Cold side dishes for potluck and picnic – Grab a plate and get ready to dig into these tasty potluck and picnic sides. Our recipes for cold pasta salads, crowd-pleasing veggie skewers, and shareable side dishes are sure to be a hit at your next summer picnic or potluck. You can prepare these easy cold side dish recipes — great for potlucks, picnics, or festive cookouts — without fearing they’ll get cold by the time you arrive at your destination. Enjoy!

Side Dishes Recipe: 50 Cold Side Dishes Recipes for Picnics and Potlucks

1. Bacon Jalapeño Popper Cheese Balls

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50 Cold Side Dishes for Picnics and Potlucks

These super festive bacon jalapeño popper cheese balls make for a real crowd-pleasing appetizer!
Cooking time: 0 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box

2. Healthy Chicken Pasta Salad with Avocado, Tomato, and Basil 

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50 Cold Side Dishes for Picnics and Potlucks

Healthy chicken pasta salad is packed with flavor, protein and veggies. Try this pasta salad recipe for a quick lunch or a light dinner!
Cooking time: 10 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box

3. Apple Feta Spinach Salad

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50 Cold Side Dishes for Picnics and Potlucks

This healthy spinach salad recipe is crunchy, sweet, and full of fresh flavors. A perfect vegetarian spinach salad for lunch or a light dinner!
Cooking time: 0 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box

4. Apple Bacon Coleslaw

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50 Cold Side Dishes for Picnics and Potlucks

This coleslaw recipe only takes a few minutes to make and is packed with bright and delicious flavor! Super creamy, crunchy, and fresh coleslaw you can make in a cinch!
Cooking time: 0 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box

5. Easy Pasta Salad with Avocado

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50 Cold Side Dishes for Picnics and Potlucks

Pasta salad with creamy avocado slices is so easy to make! the best Pasta salad to add to your dinner table. - One bowl of this healthy pasta salad will delight even the pickiest eaters!
Cooking time: 0 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box

6. Cheesy Corn Fritters

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50 Cold Side Dishes for Picnics and Potlucks

These Corn Fritters are crispy on the edges, soft in the middle – A great side dish for a host of dinners!
Cooking time: 8 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box

7. Spicy Deviled Eggs

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50 Cold Side Dishes for Picnics and Potlucks

This spicy deviled eggs recipe is a classic, bite-size hors d'oeuvre for an elegant Easter buffet.
Cooking time: 0 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box

8. Perfect Marinated Tomatoes with Mozzarella

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50 Cold Side Dishes for Picnics and Potlucks

These marinated tomatoes make a perfect hors d’oeuvre full of fresh summer flavors!
Cooking time: 0 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box

9. Easy Tomato Cucumber Salad

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50 Cold Side Dishes for Picnics and Potlucks

This tomato cucumber salad is light and refreshing - perfect for a casual dinner or feeding a crowd at a potluck party.
Cooking time: 0 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box

10. Healthy Coleslaw {No Mayo}

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50 Cold Side Dishes for Picnics and Potlucks

Healthy coleslaw recipe without mayo or sugar! This light coleslaw recipe with Mediterranean accents is perfect bliss for your potlucks, barbecue, or any outdoor event!
Cooking time: 0 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box

11. Roasted Zucchini Salad with Feta and Italian Dressing

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50 Cold Side Dishes for Picnics and Potlucks

This roasted zucchini salad is super flavorful and healthy, you’ll want to make it all summer long!
Cooking time: 15 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box

12. Healthy Cabbage Salad with Orange-Lime Dressing

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50 Cold Side Dishes for Picnics and Potlucks

This cabbage salad recipe is crunchy, healthy, and perfect for your midweek lunches or large gatherings.
Cooking time: 0 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box

13. Baked Cauliflower Parmesan

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50 Cold Side Dishes for Picnics and Potlucks

