57 Cold Salads to Make When the Weather Gets Hot

From the Recipe Creator: I created this southwestern pasta salad for a friend of mine who owns a catering business. I was told it was a hit at her events. —Valonda Seward, Coarsegold, California

From the Recipe Creator: This Southern potato salad is perfect for a church supper or potluck. The pickles add extra sweetness. —Gene Pitts, Wilsonville, Alabama

From the Recipe Creator: This fruit salad has such a surprising yet fabulous mix of flavors that friends often ask for the recipe. Combine seedless watermelon varieties in yellow, red and pink for a colorful twist. —Heidi Haight, Macomb, Michigan

From the Recipe Creator: This easy pasta salad is loaded with fresh veggies, and the classic ranch dressing makes it appealing to kids. —Julie Peterson, Crofton, Maryland

From the Recipe Creator: Everyone in my family loves this bacon avocado salad—even the younger kids! The recipe’s been shared too many times to count. —Noreen McCormick Danek, Cromwell, Connecticut

From the Recipe Creator: This macaroni salad recipe is a refreshingly light take on an all-time favorite. It's perfect for a fast weeknight dinner or a festive weekend barbecue. —Dorothy Bayes, Sardis, Ohio

From the Recipe Creator: This is a simple yet elegant dish that always pleases. Not only is it tasty, but it is healthy, too. The more varied the colors of the tomatoes you choose, the prettier the salad will be. —Jess Apfe, Berkeley, California

From the Recipe Creator: This colorful broccoli almond salad is easy to make in advance. Add the nuts and bacon just before serving so they stay nice and crunchy. —Margaret Garbade, Tulsa, Oklahoma

From the Recipe Creator: My refreshing side salad is such a nice addition to dinner. Use regular oranges if you can’t find blood oranges. Finely chopped walnuts work well in place of the pomegranate seeds, too. —Nancy Heishman, Las Vegas, Nevada

From the Recipe Creator: My family loves pasta salads, but usually they have too much mayonnaise or oily dressing. Using hummus gives this dish a great taste and texture, while also increasing its nutritional profile. Adding chicken (store-bought rotisserie chicken works well), makes this pasta salad a complete meal. —Jenny Lynch, Rock Island, Illinois

From the Recipe Creator: This salad goes over really well with all ages, and it's a good way to get kids to eat summer squash. —Opal Shipman Levelland, Texas

From the Recipe Creator: My crazy good salad has cherry tomatoes, squash and blueberries together in one bowl. Then I layer on the flavor with fresh corn, red onion and mint. —Thomas Faglon, Somerset, New Jersey

From the Recipe Creator: My family and I live on a homestead in the Missouri Ozarks and produce much of our own food. In the summer, when the garden is bursting with fresh vegetables and it’s too hot to cook, I like to use the season's veggies for pesto pasta salad and other cool meals. —Sarah Mathews, Ava, Missouri

From the Recipe Creator: We live at the edge of Pennsylvania Dutch Country, where there are lots of small farms. Country markets are plentiful here, so potatoes are a staple. I use them up in this delicious old-fashioned potato salad recipe. —Nancy Grove-Nichols, Dillsburg, Pennsylvania

From the Recipe Creator: This broccoli cauliflower salad has been to as many family gatherings as I have! It holds well and leftovers are still tasty a day later. —Linda Kangas, Outlook, Saskatchewan

From the Recipe Creator: My grandma makes the best potato salad, but she doesn’t use a recipe! So I watched while she put together “a little of this and a little of that” and jotted a creamy potato salad recipe that comes close. The dressing also works well for making deviled eggs. —Jill Steiner, Hancock, Minnesota

From the Recipe Creator: A squeeze of lime, a sprinkle of cilantro and a little avocado make this a creamy and zingy pasta salad. —Carrie Farias, Oak Ridge, New Jersey

From the Recipe Creator: Home cook Stacy Huggins from Valley Center, California, sent us a great recipe for a ham and Swiss salad, and we turned it into this lunchbox-friendly version. —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen

