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These cold side dishes include refreshing salads, tasty quick breads, fruity side dishes, and chilled desserts! They are great for backyard BBQs, cookouts, picnics, and everything in between! If you're looking for a way to beat the heat this summer, you've come to the right place!
Best Cold Side Dishes For Hot Summer Months
As the temperatures soar during the hottest months of the year, it's time to turn to meals you can make without spending hours in the kitchen. This list of the best cold side dishes to serve during the summer offers the perfect solution, as they require little to no cooking at all!
Whether you are hosting a barbecue or having a pool day with friends, you can ensure that everyone will stay cooled and refreshed with any of these recipes. There are so many options to choose from, so keep reading for some new fun side dish ideas!
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Jump to:
- Best Cold Side Dishes For Hot Summer Months
- Salads
- 1. Lobster Salad
- 2. Caesar Salad
- 3. Broccolini Slaw
- 4. Pasta Salad with Italian Dressing
- 5. Chicken Salad With Grapes
- 6. Potato Salad
- 7. Southern Coleslaw
- 8. Greek Pasta Salad
- 9. Asian Cucumber Salad
- 10. Wedge Salad
- 11. Caprese Salad
- 12. Hawaiian Macaroni Salad
- Breads
- 13. Cheesecake Factory Brown Bread
- 14. Flatbread (No Yeast)
- 15. Yellow Squash Bread
- 16. Sour Cream Cornbread
- 17. Pretzels
- Fruit Desserts
- 18. Fresh Mango Salsa
- 19. Ambrosia Salad
- 20. Creamy Grape Salad
- 21. Fruit co*cktail Salad
- Tips For Choosing The Best Cold Side Dishes For Summer
- 🥗🍚😋 More Easy Side Dishes To Try
- 📖 Recipe Card
- Cold Side Dishes: Lobster Salad (+ More Tasty Dishes To Try!)
- IngredientsUS CustomaryMetric
- Instructions
- Notes
- 💬 Reviews
For more summer inspiration, check out my pages dedicated to my favoritesummer vegetable side dishesandsummer lunch ideas!
Salads
I love preparing fresh salads to enjoy on hot summer days, especially ones that require minimal prep and cooking time! All of these options are easy to make and offer tons of delicious flavors.
1. Lobster Salad
This lobster salad recipe is perfect for serving on hot summer days because it's creamy, cool, and refreshing! It's made with an amazingly tasty combination of lobster meat, celery, chives, lemon juice, and mayonnaise.
You can enjoy it straight from the bowl with crackers or use it to make delicious lobster rolls! Either way, it's a side dish that will impress and satisfy any seafood lover in your life.
Lobster Salad
Lobster salad is a classic recipe combining lobster's sweet and succulent taste with crisp celery and a creamy dressing. Whether served on a bed of lettuce or between two slices of bread, this seafood salad is always a hit! After all, any occasion feels special when lobster is on the menu!
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2. Caesar Salad
A classic Caesar salad is another refreshing side dish that's incredibly simple to prepare for summertime gatherings. My recipe is full of crispy Romaine lettuce, crunchy croutons, Parmesan cheese, and a delicious Caesar dressing to tie it all together!
Caesar Salad
This Caesar salad is filled with crisp Romaine lettuce, creamy homemade Caesar dressing, crunchy croutons, and grated Parmesan cheese! It's a classic salad recipe that makes a perfect starter for just about any meal. Plus, it only takes minutes to make, even with the made-from-scratch dressing!
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3. Broccolini Slaw
This broccolini slaw has the perfect balance of texture, crispiness, and tangy flavor! It only takes a few simple ingredients and 10 minutes to make, plus there's no cooking required.
Broccolini Slaw
This broccolini slaw is crisp and refreshing with a tangy, creamy dressing that will have you savoring every bite! You can enjoy this slaw on its own or use it to elevate sandwiches and wraps! All it takes is a few ingredients and about 10 minutes of prep time; you don't have to cook a thing!
