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32 Easy 4th Of July Salads You Can Make All Summer Long

From potato to pasta, with, yes, some greens too, these salads are perfect for any occasion.

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sliced watermelon, mozzarella, and basil drizzled with balsamicpinterest
Lucy schaeffer

Look, we know logistically that burgers and dogs are important at a BBQ, but when it comes to having a killer 4th of July celebration, it’s ALL about the sides. Whether you’re looking for something spectacular to bring to a potluck, need something to fill out your BBQ spread, or just want something simple and easy for a low-key picnic, we’ve got something for you here. Best part? With no over-the-top patriotism in sight, these salads are great for the 4th, AND all summer long.

One of our favorite parts about summer is how it jogs our memory that the word salad isn’t just for leafy greens. Sure, we like the green guys too, so we’ve included our strawberry spinach salad, our crispy chili-lime chickpea salad, and our sheet-pan panzanella here, but this time of year, we’re really in it for the potato, pasta, and bean salads. You can’t go wrong with our classic potato salad or macaroni salad if you’re looking for a sure-fire winner. Want to branch out a bit, really wow the crowd? Try our antipasto potato salad, our summer couscous salad, our French potato salad or our chicken Caesar pasta salad. Don’t forget to bookmark these recipes—people will be asking you for them long after your serving dish is empty.

Potatoes and pasta are great, but don’t forget about the bounty of summer fruits and veggies available in July too. Fruit salad might seem boring, but our watermelon Caprese, our grilled plum and pancetta panzanella salad, or our blueberry peach feta salad are anything but. Veggies are always a win too, and our fiesta corn salad, our Greek salad, and our broccoli salad are proof. Feel free to mix and match too, adding or subtracting ingredients, dressings, mix-ins…whatever you like goes!

Want more 4th of July ideas? Check out our best 4th of July cocktails, our top 4th of July appetizers, and our favorite red, white, & blue desserts too.

1

Mediterranean Pasta Salad

gemelli pasta tossed with chickpeas, bell pepper, cucumber, scallions, feta, olives, herbs, and tomatoes, then tossed in harissa mayo
PHOTO: JULIA GARTLAND; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

In this recipe, pasta salad gets a Mediterranean twist, showcasing some of our favorite flavors from that corner of the globe. And the best part—although pasta salad is usually thought of as a side, the added protein from the chickpeass will make this easy to turn into a main if you so choose.

Get the Mediterranean Pasta Salad recipe.

2

Watermelon Caprese

sliced watermelon, mozzarella, and basil drizzled with balsamic
PHOTO: LUCY SCHAEFFER; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

This watermelon Caprese combines slices of juicy, sweet watermelon, mozzarella, fresh basil, and a drizzle of olive oil and balsamic glaze to top it all off. The result is a simple, sweet-salty snack ready in 15 minutes (and isn’t that what summer is all about?).

Get the Watermelon Caprese recipe.

3

Gnocchi Antipasto Salad

gnocchi antipasto salad
PHOTO: ROCKY LUTEN; FOOD STLYING: TAYLOR ANN SPENCER

Featuring crispy potato gnocchi, sun-dried tomatoes, artichoke hearts, fresh mozzarella, and salami, this is a medley of everything you love about antipasto layered around pan-seared gnocchi that's crispy on the outside and slightly chewy beneath. 😍

Get the Gnocchi Antipasto Salad recipe.

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4

Greek Salad

greek salad with cucumber, tomatoes, red onion, olives, and feta
PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING BARRETT WASHBURNE

When you’re looking for simple, refreshing, and reliable, you’d be hard pressed to find a dish better than classic Greek salad. Filled with fresh veggies, tangy feta, and a simple dressing made of ingredients you might already have in your fridge, this bright salad only takes 15 minutes to prepare, making it a perfect last-minute addition to any summer celebration.

Get the Greek Salad recipe.

5

Summer Panzanella

grilled panzanella salad
Andrew bui

Panzanella is one of those recipes that truly tastes like summer. It's one that you want to make in peak season—when the tomatoes are extra juicy, the squash slightly sweet, and the basil extra cheap. To give this classic dish more flavor and make it even more summery, we grill the bread, zucchini, and onion until charred, then toss those with the remaining ingredients.

Get the Summer Panzanella recipe.

6

Blueberry Peach Feta Salad

blueberry peach feta and cucumber salad with basil shallot white balsamic dressing
PHOTO: ERIK BERNSTEIN; FOOD STYLING: SPENCER RICHARDS

Blueberries, peaches, cucumbers, AND feta? You’ll be amazed by how well this combination comes together in salad form (and how well it goes with savory hot dogs!).

Get the Blueberry Peach Feta Salad recipe.

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7

French Potato Salad

baby red potatoes tossed in garlic mustard dressing with parsley dill and tarragon
PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING: LENA ABRAHAM

We all love a classic mayo-based potato salad, but it’s time to elevate and try something with a little more… je ne sais quoi. In this recipe, tender, creamy potatoes get tossed with a garlicky mustard dressing and showered with plenty of fresh chopped herbs to create this simple and satisfying version of the crowd-pleasing side.

Get the French Potato Salad recipe.

