12 Cold Sides That’ll Rescue You From the Summer Cooking Struggle
When the temperature’s rising and the thought of turning on the oven feels unbearable, cold side dishes are your secret weapon. These 12 no-cook recipes are light, refreshing, and full of flavor—perfect for those hot summer nights when you just can’t deal with heat. From crisp salads to creamy slaws, these sides come together quickly and pair perfectly with whatever you’re grilling (or not grilling). Say goodbye to the stove and hello to stress-free summer meals!
Chicken Salad with Grapes
This chicken salad with grapes is a quick and tasty meal that is perfect for lunch at home, picnics, or potlucks! Enjoy it by itself, use it to make a chicken salad sandwich, or eat it as a lettuce wrap! This dish is easy to make, absolutely delicious, and will become your new favorite chicken salad recipe!
Lemon Balsamic Lentil Salad
This Lemon Balsamic Lentil Salad recipe post is sponsored by Rubbermaid BRILLIANCE Lunch, but my love for their amazing storage containers is completely my own!
Quick & Easy Apple Cucumber Salad
This Apple Cucumber Salad is quick and easy and the whole family loves it! The whole thing takes less than 10 minutes to prepare.
Bulgur Wheat Salad with Tahini Herb Dressing
This easy vegan bulgur wheat salad has all the flavours of a classic Lebanese salad. Make the tahini herb dressing a few days ahead to save time. And serve the salad at room temperature. It is perfect for a packed lunch or picnic salad!
Lobster Salad
Lobster salad is a classic recipe combining lobster’s sweet and succulent taste with crisp celery and a creamy dressing. Whether served on a bed of lettuce or between two slices of bread, this seafood salad is always a hit. After all, any occasion feels special when lobster is on the menu.
Caprese Salad
There’s nothing better than a Caprese salad! This Italian classic pairs perfectly ripe, juicy tomatoes with fresh mozzarella and peppery basil.
Vegan Kale Salad with Maple Balsamic Dressing
Fall is the perfect time to enjoy leafy green salads packed with seasonal vegetables. This vegan kale salad is one of my favorites – it’s easy to make, flavorful, and healthy. The recipe calls for crunchy apples, cranberries, and toasted pecans, making it a delicious and nutritious way to fuel your autumn adventures. Give it a try!
Pasta Salad with Italian Dressing
This pasta salad with Italian dressing is the perfect make-ahead side dish for any meal or gathering you may have. Bring it to BBQs, potlucks, or picnics for a tasty side everyone will rave about. It is easy to customize with your favorite mix-ins so that you know your entire family will love it!
Southern Coleslaw
Southern coleslaw is a classic quick and easy side dish with crunchy veggies that are tossed with a flavorful, creamy dressing! It’s the perfect addition to sandwiches, tacos, fried fish, and so much more. This Southern coleslaw isn’t just for the summertime, it’s great for any time you want a quick, delicious side!
Potato Salad
This potato salad is a classic side dish recipe that can easily be customized to suit your preferred tastes! Not only is it amazingly easy to prepare, but it is also incredibly addicting! After just one bite, this will become your new favorite potato salad recipe!
Wedge Salad
A wedge salad is a delicious appetizer or side dish with crisp iceberg lettuce, blue cheese, bacon, and tomatoes! No basic side salad can compare to a huge wedge of fresh lettuce with delicious toppings! Plus, it’s super easy to customize with your favorite dressing, cheeses, and veggies!
Fresh Mango Salsa
This fresh mango salsa is an incredibly refreshing and delicious dish that can be enjoyed in so many different ways! Scoop it up with some chips, add it to tacos, or enjoy it by itself as a side dish! Just grab some fresh mangoes and veggies and you are ready to get started!
