21 Chilled Salads Grandma Tastes Once and Has on the Table the Following Weekend

Add Preferred Source

A good chilled salad can cover lunch, support dinner, or wait in the refrigerator until the rest of the family arrives. These 21 chilled salads move through pasta, potatoes, grains, beans, chicken, salmon, shrimp, steak, ham, corn, noodles, and crisp vegetables. Several gain more flavor after resting, which makes them practical for weekend meals that can be prepared ahead. Use the collection when Grandma wants a repeat bowl ready for the following weekend without rebuilding the entire menu.

Steak & Pasta Salad

Leftover steak turns Steak & Pasta Salad into a chilled bowl substantial enough for lunch, dinner, or a cookout side. Farfalle, spinach, cherry tomatoes, corn, radishes, red onion, blue cheese, and optional candied walnuts are coated with a buttermilk ranch dressing. The recipe makes 8 servings in 25 minutes, followed by 20 minutes of chilling. Prepare the components ahead and toss them shortly before serving, when Grandma wants the same bowl again the next weekend.
Get the Recipe: Steak & Pasta Salad

Wheat Berry Salad with Tuna & Tomatoes

Chewy grains give Wheat Berry Salad with Tuna & Tomatoes a sturdy base that holds up well in the refrigerator. Wheat berries, canned tuna, diced tomatoes, green onions, parsley, olive oil, and lemon juice make 8 servings in 1 hour 10 minutes. Most of that time goes toward boiling the wheat berries before rinsing them under cold water. Pack the salad for lunch or set it beside soup and bread when Grandma requests another batch.
Get the Recipe: Wheat Berry Salad with Tuna & Tomatoes

Potato Salad with Herbs & Green Garlic

A no-mayonnaise dressing keeps Potato Salad with Herbs & Green Garlic fresh and herb-forward across 6 servings. Baby red potatoes are tossed while warm with green garlic, green onions, parsley, olive oil, white wine vinegar, and honey. The recipe takes 30 minutes, and chilling is optional before serving. Make it the night before a family meal so the potatoes have extra time to absorb the dressing Grandma remembered from the first bowl.
Get the Recipe: Potato Salad with Herbs & Green Garlic

Mediterranean Orzo Salad with Shrimp

Shrimp and chickpeas help Mediterranean Orzo Salad with Shrimp work as either a full lunch or a substantial cold side. Orzo, feta, tomatoes, bell pepper, cucumber, sun-dried tomatoes, red onion, dill, and parsley are coated with a lemon and olive oil dressing. The recipe makes 8 servings in 35 minutes, followed by at least 1 hour in the refrigerator. Bring it to the next family weekend when Grandma wants the same colorful bowl on the table.
Get the Recipe: Mediterranean Orzo Salad with Shrimp

Pesto Orzo Salad

Basil pesto coats every small piece of pasta in Pesto Orzo Salad, a chilled dish built for potlucks and backyard meals. Orzo, mayonnaise, Parmesan, mozzarella pearls, grape tomatoes, sun-dried tomatoes, green onions, lemon juice, pine nuts, and basil make 6 servings. The displayed total is 20 minutes, with another 30 minutes of chilling before serving. Make it ahead so the bowl is cold and ready when Grandma returns for another helping.
Get the Recipe: Pesto Orzo Salad

Coronation Chicken Salad

Curry powder and mango chutney give Coronation Chicken Salad a sweet-spiced profile that stands apart from standard deli salads. Cooked chicken, mayonnaise, sour cream, raisins, green onions, almonds, and parsley make 6 servings with 10 minutes of preparation. The instructions call for at least 1 hour of refrigeration so the flavors settle. Spoon it into croissants, sandwiches, or lettuce cups when Grandma decides it belongs on the following weekend’s lunch table.
Get the Recipe: Coronation Chicken Salad

Yellow Bean & Potato Salad

Tender potatoes and yellow beans share the bowl in Yellow Bean & Potato Salad, which can be served warm or chilled. Celery, red bell pepper, green onions, mayonnaise, sour cream, whole-grain mustard, apple cider vinegar, and honey round out the 6 servings. The recipe takes 20 minutes from start to finish. Refrigerate it before the family meal so Grandma can taste the cool, creamy version she requested after the first serving.
Get the Recipe: Yellow Bean & Potato Salad

Italian Broccoli Salad

Quick blanching keeps the vegetables crisp in Italian Broccoli Salad, a make-ahead side that improves as it rests. Broccoli, shallot, toasted almonds, pepperoncini, bell pepper, olives, provolone, olive oil, and red wine vinegar make 6 servings. It takes 10 minutes to prepare, followed by at least 10 minutes of resting. Keep it refrigerated until the meal, then set it out when Grandma arrives looking for the bowl she remembered.
Get the Recipe: Italian Broccoli Salad

Greek Cauliflower Salad

Lightly blanched cauliflower replaces leafy greens in Greek Cauliflower Salad, helping the dish stay crisp after dressing. Cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, Kalamata olives, feta, parsley, dill or mint, lemon, garlic, oregano, and olive oil fill 6 servings. The complete 55-minute schedule includes 30 minutes of chilling. Make it a day ahead for Grandma’s return visit because the recipe notes that the flavors become stronger overnight.
Get the Recipe: Greek Cauliflower Salad

Shirazi Salad

Finely diced vegetables give Shirazi Salad its even texture and make the lime dressing reach every spoonful. Roma tomatoes, English cucumber, red onion, parsley, dill, mint, olive oil, salt, and pepper create 8 servings in 10 minutes. It can be served chilled or at room temperature, though the vegetables soften after about 2 days. Prepare it close to the weekend meal when Grandma requests another bowl beside grilled food or bread.
Get the Recipe: Shirazi Salad

