12 Cold Side Dishes That Don’t Need the Oven — Perfect for Summer Feasting!
When the weather’s hot, the last thing you want to do is turn on the oven. That’s where these 12 cold side dishes come in — they’re refreshing, easy to make, and full of summer flavor without the heat. From crisp salads to no-cook dips, these sides are perfect for backyard barbecues, picnics, or lazy days when you just want to keep it cool.
Homemade Guacamole Recipe
Guacamole is a simple dish, but it’s important to know how to make it perfectly. Read on for tips on picking the right avocado, eating your guac, storage tips, and more.
Asian Cucumber Salad
My easy Asian cucumber salad is full of fresh flavors from garlic, ginger, onion, and a sesame soy sauce vinaigrette. This cool, chilled salad is a refreshing side dish during the summer months and pairs perfectly with any of your favorite Asian-inspired recipes.
Beet and Potato Salad from Ethiopia
This Beet and Potato Salad is a yummy side dish from Ethiopia. It is both vegetarian and vegan, is perfect for balancing out the spiciness of an Ethiopian meal, and can be served either warm or cold.
Vegan Esquites (Mexican Street Corn Salad)
Enjoy this easy vegan version of Mexican street corn salad made with corn, vegan mayo, and spices.
German Cucumber Dill Salad (Gurkensalat)
5 Ingredient refreshing German Cucumber Dill Salad to serve as a salad side dish during the hotter months of the year.
Creamy Grape Salad
This creamy grape salad is a sweet summer side dish that is perfect for potlucks, BBQs, or any time you need a cool and refreshing snack! All it takes is a few simple and inexpensive ingredients! You can make it the night before and let it chill in the fridge until you need it (it tastes even better the next day)!
Tuna Asparagus Salad with Microgreens
Take advantage of the Asparagus season with a cold tuna asparagus salad, microgreens, and lemon vinaigrette dressing.
Cucumber Tomato Onion Avocado Salad
This easy-to-make Cucumber Tomato Salad side dish is light, fresh, and goes with everything. It’s a great way to use up all that summer produce for a great summer salad!
Avocado Corn Salad
Spicy corn and avocado salad combines the best flavors of summer and can be whipped up in 15 minutes! Fresh corn, creamy avocado, bright red pepper, and spicy jalapeños blend for a sweet and fresh salad. Enjoy this salad with tortilla chips or as a side for tacos or grilled chicken.
Old Fashioned Kidney Bean Salad
This super-easy Kidney Bean Salad is an updated riff on the beloved Bean Salad recipe served at the iconic Nick Anthe’s restaurant for more than 30 years. It’s uniquely delicious, but with no cooking and just a bit of quick chopping, it’s also ultra-fast. (Like, 7 minutes FAST!) And, since it uses just a few ingredients that are easy to keep on hand, it’s absolutely ideal for last-minute meal prep, or for cooking ahead for parties and potlucks!
Tomato and Onion Salad with Peppers
This super EASY Tomato and Onion Salad gets an extra boost of flavor from vibrant, crunchy peppers. It’s a signature summer recipe from one of the very best cooks I’ve ever known – my Oma! And, it only takes 5 minutes to make!
Rainbow Summer Rolls
Rainbow summer rolls served with peanut-ginger dipping sauce are a fresh, light, and colorful veggie-packed dish!