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4. Pasta Salad with Italian Dressing
If you're looking for a flavorful side dish that you can prepare ahead of time, my easy pasta salad is just the thing! All you have to do is cook your favorite variety of short pasta and combine it with chopped veggies, pepperoni, cheese, and Italian dressing!
Pasta Salad with Italian Dressing
This pasta salad with Italian dressing is the perfect make-ahead side dish for any meal or gathering you may have! Bring it to BBQs, potlucks, or picnics for a tasty side everyone will rave about! It is easy to customize with your favorite mix-ins so that you know your entire family will love it!
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5. Chicken Salad With Grapes
This chicken salad recipe is a quick and easy side dish perfect for picnics, pool parties, and potlucks! My family loves when I mix in some grapes for added bursts of sweetness that tastes delightfully with savory chicken.
Chicken Salad with Grapes
This chicken salad with grapes is a quick and tasty meal that is perfect for lunch at home, picnics, or potlucks! Enjoy it by itself, use it to make a sandwich, or eat it as a lettuce wrap! This dish is easy to make, absolutely delicious, and will become your new favorite chicken salad recipe!
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6. Potato Salad
A summertime meal wouldn't be complete without a side of potato salad! My simple recipe incorporates classic potato salad flavors, however, you can easily customize it to fit your family's preferred tastes!
Potato Salad
This potato salad is a classic side dish recipe that can easily be customized to suit your preferred tastes! Not only is it amazingly easy to prepare, but it is also incredibly addicting! After just one bite, this will become your new favorite potato salad recipe!
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7. Southern Coleslaw
This Southern coleslaw is the perfect cold side dish to make when you are in a time crunch! You can easily prep the veggies ahead of time or even make your coleslaw up to 2 days before you're ready to serve.
Southern Coleslaw
Southern coleslaw is a classic quick and easy side dish with crunchy veggies that are tossed with a flavorful, creamy dressing! It's the perfect addition to sandwiches, tacos, fried fish, and so much more. This Southern coleslaw isn’t just for the summertime—it’s great for anytime you want a quick, delicious side!
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8. Greek Pasta Salad
This Greek pasta salad is another excellent side dish to make last minute as it only requires 15 minutes to throw together! It's packed full of tangy and refreshing flavors that everyone will enjoy no matter their age.
Greek Pasta Salad
Greek pasta salad combines farfalle pasta, kalamata olives, red onion, tomatoes, artichokes, feta cheese, and Greek dressing! It's a quick and easy side dish or main course you can make the night before and keep in the fridge until needed! The tangy flavor is refreshing and perfect for summer picnics, potlucks, and BBQs!
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9. Asian Cucumber Salad
If you love chilled salads in the summer heat as much as I do, then my easy Asian cucumber salad is sure to be a hit! It's loaded with refreshing flavors from fresh ginger, garlic, and green onions that are all tossed in a sesame soy sauce vinegarette dressing!
Asian Cucumber Salad
My easy Asian cucumber salad is full of fresh flavors from garlic, ginger, onion, and a sesame soy sauce vinaigrette! This cool, chilled salad is a refreshing side dish during the summer months and pairs perfectly with any of your favorite Asian-inspired recipes!
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10. Wedge Salad
A classic wedge salad is a quick and easy side dish that will pair well with your favorite grilled meats or BBQ dishes! My easy version is made with fresh lettuce, tangy tomatoes, salty bacon, blue cheese crumbles, and a blue cheese dressing made from scratch!
Wedge Salad
A wedge salad is a delicious appetizer or side dish with crisp iceberg lettuce, blue cheese, bacon, and tomatoes! No basic side salad can compare to a huge wedge of fresh lettuce with delicious toppings! Plus, it's super easy to customize with your favorite dressing, cheeses, and veggies!
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11. Caprese Salad
Hot summer months call for refreshing side dishes to cool you off and a fresh caprese salad will do exactly that! This super quick recipe consists of fresh tomato slices, mozzarella, and basil topped with a balsamic vinaigrette and olive oil mixture!
