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    Home » Recipes » Recipe Round-Up » Gluten-free Summer Salads for Grill Parties, Picnics and Cookouts

    LAST UPDATED: July 25, 2019 • FIRST PUBLISHED: May 25, 2017 By Toni Dash 32 Comments

    Gluten-free Summer Salads for Grill Parties, Picnics and Cookouts

    This post may include affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Summer’s bounty creates endless options for delicious gluten-free summer salads perfect for grilling out, picnics, cookouts and potlucks. Recipes are made effortless thanks to all the ripe, flavorful ingredients of the season!

    Rainbow Quinoa Summer Salad

    When holidays or long weekends roll around I think most of us are focused on the main dish or a fun dessert (am I alone in this?!). Personally, I am the same but find it’s the salads that make an outdoor grilling party or picnic the most memorable (partially because they can be so boring).

    There are three things I think make a perfect summer salad: 1) lots of color, 2) crunchy texture, and 3) great flavors. The abundance of fresh ingredients in summertime make the choices almost limitless. These gluten-free summer salads fulfill my three criteria and would be welcome at any cookout, picnic or grilling potluck.

    You might wonder why a traditional tossed green salad isn’t on the list. I have plenty of recipes for those in my Salad recipe section however they simply don’t stand up to summer heat when on an outdoor buffet or at a picnic. The salads listed here are robust and will stand the heat, are portable and easy to serve. One caveat for that of course are any salads with mayonnaise in the dressing. Those need to be kept cool either in a cooler of place them on a bed of ice in a disposable metal pan from the grocery store.

    Mexican Green Chile Quinoa Salad

    Mexican Green Chile Quinoa Salad ticks all the perfect salad boxes (and even adds some spicy heat) as well as is full of healthy vegetable protein. Quinoa salads are a wonderful substitute for gluten salads with couscous too. Quinoa is very similar in size and texture but is gluten-free.

    Rainbow Quinoa Summer Salad

    Rainbow Quinoa Summer Salad is another mix of colorful summer vegetables in a tasty dressing. Cherry tomatoes, corn, fresh basil, carrots, mini mozzarella cheese and more create a mixed salad bursting with the flavors of summer.

    Crunchy Confetti Slaw with Strawberry-Peach Balsamic Dressing on white plates

    For lovers of summer fruits this Crunchy Confetti Slaw with Strawberry-Peach Balsamic Dressing is a colorful combination of slaw ingredients with a fresh fruity dressing. Fresh strawberries and juicy, ripe peaches are used to whirl up into the dressing. If making out of season frozen, thawed fruit may be used as well.

     Broccoli Sausage Pasta Salad

    Broccoli Sausage Pasta Salad is always a favorite with my crew. Chicken apple sausage slices, broccoli, penne pasta, onions in a tasty sauce make for a filling salad with great crunch. Gluten or gluten-free pasta may be used.

    Bite-size Insalata Caprese on pewter plates

    Insalata Caprese is my all-time favorite salad when dining at an Italian restaurant. The simple combination of fresh, ripe tomatoes, buffalo mozzarella, fresh basil with a drizzle of olive oil truly is mouthwatering. This Bite-Size Insalata Caprese is perfect for summer dining as it doesn’t require cutting of the tomatoes when eating. The small size of the tomatoes and mozzarella balls provide ‘making’ the salad will take about 30 seconds. It’s really rinsing, tossing and serving.

    white bowl of Spiralized Broccoli Stem Carrot Slaw with Dried Cranberries and Sunflower Seeds

    If you like using a Sprializer, you’ll love this Spiralized Broccoli-Stem Carrot Slaw with Dried Cranberries. Spiralized carrots, broccoli stems and tart dried cranberries make for a fabulous flavor and texture combination. Broccoli stems are often discarded after the beloved florets are chopped off. Once the thick outer skin is removed the tender, sweet interior is truly a treat.

