35 Fresh Memorial Day Salad Recipes

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These fresh Memorial Day salad recipes are perfect for serving during your Memorial Day cookout to help round out your menu of grilled meat main dishes. Add tons of flavor with tasty side dishes and summer vegetables.

A pennant of American flags in a photo collage next to 3 fresh salads for a Memorial day party.

Memorial Day weekend is the unofficial start of summer.

Before you toss those hot dogs and hamburgers on the grill, it is important to pause during the long weekend to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.

Without those amazing and dedicated service men and women, we wouldn't have the opportunity to gather with loved ones to enjoy the holiday weekend and the amazing feast you've got planned for the party.

A perfect Memorial Day cookout is filled with fresh salad recipes that feature flavorful recipes with red, white, and blue elements balanced with seasonal flavors that pair perfectly with the main course.

I hope these delicious Memorial Day salad recipes along with my Memorial Day dessert recipes help you plan the perfect holiday meal.

Fruit Salad with Fruit Dip

Filling your buffet table doesn't need to be difficult. Rely on a few store bought short cuts to make it super easy!

Buy a large fruit salad platter from the grocery store and simply add a sweet fruit dip on the side.

I love my creamy piรฑa colada fruit dip with fresh pineapple and strawberries but the strawberry cheesecake dip would look so pretty with a blueberry salad!

Veggie Tray with Dip

While you're at the grocery store picking up the fruit salad, grab a big raw veggie platter and plan to make one of these easy cold dips for adding to the side.

Watermelon Salad

Fresh watermelon is an essential Memorial Day ingredient. You could slice it up into big wedges and just put it on a platter as as an easy side dish for everyone to enjoy.

You could also easily turn it into a fresh watermelon salad with fresh basil leaves and a simple creamy dressing.

My easy buttermilk herb dressing or a tangy Greek yogurt blue cheese dressing on the side would be just perfect.

Southern Macaroni Salad

A party perfect side dish, this classic southern macaroni salad can be made ahead the day before and is the perfect side dish to bring to a potluck.

Southern Macaroni Salad
This classic southern macaroni salad has the BEST macaroni salad dressing that pairs perfectly with the crispy raw veggies and tender pasta. Serve it as a refreshing chilled side dish alongside your favorite backyard party main dishes like grilled chicken and hot dogs.
5 from 33 votes
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A white bowl is filled with classic macaroni salad that has onions, red pepper, and celery peeking out of the dressing.

Strawberry Feta Salad

Fresh strawberries also bring that pretty pop of bright red to the table.

Make a big salad with fresh strawberries AND fresh blueberries on a bed of spinach and drizzle it with my homemade strawberry vinaigrette for the perfect red, white, and blue salad.

Strawberry Feta Salad
Fresh strawberry feta salad is sized just right for enjoying for your lunch. It is so easy to scale it up for serving to the family for dinner or bringing to a potluck party on a big platter. Elegant, easy, and so delicious.
5 from 1 vote
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A plate filled with salad greens, fresh strawberries, and pickled red onions.

Chicken Pasta Salad with Grapes

One of my all time favorite pasta salad recipes is this big batch of chicken pasta salad with grapes and crispy vegetables.

It tastes even better the next day so it is a perfect make ahead recipe for your party.

Chicken Pasta Salad with Grapes
This light and refreshing chicken pasta salad with grapes is the perfect recipe to serve for a luncheon or shower. The zippy dressing, juicy grapes and crispy vegetables give the chicken salad extra crunch.
5 from 1 vote
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A serving of grape and chicken pasta salad is on a plate with a fork.

Fresh Tomato Pasta Salad

Looking for a savory way to add a bright red vegetable to the table? This delicious fresh tomato pasta could be served chilled as a pasta salad with fresh arugula leaves stirred in.

Fresh Tomato Pasta
When fresh tomatoes are at their peak, this is the perfect summery pasta recipe. The heat from the pasta just warms the chopped cherry tomatoes to make a simple dinner.
5 from 1 vote
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A white bowl is filled with thin spaghetti and fresh cherry tomatoes and arugula. Parmesan is sprinkled over the top.

