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Potato salads, pasta salads, veg-heavy casseroles, and more! This list of summer potluck side dishes are the make-and-take favorites that everyone at your cookout will love.
These Quick and Easy Side Dishes Are Perfect for Potlucks!
It’s summer, when you’re very likely to be invited to a backyard bbq, or hopefully even host one yourself.
Summer’s main dish offerings for a crowd can be pretty standard fare with baby back pork ribs, cheeseburgers, and hot dogs likely taking center stage. But if you ask me, the sides are where it’s at.
This list of 40+ potluck side dishes is made up of tried and true favorites, plus some fun new dishes to shake things up a bit. These easy sides will be on my summer picnic table, and I promise you’ll want them on yours too.
Enjoy!
Potato Salad Recipes
1
THE BEST Potato Salad Recipe
This easy homemade potato salad made with eggs, celery seed, and green onion was handed down from my grandma and features a sweet and tangy dressing.
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2
Grilled Potato Salad
Smoky grilled potatoes are tossed with green onions, dill, and parsley and coated in a zingy lemon vinaigrette in this summertime spin on everyone’s favorite potluck salad.
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3
Pesto Potato Salad
Basil pesto gives this pesto potato salad recipe its garlic and herb kick, mixed with creamy hard-boiled eggs, snappy green beans, and buttery toasted pine nuts for a fast and easy potluck side dish.
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4
Roasted Potato Salad
Thanks to roasted potatoes, this potato salad is next-level good and teeming with awesome savory flavor, with rosemary, bacon, and hard boiled eggs, and a creamy mustardy-mayo dressing.
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5
No-Mayo Potato Salad
Fresh herbs and olive oil flavor this easy and healthier potato salad without the mayonnaise. This no-mayo potato salad is perfect for a crowd at potlucks and barbecues and is vegan and egg free.
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6
Creamy Ranch Potato Salad
Creamy homemade ranch dressing coats every bite of this super simple ranch potato salad that tastes like a steakhouse baked potato, in potluck salad form.
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7
Nicoise Potato Salad
This easy to make Nicoise potato salad is a fun spin on a classic Nicoise salad., and it comes together in just 15 minutes! It's the perfect light, fresh, colorful side dish to enjoy for warm weather lunches, picnics, and more.
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8
Red Potato Salad
This red potato salad recipe skips the mustard, egg, and celery to keep things super simple to create a creamy potato salad that's brightened up with a dose of fresh dill.
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9
German Potato Salad
My grandma's German potato salad recipe is made with hot red potatoes dressed in a warm bacon, onion, mustard, and vinegar dressing.
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10
Greek Potato Salad
This Greek potato salad is a tangy spin on the traditional potato salad, with sun-dried tomatoes, olives, feta cheese, and a zesty Greek dressing that brings big, bold flavor.
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Pasta Salad Recipes
11
Caprese Pasta Salad
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ “Delicious!! Just the salad I was looking for with all the summer flavors! ☀️ Makes a great side dish or standalone entree! And would be just as good without the pasta as a lower-carb option. Will definitely be going in my list of favorites!” -Rachel, FoodieCrush reader
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12
Chicken Salad Pasta Salad
Chicken salad meets pasta salad in this delectably simple recipe that comfortably feeds a hungry crowd.
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13
Tortellini Pasta Salad
This tortellini pasta salad is a crowd-pleasing favorite with plump cheese tortellini, diced salami, creamy mozzarella bells and a bevy of fresh and tangy vegetables dressed in a zesty Italian vinaigrette perfect for any BBQ or potluck.
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14
Greek Pasta Salad
This Greek pasta salad will be your go-to summer salad with tangy feta cheese, kalamata olives and a homemade dressing that tops crunchy cucumbers, red peppers and artichoke hearts.
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15
Tahini Pasta Salad with Halloumi
This tahini pasta salad with grilled halloumi, sugar snap peas, radishes, arugula, and mint is loaded with bright and fresh flavors and a creamy tahini dressing, making it a delicious vegetarian lunch or potluck side dish.
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16
Classic Shrimp Pasta Salad
A simple mayonnaise dressing lightly coats the classic ingredients of homemade shrimp pasta salad for an easy side dish made perfect for every barbecue, picnic, or potluck.
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17
THE BEST Macaroni Salad Recipe
This simple macaroni salad recipe made with egg, dressed in a creamy but light mayonnaise dressing, is just right for any picnic or barbecue.
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18
Mediterranean Orzo Salad
Crunchy fresh vegetables and leafy spinach pair with orzo pasta and briny olives and feta cheese for an easy pasta salad perfect for meal prep or parties.
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19
Green Goddess Pasta Salad
This green goddess pasta salad is bright and tangy, cool and creamy, and loaded with green veggies. It's vegetarian too, making it an excellent contribution to any potluck, picnic, or BBQ.
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20
Antipasto Pasta Salad
Your favorite antipasto salad is tossed with al dente pasta to create the ultimate meat lovers' pasta salad. Mix and match the ingredients in this recipe to include your favorite antipasto salad fixings.
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Fruit and Veggie Based Salads
21
Classic Waldorf Salad
Crunchy with crisp apples, celery and toasted nuts, this easy Waldorf salad is a classic recipe perfect for a crowd any time of year.
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22
Classic Creamy Coleslaw
This classic coleslaw recipe is made with a lightly sweetened, creamy dressing and stays super crunchy for hours.
