13 Pasta and Potato Salads That Outshine Everything on the Grill

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Grill nights usually revolve around what is sizzling over the fire, but a good side can steal the serving spoon fast. These 13 pasta and potato salads bring salmon, shrimp, chicken, steak, bacon, eggs, herbs, pickles, asparagus, orzo, and noodles into bowls that can stand up to anything coming off the grill. You get creamy classics, lighter herb-dressed potatoes, seafood pasta salads, and chilled cookout bowls that help the whole meal feel more complete.

Salmon Pasta Salad

Flaked salmon and chilled pasta give Salmon Pasta Salad enough substance to compete with anything smoky from the grill. It serves 10 with just 5 minutes of prep and 15 minutes of cooking. Orecchiette, cooked salmon, grated cucumber, sour cream, mayonnaise, dill, parsley, and lemon juice make the bowl creamy while keeping the flavors fresh. Serve it cold with steak, ribs, burgers, or grilled vegetables when the side needs to feel like more than filler.
Get the Recipe: Salmon Pasta Salad

Yellow Bean & Potato Salad

Tender potatoes and yellow beans make Yellow Bean & Potato Salad a 20-minute side with 6 servings. Baby potatoes, olive oil, yellow beans, celery, red bell pepper, green onions, mayonnaise, sour cream, whole grain mustard, apple cider vinegar, and honey fill the bowl. The beans add snap and color, while the potatoes keep every scoop filling. Serve it warm or chilled beside grilled chicken, sausages, pork chops, or burgers.
Get the Recipe: Yellow Bean & Potato Salad

Rotisserie Chicken Pasta Salad

Bowtie pasta and rotisserie chicken make Rotisserie Chicken Pasta Salad a 30-minute bowl with 6 servings. Roasted red peppers, red onion, basil, parsley, garlic, Greek yogurt, lemon juice, white wine vinegar, and optional sugar bring the dressing and mix-ins together. The chicken gives the pasta enough weight to sit beside grilled food without fading into the background. Bring it chilled for cookouts, lunches, or sandwich-style dinners.
Get the Recipe: Rotisserie Chicken Pasta Salad

Potato Salad with Herbs & Green Garlic

Fresh herbs move Potato Salad with Herbs & Green Garlic away from heavier picnic versions in 30 minutes with 6 servings. Baby red potatoes, garlic, green garlic, green onions, parsley, olive oil, white wine vinegar, honey, and salt make the bowl bright without mayo. The potatoes still bring substance, but the dressing keeps the side lively beside grilled mains. Serve it warm, chilled, or at room temperature with chicken, fish, or ribs.
Get the Recipe: Potato Salad with Herbs & Green Garlic

Steak & Pasta Salad

Thinly sliced steak turns Steak & Pasta Salad into a 25-minute dish with 8 servings and plenty of grill-night energy. Dry pasta, cooked steak, baby spinach, cherry tomatoes, radishes, corn, blue cheese, red onion, candied walnuts, mayonnaise, buttermilk, Dijon, lemon juice, herbs, and garlic build the bowl and dressing. It can hold its own next to burgers or grilled chicken. Serve it chilled after the dressing coats the pasta.
Get the Recipe: Steak & Pasta Salad

Deviled Egg Pasta Salad

Deviled egg flavor gives Deviled Egg Pasta Salad a creamy 20-minute base with 8 servings. Elbow macaroni, hard-boiled eggs, mayonnaise, sweet pickle relish, Dijon mustard, sugar, apple cider vinegar, celery, red onion, red bell pepper, smoked paprika, and chives make the bowl. The eggs keep it tied to classic cookout sides, while the pasta makes it more filling. Serve it cold with grilled hot dogs, burgers, or BBQ chicken.
Get the Recipe: Deviled Egg Pasta Salad

Grilled Asparagus and Potato Salad

Charred vegetables make Grilled Asparagus and Potato Salad a 30-minute side with 6 servings. Baby potatoes, asparagus, red bell pepper, red onion, olive oil, chives, parsley, white wine vinegar, mayonnaise, whole grain mustard, garlic, and lemon juice build the bowl after the vegetables hit the grill. It fits the title because the side uses the same smoky space as the main dish. Serve it warm or chilled beside steak, chicken, or sausages.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Asparagus and Potato Salad

Creamy BLT Pasta Salad

Bacon, tomatoes, and romaine bring sandwich flavor into Creamy BLT Pasta Salad, a 25-minute bowl with 8 servings. Dried pasta, mayonnaise, sour cream, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, garlic powder, bacon, grape tomatoes, romaine, red onion, and parsley make the chilled salad. It works well beside grilled mains because the bacon adds richness while the lettuce and tomatoes keep the bowl from feeling too heavy. Add the romaine close to serving.
Get the Recipe: Creamy BLT Pasta Salad

Chef Jenn’s Warm German Potato Salad

Bacon and vinegar give Chef Jenn’s Warm German Potato Salad a 35-minute timeline with 6 servings. Yukon Gold potatoes, chopped bacon, red onion, apple cider vinegar, vegetable or chicken broth, grainy German mustard, white sugar, salt, black pepper, and parsley create a warm, tangy bowl. It brings a sharper edge than creamy potato salad, which helps it stand up to grilled sausages, pork, or steak. Serve it warm from the pan.
Get the Recipe: Chef Jenn’s Warm German Potato Salad

Pesto Orzo Salad

Basil pesto coats small pasta in Pesto Orzo Salad, a 20-minute bowl with 6 servings. Dry orzo, pesto, mayonnaise, Parmesan, pearl mozzarella, grape tomatoes, green onions, sun-dried tomatoes, lemon juice, pine nuts, and fresh basil bring creamy, herby flavor to the table. The orzo keeps each scoop tidy, which makes it easy to serve beside grilled chicken or sausages. Chill it before serving so the pasta holds its shape.
Get the Recipe: Pesto Orzo Salad

Classic Red Potato Salad with Pickles

Dill pickles give Classic Red Potato Salad with Pickles a tangy crunch with 15 minutes prep, 15 minutes cook time, and 6 servings. Red potatoes, garlic, mayonnaise, sour cream, shallot, red bell pepper, Dijon mustard, fresh dill, parsley, pickle juice, salt, and black pepper make the creamy bowl. The pickles and herbs help it stand apart from plain potato salad. Serve it chilled with ribs, burgers, sausages, or cold fried chicken.
Get the Recipe: Classic Red Potato Salad with Pickles

Mediterranean Orzo Salad with Shrimp

Shrimp and orzo make Mediterranean Orzo Salad with Shrimp a 35-minute bowl with 8 servings. Feta, grape tomatoes, chickpeas, red bell pepper, cucumber, sun-dried tomatoes, red onion, olive oil, lemon juice, oil from the tomatoes, oregano, dill, parsley, and honey fill the salad. The shrimp and chickpeas give it enough protein for a bigger scoop. Serve it chilled with grilled fish, chicken, kabobs, or steak.
Get the Recipe: Mediterranean Orzo Salad with Shrimp

Classic Asian Noodle Salad with Ginger-Sesame Dressing

Cold noodles and crunchy vegetables make Classic Asian Noodle Salad with Ginger-Sesame Dressing a 30-minute salad with 6 servings. Noodles, red cabbage, carrots, red bell pepper, green onions, cilantro, peanuts, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, honey, lime juice, ginger, garlic, and sriracha fill the bowl. It brings a bright contrast to smoky grilled mains. Serve it with grilled salmon, chicken, tofu, or spring rolls.
Get the Recipe: Classic Asian Noodle Salad with Ginger-Sesame Dressing