Best Cold Summer Salads: Easy, Refreshing Recipes for Hot Days

Here are our favorite cold summer salads that are perfect for potlucks, cookouts, and family dinners. From pasta and potato salads to refreshing fruit and Jello salads, these easy, make-ahead recipes will keep your summer meals cool and delicious.

collage of cold summer salad recipes for pinterest.

Over the years I’ve gathered a collection of cold summer salads my family loves. These are the go-to recipes I make all season: my grandma’s classic potato salad that everyone reaches for, a hearty chicken bacon ranch pasta salad, lighter vegetable salads and bright fruit salads. The best part is many of these can be made ahead, which makes entertaining or a busy weeknight dinner so much easier.

Whether you want a crisp vegetable salad like Broccoli Cauliflower Salad, a fruity dish like Tropical Fruit Salad, or a protein-packed option with chicken, chickpeas or mozzarella, there’s something for every table. I also include sweeter dessert-style salads, such as Strawberry Jello Salad and Red White and Blue Cheesecake Salad, ideal for Memorial Day or any celebration.

What to Look for in a Summer Salad

For a potluck or outdoor cookout, choose salads that are cool, light and refreshing to balance the summer heat. Look for bright, crunchy vegetables, seasonal fruits, and dressings that aren’t too heavy. Many of these salads can be served as a side or turned into a light meal by adding protein. They’re easy to prepare ahead and transport to gatherings.

Our 35 Favorite Cold Summer Salads

Below are 35 delicious summer salads organized by category: pasta salads, vegetable salads, Jello salads, fruit salads, chicken salads and dessert salads. Click the View Recipe button for the full instructions and printable recipes when you’re ready to make them.

Pasta Salads

Easy Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad

This Buffalo chicken pasta salad mixes spicy chicken, tender pasta and crunchy vegetables in a creamy dressing. A crowd-pleasing chilled dish for picnics and potlucks.

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Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad

Tender pasta and cooked chicken tossed with crispy bacon and creamy ranch dressing — a filling cold pasta salad that works as a main or a hearty side for summer gatherings.

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BLT Pasta Salad

All the flavors of a BLT in a chilled pasta salad: romaine, crispy bacon, cherry tomatoes and a simple mayo-ranch dressing.

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bowl of cucumber tomato pasta salad with mozzarella balls.

Easy Cucumber Tomato Pasta Salad

Crisp cucumbers, ripe tomatoes, mozzarella and fresh herbs in Italian dressing — an easy, refreshing side for potlucks and cookouts.

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Hawaiian Macaroni Salad

A creamy, comforting mac salad made with simple ingredients — a summer staple for backyard BBQs.

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Greek Pasta Salad

Feta, kalamata olives, tomatoes and cucumbers tossed with pasta and a bright homemade dressing — great as a side or paired with grilled protein.

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Italian Pasta Salad

Pepperoni, salami, fresh vegetables and rotini tossed with Italian dressing — customizable and perfect for gatherings.

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Tortellini Pasta Salad with Pesto

Cheese tortellini, cherry tomatoes and fresh mozzarella tossed in basil pesto — a flavorful cold pasta that’s great for potlucks or a light dinner.

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Vegetable Salads

The Most Delicious Broccoli Apple Salad

Fresh broccoli, crisp apples, raisins and carrots in a ranch-flavored creamy dressing — a classic side for potlucks and cookouts.

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broccoli cauliflower salad with cheese in a creamy dressing in white serving bowl

Easy Broccoli Cauliflower Salad

Broccoli and cauliflower with cheese in a homemade creamy dressing — a dependable side that pairs with almost any main course.

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Mexican Street Corn Salad

Elote-style salad made with canned or grilled corn, creamy dressing and cotija cheese — perfect next to tacos or grilled meats.

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Red White and Blue Potato Salad

A festive patriotic potato salad that’s cool, creamy and easy to make for holiday cookouts.

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Grandma’s Potato Salad

A classic potato salad with eggs, celery and mayonnaise — a family favorite that tastes like home.

