Potato salad is one of our family’s favorite dishes! This classic side is the perfect recipe to serve at any summer barbecue, picnic, potluck, or dinner. While potato salad is delicious when served on its own, there’s no question that it tastes even better with your favorite mains and sides. Here are the best dishes to make when you’re not sure what to serve with potato salad.

 

Delicious sides to serve with classic potato salad

Creamy potato salad is a cold dish that can be served with a number of different recipes –– hot, cold, savory, or sweet!

This list of simple recipes features plenty of quick and easy options that you can whip up in almost no time at all. Some of my personal favorite recipes on this list are made in the air fryer or crockpot, helping keep the cooking simple on busy summer days.

Several of these recipes are inspired by the popular chain restaurant, Chicken Salad Chick, known for its healthy and flavorful variety of salads.

From savory barbecue to classic comfort food to healthy vegetable dishes, this list has everything that you need for your next summer cookout.

1. BBQ Meatloaf

Topped with a sweet and tangy BBQ glaze, this meatloaf will practically melt in your mouth. This classic meatloaf recipe is loaded with plenty of flavor, thanks to the addition of Worcestershire sauce and Montreal steak seasoning. Liquid smoke is optional but will enhance the smoky flavor even more. You won’t need to use eggs for this recipe, as the panko breadcrumbs will help bind everything together. Meatloaf is a family-favorite recipe in my house because of how tasty it is, even when served as leftovers!

2. Slow Cooker Ribs

Making ribs has never been easier with the slow cooker! These country-style ribs are flavored with a simple rub and sweet barbecue sauce. Cook your ribs on low for 8 hours, and you’ll have perfectly tender meat that falls right off the bone. This is one of the best recipes for busy days, as it requires minimal effort.

3. Baked Beans

If you’re not sure what to serve with potato salad, these cowboy baked beans are a reliable staple that everyone is sure to love. This is a recipe that we never skip when it comes to potlucks and barbecues! What makes this baked beans recipe unique is the addition of tender ground beef, onion, and brown sugar. Sweet and savory in every bite, these beans will certainly be a crowd-pleaser.

4. BBQ Chicken

It only takes 20 minutes to make the best BBQ chicken in the air fryer. This juicy BBQ chicken recipe gets its flavor from a simple 5-ingredient seasoning rub: paprika, garlic powder, brown sugar, salt, and pepper. The addition of BBQ sauce during the last few minutes of cooking will help the meat finish with a perfect glaze. You can serve this BBQ chicken as a dish on its own, or add it to a salad or sandwich.

5. Pork Chops

Thin pork chops can be cooked to perfection in a hot skillet in just 10 minutes from start to finish. We love this recipe not only because it’s quick and easy, but also because it’s budget-friendly and made with minimal ingredients. Each side of the pork chops should be cooked for 2-3 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 145 degrees. 

6. Pork Tenderloin

Juicy pork tenderloin is one of my all-time favorite dishes, and it can be made in less than an hour in the oven. This flavorful recipe tastes delicious when served with classic potato salad. The easy spice mixture used for this pork tenderloin includes garlic powder, onion powder, mustard, paprika, brown sugar, salt, and pepper. For best results, I recommend letting the pork sit for 5-10 minutes after cooking before cutting. This will ensure that all the juices are locked in.

7. Sloppy Joes

Homemade sloppy joes are the ultimate comfort food. With this recipe, you can skip the canned sauce and make your own at home! This recipe for sloppy joe sauce is so easy to make in just a few minutes. Comforting, tasty, and the perfect balance between savory and sweet, sloppy joes are loved by both kids and adults alike.

8. Cheeseburger

Baked cheeseburgers are flavorful, easy to make, and will save you the trouble of firing up the grill. Juicy burger patties take only 15 minutes to prepare in the oven at 400 degrees. This recipe gets its rich umami flavor from the addition of Worcestershire sauce. Once baked, top with cheese, plus your favorite condiments and toppings, and enjoy!

9. Hot Dogs

Need a classic recipe that you can pull out when you don’t know what to serve with potato salad? Hot dogs are always a winner! These air fryer hot dogs with toasted buns are ready in just a few minutes. For best results, I recommend cutting slits in each hot dog to prevent them from bursting and losing all of their juiciness. 