    Zucchini Ribbon Mediterranean Salad

    Zucchini is the epitome of summer vegetables and often goes rogue when left unattended in the home garden. Zucchini Ribbon Mediterranean Salad has ribbon zucchini (again made with a Spiralizer), sun dried tomatoes, feta cheese and more. It tastes like a sunny Italian vacation to me.

    Picnic Macaroni Salad gluten-free (gluten-free pasta salad)

    No outing is complete without macaroni salad, right? Picnic Macaroni Salad is the perfect choice for a summer outing. Carrots, celery, scallions and herbs combine with cooked elbow pasta and a tangy sauce. I used some whimsical shaped gluten-free pasta too! As with any salads with mayonnaise in the dressing, be sure to keep the salad chilled in the hot sun.

    Chicken Salad with Cranberries, Slivered Almonds and Green Apple is great as a side salad or as a filling for sandwiches. Though it’s not bursting with color, the sweet and salty flavor combination makes up for that. The crunch from the green apple is also fantastic.

    Tri Color Chipotle Bacon Potato Salad on a white ceramic plate

    Tri-Color Chipotle Bacon Potato Salad is a riff on the classic potato salad. These days potatoes come in many colors and combining them makes for a dynamic in visually exciting dish. Adding some bacon and some smoky chipotle to the already beloved comfort food salad knocks it out of the park.

    Gluten-free summer salads are portable and quick to prepare in most cases. Keep them on hand in the fridge for the dog days when cooking isn’t in the cards.

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    ABOUT THE AUTHOR

    TONI DASH
    Toni Dash head shot

    Toni Dash, is a Certified Nutrition Coach and the writer/blogger, photographer, recipe developer and creator of Boulder Locavore®. She has been developing easy to make, well-tested recipes since 2010. Her seasonal recipes bring excitement to the dining table for both gluten-free and gluten diners. Toni has been featured in numerous publications and on culinary websites for her creative, delicious recipes and travel features. For more details, check out her About page.

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    1. Sinisa says

      May 25, 2017 at 8:48 pm

      Such delicious salads. Summer is the only time of the year when I truly want salads. I can’t wait to try making one of these.

      Reply
    2. Randa says

      May 25, 2017 at 8:40 pm

      Yum! They all look so good but that first one with the quinoa. I have to try it!

      Reply
    3. Cyn Gagen says

      May 25, 2017 at 8:39 pm

      Oh man those sound good. I just love summer salads. They are some of my favourite foods ever.

      Reply
    4. Pam says

      May 25, 2017 at 8:09 pm

      All of these sound good, but I am eyeing that Picnic macaroni salad. It looks perfect for our next cookout!

      Reply
    5. Dawn McAlexander says

      May 25, 2017 at 7:57 pm

      I love me some salads. I have never met one that I didn’t like. I think these all look tasty and I would love to try them all!

      Reply
    6. Amy l Desrosiers says

      May 25, 2017 at 7:26 pm

      Yummy salad options. I am all about the gluten -free lifestyle these days!

      Reply
    7. gingermommyrants says

      May 25, 2017 at 6:00 pm

      I am excited to start working these gluten free salads into my meal plan. They all look delicious and easy to make. I am sure they will be a hit.

      Reply
    8. Claudia Krusch says

      May 25, 2017 at 5:59 pm

      These look like delicious summer salads to try. I am always looking for new gluten free recipes to try.

      Reply
    9. Liz Mays says

      May 25, 2017 at 1:19 pm

      The chicken salad with cranberries, almonds and green apples sounds super good. I definitely need to change up our side salads every now and then.

      Reply
    10. Sarah Bailey says

      May 25, 2017 at 12:57 pm

      Oh yum these all sound absolutely delicious, these items sound so perfect for this time of year – I always go towards salads and pastas when the warmer weather hits.

      Reply
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    About Toni Dash

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    Welcome! I’m Toni. I’m a Certified Nutrition Coach and my goal is to MAKE YOUR LIFE EASIER with delicious, well-tested recipes and travel tips! More About Me …

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