Oven Baked Cauliflower Parmesan cauliflower parmesan is a low carb, vegetarian dish with marinara sauce, mozzarella, and parmesan cheese to add a tasty vegetable to your dinner table.
Cooking time: 40 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box

14. Cilantro Lime Watermelon Feta Salad

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50 Cold Side Dishes for Picnics and Potlucks

Sweet, fresh and juicy - This Cilantro Lime Watermelon Feta Salad recipe is a definite crowd pleaser!
Cooking time: 0 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box

15. The Easiest Creamy Cucumber Salad

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50 Cold Side Dishes for Picnics and Potlucks

This creamy cucumber salad recipe is delicious and refreshing — Great for grilling or a light dinner!
Cooking time: 0 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box

16. Jalapeño Watermelon Salad

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50 Cold Side Dishes for Picnics and Potlucks

This watermelon salad is easy to make and so refreshing—enjoy summer in a bowl!
Cooking time: 0 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box

17. Baked Corn on the Cob and Garlic Parmesan

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50 Cold Side Dishes for Picnics and Potlucks

This baked corn on the cob recipe with garlic and parmesan is a huge crowd-pleaser!
Cooking time: 35 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box

18. Roasted Potato Salad

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50 Cold Side Dishes for Picnics and Potlucks

This roasted potato salad recipe is super nourishing and packed with flavor. The perfect side dish for your BBQ menu.
Cooking time: 30 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box

19. Crispy Garlic Parmesan Zucchini Fritters

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50 Cold Side Dishes for Picnics and Potlucks

The perfect way to sneak in some veggies!
Cooking time: 15 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box

20. Apple Cranberry Bacon Kale Salad

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50 Cold Side Dishes for Picnics and Potlucks

This easy kale salad recipe is packed full of hearty nutrients and tastes amazing!
Cooking time: 0 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box

21. Oven Baked Zucchini Fries with Garlic Parmesan Crust

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50 Cold Side Dishes for Picnics and Potlucks

These Baked Zucchini Fries are an amazing lightened-up appetizer everyone will love.
Cooking time: 15 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box

22. Grilled Butter Corn Salad with Jalapeño

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50 Cold Side Dishes for Picnics and Potlucks

This grilled corn salad is your ultimate summer side. The blissed-out blend of grilled corn, jalapeño, and red onion goes with virtually anything!
Cooking time: 5 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box

23. Shredded Carrot Salad with Honey Mustard Dressing

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50 Cold Side Dishes for Picnics and Potlucks

This shredded carrot salad makes the perfect addition to a potluck or brunch.
Cooking time: 0 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box

24. Cucumber Strawberry Salad

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50 Cold Side Dishes for Picnics and Potlucks

This strawberry salad with cucumber and watermelon is the perfect summer side to serve with grilled chicken or steak. What would be more cooling than a freshly cut strawberry salad?
Cooking time: 0 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box

25. Spicy Corn Salad

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50 Cold Side Dishes for Picnics and Potlucks

Easy and delicious corn salad recipe - A great light lunch or side for bbq and grilling.
Cooking time: 10 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box

26. Healthy Tomato Potato Salad

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50 Cold Side Dishes for Picnics and Potlucks

This easy tomato potato salad recipe is light, nourishing, and super delicious. Bring the potato salad to your next potluck and prepare yourself for rave reviews!
Cooking time: 12 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box

27. Mozzarella Pasta Salad with Parmesan Balsamic Dressing

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50 Cold Side Dishes for Picnics and Potlucks

This mozzarella pasta salad is the perfect side dish or main course for a warm Spring or Summer evening!
Cooking time: 0 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box

28. Creamy Corn Salad

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50 Cold Side Dishes for Picnics and Potlucks

This crowd-pleasing fresh corn salad recipe will always disappear fast at your summer potlucks and BBQs.
Cooking time: 0 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box

29. Cucumber White-Bean Salad with Tomato & Pesto Vinaigrette

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50 Cold Side Dishes for Picnics and Potlucks