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23
Ambrosia Salad
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ “This is the best ambrosia salad ever!! I love ambrosia and have been wanting to make it the past year for my family but everyone always turns their nose up but FINALLY I made it and everyone has gone crazy for it!! I’ve made it twice in one week :D the only thing I did was swap raspberries for the cherries (I don’t like them) but this is my favorite recipe ever!!!” -Lindsey, FoodieCrush reader
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24
Greek Chickpea Salad
This one-bowl wonder of a salad is packed with chickpeas, olives, feta, and fresh veggies. It's a fantastic make-ahead chickpea salad that stays fresh for a couple days in the fridge.
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25
BLT Corn Salad
This simple corn salad gets a BLT flavor upgrade with sweet cherry tomatoes, peppery arugula, salty bacon, and tender basil for a summer side dish that feeds a crowd.
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26
Creamy Ranch Coleslaw
This ranch coleslaw uses bagged coleslaw mix for ease and your choice of homemade or store-bought ranch dressing.
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27
Antipasto Salad
This authentic Italian antipasto salad is made with chunks of Italian cold cuts, provolone cheese, pickled giardiniera vegetables, tangy green olives, and pepperoncini that rivals those found at any Italian deli.
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28
Dilled Cucumber and Tomato Salad
This extra fresh, dilled cucumber and tomato salad is a low-effort summer salad that pairs perfectly with chicken, burgers, meat, and fish.
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29
Greek Watermelon Salad
Refreshing and easy to make, this Greek watermelon salad is bursting with the flavors of summer.
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30
Smashed Cucumber Salad
This smashed cucumber salad is quick and easy to make and the perfect Asian cucumber salad to accompany almost any main dish.
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31
Tangy Vinegar Coleslaw
Coleslaw without mayo? Yep! This vinegar coleslaw is sweet, tangy, and oh so quick and easy to throw together.
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32
Classic Italian Panzanella
This simple Tuscan bread salad recipe is made with the sweetest ripe tomatoes, chunks of cucumber, slivered onion, and capers with a zesty vinaigrette and fresh basil, perfect for summertime eats.
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33
EASY Cucumber Salad with Dill
Made with three kinds of vinegar, this dill cucumber salad is deliciously tangy and pairs nicely with all of your favorite barbecue mains.
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34
Mediterranean Tomato Salad
This simple tomato salad recipe is studded with fresh Mediterranean flavors for a side salad or as a topping for chicken, fish, or pork.
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35
Berry Delicious Fruit Salad
This simple fruit salad gets dressed with honey, fresh orange and lime juice and mint, making for a colorful and bright side or snack that’s both light and refreshing.
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36
Classic Three Bean Salad Recipe
This is a super simple three bean salad recipe that uses canned beans for convenience and a tangy homemade dressing for tons of puckery flavor.
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37
How to Make the Best Broccoli Salad
This healthier take on classic broccoli salad features fresh, crunchy broccoli florets topped with a light dressing with a little sweetness from golden raisins, cranberries and pineapple for a super summer salad.
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38
Healthy Quinoa Salad Recipe
Make this healthy quinoa salad for easy meal prepped lunches or as a side dish for dinner. Be sure to buy your avocado and mango a few days before making the salad so they're perfectly ripe.
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Classic Summer Potluck Sides
39
BBQ Baked Beans with Bacon
There's nothing wrong with a can of baked beans, but there's also nothing wrong with sprucing those beans up a bit! With only 7 ingredients and some time on the stove for all the flavors to get happy, this bbq baked beans recipe is so easy to make.
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40
Cheesy Zucchini Casserole
This zucchini casserole eats like a gratin topped with Parmesan cheese and toasted breadcrumbs for an easy summer side dish everyone loves.
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41
Best Ever Baked Mac and Cheese
This baked mac and cheese features a dreamy combination of creamy gouda and havarti cheese for a silky homemade cheese sauce that tastes SO MUCH BETTER than the boxed kind.
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42
Cheesy Funeral Potatoes Recipe
Funeral potatoes are an easy-to-make and even easier-to-love comfort food casserole that is totally heaven sent.
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43
How to Create the Ultimate Italian Salad Platter
Lay out all of your favorite salad fixings on a platter instead of mixed in a bowl, and give everyone the chance to make their own favorite salad version.
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44
How to Make a Killer Caprese Salad Platter
Tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, and basil are the centerpiece of this easy to serve salad platter alongside salty cured meat, olives and the sweetness of fresh stone fruit and berries. Serve this with a drizzle of sweet balsamic glaze for a fresh salad or appetizer where everyone can serve themselves.
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45
Broccoli Casserole with Crispy Onions
This easy broccoli au gratin casserole can be made with fresh or frozen broccoli folded into a simple cultured butter and cheese roux. Crispy fried onions add crunch to this creamy, sublime side dish that can be prepped ahead of any meal.
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chris
Looks yummy.
Ashley @ Foodie Crush
Thanks!
Jispahealth
This looks so good! I could totally make a meal out of this too.
Rita
I am searching for recipes to take to a family reunion the end of July. The venue is over 2 hours away so I need to make something that won’t spoil. Any ideas will be appreciate. Thanks
Ashley @ Foodie Crush
A cold salad would be great. Take a cooler to keep it cold while you travel.
Sabrina
thank you for all of these, now what to choose? Love no mayo potato salad and love baked beans
Ashley @ Foodie Crush
Thanks Sabrina!