Caprese Salad With Balsamic And Olive Oil
This classic caprese salad recipe is an especially cool and refreshing appetizer, side dish, or snack for the hot summer months! You don't have to be eating Italian food to enjoy fresh tomatoes, basil, mozzarella, balsamic, and olive oil- it's an easy side salad that goes with anything!
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12. Hawaiian Macaroni Salad
As soon as the weather starts to heat up, my family always requests that I make my rich and tangy Hawaiian macaroni salad! It's a cool, creamy side dish that features noodles tossed in a dressing of mayo, vinegar, carrots, celery, onion, and more!
Hawaiian Macaroni Salad
Hawaiian macaroni salad is a delectable side dish that includes chilled pasta, mayonnaise, vinegar, and pineapple juice! This popular pasta salad is the perfect blend of sweet, tangy, and savory. Bring it to your next barbecue, potluck, or picnic and it's sure to be a new favorite!
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Breads
A quick bread recipe is another great side dish option to keep your family full and satisfied without keeping your oven on for hours.
13. Cheesecake Factory Brown Bread
This restaurant-style copycat bread recipe is absolutely beginner-friendly and equally delicious! It turns out soft and savory with just the right amount of sweetness every time.
Cheesecake Factory Brown Bread
This Cheesecake Factory brown bread copycat recipe makes the most delicious and tender bread you've ever had! It is soft, savory, and has just the right amount of sweetness! Pair it with some butter, jam, or soup, or just enjoy it by itself!
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14. Flatbread (No Yeast)
When it comes to making bread, it doesn't get much easier than my flatbread recipe that's made without yeast! It's quick to cook on your stovetop and especially delicious paired with my homemade tzatziki sauceor hummus!
No Yeast Flatbread
This no-yeast flatbread recipe is for quick and easy homemade flatbreads you can whip up on the stovetop. There are only 4 ingredients, so it's the perfect recipe to make bread from scratch. You can fold, wrap, or dip them - this flatbread is incredibly versatile.
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15. Yellow Squash Bread
If you're looking for a new way to use your excess summer squash, then this yellow squash bread recipe is the answer you've been needing! It's a super easy quick bread that turns out incredibly moist, sweet, and delicious!
Yellow Squash Bread
Yellow squash bread is an extremely moist and flavorful treat that can easily be frozen so you can enjoy it any time of the year! It is the perfect recipe for when you have a ton of excess summer squash on hand with no idea how to use it. This quick bread is so sweet and delicious, that no one will even know there is squash in it!
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16. Sour Cream Cornbread
This sour cream cornbread is an excellent side dish for any summertime gathering with your friends and family! Adding sour cream ensures that your cornbread has a soft and buttery center that never drys out.
Sour Cream Cornbread
Sour cream cornbread is a delicious and super moist side dish perfect for sharing with the family on any occasion! Once you make this homemade cornbread with sour cream, you will never want to use a cornbread mix again! The crispy golden edges and soft buttery center in this cornbread will have everyone wanting seconds!
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17. Pretzels
These pretzels are a fantastic treat to share with a group of friends at a summer party! They're ready to serve in under an hour and taste extra delicious with a variety of your favorite dipping sauces!
Check out my cheese dip, honey mustard, or ranch dressing recipes if you are needing some easy dipping sauce ideas!
Pretzels
Pretzels are a fantastic, well-loved appetizer or snack that is perfect for feeding a group of friends or just enjoying yourself! They are easy to make and are just as delicious as an authentic German pretzel! Plus, they will be ready to eat in under an hour.
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Fruit Desserts
Nothing screams summertime like the fresh flavors of fruit desserts! All of these recipes are incredibly easy and quick to whip up.
18. Fresh Mango Salsa
My fresh mango salsa is an incredibly light and refreshing side dish that has the perfect balance of sweet and spicy flavors! Whether you choose to serve it with homemade tortilla chips or as a garnish for tacos, everyone will be addicted to this salsa!