From the Recipe Creator: Here in Louisiana, we love dishes that have a little kick! This one does the trick. —Amanda West, Sibley, Louisiana

From the Recipe Creator: I love standout salads that burst with flavor—the kind that make you feel as if you're splurging without having to eat that piece of chocolate cake. This is one of my very favorites, and everyone I serve it to loves it as well. —Jasey McBurnett, Rock Springs, Wyoming

From the Recipe Creator: Cauliflower in potato salad? You bet, along with carrots, olives and other yummy surprises. —Mike Schulz, Tawas City, Michigan

From the Recipe Creator: My family and friends all love this salad, which they’ve referred to as “the Greek salad.” No matter what you’re looking for—something with the Greek flavors you love, or just a healthy, simple salad—it will not disappoint! If you’d like, substitute orzo for the rice. —Sarah Hawkins, Wanatah, Indiana

From the Recipe Creator: While preparing lunch, I made this summer pasta salad for dinner. It was fast and easy; delicious and colorful. We love to enjoy the fresh fruits and veggies in season. I served this salad with almond crackers and sharp cheddar slices. So tasty! —Cathy Orban, Chandler, Arizona

From the Recipe Creator: Showcase radishes in all their glory with a fresh, crunchy salad. Herbs and fennel take it up another notch. —Maggie Ruddy, Altoona, Iowa

From the Recipe Creator: This garden-fresh salad is a feast for the eyes as well as the palate. Add some crusty bread and you have a mouthwatering meal. —Marla Fogderud, Mason, Michigan

From the Recipe Creator: French potato salad is vinegar-based instead of creamy, made with Dijon mustard, olive oil, scallions or shallots, and fresh herbs. —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen

From the Recipe Creator: Bow tie pasta with strawberries makes a refreshing salad, especially with a little chopped mint. I multiply it for leftovers. —Barbara Lento, Houston, Pennsylvania

From the Recipe Creator: For family reunions, my mom would make everybody's favorite green bean and potato salad. Now I'm the one who brings it. —Connie Dicavoli, Shawnee, Kansas

From the Recipe Creator: Here's a one-of-a-kind pasta salad that combines tender chicken, sweet apricots and crunchy vegetables. Plus, the lemony dressing can't be beat. —Susan Voigt, Plymouth, Minnesota

From the Recipe Creator: This potato salad with apples is a wonderful variation on an American summertime standby. Since Idaho is the potato state and a lot of apples are also grown here, I thought this would be an excellent recipe to represent my area. —Mary Pipkin, Melba, Idaho

From the Recipe Creator: I’m always looking for fun ways to use the fresh veggies that come in my Community Supported Agriculture box, and this summer orzo salad is one of my favorite creations. I like to improvise with whatever I have on hand, so feel free to do the same here! —Shayna Marmar, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

From the Recipe Creator: To avoid turning my oven on in the summer, I grill just about everything—including this creamy grilled potato salad. My friends have dubbed this ‘The Best Potato Salad You’ll Ever Put in Your Mouth!—and I love that! —Gayle Robinson, Carrolton, Georgia

From the Recipe Creator: I created this as a healthy, tasty side dish to complement Christmas dinner. This enticing substitute for cranberry relish is excellent with turkey. Even the children loved it! Serve the beet blend alone or on a bed of salad greens. —Brianna St. Clair, Worland, Wyoming

From the Recipe Creator: I rarely make potato salad because it can be somewhat time-consuming. However, now that I know I can quickly cook the potatoes in a pressure cooker, I’ll be making this much more often! We prefer this Instant Pot potato salad with unpeeled red potatoes, but you can use another potato—with or without the skin. —Courtney Stultz, Weir, Kansas

From the Recipe Creator: This cool noodle salad makes a great casual one-bowl dinner. —Sharon Tipton, Casselberry, Florida

From the Recipe Creator: Get a load of this loaded potato salad with sour cream, bacon, shredded cheddar, green onions and more. The ingredients come together to give you all the richness of restaurant potato skins at your next picnic. —Monique Boulanger, Greenwood, Nova Scotia