Warm Couscous Salad with Oranges

If you want a simple side dish that is loaded with fresh vegetables, don't miss this easy warm couscous salad that can actually be served at room temperature, too.

Fresh peppers, onions, cilantro, and juicy mandarin oranges make this a perfect pairing with grilled chicken or pork.

Warm Couscous Salad with Oranges
This delicious warm couscous salad features a rainbow of fresh peppers and onions and is sweetened with a can of mandarin oranges and orange juice. Toss it together and serve it warm for a delightful side dish but it could be served at room temperature or even chilled for a buffet.
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A white bowl filled with couscous salad. Oranges and bell peppers are peeking out of the mix.

Asian Chicken Pasta Salad

Whether or not you want to add the broiled chicken to this pasta salad, the zippy Asian lime vinaigrette dressing makes this chilled pasta salad a mayo-free pasta salad you could serve in the heat.

My Asian pasta salad has fresh crunchy vegetables including carrots, bell peppers, and green onions for tons of flavor.

Asian Chicken Pasta Salad
This refreshing chicken pasta salad is loaded with raw veggies and a delicious savory Asian marinade. Make a batch for easy work week lunches or for serving at a party.
4.67 from 3 votes
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The finished salad is in a white bowl with 2 chicken tenderloins on a bed of pasta salad with baby spinach.

Lemon Orzo Salad with Tomatoes and Dill

Bright red cherry tomatoes, fresh garden dill, and tangy feta cheese are the highlight of this lemon orzo salad that can be served warm, room temperature, or chilled.

If you're looking for a Mediterranean recipe to pair with grilled chicken or fish, this is a healthy recipe for a lighter Memorial Day menu.

Lemon Orzo Salad with Tomatoes & Dill
This simple Greek orzo pasta salad made with fresh tomatoes and feta is bright and zesty from the fresh squeezed lemon juice. Serve it warm or chilled with shrimp or chicken.
5 from 2 votes
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A white bowl is filled with the lemon orzo pasta salad. Tomatoes and dill are sprinkled throughout.

Marinated Tomatoes

Slice a mountain of grape tomatoes and toss them in an easy dressing to make this fresh marinated tomatoes side dish.

You could eat it on the side of your meats or spoon it right over grilled chicken, grilled steaks, or grilled fish.

Marinated Tomatoes
These easy marinated tomatoes are a simple dinner side dish, salad topping, or perfect pasta salad base. Serve them with crostini for an appetizer or with cottage cheese for a healthy lunch.
5 from 32 votes
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A big bowl of red and yellow cherry tomatoes have been sliced in half and marinated in an Italian dressing.

French Potato Salad

Is it really a backyard party if there isn't a summertime French potato salad?? My recipe skips the mayo and uses a mustard vinaigrette with savory bacon, summery sweet corn, and fresh herbs.

You could add fresh crispy green beans to the mix if you prefer.

French Potato Salad
This easy viniagrette-based potato salad is even better than Ina Garten's French potato salad recipe because it has fewer steps to make it and the added crunch from sweet corn and fresh red bell peppers.
5 from 1 vote
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A white dish filled with potato salad mixed with corn and red bell peppers.

Ranch Potato Salad

If you prefer a classic creamy potato salad, you can't go wrong with my deliciously easy ranch potato salad made with fresh herbs.

Ranch Potato Salad
An easy fresh herb ranch dressing is poured over tender red potatoes for this make-ahead ranch potato salad that can be kept in your fridge for 2 days before serving. A simple ranch seasoning packet substitution can be found in the notes below.
5 from 1 vote
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The finished ranch potato salad is in a white bowl. Parsley has ben sprinkled over the top.

Carrot Apple Salad

One part salad recipe, one part vinegar based slaw, this fresh carrot apple salad is the perfect pick if you're planning to make anything barbecue like ribs, pulled pork, or BBQ chicken.

It would also taste great piled up on a grilled turkey burger.

Carrot Apple Salad
Easy carrot apple salad is a vinegar based slaw that tastes amazing with savory barbecue dishes or grilled meats. Use it to top a pulled pork sandwich or spoon some over spicy barbecue chicken. This is a great side dish to bring to a potluck!
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Colorful shredded cabbage, carrots, cilantro, and green onions are mixed in a bowl.