Fresh Mango Salsa
This fresh mango salsa is an incredibly refreshing and delicious dish that can be enjoyed in so many different ways! Scoop it up with some chips, add it to tacos, or enjoy it by itself as a side dish! Just grab some fresh mangos and veggies and you are ready to get started!
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19. Ambrosia Salad
Ambrosia salad is a vibrant and delicious fruit dessert that's easy to whip up for your next pool party or family barbecue! This tasty version combines mandarin oranges, maraschino cherries, pineapple tidbits, coconut flakes, and mini marshmallows with a sweet and tangy sauce!
Ambrosia Salad Recipe
Ambrosia salad is an easy, creamy fruit dessert that features Cool Whip, pineapple, mandarins, cherries, mini marshmallows, and more! It's a delightfully refreshing dish to bring to your next potluck, family gathering, or party with your friends. Whether you are celebrating a special occasion or need a simple dessert to make in a pinch, this fruit salad recipe is sure to be a hit with adults and kids alike!
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20. Creamy Grape Salad
If you've never made a creamy grape salad before, get ready to be impressed with how inexpensive, easy, and delicious this recipe is! All you have to do is toss a few pounds of grapes in a sweet and creamy sauce, then let it chill in the fridge for at least an hour!
Creamy Grape Salad
This creamy grape salad is a sweet summer side dish that is perfect for potlucks, BBQs, or any time you need a cool and refreshing snack! All it takes is a few simple and inexpensive ingredients! You can make it the night before and let it chill in the fridge until you need it (it tastes even better the next day)!
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21. Fruit co*cktail Salad
This simple recipe is a great way to transform your favorite summer fruits into a fabulous dessert that everyone will love! Whether you choose to use canned or fresh fruit, you'll yield delicious results every time.
Fruit co*cktail Salad
My easy fruit co*cktail salad features a rainbow of different fruit and a sauce made with pineapple and vanilla pudding that is incredible! This is a fabulous summer side dish or dessert that can be made using fresh or canned fruit, it's delicious either way! Try a refreshing fruit co*cktail salad at your next get-together!
Check out this recipe
Tips For Choosing The Best Cold Side Dishes For Summer
If you are trying to find the perfect cold side dishes to bring to your summer gatherings, here are a few things to remember. You'll want to consider sides that you can prepare in advance and fill with fresh ingredients!
- Prepare in Advance: Choose recipes you can prepare ahead of time and store in the refrigerator. This will save you time and effort when serving meals during hot days.
- Keep a Cooler Handy: Keep a cooler handy for outdoor events in the summertime so that you can keep your side dishes fresh.
- No-Cook or Minimal Cooking: Steer clear of recipes that require a lot of cooking or heat in the kitchen. Concentrate on dishes like dips, salads, or fruit desserts.
- Light and Fresh Ingredients: Opt for dishes that feature light and fresh ingredients like leafy greens, cucumbers, tomatoes, bell peppers, and herbs. These ingredients provide hydration and a burst of flavor.
- Seasonal Produce: Summertime is especially a great time to embrace the abundance of seasonal fruit and vegetables. Think about preparing dishes that have watermelon, berries, peaches, and vegetables like zucchini, corn, and avocado.
- Tangy and Zesty Flavors: Eating foods with tangy and zesty flavors can be very refreshing while it's hot outside. Try adding vinegar-based dressings, citrus fruits, or pickled elements to your dishes.
These are just a few of my favorite cold side dish recipes to serve during the hot summer months! Let me know if you have any questions or have a favorite recipe you like to serve at summertime gatherings in the comments below!
🥗🍚😋 More Easy Side Dishes To Try
- Fresh Pineapple Salsa - This fresh pineapple salsa is quick and easy to make for any occasion!
- Fresh Fruit Salad - This easy chilled fruit salad includes a sweet honey sauce that complements the fruit perfectly!
- Rustic Bread - This rustic bread has a delightfully crispy crust and a perfectly chewy texture!
- Tuna Salad With Pasta - If you are a fan of easy tuna side dishes, then you'll love the elevated taste of this recipe!
