingredient! Boil the corn and grill it. Slice off the kernels and mix with tomatoes and feta cheese. Season with lemon juice, olive oil, salt and pepper, and enjoy! 

Get the recipe here

Grilled Corn Salad

4. BBQ Ranch Pasta Salad

This is just the salad you need if you want something a little heartier - it also has tons of flavor! Begin by combining cooked pasta, chicken, beans, corn, onions, and tomatoes. Coat all of this in a dressing made from ranch dressing mix, sour cream, and barbecue sauce! 

Get the recipe here

BBQ Ranch Pasta Salad

5. Watermelon Salad with Cucumber and Feta

In case you are looking for something a bit lighter, then this salad may be a better fit for you! The base of the salad is made with watermelon, English cucumber, fresh herbs, and feta. This is all drizzled in a honey lime dressing for that perfect balance between sweet and tangy! 

Get the recipe here

Watermelon Salad with Cucumber and Feta

6. Broccoli Salad

Want to balance all those heavy dishes with something healthy? This could be the recipe for you! All you have to do is to mix broccoli florets with onion, cranberries, and sunflower seeds. Drizzle this with a dressing made from mayo, apple cider vinegar, and sugar. Make sure to let the salad rest for some time before serving! 

Get the recipe here

Broccoli Salad

7. BBQ Chicken Salad

Don't have cooked chicken on hand? Then give this salad recipe a try! Here, the chicken is grilled and basted with barbecue sauce adding an extra layer of flavor! Then, chop the chicken before mixing with corn, beans, tomatoes, lettuce, and onion. Coat with a mix of barbecue sauce and ranch dressing! 

Get the recipe here

BBQ Chicken Salad

8. Baked Beans Salad

Baked beans are already the perfect BBQ side so why not make a salad out of it? This simple salad comes together without any fuss! Just add cilantro, mint leaves, onion, green chilies, and tomatoes to baked beans. Squeeze some lemon juice over the salad and add in chili sauce. Combine and enjoy! 

Get the recipe here

Baked Beans Salad

9. Tomato Salad

This is a refreshing and delicious salad that goes with almost any of the dishes that you are serving at your barbecue! Layer cherry tomatoes and another type of tomato of your choosing with red onion and fresh herbs. Drizzle with olive oil and balsamic vinegar, season, and serve! 

Get the recipe here

Tomato Salad

10. Summer Avocado Corn Salad

This healthy salad packs a ton of flavor! Simply mix avocado, corn, tomatoes, onions, and cilantro in a bowl. Pour a mix of lime juice and zest, garlic, olive oil, and chili flakes over this. Stir well and let the salad rest before serving! 

Get the recipe here

Summer Avocado Corn Salad

11. Grilled Peach Salad

Why not add some sweetness to your food with the help of this delicious grilled peach salad? Brush the peaches with olive oil and grill. Place this on top of a bed of greens along with berries, feta, and candied pecans. Drizzle this with a honey balsamic vinaigrette and enjoy! 

Get the recipe here

Grilled Peach Salad

12. Quinoa Salad

With this quinoa salad on the menu, you don't have to feel quite so guilty about scarfing down all those barbecued meats! Here, cook the quinoa and add in fruit, nuts, and veggies. Then, top with a apple cider vinegar, honey, and mustard dressing as the finishing touch! 

Get the recipe here

Quinoa Salad

13. Macaroni Salad

Despite being quite creamy, this salad is refreshing because it is so nice and tangy. At the same time, it has just enough sweetness to balance things out. Go ahead and toss macaroni, pickles, and other ingredients in a mayo and pickle juice dressing for the most incredible flavor! 

Get the recipe here

Macaroni Salad

14. Black Bean Salad

Hearty, healthy, and delicious - this salad adds a Southwest twist to your barbecue! Mix black beans with corn, veggies, and avocado. Season the salad with smoky spices and round everything off with some lime juice and cilantro. 

Get the recipe here

Black Bean Salad

15. Primavera Pasta Salad

This Italian inspired salad is a great way to liven up a heavy BBQ meal! You use fresh, bright vegetables combined with pasta and toss it in a mixture of white wine vinegar, mustard, herbs, honey, and garlic to create a beautiful salad! 

Get the recipe here

Primavera Pasta Salad

16. Asian Slaw

Coleslaw is great but does it feel a bit heavy to you? If so, you are going to want to give this Asian slaw a try! It is crispy and refreshing, all while introducing new flavors to your meal. Here, cabbage, cilantro, and green onions are dressed in a mix of sesame oil, rice wine vinegar, fresh ginger and garlic, sugar, and soy sauce! 

Get the recipe here

Asian Slaw

17. Greek Orzo Salad

This recipe works really well when you want to serve a pasta salad at a BBQ but don't want it to be too heavy. The orzo gives you the best of both worlds and the flavors in this salad really liven things up! Orzo, olives, and veggies are flavored with Greek inspired flavors and feta! 