8

Classic Macaroni Salad

creamy macaroni salad with carrots, celery, and olives

Macaroni salad is one of our favorite things to pair with hot dogs, pulled pork, or ribs, which is why it's such a disappointment when it's too dry or soggy. Not to fear—this recipe guarantees perfection every time.

Get the Classic Macaroni Salad recipe.

9

Watermelon Strawberry Caprese Salad

watermelon strawberry caprese with feta and mint
PHOTO: ANDREW BUI; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

We took inspo from two summer salad staples—Caprese salad and watermelon feta salad—to create this best-of-both-worlds creation. In it, fresh strawberries combine with juicy watermelon, tangy feta, and fresh basil for an extra-sweet summer treat.

Get the Watermelon Strawberry Caprese Salad recipe.

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10

Sheet-Pan Panzanella

sheet pan panzanella
ANDREW BUI

Rather than toast the bread cubes on their own for this psummer panzanella, you'll roast them alongside all the veg. The tomatoes burst as they roast, mixing their juices with the bread and fresh arugula. The combination of roasted tomatoes, toasted bread coated with Parmesan, fragrant garlic, and mozzarella ends up tasting like pizza. Yum!

Get the Sheet-Pan Panzanella recipe.

11

Hawaiian Mac Salad

hawaiian macaroni salad with carrots, celery, and onion
PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING: SIMON ANDREWS

Hawaiian macaroni salad is a creamy, tangy, iconic comfort food that is practically synonymous with the state. It’s very simple to prepare—you might already have all the ingredients on hand!—making it the perfect easy side to bring to any summer party.

Get the Hawaiian Mac Salad recipe.

12

Antipasto Potato Salad

antipasto potato salad tossed together with fresh basil and parsley
PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING: SIMON ANDREWS

Potato salad is about as classic a summer side as it gets, and we love experimenting with different flavor combinations. If you’re looking to lighten up your usual potato salad, look no further—this version is bursting with all the flavors of your favorite antipasto.

Get the Antipasto Potato Salad recipe.

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13

Strawberry Spinach Salad

strawberry spinach salad with feta and pecans
PHOTO: ERIK BERNSTEIN; FOOD STYLING: SPENCER RICHARDS

With sweet strawberries, herby chicken, tangy feta, and crunchy pecans, this summer salad will make even so-called spinach haters fall in love after just one bite. Leave out the chicken for a simple 4th of July side, or add it in to make it a hearty main.

Get the Strawberry Spinach Salad recipe.

14

Classic Potato Salad

cowboy pasta salad with bowtie pasta, tomatoes, ground beef, cheese, corn, and black beans
PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING: SIMON ANDREWS

A classic potato salad is a must-have at every picnic and BBQ, and ours is the best—it's creamy and tangy, with a little bit of crunch from the onion and pickles. What it's not: too sweet, which is one of our potato salad pet peeves. If you’re looking for a classic, no-fuss potato salad that won’t disappoint, this is it.

Get the Classic Potato Salad recipe.

15

Fiesta Corn Salad

fiesta corn salad topped with crema
PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING BARRETT WASHBURNE

When corn is in season, it’s a crime to not eat as much of it as possible. When you’ve got the grill fired up for hot dogs, burgers, steaks, or chicken, then it’s the perfect time for this grilled corn salad.

Get the Fiesta Corn Salad recipe.

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16

Cucumber, Tomato, & Onion Salad

cucumber, onion, tomato salad
PHOTO: ERIK BERNSTEIN; FOOD STYLING: SPENCER RICHARDS

Perfect for when your garden or the local farmers' market is overflowing with cucumbers and tomatoes, this salad also does surprisingly well with lackluster produce, especially if you make it ahead of time so it can marinate. Just hold off on adding the herbs until the very end so they stay bright and fresh.

Get the Cucumber, Tomato, & Onion Salad recipe.

17

Blackberry-Peach Salad

blackberries, peaches, tomatoes, blue cheese, walnuts, basil, and olives
PHOTO: JULIA GARTLAND; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

Packed with fresh fruits, cooling cucumber, and juicy tomatoes, this vibrant summer salad works as a colorful centerpiece to lunch or dinner, or as an accompaniment to fish or grilled meat on the Fourth of July. The combination of juicy peaches, tart blackberries, fresh herbs, and toasted walnuts piled over zesty honeyed ricotta packs an incredible punch.

Get the Blackberry-Peach Salad recipe.

18

Cheddar, Bacon, & Pea Pasta Salad

pasta noodles tossed with bacon, peas, and cheddar cheese all tossed in a creamy sauce
PHOTO: JOSEPH DE LEO; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

The best part about this pasta salad isn’t the crispy bacon (or the creamy dressing), but how strikingly simple it is. Cooking your bacon in the oven frees up your hands to mix the dressing together while the pasta and peas boil in the same pot.

Get the Cheddar, Bacon, & Pea Pasta Salad recipe.

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19

Fruit Salad

fruit salad delishcom
PARKER FEIERBACH

Sweet syrupy honey, fresh tart orange juice, and bright lemon zest come together to elevate fresh (and even not-so-fresh!) fruit to new heights.

Get the Fruit Salad recipe.

20

Broccoli Salad

broccoli salad with bacon, red onion, and almonds
PHOTO: ERIK BERNSTEIN; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

THIS is how you get broccoli haters to eat the green stuff. Thank you, bacon!

Get the Broccoli Salad recipe.

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