Our white bean salad only take minutes to prepare, and is packed full of healthy veggies. You'd better bookmark this white bean salad recipe, because we know you’ll use it a lot!
Cooking time: 0 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box

30. Fried Baby Potatoes with Garlic Brown Butter

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50 Cold Side Dishes for Picnics and Potlucks

These epic Fried potatoes baby with garlic brown butter are the perfect side dish to practically anything!
Cooking time: 25 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box

31. Cheesy Broccoli Fritters

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50 Cold Side Dishes for Picnics and Potlucks

These light, cheesy broccoli fritters take just 30 minutes or less to make for a healthy side or lunch.
Cooking time: 15 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box

32. Garlic Parmesan Mashed Potato Cakes

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50 Cold Side Dishes for Picnics and Potlucks

A super easy side dish, light dinner or lunch!
Cooking time: 20 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box

33. Homemade Herbed Butter

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50 Cold Side Dishes for Picnics and Potlucks

This herbed butter with parsley, chives, cilantro, lemon and chili pepper will enhance the flavor of many of your dishes.
Cooking time: 0 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box

34. Grilled Chili Lime Butter Corn on the Cob

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50 Cold Side Dishes for Picnics and Potlucks

This Grilled Corn on the Cob recipe is recipe a flavor-packed side dish for your backyard BBQ — So easy and flavorful!
Cooking time: 15 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box

35. Orange Brussels Sprouts Salad

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50 Cold Side Dishes for Picnics and Potlucks

Brussels sprouts salad with an apple cider salad dressing is a family favorite side salad that goes well with everything. Try this Brussels sprouts salad recipe for your holiday dinners!
Cooking time: 0 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box

36. Spinach Corn + Feta Chicken Salad

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50 Cold Side Dishes for Picnics and Potlucks

This easy chicken salad recipe is light, delicious, and perfect for a lunch on-the-go.
Cooking time: 0 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box

37. No-Mayo Potato Salad

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50 Cold Side Dishes for Picnics and Potlucks

A quick and lighter version of the classic potato salad, with a delicious kick of spice.
Cooking time: 0 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box

38. Summer Kale Salad with Blueberries, Strawberries and Feta

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50 Cold Side Dishes for Picnics and Potlucks

Healthy, tasty and super nutritive, if you’re looking for the perfect summer salad, this is it!
Cooking time: 0 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box

39. Chunky Strawberry Guacamole

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50 Cold Side Dishes for Picnics and Potlucks

Dazzle your guests with this last-minute appetizer.
Cooking time: 0 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box

40. Avocado Quinoa Salad

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50 Cold Side Dishes for Picnics and Potlucks

This avocado quinoa salad is super healthy and loaded with tons of fresh flavor!
Cooking time: 0 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box

41. Raw Chioggia Beet Salad

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50 Cold Side Dishes for Picnics and Potlucks

This colorful beet salad is ideal for summertime alfresco dining and dinner parties.
Cooking time: 0 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box

42. Marinated Cucumber Salad with Creamy Dill Sauce

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50 Cold Side Dishes for Picnics and Potlucks

This fresh cucumber salad is here to help you conquer your cravings!
Cooking time: 0 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box

43. Mediterranean Chickpea Salad

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50 Cold Side Dishes for Picnics and Potlucks

This Mediterranean chickpea salad recipe is a bright, colorful, and delicious salad perfect for hot summer days.
Cooking time: 0 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box

44. Grilled Zucchini with BBQ Sauce

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50 Cold Side Dishes for Picnics and Potlucks

Grilled Zucchini with the best BBQ Sauce is a quick and simple Grilled Zucchini recipe guaranteed to impress! Backyard barbecue, with a vegetarian twist!
Cooking time: 10 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box

45. Red Cabbage Salad and Apple Pomegranate

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50 Cold Side Dishes for Picnics and Potlucks