From the Recipe Creator: This salad was served at a dear friend's baby shower by a health-conscious friend, who suggested the dressing be prepared with low-fat or fat-free ingredients. Either way, the creamy dressing has plenty of garlic flavor and coats the pasta, romaine and croutons nicely. —Tammy Steenbock, Sembach Air Base, Germany

From the Recipe Creator: This homemade potato salad recipe doesn’t have many ingredients, so it isn’t as colorful as many that you find nowadays. But Mama made it the way her mother did, and that’s the way I still make it today. Try it and see if it isn’t one of the best-tasting potato salads you have ever eaten! —Sandra Anderson, New York, New York

From the Recipe Creator: This tart, refreshing salad is a big hit in my home. All the tasty toppings—including red onions, tomatoes, olives, feta cheese and a zesty dressing—give it extra interest. —Judy Roberts, Las Vegas, Nevada

From the Recipe Creator: This salad is an all-time favorite. I reach for the recipe whenever I need a dish to pass. It is easy to make, can be assembled ahead of time and looks marvelous. —Noreen Meyer, Madison, Wisconsin

From the Recipe Creator: I can eat potato salad like crazy. A little spice is nice, so I use cayenne and paprika in this grilled salad that comes with its own fireworks. —Ashley Armstrong, Kingsland, Georgia

From the Recipe Creator: I revamped my mother’s potato salad to taste more like baked potatoes with all the fixin’s, which I love. This loaded baked potato salad is now the most requested dish at family gatherings. Even my mother asked for the recipe! —Jackie Deckard, Solsberry, Indiana

From the Recipe Creator: Take this one outside! My grown-up recipe uses beer instead of mayo, so you don't need to worry about keeping it cool. It's a really popular recipe on my blog, girllikestoeat.com. —Jenny MacBeth, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

From the Recipe Creator: The delicious taste and smooth texture of avocados and the crisp shrimp salad create a heavenly combination. Serve it as a cool and satisfying lunch or a light, quick and easy dinner. —Teri Rasey, Cadillac, Michigan

From the Recipe Creator: When we grill, my mother asks me to make this creamy macaroni salad. To make it extra creamy, I like to keep a small amount of dressing separate and stir it in just before serving. —Carly Curtin, Ellicott City, Maryland

From the Recipe Creator: What’s a picnic without potato salad? This recipe will add delightful new flavor to yours. The spices make the difference. —Cam Cox, Hemet, California

From the Recipe Creator: Italian dressing and horseradish make this sour cream potato salad different from most, plus those ingredients really add some zip! It’s perfect for picnics or potlucks. —Veda Luttrell, Sutter, California

From the Recipe Creator: Tackle gatherings with a bright side dish. This tri-color pasta salad with broccoli, tomatoes, olives and a hardworking dressing is one of the easiest cold pasta salad recipes you could take. —Amanda Cable, Boxford, Massachusetts

From the Recipe Creator: This flavorful red potato salad recipe with egg is the perfect side for summer cookouts. The red potatoes really dress it up. —Margaret Blomquist, Newfield, New York

From the Recipe Creator: A bright, colorful side option, this quick dish makes any entree look good. Make it with fresh veggies in the summer or as is with frozen in the winter months; either way, it's a winner! —Kimberly Stine, Milford, Pennsylvania

From the Recipe Creator: I started making this salad because it’s loaded with peppers, my husband’s favorite. Don’t be surprised when there are no leftovers. —Janie Colle, Hutchinson, Kansas

From the Recipe Creator: It isn't a summer cookout without potato salad, but the stuff from the deli just isn't our thing. I toyed with many recipes until I developed this one. Now if I even mention grilling or barbecuing, it's my family's top request for a side. —Paul Cogswell, League City, Texas

From the Recipe Creator: I make this creamy ranch potato salad with cheese, bacon and ranch salad dressing. My sister asked for the recipe as soon as she tried it. —Lynn Breunig, Wind Lake, Wisconsin