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Top 7 Cookout Salads for Memorial Day

Stacey Pirtle

by Stacey Updated: Jul 8, 2023

This post may contain affiliate links.

Whether you’re hosting a backyard BBQ or bringing a dish to a potluck this Memorial Day, no real cookout menu is complete with a delicious seasonal salad or two! From fresh favorites like Tomato & Cucumber to fun must-haves and stunning layered numbers, these are the top 7 Southern Discourse summer salads to serve this Memorial Day.

collage of 
7 easy classic cookout salads for your memorial day celebration.

Let’s be honest, when it comes to Memorial Day we love to fire up our grills for burgers, dogs, ribs and the like. But the true star of any summer cookout worth its salt are the salads. Bright, fresh and full of seasonal color and flavor, these supporting stars are truly what summer dining is all about.

So, if you’re looking for just that right dish to round out your backyard barbecue menu or pondering what you should bring to that cookout you’ve been invited to, look no further. This collection of deliciously dressed & tossed salad recipes has everything from classic potato and pasta salads to salads with corn chips and layers. If it’s not here, it’s not worth making!

Top 7 Cookout Salads for Memorial Day

Southern Tomato Cucumber Salad with Vinegar Dressing

There’s nothing better than a side dish that’s so fresh and delicious that you just can’t help going back for seconds!  Light & crisp, this simple tomato cucumber salad with slivers of red onion and a lightly sweet and tangy vinegar dressing is that kind of dish.  But be forewarned once you whip it up, this salad is never around for very long!

Confetti Frito Corn Salad

Creamy, crunchy, with bursts of flavor & tons of color, Confetti Frito Corn Salad is a classic potluck and cookout side dish.  Loaded with bell pepper, onion, cheddar cheese, crisp whole kernel corn and crunchy, salty Corn Chips, this quirky little salad is just this side of addictive!

Classic 7 Layer Pea Salad

Bright & crisp, Classic 7 Layer Pea Salad wows with pops of green peas, salty bacon, cubed cheddar, lettuce, tomato and green onions all topped with a creamy dressing! Perfect for cookouts, potlucks, holidays and even family meals, this easy salad is as pretty as it is tasty!

Taco Pasta Salad with Avocado Dressing

Taco Pasta Salad is loaded with savory, seasoned ground beef, black beans, tomatoes, green onions, corn and jalapenos. Tossed in a cool, creamy avocado cilantro dressing with a squeeze of lime, this is an easy Tex Mex favorite that everyone always wants the recipe for!

Creamy Dill Potato Salad

Made with sour cream, lemon juice, a little mayo, red potatoes and tangy dried dill, this quick & easy recipe makes the most delicious Creamy Dill Potato Salad!  Not too fussy with only a few ingredients, this potato salad is the perfect side dish for burgers, BBQ chicken and virtually anything on the grill!

Southern Macaroni Salad

Loaded with red onion, celery, red bell pepper, sweet pickles, hard boiled eggs and a creamy mayo dressing, this classic Southern Macaroni Salad is one of those staples that should be on every table at every gathering.  And the really good thing (other than the delicious flavors) is that it’s so easy to make with just a few ingredients that most of us already have in our pantries and fridges!

Bacon Tomato Pasta Salad

Inspired by a classic BLT, this easy pasta salad recipe really ups your side dish game!  Loaded with crisp, thick sliced bacon, grape tomatoes, green onions, cubes of sharp cheddar & rotini pasta tossed in a simple homemade Ranch dressing, this pasta dish is one you’ll want to bring to cookouts, potlucks, tailgates or just enjoy at home as a light meal!

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Whether you're hosting a backyard BBQ or bringing a dish to a potluck this Memorial Day, no real cookout menu is complete with a delicious seasonal salad or two!  From fresh favorites like Tomato & Cucumber to fun must-haves and stunning layered numbers, these are the top 7 Southern Discourse summer salads to serve this Memorial Day.

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Filed Under: Recipe Collections Tagged With: holidays

Meet Stacey

Southern Discourse is a place where you can find southern family dishes, along with special recipes & table settings. Bringing connection & friendship back to the table by wrapping everything in the faith & grace from which true hospitality springs! Read More

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Meet Stacey

Southern Discourse is a place where you can find southern family dishes, along with special recipes & table settings. Bringing connection & friendship back to the table by wrapping everything in the faith & grace from which true hospitality springs! Read More

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