Mexican Slaw

If there will be anything spicy on the menu, this bright and fresh Mexican slaw for tacos tastes just as good with barbecue sauces and chicken.

Mexican Slaw
Make this easy Mexican slaw from prepared coleslaw mix or shred your own cabbage and carrots and toss with the zippy dressing made without mayo. This is the perfect taco topping for fish tacos or spicy chicken tacos.
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The slaw is in a white bowl with a spoon. Fresh lime wedges are on the side.

Chow Chow Relish

If you're planning grilled pork tenderloin, pork chops, spicy chicken, hot dogs or brats/sausages, you truly need to give my homemade chow chow relish a try this summer.

Filled with fresh veggies and a tangy vinegar dressing, it is the perfect complement to the main course.

Chow Chow Relish
This popular southern condiment is the perfect vinegary topping for savory meats and barbecue. Garden fresh vegetables are cooked in a sweet vinegar dressing and seasoned with mustard and turmeric for color. The base recipe has a jalapeรฑo pepper for extra flavor but isn't too spicy. Check the notes for easy heat level adjustments.
5 from 36 votes
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The chow chow has been spooned over a baked chicken breast. Green beans and a couscous side dish are in the background.

Green Bean Salad

Toss some crispy air fryer green beans with a simple olive oil dressing with fresh dill, salt, and pepper for the easiest green bean salad that will hold up to the warm weather.

Want a little crunch? Add some slivered almonds over the top!

Air Fryer Green Beans
These quick and easy air fryer green beans make the perfect healthy side dish for dinner.
5 from 2 votes
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A white plate has a pile of freshly roasted green beans hot from the air fryer basket.

Roasted Peppers and Pineapple Salad

With platters of savory meats on the dinner table, you need plenty of colorful veggies and fresh fruits to balance out the meal.

This easy roasted peppers and pineapple recipe can be made ahead and served chilled as a simple party salad.

Roasted Peppers and Pineapple
This easy pan of roasted peppers with sweet roasted pineapple makes an amazing side dish for any meal.
4.24 from 17 votes
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A serving bowl of roasted pineapple and pepper chunks sits in front of a roasting pan with spatula.

Strawberry Basil Salad

Squeeze a little lemon juice over this fresh strawberry basil salad mixture to keep things fresh and then pile up crispy crostini toasts for your friends to scoop it up!

Strawberry Bruschetta
This easy party appetizer recipe is perfect for strawberry season. You can have an elegant apptizer in just minutes!
5 from 1 vote
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2 crostini toasts are topped with diced strawberries and a sprinkle of fresh basil to show the strawberry bruschetta appetizer. A plate of crostini sits in the background.

Caprese Salad

An even better way to serve fresh tomatoes for your party is to slice up an easy caprese salad platter with fresh mozzarella and fresh basil.

You could add a sprinkle of fresh blueberries to the platter for a dash of red, white, and blue. The blueberries would still pair perfectly with that balsamic vinegar drizzle over the top.

Caprese Salad
Tomato caprese salad is a classic Italian appetizer or side dish that is best made during summer when the tomatoes are at their peak season. Drizzle with olive oil and balsamic glaze for an elegant dish.
5 from 2 votes
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A sliced tomato, fresh mozzarella, fresh basil, and balsamic glaze on a plate with a fork.

Buffalo Chicken Salad

Want to offer a healthy salad recipe that your friends could choose to make their main dish instead of a heavy grilled entree?

This chilled buffalo chicken salad is so perfectly spicy and has just the right balance with the creamy blue cheese dressing drizzled over the top.

Buffalo Chicken Salad
This spicy chicken salad makes a great low carb lunch idea but could be turned into an easy family dinner with a side of homemade bread or crunchy croutons.
5 from 1 vote
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A bowl filled with green lettuce, topped with buffalo chicken salad, fresh tomatoes, and drizzled with buffalo sauce and blue cheese dressing sits in front of a serving bowl of lettuce with mason jars of dressing on the side.

Copycat Olive Garden Salad

The Italian dressing that is part of Olive Garden's signature house salad makes this side dish perfect for a cookout because there's nothing creamy to spoil in the heat. Pre my easy garden salad and grab a bottle of the Italian dressing at the grocery store.

