We’re in the throws of summer which, if you’re like me, means there’s a cookout every weekend. I love burgers, chicken, hot dogs… all the barbecue food. But, by this time of the summer I’m looking to switch the menu up a bit. They say variety is the spice of life and these unusual side salads will definitely add some spice to your barbecue.
Seriously simple, you’re going to want to double the dressing for Callie Godwin’s (Choctaw, OK) Maggie’s Everything Slaw recipe for extra saucy goodness. It’s that yummy.
“I had everything to make coleslaw plus a lot of home grown veggies,” explains Callie. “So I made up this recipe and my husband loved it.” One bite and you will too. Callie has the traditional cabbage, but also adds apples, carrots, raisins, cucumbers and other veggies. It’s extremely refreshing and a great make-ahead side dish.
“Are you tired of the coleslaw rut,” asks Barbara Miller (Oakdale, MN). “This Totally Exotic Carrot Slaw has a totally over the top exotic flavor. It almost transports you to a tropical island.”
Curry gives the slaw an earthy flavor and shines in every bite. Along with the pineapple and raisins, your taste buds are taken to the tropics. Super easy to prepare, this will be great at your next BBQ. Make sure to make this ahead of time. The flavors get even better after sitting in the fridge for a few hours.
The mix of flavors in Judy Williams’ (Meshoppen, PA) Macaroni Dill Salad is amazing. “[This is] a different macaroni salad and a favorite of our family,” shares Judy. “Adults usually like it more than kids because of the olives.”
Green olives definitely add a bit of saltiness to the salad that I liked. But, the Miracle Whip sweetens the sauce and helps to offset the salt. Dill weed adds tons of flavor to this unusual macaroni salad. It’ll be a hit with your friends and family.
“I know it sounds crazy, but it is so delicious,” says Dannell M. of her Shrimp Potato Salad recipe. “Although it’s not traditional potato salad it is one that even the kids love.”
If you like shrimp, then definitely give this a try. Shrimp is an unexpected and great addition to the dish. Onion and pepper not only add a little crunch, they give the dish nice flavor. What I really loved, though, was the parsley. It adds that something you just can’t put your finger on. Very simple and easy, this recipe is a great twist on an old favorite.
Kathy W. (Englewood, OH) saw a recipe for potato salad and was inspired to create her own Middle Eastern Style Potato Salad. “It’s easy to make and a twist on an old favorite,” shares Kathy.
Light and tart, I fell in love with this after one bite. The optional Feta cheese (which I highly recommend using) adds a bit of creaminess to the salad. This recipe is great if you won’t have access to a fridge. It’s not cream based, so you don’t have to worry about it spoiling quickly.
Break with tradition at your next cookout and liven-up the side dishes with one of these flavor-packed and delicious recipes. Happy Pinching!