12 potluck salads better than the main dish

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When it comes to potluck salads, these recipes truly shine, often stealing the spotlight from the main dish. Perfect for any gathering, these salads are so good, you might just forget about the main course. Get ready to impress and delight everyone with these fantastic salad recipes.

Close-up of a spoon lifting a serving of German potato salad garnished with chopped parsley. The salad contains sliced potatoes, bacon bits, onions, and a light dressing.
German Potato Salad. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Fresh Corn Salad

A bowl of fresh salad featuring corn, avocado, cucumber, tomatoes, and crumbled cheese, mixed with herbs.
Fresh Corn Salad. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This Fresh Corn Salad is a vibrant dish, perfect for summer gatherings or a light, healthy option anytime. Packed with fresh veggies and a lime dressing, it’s both nutritious and delicious. Ready in only 40 minutes, it includes cherry tomatoes, red bell pepper, cucumber, red onion, and basil. Boil the corn, cut the kernels off the cob, and mix everything with a simple lime dressing. For extra flavor, add chopped cilantro, diced avocado, and crumbled feta or cotija cheese. Chill for at least 15 minutes, and it’s ready to serve.
Get the Recipe: Fresh Corn Salad

Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad

A fresh Caesar salad with chicken, croutons, tomatoes, and dressing, served in a large white bowl with a fork.
Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad comes together in just 25 minutes with budget-friendly ingredients. Perfect for meal prepping or bringing to events, it’s a great pick because it’s so easy to put together. Using pre-cooked chicken and store-bought Caesar dressing cuts down on time in the kitchen, making it a go-to dish for any occasion.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad

Creamy Dill Cucumber Onion Salad

Bowl of creamy dill cucumber onion salad in a bowl with spoons.
Creamy Dill Cucumber Onion Salad. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This Creamy Dill Cucumber Onion Salad is crisp, light, and refreshing. Made with sour cream and mayo, it’s ready in just 30 minutes. Bring this to your next get-together for a fresh addition to the table.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Dill Cucumber Onion Salad

Tuna Macaroni Salad

Close-up of a creamy pasta salad sprinkled with paprika and garnished with chopped herbs in a white bowl.
Tuna Macaroni Salad. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This Tuna Macaroni Salad is budget-friendly and straightforward, ready in just 40 minutes. Perfect for beginner cooks, it’s made with elbow macaroni, canned tuna, hard-boiled eggs, mayo, sweet relish, and mustard. Customize it by using different types of mustard or swapping some mayo for Greek yogurt or sour cream.
Get the Recipe: Tuna Macaroni Salad

Cauliflower Potato Salad

Cauliflower potato salad garnished with green onions in a bowl with a fork.
Cauliflower Potato Salad. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This Cauliflower Potato Salad is full of flavor and easy to make. With hearty cauliflower, bacon, cheese, and a dash of hot sauce, it’s a great side dish for any gathering.
Get the Recipe: Cauliflower Potato Salad

Quinoa Chickpea Salad

A bowl filled with a quinoa salad that includes chickpeas, chopped red bell peppers, cucumbers, red onions, and fresh herbs, presented on a light-colored surface.
Quinoa Chickpea Salad. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This Quinoa Chickpea Salad works well for any event. With fresh veggies and a lemon-garlic dressing, it’s both healthy and flavorful. Plus, it’s quite filling. The best part? It’s easy to make. Just cook the quinoa, mix it with fresh vegetables, and add a homemade lemon-garlic dressing to tie it all together.
Get the Recipe: Quinoa Chickpea Salad

Italian Orzo Pasta Salad

A bowl of orzo pasta salad with chopped tomatoes, olives, cucumbers, red onions, basil, and crumbled feta cheese.
Italian Orzo Pasta Salad. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This Italian Orzo Pasta Salad is a hit at potlucks and barbecues. Cook the orzo until tender and let it cool. Whisk together the dressing, then mix the orzo, vegetables, and dressing until combined. Chill the salad in the fridge to bring out the flavors, and it’s ready to serve. It stores well, so you can make it ahead of time, and it will still taste great.
Get the Recipe: Italian Orzo Pasta Salad

German Potato Salad

A close-up of a potato salad with chopped herbs, bacon bits, and seasonings.
German Potato Salad. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This German Potato Salad is perfect for potlucks and family gatherings. Featuring tender potatoes and crispy bacon with a tangy dressing, it’s a crowd favorite. Ready in under an hour, it’s served warm with a vinegar-based dressing instead of the usual mayo. Just boil the potatoes, cook the bacon, and mix with apple cider vinegar, mustard, and bacon drippings. It’s a great dish that keeps well for days.
Get the Recipe: German Potato Salad

Big Mac Salad

A person holding serving spoons in a bowl of Big Mac salad.
Big Mac Salad. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Perfect for potlucks, this Big Mac Salad is packed with all the flavors of the classic burger. It features crispy bacon, seasoned ground beef, chopped romaine, shredded cheddar, and pickles. The highlight is the homemade dressing, blending mayo, sour cream, pickles, and a touch of mustard. Simply mix everything together and chill for an hour before serving. It’s a crowd-pleaser that’s easy to prepare and sure to impress.
Get the Recipe: Big Mac Salad

Jalapeño Popper Chicken Salad

A glass bowl of jalapeño popper chicken salad ingredients.
Jalapeño Popper Chicken Salad. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This Jalapeño Popper Chicken Salad is a great pick for potlucks. Bake chicken breasts and bacon, then broil jalapeños. Mix the cooked chicken, bacon, and jalapeños with green onions, mayo, hot sauce, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Chill for an hour before serving. It’s easy to make and full of flavor.
Get the Recipe: Jalapeño Popper Chicken Salad

Tuna Egg Salad

A close-up of a bowl of tuna egg salad mixed with celery, onions, and dill, topped with freshly ground black pepper, with a spoon placed on the side.
Tuna Egg Salad. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This Tuna Egg Salad is quick and tasty, ready in just 25 minutes. Start by hard-boiling some eggs, then mash them up. Combine with canned albacore tuna, Greek yogurt, celery, red onion, pickles, and seasonings. It’s a creamy, protein-rich salad that fits any meal.
Get the Recipe: Tuna Egg Salad

Thai Chicken Salad

Thai chicken salad with arugula, sliced onions, and red chili peppers.
Thai Chicken Salad. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This Thai Chicken Salad is packed with flavor and nutrients. With marinated chicken and veggies like arugula and spiralized cucumbers, it’s a fresh and easy-to-make main dish that’s perfect for sharing.
Get the Recipe: Thai Chicken Salad

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