Summer picnics are a great way to enjoy the outdoors, but hot weather calls for lighter fare. This collection of 25 Refreshing Picnic Sides offers a variety of cool, flavorful options to complement your outdoor meals. From crisp salads to chilled dips, these recipes make use of seasonal ingredients to create dishes that are both satisfying and refreshing. They’re designed to pair well with a range of main courses, adding a refreshing touch to your picnic spread.
Roasted Garlic Purple Cauliflower Hummus
This roasted garlic and purple cauliflower hummus is a colorful twist on the classic dip. It’s just as easy to make and adds a whole new level of flavor and nutrients. Serve this creamy purple cauliflower recipe with easy homemade pita chips.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Garlic Purple Cauliflower Hummus
Garlic Butter Ciabatta Bread
Take your tastebuds on a trip with this delicious stuffed garlic ciabatta bread. The crunchy outer crust gives way to a pillow-soft interior, packed full of fragrant rosemary, zesty garlic and the perfect blend of butter and olive oil for added richness – it’s sure to be a hit!
Get the Recipe: Garlic Butter Ciabatta Bread
Tuscan Pasta Salad
This Sun Dried Tuscan Pasta Salad recipe makes an excellent summer side dish to chicken or a burger. It seriously has so much flavor! Or make this a complete meal by adding in some chicken!
Get the Recipe: Tuscan Pasta Salad
Shaved Brussels Sprout Slaw with Lemon Apple Cider Vinaigrette
Are you looking for an alternative to coleslaw? If so, this Brussels sprout slaw might be perfect. This shaved Brussels sprouts salad with lemon apple cider vinaigrette is made with one part cabbage to two parts sprouts. This summer salad recipe is a great side for BBQ chicken, fish or beef. When you make this Brussels sprouts salad recipe, make lots because it will disappear!
Get the Recipe: Shaved Brussels Sprout Slaw with Lemon Apple Cider Vinaigrette
Edamame and Corn Salad
This delicious and vibrant edamame and corn salad is a summer delight! Made with fresh corn, juice tomatoes, vibrant fresh herbs and a dressing that takes it over the top, you will love this easy salad all summer long!
Get the Recipe: Edamame and Corn Salad
Caesar Salad with Cucumber and Bacon
This is a twisted version of the traditional Caesar salad – with cucumber and crunchy bacon. It’s light and full of flavors and will be a great addition to any grilled meat dishes or a light dinner.
Get the Recipe: Caesar Salad with Cucumber and Bacon
Deviled Egg Potato Bites
Deviled egg potato bites are the kinder, gentler cousin to the deviled egg. Rich and crispy, mini stuffed deviled potatoes make a great appetizer recipe!
Get the Recipe: Deviled Egg Potato Bites
Air Fryer Biscuits
These homemade air fryer biscuits are truly a treat! They’re your favorite buttermilk biscuits, but made in an air fryer! Tons of buttery flaky layers, crisp edges, and incredibly fluffy centers – you’ll have this easy recipe on repeat! Best part, these biscuits are made in under 30 minutes and only 6 ingredients required!
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Biscuits
Tomato Cucumber Tahini Salad
Tomato and cucumber tahini salad is a simple yet satisfying and refreshing side. Cubed fresh veggies tossed with a generous splash of olive oil and a creamy lemon tahini dressing are the perfect accompaniment to other Middle Eastern dishes.
Get the Recipe: Tomato Cucumber Tahini Salad
Creamy Potato Salad
This creamy potato salad uses dairy-free mayonnaise, dijon mustard, and apple cider vinegar to form a simple yet incredibly delicious dressing. The addition of celery adds a welcome crunch and a dash of paprika adds a bit of kick.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Potato Salad
Hawaiian Macaroni Salad
An easy Hawaiian macaroni salad recipe is always worth knowing. Not only is this a flavour-packed pasta salad but it also pairs beautifully with so many different dishes. Hawaiian macaroni is of course delicious with Hawaiian flavoured meats such as chicken or pork with Hawaii inspired seasonings but that’s not your only choice. Try it as a simple side with your next grilled steak, or enjoy it as part of your lunch.
Get the Recipe: Hawaiian Macaroni Salad
Cream Cheese Fruit Dip with Powdered Sugar
Easy Cream cheese fruit dip recipe is a sweet and creamy dip that’s perfect for dipping your favorite fruits. This easy fruit dip recipe comes together in just 5 minutes and only calls for a few simple ingredients! It’s silky and fluffy texture makes this sweet treat addicting! Serve with fresh fruit, such as strawberries, apple slices, pineapples, or grapes!
Get the Recipe: Cream Cheese Fruit Dip with Powdered Sugar
Broccoli Salad with Craisins
Is there anyone who can pass up a Broccoli Salad with Craisins? I just love any dish that falls into the category of “delicious side salads.” This crowd pleaser is a version of the classic broccoli salad featuring tart cranberries, crispy bacon, sunflower kernels, cheddar cheese, and a creamy homemade dressing.
