15+ Summer Salads to Make for a Crowd
Hosting a barbecue or need to bring a side to share at a potluck this summer? These tasty salad recipes are the perfect and healthy addition to your spread. With options like our Roasted Corn, Black Bean & Mango Salad and our 8-Layer Taco Salad, you’ll have people begging you for the recipes by the time the party’s over.
Roasted Corn, Black Bean & Mango Salad
This simple, fresh-tasting salad features skillet-roasted corn for a nutty, caramelized flavor that contrasts with the sweetness of the mango and hearty black beans.
Curried Chicken & Pasta Salad
Curry powder and chicken adds a savory burst of flavor to this pasta salad that is perfect for barbecue season.
Lemony Lentil Salad with Salmon
Salmon and lentils are a familiar combo in French bistro cooking; here they combine in a quick and easy salad. For the best presentation, flake the salmon with a fork, then stir gently into the salad to keep it in chunks.
8-Layer Taco Salad
Serve this colorful 8-layer taco salad in a clear glass bowl and you’ll have an eye-catching party-worthy side that will disappear in minutes.
Summer Tomato, Onion & Cucumber Salad
Fresh wedges of tomato, thinly sliced onion and sliced cucumber dressed simply with vinegar and oil makes the most simple salad possible. It is best enjoyed at the height of summer, when tomatoes and cucumbers are fresh from the garden.
Greens & Mango Salad with Ginger-Raisin Vinaigrette
Photography / Jenny Huang, Food Styling / Tyna Hoang, Prop Styling / Nicole Louie
The combination of golden raisins, malt vinegar, fresh ginger and chile yields a complex dressing for an otherwise simple green salad.
Green Salad with Edamame & Beets
Katie Webster
This big salad is a feast for the eyes and an everyday way to incorporate nutrient-rich beets and plant-based protein from edamame. If you’re not a fan of cilantro, mix in freshly chopped basil or dill instead.
Pear & Arugula Salad with Candied Walnuts
This simple salad is topped with homemade candied walnuts, which are incredibly easy to make in the oven. For a touch of heat, add a pinch of ground chipotle or cayenne to the nuts before baking.
Pasta Salad with Black Beans & Avocado Dressing
Everyone will love this pasta salad recipe that’s packed with tomatoes, corn and black beans. The creamy dressing features avocado for a spin on a picnic favorite.
Grilled Romaine with Avocado-Lime Dressing
Romaine lettuce takes on a nice charred, smoky flavor with a quick trip to the grill in this fun spin on the classic wedge.
Massaged Mustard Greens Salad
A few minutes of massaging will transform bitter mustard greens into a mellow, well-balanced salad spiked with hints of lemon, garlic and Parmesan.
Classic Potato Salad
Yogurt replaces half of the mayo and we keep the potato skins on for more fiber and potassium in this delicious and classic potato salad recipe.
Italian Pesto Chicken Salad
Prepared pesto is the secret ingredient in this creamy chicken salad recipe. For the prettiest dressing, go for a bright-green colored pesto.
Green Salad with Peaches, Feta & Mint Vinaigrette
This salad recipe follows one of our favorite formulas for great salads: tossing bitter greens with sweet fruit, crunchy toasted nuts and salty cheese.
Macaroni Salad with Creamy Avocado Dressing
Give classic pasta salad a fresher, more flavorful spin by replacing some mayo with avocado. Whole-wheat elbow macaroni and fresh vegetables round out this tasty dish that you’ll be making all summer long.
Quinoa & Smoked Tofu Salad
The tangy fresh flavors of tabbouleh are paired with smoky tofu and quinoa to create a salad that’s perfect for your summer BBQ.
Greek Tortellini Salad
Fresh cheese tortellini and classic Greek salad ingredients like tomatoes, cucumbers and red onion come together for a dish that’s perfect for potlucks, picnics and other casual gatherings.
Moroccan Lentil Salad
Perhaps the best part about this salad is that it gets better as it sits, giving the spiced lemon dressing time to really permeate the lentils and vegetables.
