The Best Summer Salads to Bring to a BBQ

Summer salads are the perfect addition to a backyard feast. From a twist on your favourite potato salad, to green salads, full of veggies, these salads will deliver big flavour and be the perfect addition to a summer BBQ.

Leafy Greens

Hearty and healthy, leafy greens are full of nutrients and are a great way to get your daily intake of vitamins and minerals. From romaine lettuce, spinach and kale, the options are endless for verdant green salads.

Rainbow Power Kale Salad

Photo Courtesy of With Salt & Wit

Colourful and bright with the right amount of tang, this Rainbow Power Kale Salad with peanut and Dijon dressing is packed with nutrients through and through. See full recipe here.

Strawberry Spinach Salad with Candied Pecans

Photo Courtesy of I Wash, You Dry

A twist on an old classic, strawberry spinach salad is the perfect accompaniment to grilled chicken or steak and can be made in a pinch. See full recipe here.

Healthy Carbs

Pasta salad has been a BBQ staple for years, but your next pasta salad recipe doesn’t have to be loaded with creamy sauces or heavy oils.

Herbed Orzo with Feta

Photo Courtesy of Food Network

Orzo is a rice-shaped pasta that’s easy to prepare and perfect for pasta salad. Filled with fresh herbs and salty feta, this salad is sure to be a crowd pleaser. See full recipe here.

Asparagus and Arugula Pasta Salad

Photo Courtesy of Gimme Some Oven

This pasta salad is light and delicious and full of rich, green goodness. With whole-wheat pasta and garden-fresh ingredients, lemon zest and crispy arugula, this summer salad can be eaten cold or at room temperature. See full recipe here.

Spud-tastic Dishes

A lot of potato salads you see at summer BBQs are heavy with creamy dressings or mayonnaise, which don’t hold up in the summer heat. Try potato salad recipes that are full of flavour and low in fat for the ideal summer side dish.

Southwestern Grilled Sweet Potato Salad

Photo Courtesy of Two Peas and Their Pod

Sweet potatoes are jam-packed with nutrients and sweetness and grilling them only makes them tastier. Try this Southwestern Grilled Sweet Potato Salad for a twist on an old classic. See full recipe here.

Mediterranean Potato Salad

Photo Courtesy of BBC Good Food

With Italian style olive oil, fresh basil and robust sun-dried tomatoes, this recipe calls for only a few simple ingredients but deliver big flavour. See full recipe here.

Hearty Veggies

Ontario is a province that is prosperous in delicious produce in the summer. Opt for salads with hearty veggies. Raw or roasted, sautéed or BBQ’d, veggies can be made into a delicious salad that can be served at any temperature.

Zuchinni Ribbon Salad

Photo Courtesy of Pinterest

Vibrant in colour, Zuchinni Ribbon Salad is a great option for your next side dish. There’s nothing better than crisp, grilled zucchini accompanied by roasted almonds and savoury cheese. See full recipe here.

Roasted Beet and Goat Cheese Salad

Photo Courtesy of Scrumpdillyicious

Ontario summers bring jewel-toned beets – perfect for salads. Paired with protein-rich chickpeas and sharp goat cheese, this is a salad that’s perfect on it’s own or served alongside grilled fish or seafood. See full recipe here.

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