Get the recipe here

Greek Orzo Salad

18. Three Bean Salad

This is the perfect summer salad especially since there is no cooking at all - at the same time, the heartiness of the beans is balanced out by the bright flavors of the salad! Green beans, cannellini beans, and kidney beans are tossed together along with red onion and parsley. Then this is all drizzled with a vinegar, mustard, and sugar dressing! 

Get the recipe here

Three Bean Salad

19. Spinach Salad

This minimalist salad boasts so many incredible flavors! The salad is made from spinach, apple slices, almonds, red onion, and feta. Coat this in a delicious dressing made from olive oil, vinegar, aromatics, and mustard. Serve immediately and enjoy! 

Get the recipe here

Spinach Salad

20. Bacon Ranch Chopped Salad

This salad is a good combination of light and decadent. Yes, the salad does contain bacon and shredded cheese but this is balanced out by broccoli, cauliflower, peppers, carrot, and sweet corn. All this is tossed in a mixture of ranch mix, sour cream, and mayo! 

Get the recipe here

Bacon Ranch Chopped Salad

21. Mexican Street Corn Salad

This recipe is a glorious mix of tangy, creamy, and spicy and light enough to be the perfect barbecue side! Fire roasted corn, jalapenos, and other veggies are seasoned with spices, lime juice, mayo, yogurt, and cilantro. Sprinkle in cotija cheese for a touch of creaminess and flavor! 

Get the recipe here

Mexican Street Corn Salad

22. Grilled Vegetable Salad

Since you are already grilling meat, why not throw some veggies on the grill too! This lends a smoky and tender quality to your salad! Switch things up by choosing your favorite veggies to grill and then toss in a herby vinaigrette and sprinkle with blue cheese crumbles! 

Get the recipe here

Grilled Vegetable Salad

23. Southwestern Chopped Salad

It doesn't get any more Southwestern than this salad! Start by making up some pico de gallo and then mix this in with lettuce, beans, corn, and avocado. Toss in a mix of salsa and ranch dressing. Add in crushed tortilla chips for added crunch! 

Get the recipe here

Southwestern Chopped Salad

24. Carrot Raisin Salad

It is so easy to make this salad and the harmony of the crunch and sweetness make this a welcome addition to your BBQ meal. Simply mix carrots and raisins with mayo, lemon juice, and honey. Give everything a good mix and enjoy! 

Get the recipe here

Carrot Raisin Salad

25. German Potato Salad

This is a warm potato salad where the heat works to combine all of these flavors in the most incredible way! Begin by boiling the potatoes. In the meantime, cook up bacon and onions. Then, add in vinegar, sugar, and oil to form the dressing. Toss the potatoes in this and serve while warm! 

Get the recipe here

German Potato Salad

26. Taco Salad

It doesn't matter if you don't like salads, a taco salad will always hit the spot and is sure to be a hit at your cookout! The great thing about this salad is that you can customize it however you want, adding in whatever greens, proteins, and veggies you want. All of this is seasoned with sour cream and topped with crispy tortilla chips! 

Get the recipe here

Taco Salad

27. Couscous Salad

A couscous salad is both light and filling and boasts such refreshing flavors! Here, cooked couscous is mixed in with beans, onions, olives, and other veggies as well as herbs. This is then all topped off with a lemon dressing that is perfectly tangy! 

Get the recipe here

Couscous Salad

28. Beet Salad with Goat Cheese 

The sweet heartiness of the beetroot, the creaminess of the goat cheese, and the tanginess of the dressing really pulls everything together! Roast the beets and then toss with arugula, nuts, microgreens, shallots, and goat cheese. Drizzle with a balsamic vinaigrette and enjoy! 

Get the recipe here

Beet Salad with Goat Cheese

29. Cucumber and Chickpea Salad

A cucumber salad is great but let's switch things up by adding some chickpeas into the mix too! This adds both flavor and texture. Season this salad with fresh herbs, lemon juice, olive oil, and feta. This keeps it nice and refreshing! 

Get the recipe here

Cucumber and Chickpea Salad

30. Grilled Pineapple Salad

Add a tropical vibe to your barbecue with this salad! The great thing about this salad is that it has such a smoky flavor. This is because the pineapple, jalapeno, lemon, lime, and oranges are all grilled until lightly charred - this takes the flavor to a whole new level! Dice the pineapple and jalapeno and add to other veggies and garlic. Then, squeeze the citrus fruit over the salad for the finishing touch! 

Get the recipe here

Grilled Pineapple Salad

As you can see, BBQ salads can be as fun as the main meals themselves! Since there are so many to choose from, you can actually have a couple of these dishes accompanying the grilled meats. This will make your barbecue well balanced and delicious! 

By Kristy J. Norton
I'm Kristy – a chef and connoisseur of all things BBQ! You can find me either in my kitchen (or someone else's) or at a big outdoor barbecue surrounded by friends and family. In both my professional and personal life I’ve picked up more than a few tips and tricks for turning out delicious food. I consider it a privilege to share it with others!
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