- Rotisserie Chicken Salad - This chicken salad is full of moist chicken, crisp veggies, and tangy mayo dressing!
- Homemade Flatbread - An easy and versatile bread recipe to use as a base for pizza, sandwich wraps, or quesadillas!
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5 from 3 reviews
Cold Side Dishes: Lobster Salad (+ More Tasty Dishes To Try!)
These cold side dishes include refreshing salads, tasty quick breads, fruity side dishes, and chilled desserts! They are great for backyard BBQs, cookouts, picnics, and everything in between! If you're looking for a way to beat the heat this summer, you've come to the right place!
Author | Angela
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 260kcal
Prep 10 minutes minutes
Cooking 0 minutes minutes
Total Time 10 minutes minutes
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Ingredients
- 1 ½ lbs lobster meat (cooked and chopped into ¾-inch pieces)
- ⅓ cup mayonnaise (good quality mayo like Duke's, Hellman's, or Best Foods)
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice (freshly squeezed is best)
- ¼ cup celery (finely chopped, use the tender inner ribs of celery or celery hearts)
- 1 tablespoon chives (finely chopped)
- ¼ teaspoon each, salt & pepper (to taste)
- 1 splash hot sauce (optional)
Help Us Out!If you love a recipe, be sure to come back and share your ratings. This helps future users, and allows me to continue sharing free recipes! Angela
Instructions
Add 1 ½ lbs lobster meat, ⅓ cup mayonnaise, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, ¼ cup celery, 1 tablespoon chives, ¼ teaspoon each, salt & pepper (to taste), and the optional 1 splash hot sauce to a mixing bowl.
Gently stir until all of the ingredients are combined.
You can serve your lobster salad right away, but ideally, you want to chill it for at least 30 minutes (up to 4 hours). Garnish with extra chives if desired.
Notes
- 1 ½ pounds of lobster meat is roughly 3 ½ cups.
- For the best-tasting lobster salad, use fresh, high-quality ingredients. If possible, try to use fresh lobster meat, lemon juice, and a good brand of mayo like Duke's, Hellman's, or Best Foods.
- To ensure tender and succulent lobster meat, cook a whole lobster in a large pot of boiling water for about 7-9 minutes (for a 1-pound lobster). Adjust the cooking time accordingly for larger lobsters. Be careful not to overcook the lobster, or you will end up with tough, rubbery meat!
- Let freshly cooked lobster cool before making lobster salad. This makes it easier to handle, and the salad tastes best cold anyways!
- Adjust the seasonings to suit your tastes. You can use more or less salt & pepper, and I find a splash of hot sauce (or sprinkle of paprika) adds a lovely little kick. Dill also makes a great addition either mixed into the salad or added as garnish!
- Lobster salad tastes best when served chilled. After preparing the salad, cover and refrigerate it for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together. This also helps the salad hold its shape when served.
- You can also try using different types of seafood in this salad, such as shrimp, crab, or scallops, for a variation on the traditional lobster salad!
- To store: Lobster salad should always be kept in an airtight container in the fridge and is best enjoyed within 2 days. I don't recommend freezing it because the mayonnaise will separate.
Nutrition
Calories: 260kcal (13%) | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 28g (56%) | Fat: 15g (23%) | Saturated Fat: 2g (13%) | Polyunsaturated Fat: 9g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 224mg (75%) | Sodium: 995mg (43%) | Potassium: 367mg (10%) | Fiber: 0.1g | Sugar: 0.3g | Vitamin A: 81IU (2%) | Vitamin C: 2mg (2%) | Calcium: 148mg (15%) | Iron: 1mg (6%)
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easy lobster recipe ideas, easy lobster recipes, lobster recipes, Lobster Salad, salad recipes
Course Salad, Salad Recipes
Cuisine American
Angela @ BakeItWithLove.com
Angela is an at home chef that developed a passion for all things cooking and baking at a young age in her Grandma's kitchen. After many years in the food service industry, she now enjoys sharing all of her family favorite recipes and creating tasty dinner and amazing dessert recipes here at Bake It With Love!
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