A barbecue is never complete without a fresh salad or slaw to cut through the rich meat and brighten up your plate. Featuring everything from the ultimate potato salad to a crunchy Caribbean slaw, this collection has all of the best salad dishes to serve at your next al fresco feast. For more inspiration for your next barbecue, find your meaty main course here, all the vegetarian dishes you need here, and finish off the afternoon with a classic summer barbecue dessert. Plus, find our full range of barbecue recipes here.
Sweetcorn Rojak
Rojak is a popular Southeast Asian salad that blends sweet, spicy, sour and salty flavours. For this recipe, you can grill your ears of sweetcorn on the barbecue or in the oven to enhance its sweetness.
Hot Honey Halloumi and Dill Fattoush with Pomegranate and Lime Vinaigrette
This Lebanese fattoush-inspired recipe is perfect if you’re looking to impress your guests with a flavour-packed salad that is almost too pretty to eat. The pitta bread adds crunch, while the hot honey halloumi adds a salty and sweet touch. Fresh herbs and vegetables in the fattoush will complement any of your other barbecue dishes.
Hugo’s Gem Lettuce Caesar Salad
No matter how many Caesar salads we’ve consumed, they will always be one of our favourites at a barbecue. To upgrade this traditional salad, we recommend trying out Xanthe Ross’s husband’s dressing recipe. If you’re not a vegetarian, add anchovy fillets to enhance the dressing’s umami flavour.
Sophie Wyburd’s Chipotle Tomatoes with White Beans and Feta
Bean-based salads are hearty and filling on their own because they’re packed with protein. They also pair well as a side. Top off this dish with pickled onions and tangy feta.
Melissa Hemsley’s Fried Halloumi and Chickpea Rainbow Salad
Packed full of colour and texture, with chickpeas, carrots, tomatoes, and crispy fried halloumi, this rainbow salad from Melissa Hemsley is a bright summery addition to any barbecue spread.
Big Fat Greek Salad with Jassy’s Fried Feta
We love a classic Greek salad. You could enjoy this recipe from FIVE as a simple supper, but we love it alongside a barbecue too. The pairing of rich, lightly charred meat with salty feta and sweet tomatoes is irresistible.
Freekeh Salad
Freekeh, which is similar to couscous and bulgar, is very popular in the Middle East and North Africa. So if your barbecue is going to be full of Middle Eastern flavours, make this salad a staple side dish.
Salad of Chilli and Honey Peaches, Leaves and Pecans
This recipe from Grill it with Levi is one of our favourite barbecue sides. Laden with sweet, grilled peaches, nutty pecans and punchy watercress, it makes the perfect starter or side dish.
Meera Sodha’s Chargrilled Summer Salad
Made for summer, this easy veg-forward salad can be made alongside the rest of your barbecue. Courgettes, tender-stem broccoli, onions and corn are quickly grilled over the coals and dressed with a simple spiced lemon dressing.
Kale and Griddled Pineapple Salad
This fresh and vibrant salad features fresh kale massaged with lemon and olive oil and juicy slices of pineapple that can be quickly griddled on the barbecue before serving.
Heritage Tomatoes Salad
This fresh and healthy salad from Cook, Nourish, Glow: Step Into Summer is a vibrant celebration of seasonal tomatoes. Served up alongside deliciously smokey grilled meats and veggies, we can’t get enough of it.
Sanna Mirza’s Salad Shirazi
Diced cucumber, tomatoes and red onion are dressed simply with olive oil, salt, pepper and plenty of lime in this easy Iranian salad.
Halloumi, Avocado and Lime Salad
Light and fresh, this simple salad features creamy avocado, crispy halloumi and toasted mixed seeds, topped with a zesty lime and balsamic dressing.
Meliz Berg’s Sumac, Tomato, Onion and Parsley Salad
Simple and refreshing, this easy tomato and onion salad from Meliz Berg is a crisp, quick side for a low-effort barbecue
Last-minute Grilled Salad
This dramatic and delicious recipe from Low and Slow can be customised to whatever seasonal veg is available to you. So fire up the barbecue and get creative with your veg.
A Tomato Lover’s Salad with Anchovy Breadcrumbs
When the tomato plants are ready to harvest this is the salad to turn to. Slathered in olive oil and topped with crispy anchovy breadcrumbs, this simple salad is a winning addition to any summer barbecue spread.
Hot and Fruity Caribbean Coleslaw
This is not your classic creamy coleslaw. With crunchy cabbage, sweet mango and a pop of chilli, this fresh and zingy slaw will pair beautifully with smoky barbecued meat.
My Favourite Potato Salad
Up your sides game with this elevated take on the classic potato salad featuring garden peas, crunchy celery, gherkins, hard-boiled eggs, and a creamy mayonnaise and Greek yoghurt dressing.
Watermelon and Cherry Tomato Salad with Feta, Almond and Za’atar Crumble
Perfect for hot summer days, this easy salad pairs fresh tomatoes and sweet watermelon with crumbled creamy feta and a simple za’atar and almond crumble.