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Salad with Craisins
Air Fryer Pull Apart Jalapeño Popper Rolls
Air fryer pull apart jalapeño popper rolls are a quick and easy jalapeño appetizer with Pillsbury pizza dough or crescent dough. Boasting tasty ingredients like two kinds of cheese, jalapeños and hot sauce, these are perfect for spicy food fans. You are going to love jalapeño pigs in a blanket and I warn you one is never enough with this air fryer appetizer recipe!
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Pull Apart Jalapeño Popper Rolls
Charcuterie Skewers
Introducing the ultimate party appetizer – Charcuterie skewers! These easy antipasto skewers are the epitome of fun and deliciousness, offering a delightful twist on the classic charcuterie board. It’s a burst of flavors and textures in every bite, tantalizing your taste buds and making for most mouthwatering treats!
Get the Recipe: Charcuterie Skewers
Watermelon Feta Salad
This Watermelon Salad is the perfect refreshing summer salad! It’s made with juicy watermelon, crisp cucumber, salty feta cheese, and fresh mint leaves. It’s the perfect combination of flavors and textures. Whether you’re looking for a light lunch or a side dish for your BBQ party, you’ll love this salad!
Get the Recipe: Watermelon Feta Salad
Sour Cream Cornbread Muffins
Sour Cream Cornbread Muffins are fluffy, moist, and delicious smothered with butter and honey. Pair them with your favorite bowl of soup or chili.
Get the Recipe: Sour Cream Cornbread Muffins
Green Goddess Hummus
Whenever I make anything using Green Goddess seasoning, I’m doing a happy dance. This time around, the seasoning will be featured in a homemade green goddess hummus recipe. It’s creamy, it’s herbaceous and just plain delicious. You can whip up this crowd-pleasing appetizer in no time. Enjoy this green dip as a snack or slather it on a fresh sandwich as a spread. You’re going to love this creamy green hummus goodness.
Get the Recipe: Green Goddess Hummus
Fresh Peach Salsa
This easy fruit salsa recipe is perfect for summer. It’s sweet and juicy with a subtle heat. Perfect for snacking with chips or using as a topping for burgers and tacos. Grab some fresh ripe peaches and enjoy!
Get the Recipe: Fresh Peach Salsa
Air Fryer Fiesta Chicken Stuffed Poblano Peppers
Air fryer fiesta chicken stuffed poblano peppers, or Mexican chicken stuffed peppers, offer a true south of the border flavour. Chicken is flavoured with cumin, salt, pepper, and margarita mix and the recipe also includes poblanos, pico de gallo, sour cream, and cotija cheese. Your family will LOVE these tasty stuffed poblanos and they are so easy to make in an air fryer!
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Fiesta Chicken Stuffed Poblano Peppers
Burrata Caprese Salad
This delicious Burrata Caprese Salad recipe brings summer flavors to your table. Creamy burrata cheese, juicy summer tomatoes, and fragrant basil are drizzled with a sweet balsamic glaze and topped with crunchy pine nuts. This dish takes the traditional elements of a classic caprese salad and elevates them with creamy burrata cheese. If you’ve never tried burrata cheese, you’re in for a treat!
Get the Recipe: Burrata Caprese Salad
Peach Quinoa Salad
Enjoy this refreshing, easy and nutritious peach quinoa salad as a light meal or a side dish. The combination of sweet peaches, crunchy nuts, and tangy balsamic dressing makes it perfect for a summer day and comes together in under 30 minutes! Add chopped chicken, sliced steak, seared tofu, or chickpeas for a balanced and filling meal.
Get the Recipe: Peach Quinoa Salad
Sweet and Spicy Corn on The Cobb
I’m super excited to share with you my recipe for sweet and spicy corn on the cob in the oven! This Korean-inspired twist elevates a classic corn on the cob recipe. The corn is roasted in the oven with husks still intact making this side dish incredibly easy to make. It’s the perfect balance of sweet, spicy and savory notes.
Get the Recipe: Sweet and Spicy Corn on The Cobb
Mango Black Bean Salad
This fresh, flavorful mango black bean salad is a crowd-pleasing addition to any summer gathering. Bursting with tropical sweetness from ripe, diced mangoes and a tangy lime dressing, this salad is a delicious meatless main or side.
Get the Recipe: Mango Black Bean Salad
Jicama Salad with Apples and Honey Lime Dressing
This jicama salad with apples is light, crisp, tart, and refreshing. It’s quick and easy to make and packed with nutrition. It’s the kind of thing you can make quickly for a light lunch or in large quantities for a summer cookout. The salad includes sliced jicama, green apples, and radishes with a touch of jalapeño and fresh cilantro all tossed together in a light honey lime dressing. And it stays crisp and fresh for hours.
Get the Recipe: Jicama Salad with Apples and Honey Lime Dressing
Greek Pasta Salad
Add some bright and tangy Mediterranean flavor to a classic potluck dish with this fresh and easy Greek Pasta Salad! This simple side dish is made by tossing pasta, chickpeas, feta cheese, and an assortment of veggies in a zesty Greek dressing.
Get the Recipe: Greek Pasta Salad
Grape Salad
A seriously addictive Chicken Salad Chick Grape Salad recipe! This Southern Grape Salad uses real food ingredients and tastes delicious, no it tastes amazing!
Get the Recipe: Grape Salad