Cabbage Salad Recipe is Perfect for a quick lunch on the go or a fresh dinner starter, this tangy raw slaw is also supremely cleansing.
Cooking time: 0 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box

46. Marinated Zucchini Noodles

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50 Cold Side Dishes for Picnics and Potlucks

These marinated zucchini noodles are the perfect addition to your summer grilling, or as a delicious, refreshing appetizer.
Cooking time: 0 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box

47. Grilled Garlic Mushroom Skewers

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50 Cold Side Dishes for Picnics and Potlucks

These grilled garlic mushrooms on skewers are so good, you’ll want to make them every single day of the week!
Cooking time: 10 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box

48. Grilled Corn with Garlic and Parmesan

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50 Cold Side Dishes for Picnics and Potlucks

This grilled corn recipe is perfect as a side for your barbecue parties, or as salad for a quick lunch on the go!
Cooking time: 10 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box

49. Grilled General Tso’s Cauliflower Kabobs

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50 Cold Side Dishes for Picnics and Potlucks

These grilled cauliflower kabobs are crunchy-sweet twist on a take-out favorite!
Cooking time: 15 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box

50. Grilled Peaches with Prosciutto and Feta

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50 Cold Side Dishes for Picnics and Potlucks

A perfect summertime appetizer with only 3 ingredients.
Cooking time: 0 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box

51. Healthy Chicken Pasta Salad with Pesto, Avocado, and Tomato

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50 Cold Side Dishes for Picnics and Potlucks

This chicken pasta salad recipe is like a circus of flavors at every bite!
Cooking time: 0 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box

52. Healthy Grilled Peaches Recipe

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50 Cold Side Dishes for Picnics and Potlucks

These Grilled Peaches are perfect for summertime! The perfect healthy dessert.
Cooking time: 0 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box

53. Tomato Basil Strawberry Salsa

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50 Cold Side Dishes for Picnics and Potlucks

This tomato basil strawberry salsa is the perfect fresh and tasty side for your weekend cookouts!
Cooking time: 0 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box

54. Fresh Pineapple Salsa with Sesame Tortilla Chips

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50 Cold Side Dishes for Picnics and Potlucks

This pineapple salsa is a healthy recipe full of fresh tropical fruit and veggies.
Cooking time: 0 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box

55. Cucumber Avocado Salsa with Strawberries

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50 Cold Side Dishes for Picnics and Potlucks

This delicious cucumber avocado salsa recipe is perfect for your potlucks, BBQs, meal preps or protein bowls. Enjoy!
Cooking time: 0 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box

50 Cold Side Dishes for Picnics and Potlucks: Bacon Jalapeño Popper Cheese Balls

by eatwell101
Yield: 12 balls    Prep Time: 10 min     Cook time: 0 min

These super festive bacon jalapeño popper cheese balls make for a real crowd-pleasing appetizer!

PIN TO SAVE PRINT RECIPE Meal plan

Ingredients you need for the Bacon Jalapeño Popper Cheese Balls

16 oz (450g) cream cheese, softened 1 tablespoon mayonnaise 1/2 cup minced fresh chives 1 cup jalapeño, seeded and finely diced 2 cups finely crumbled bacon or more 1/2 cup sharp cheddar, shredded 1/2 medium red onion, thinly minced (optional) 1 teaspoon black pepper 1 teaspoon Cayenne pepper

Directions

1. To make the bacon jalapeño popper cheese balls: In a large bowl, combine cream cheese, mayo, cheddar, jalapeño, 1/2 cup bacon, red onion, black pepper, and Cayenne. Mix well until fluffy. Set aside.

2. In a shallow plate, transfer the remaining 1 cup crumbled bacon, then using a cookie scoop, scoop out one ball of cheese filling and toss into the bacon crumbles. Continue until all cheese balls have been rolled in the bacon coating.

3. Refrigerate the bacon jalapeño popper cheese balls until ready to serve. Enjoy!

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