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Creamy Cucumber Salad with Sour Cream

Cool, crisp and quick to make — a classic summer side that pairs well with any grilled dish.

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cucumber and tomato salad in a white serving bowl.

Cucumber Tomato Salad

Simple, lemony dressing highlights crisp cucumbers and ripe tomatoes — perfect for a hot summer day.

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green bean and tomato salad with mozzarella pearls in a bowl.

Easy Green Bean and Tomato Salad

Crisp green beans, ripe tomatoes and mozzarella combine for a light refreshing side that’s great for hot afternoons.

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three bean salad in a white serving bowl with original recipe card.

Easy Three Bean Salad

A classic combining green beans, wax beans and kidney beans with a tangy dressing — a timeless potluck favorite.

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simple chickpea salad with cucumbers, red onion, tomatoes and bell peppers in white bowl

Chickpea Salad Recipe

A simple garbanzo bean salad with cucumbers, tomatoes and peppers in a quick dressing. High-protein and great for meal prep or adding grilled chicken for a complete meal.

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Chicken Salads

chinese ramen chicken salad with crunchy ramen noodles, napa cabbage and mandarin oranges in a serving bowl

Chinese Chicken Salad with Ramen

Napa cabbage, ramen noodles, coleslaw mix and mandarins toss with chicken in a tangy homemade dressing — an easy main-dish salad the whole family enjoys.

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Ranch Chicken Salad

Rotisserie chicken mixed with ranch dressing, mayonnaise, celery and bacon for a quick, family-friendly chicken salad.

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bowl of chicken salad with paprika and parsley.

The Best Easy Chicken Salad

A simple, classic chicken salad perfect for sandwiches, wraps or served over greens — great for using leftover chicken.

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lemon chicken salad recipe in a croissant roll with lettuce

Lemon Chicken Apple Salad

Tender chicken with crisp apples in a lemony dressing — a bright salad for sandwiches or served on greens.

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Fruit Salads

Watermelon Salad with Cucumber and Goat Cheese

Juicy watermelon, crisp cucumbers and tangy goat cheese in a light dressing — a refreshing summer side.

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watermelon feta blueberry salad in a white bowl on the table.

Watermelon, Feta and Blueberry Salad

A vibrant summer salad with sweet watermelon, fresh blueberries and salty feta — great for patriotic gatherings.

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bowl of tropical fruit salad with mandarin oranges, bananas and fresh pineapple

Easy Tropical Fruit Salad

Fresh pineapple, bananas and mandarin oranges tossed with a honey-lime dressing — light, sweet and perfect for summer.

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Ambrosia Fruit Salad

Pineapple, mandarin oranges, mini marshmallows and coconut folded into creamy dressing — a classic dessert-style fruit salad for special occasions.

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Marshmallow Fruit Salad

A simple three-ingredient salad with fruit cocktail, marshmallows and whipped topping — easy and kid-friendly.

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Jello Salads

Orange Jello Fruit Salad

A retro Jello salad made with Cool Whip and mandarin oranges — a nostalgic potluck favorite.

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Lime Jello Salad

This vintage lime Jello salad with sour cream and pineapple is a simple, tangy recipe that’s been a favorite for years.

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Pistachio Salad

A creamy Jello-pudding based salad with crushed pineapple and marshmallows — a dessert-style side that’s always popular.

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Strawberry Jello Salad

A popular pink Jello salad with Cool Whip — light, sweet and perfect for spring and summer gatherings.

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Strawberry Pretzel Salad

A layered dessert with a sweetened cream cheese layer over a crunchy pretzel crust and a strawberry Jello topping — ideal for potlucks and celebrations.

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Dessert Salads

Snickers Apple Salad

A fun dessert-style salad combining tart apples, Cool Whip and chopped Snickers bars — surprisingly delicious and easy to make.

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Strawberry Banana Cheesecake Salad

Fresh strawberries and bananas folded into a creamy cheesecake-style filling — a delightful dessert salad for potlucks and family events.

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Red White and Blue Cheesecake Salad

A festive cheesecake-style salad with strawberries and blueberries — a perfect patriotic dessert for summer holidays.

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