Mediterranean Salmon Salad With Barley

Flaky fish and chewy grain make Mediterranean Salmon Salad With Barley substantial enough to anchor a chilled lunch. Salmon, barley, feta, cucumber, tomatoes, bell pepper, red onion, radish, pistachios, and dill are finished with a lemon-yogurt dressing. The recipe makes 6 servings in 45 minutes, and the barley should cool fully before mixing. Store the salmon and salad separately until Grandma’s next visit so each part keeps its texture.
Get the Recipe: Mediterranean Salmon Salad With Barley

White Bean Salad

Beans give White Bean Salad enough structure to work as a light lunch, side dish, or meal-prep bowl. Cherry tomatoes, red onion, cucumber, parsley, arugula, optional feta, capers, and a lemon-Dijon dressing fill 6 servings. It takes 10 minutes to prepare, followed by at least 15 minutes of chilling or up to an hour for stronger flavor. Prepare it before Grandma arrives so the dressing has time to soak into the beans.
Get the Recipe: White Bean Salad

Rotisserie Chicken Pasta Salad

Cooked chicken makes Rotisserie Chicken Pasta Salad a practical way to turn leftovers into 6 chilled servings. Bowtie pasta, roasted red peppers, red onion, basil, parsley, and garlic are coated with a Greek yogurt, lemon, and white wine vinegar dressing. The recipe takes 30 minutes, and the dressing should be tossed through about 30 minutes before serving. Keep the bowl refrigerated for the weekend meal Grandma added to the family calendar.
Get the Recipe: Rotisserie Chicken Pasta Salad

Southern Ham Salad

A food processor brings Southern Ham Salad together in 10 minutes with only five main ingredients. Ham, softened cream cheese, green onions, parsley, and grainy mustard make 6 servings with a smooth, spreadable texture. The recipe can be eaten immediately, though chilling for at least 1 hour gives it better flavor. Serve it with croissants, crackers, bread, or cucumber slices when Grandma requests the same lunch again.
Get the Recipe: Southern Ham Salad

Curried Chicken Salad with Raisins

Golden raisins balance the spices in Curried Chicken Salad with Raisins, a 10-minute recipe that makes 6 servings. Cooked chicken is coated with mayonnaise, sour cream, curry powder, lemon juice, red onion, and salt before toasted almonds go on top. It can be served right away or kept chilled until needed. Prepare sandwiches, wraps, or lettuce cups for the next weekend after Grandma decides one taste was enough to earn a repeat.
Get the Recipe: Curried Chicken Salad with Raisins

Mediterranean Quinoa Salad

Cooled quinoa carries vegetables, herbs, and cheese through Mediterranean Quinoa Salad, a four-serving cold side. Cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, Kalamata olives, feta, parsley, and mint are tossed with lemon, red wine vinegar, oregano, black pepper, and olive oil. The displayed total is 30 minutes, followed by at least 30 minutes of chilling. Make it in advance so Grandma finds the flavors settled when she returns to the table.
Get the Recipe: Mediterranean Quinoa Salad

Salmon Pasta Salad

Grated cucumber keeps Salmon Pasta Salad moist while adding a cold, fresh contrast to the cooked fish. Chilled orecchiette, salmon, sour cream, mayonnaise, dill, parsley, and lemon juice make 10 servings with 5 minutes of prep and 15 minutes of cooking. The cucumber also drains for about 20 minutes before mixing. Use leftover salmon and refrigerate the completed bowl for Grandma’s next lunch or family get-together.
Get the Recipe: Salmon Pasta Salad

Copycat Costco Chicken Salad

Finely chopped ingredients give Copycat Costco Chicken Salad the smooth, scoopable texture associated with the deli version. Chicken breast, mayonnaise, sour cream, celery, sweet onion, lemon juice, garlic powder, salt, and pepper make 6 servings. The 45-minute total includes 30 minutes of chilling so the mixture firms and the flavors settle. Pile it into croissants or serve it with crackers when Grandma requests a repeat without the oversized store container.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Costco Chicken Salad

Mexican Street Corn Salad

Grilled kernels bring smoky sweetness to Mexican Street Corn Salad, a cold side based on the flavors of elote. Red bell pepper, green onion, jalapeño, mayonnaise, lime juice, chili powder, cilantro, and cotija cheese join four ears of corn. The recipe takes 30 minutes and makes 6 servings, followed by 1 to 2 hours of chilling. Make it ahead for the following weekend so Grandma can find the same corn bowl beside the grilled food.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Street Corn Salad

Chef Jenn’s Warm German Potato Salad

Bacon drippings and a vinegar dressing give Chef Jenn’s Warm German Potato Salad its tangy, smoky character across 6 servings. Yukon Gold potatoes, bacon, red onion, broth, grainy mustard, sugar, pepper, and parsley come together in 35 minutes. Unlike the other recipes in this chilled collection, the instructions specifically direct serving this salad warm. Retain it for Grandma’s weekend table only if a warm potato salad still fits the intended lineup.
Get the Recipe: Chef Jenn’s Warm German Potato Salad

Classic Asian Noodle Salad with Ginger-Sesame Dressing

Cold noodles and crunchy vegetables make Classic Asian Noodle Salad with Ginger-Sesame Dressing useful for meal prep, potlucks, or a lighter dinner. Red cabbage, carrots, bell pepper, green onions, cilantro, and peanuts are coated with soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, honey, lime, ginger, garlic, and sriracha. The recipe makes 6 servings in 30 minutes. Serve it immediately or chill it for 30 minutes before Grandma’s requested weekend repeat.
Get the Recipe: Classic Asian Noodle Salad with Ginger-Sesame Dressing