Kalyn's Picks: 20 Favorite Healthy Salads and Side Dishes for Outdoor Eating

Here are 20 Favorite Healthy Salads and Side Dishes for Outdoor Eating!

Are you the kind of cook who always makes your favorite recipe for a summer get-together, or do you like to try new things when you're taking something to a party?  For me, the answer is "It depends." Probably my father's favorite Shrimp and Macaroni Salad is the thing I've taken most often to Denny family get-togethers for quite a few years, but when I have new favorites on the blog I do like to try those out on the family as well.  If you're looking for a taste-tested salad or side dish to try out for the holiday weekend, here are twenty current favorites of mine.  And after I post this I'm going to take a few days off to spend time with my family, including taking some adorable kids to see Real Salt Lake play soccer tonight.  Happy Memorial Day Weekend everyone!

Southwestern Quinoa Salad with Black Beans, Red Bell Peppers, and Cilantro

The Southwestern Quinoa Salad with Black Beans, Red Bell Peppers, and Cilantro above is a salad I thought had the perfect combination of ingredients, and I could eat that one over and over without getting tired of it. 

Kale and Romaine Caesar Salad

I made this Kale and Romaine Caesar salad before my recent infatuation with baby kale, and now I might even like it more with the baby kale!

Barely-Blanched Broccoli Salad with Feta and Fried Almonds

The Feta and fried almonds are the perfect accent for the still-crisp broccoli in this Barely-Blanched Broccoli Salad with Feta and Fried Almonds.

Heart of Palm Salad with Tomato, Avocado, and Lime (with or without cilantro.)

This Heart of Palm Salad with Tomato, Avocado, and Lime is one of the few salads with Cilantro where I'd say the cilantro is completely optional.

Baby Kale Greek Salad

I don't think I ever tried a Greek Salad I didn't like, but this Baby Kale Greek Salad is my current favorite!

Quinoa Side Dish with Pine Nuts, Green Onions, and Parmesan

Quinoa is one of those dishes that taste good warm or room temperature, and this Quinoa Side Dish with Pine Nuts, Green Onions, and Parmesan would be fun to eat outside.

Tuna Pasta Salad with Lemon, Green Olives, and Capers

The addition of flavorful ingredients like lemon, green olives, and capers really bumps up the appeal of this Tuna Pasta Salad with Lemon, Green Olives, and Capers.

Raw Baby Kale Salad with Apples, Sunflower Seeds, and Lemon-Dijon Vinaigrette

This Raw Baby Kale Salad with Apples, Sunflower Seeds, and Lemon-Dijon Vinaigrette has a nice combination of flavors and textures.

Thai-Style Spicy Cabbage Slaw with Mint and Cilantro

When we tested the recipe, my nephew Jake and I went crazy over this Thai-Style Spicy Cabbage Slaw with Mint and Cilantro.

Lentil and Barley Greek-Style Salad with Tomatoes, Feta, and Capers

This Lentil and Barley Greek Style Salad with Tomatoes, Feta, and Capers has so many of my favorite flavors!

Effie's Easy and Amazing Cottage Cheese Salad with Za'atar

When a reader named Effie sent me some spices from Israel I made Effie's Easy and Amazing Cottage Cheese Salad with Za'atar and I've made this many times since.

Amazing Asian Green Salad with Soy-Sesame Dressing and Sesame Seeds

I love this interesting Asian Green Salad with Soy-Sesame Dressing and Sesame Seeds, and I did think the dressing tasted amazing!

Spicy Grilled Eggplant and Zucchini Salad with Thai Flavors

If you like Thai food at all, I highly recommend this Spicy Grilled Eggplant and Zucchini Salad with Thai Flavors!

Not-so-Dumb Salad with Cucumbers, Tomatoes, Onions, Avocado, and Balsamic Dressing

A reader who sent me this recipe called it "dumb" salad, but I was blown away by the flavors in this Not-So-Dumb Salad with Cucumbers, Tomatoes, Onions, Avocado, and Balsamic Dressing.  (There is no oil, just the balsamic vinegar to flavor the salad.)

Garlicky Roasted Chickpeas with Feta, Mint, and Lemon

 If you like chickpeas, you'll love the bright flavors in these Garlicky Roasted Chickpeas with Feta, Mint, and Lemon.

Spinach Salad with Bacon and Feta

It only takes the tiniest bit of bacon to add lots of good bacon flavor to this Spinach Salad with Bacon and Feta.

White Bean Salad with Tuna and Parsley

This White Bean Salad with Tuna and Parsley is something I eat all summer when I have lots of parsley in my garden!

Crunchy Napa Cabbage Asian Slaw with Sugar Snap Peas, Radishes, Almonds, and Cilantro

 This Crunchy Napa Cabbage Asian Slaw with Sugar Snap Peas, Radishes, Almonds, and Cilantro is another one where I think you can leave out the cilantro if you're not a fan.

Ottolenghi's Perfect Lettuce Salad with Radicchio, Radishes, Tomatoes, and Capers

I love the colors as much as the flavors in Ottolenghi's Perfect Lettuce Salad with Radishes, Tomatoes, and Capers.

World's Easiest Grilled Vegetables

And finally, there's no question that World's Easiest Grilled Vegetables is the summer side dish I make most often all summer long!

More Summer Food Round-Ups from Kalyn:

Ten Favorite "Dad-Friendly" Grilling Ideas for Father's Day 2011
Ten Favorite Grilling Recipes and Tips for Grilling for National Barbecue Month 2011
Ten Grilling Recipe Ideas for Memorial Day Weekend Grilling 2010 
Grilling Ideas for Memorial Day Weekend 2009
Ten Grilling and Salad Recipe Ideas for Labor Day Weekend 2009

Summer Recipe Ideas from My Blogging Friends:

Best of Grilling and Summer Barbecue Recipes 2012 from Cookin' Canuck
Memorial Day 2012 Recipes from Mountain Mama Cooks
Gluten-Free Picnic Recipes - Karina's Faves from Gluten-Free Goddess
20 Healthy and Delicious Recipes for Memorial Day from Family Fresh Cooking
Memorial Day Weekend Side Dishes from Poor Girl Gourmet

I hope everyone who's in the U.S. has lovely holiday weekend.  And if you're not too busy celebrating, we would love to hear in the comments about what's going to be on the menu at your house!