Garden Salad
Prep a large batch of garden salad for an easy dinner side dish all week long or for easy prep ahead work week lunches. Set out your family salad bar every night with your favorite salad dressings and toppings. Be sure to see my fun seasonal variations in the notes below.
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The fresh garden salad is served in a white bowl. You can see lettuce, cherry tomatoes, croutons, and cucumber.

Mexican Corn Salad with Feta

This 5-minute prep Mexican street corn salad with tangy feta and fresh green onions is actually a great way to serve sweet corn instead of the more traditional platters of cobbed corn.

Mexican Street Corn Casserole
This easy Mexican street corn casserole is a fun side dish for taco night. Creamy and filled with queso fresco and a hint of lime, it's the refreshing veggie you need for your spicy meal.
4.67 from 3 votes
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A blue baking dish with yellow Mexican Street Corn casserole has crumbled cheese and fresh green onions sprinkled over the top.

Deviled Egg Salad

Hard boiled eggs and a dash of hot sauce with fresh chives makes this deviled egg salad better than all the rest!

You could plan to serve it for egg salad sandwiches or just serve the egg salad in a large bowl next to a platter of crispy lettuce and let your friends top their own.

Deviled Egg Salad
Classic egg salad combines all the best flavors from deviled eggs into a delicious sandwich spread. You could also serve a scoop over a bed of salad greens.
5 from 40 votes
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An egg salad sandwich sits on a blue plate.

Pineapple Marshmallow Salad

When you want a creamy salad that brings a bit of sweetness to the table, you can't go wrong with my pineapple marshmallow salad.

Filled with pineapple and mandarin oranges with a little coconut for texture, this sweet dish can be served as a side dish or a chilled dessert.

Pineapple Marshmallow Salad
This sweet pineapple ambrosia salad made without mayo can be served as a no bake dessert or holiday side dish for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or Easter. Stir it together in just minutes and it is ready to serve.
4.95 from 40 votes
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A serving of pineapple ambrosia has a spoon for serving.

Pistachio Fluff

There are sweet chunks of pineapple hiding in this fluffy green pistachio fluff fruit salad. The toasted pecans add crunch and texture to the chewy marshmallows throughout the mix.

Pistachio Fluff Fruit Salad
This light and creamy pistachio fluff fruit salad makes a great holiday side dish or no bake dessert. Top it with chopped pecans for color and crunch.
4.98 from 44 votes
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A large serving bowl of pistachio fluff has chopped pecans sprinkled over the top and a blue napkin on the side.

Creamy Grape Salad

The sour cream and cream cheese dressing for this creamy grape salad has brown sugar for sweetness and pecans for crunch.

This is one of my favorite side dishes for a party because it is the perfect excuse for adding a little something sweet to my plate!

Chicken Salad Chick Grape Salad
This copycat of the famous Chicken Salad Chick Grape Salad recipe is the perfect dish to bring to a potluck or serve as a sweet side dish for Easter or a festive brunch. The sweet and creamy dressing is made with cream cheese and brown sugar and topped with crispy pecans for awesome crunch.
4.95 from 57 votes
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A big blue bowl is filled with a creamy grape salad with cream cheese, covered in brown sugar and pecans.

Strawberry Pretzel Salad

Well alright, let's be honest. This is likely considered to be more of a dessert than a salad . . . unless you live in the Midwest.

But this creamy strawberry pretzel salad with Jello topping is so pretty, it just simply belongs at your Memorial Day party!

Strawberry Jello Pretzel Dessert
Cool and creamy strawberry pretzel salad is the classic summer torte you've had at many church potlucks and backyard parties. Made with a salty pretzel crust and topped with a sweet layer of cream cheese and refreshing strawberry flavored Jell-O and fresh strawberries, this dessert is always a hit at a picnic.
4.67 from 6 votes
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A 9x13-inch pan has finished strawberry pretzel salad for serving, a plate with a single slice and a fork is in front.

More Party Menu Ideas

Plan the ultimate backyard party this summer with these easy recipes:

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A photo collage shows an American flag bunting on top of 4 photos of fresh salads to serve at a Memorial Day party.

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