10. Chicken Salad

This copycat chicken salad tastes just as incredible as the original recipe from Chicken Salad Chick! If you’ve tried their Fruity Fran recipe, you know just how tasty this savory and sweet chicken salad is. Made with tender chicken, creamy sauce, and chopped fruit, this dish comes together in just 20 minutes.

11. Grilled Cheese

One of the best kid-friendly recipes to serve at a summer barbecue is classic grilled cheese sandwiches. You can make these in the air fryer, getting toasted buttery bread and perfectly melted cheese every time. This classic sandwich will pair well with any side, including potato salad.

12. Chicken

You can cook juicy chicken breasts in the air fryer in just 10 minutes. This quick air fryer recipe is perfect for meal prep, weeknight dinners, or summer gatherings. We prefer to use lemon pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika when we make it, but you can get creative and swap in any of your favorite seasonings.

13. Buffalo Chicken Sandwich

Tangy buffalo chicken sandwiches will always be a summertime favorite. These sandwiches can be made with leftover or rotisserie chicken to keep things simple. We recommend using brioche buns or hamburger buns for the best results. Enjoy with your favorite toppings! Some of my personal favorites include blue cheese crumbles and ranch dressing.

14. Sizzle Steak

Not sure what to serve with potato salad? Try this delicious sizzle steak, ready in just a few minutes! These thin steaks are budget-friendly cuts and flavored with simple seasonings, including garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika. Serve your steaks with veggies or classic potato salad.

15. Fish

Baked salmon is a tasty treat that is easy to make in 15 minutes or less. This tender salmon recipe is loaded with flavor from the simple combination of olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Salmon is incredibly versatile and will taste delicious when served with any side dish of choice, including classic potato salad, green beans, or a bed of rice.

16. Ham

Savory ham is a family favorite — and not just during the holiday season! We love preparing a juicy, flavorful ham for any special occasion, including a summer barbecue. The best thing about ham is that there’s no one right way to do it. It can be made with a variety of different spices and glazes. Check out this recipe to learn all of our best tips for cooking the perfect ham, whether bone-in, boneless, fresh, pre-cooked, or frozen.

17. Green Beans

Green beans are a satisfying side dish that we love to make when we’re not sure what to serve with potato salad. This copycat recipe for Texas Roadhouse green beans is easy to make at home and will save you a trip to the restaurant! Tossed with butter and bacon bits, these green beans are just as flavorful as they are easy to make. Montreal steak seasoning is the secret ingredient in this recipe, helping to bring out all of the flavors.

18. Fried Squash

Made with beautiful yellow squash, this fried squash recipe makes a great side dish for any occasion. Start by dipping squash in a light batter and then frying to perfection. For best results, I recommend sprinkling each slice with a little bit of salt after frying, then letting the squash sit on a paper towel to remove excess moisture. Serve this tasty fried squash as an appetizer or side dish!

19. Broccoli Salad

Anyone who loves broccoli is sure to be a fan of this copycat salad recipe from Chicken Salad Chick. This healthy and delicious recipe is made by combining crunchy broccoli, cheddar cheese, bacon bits, and a delicious creamy apple cider vinegar dressing. The combination of salty bacon and the sweet and tangy dressing make each bite of this salad a treat.

20. Grape Salad

Cold, creamy, and sweet, this copycat recipe is inspired by the original from Chicken Salad Chick and is a great side dish for any cookout or potluck. In this recipe, sweet grapes are covered with a tasty cream cheese dressing, topped with a sprinkle of brown sugar, and finished off with chopped pecans for some extra crunch. This is one of the best recipes to make if you want to add some sweetness to your table!

21. Fried Okra

Ready in 20 minutes, this fried okra recipe is one of the easiest side dishes to make if you’re not sure what to serve with potato salad. You can find frozen breaded okra in the frozen section of the grocery store. Simply toss them in the air fryer and cook them until hot and golden. I always like to give them a light spray of olive oil before frying to help them crisp up nicely.

22. Cucumber Salad

Cucumber dill salad is a must-have recipe at your next summer gathering. Made with a creamy homemade sauce, red onion, and fresh dill, this light and refreshing recipe is easy to make and is sure to satisfy your taste buds. It’s a great side dish to serve alongside a slew of savory dishes!

23. Pasta Salad

Pasta salad will add fun and color to any occasion. We absolutely love making pasta salad any time of year because of how tasty it is, as well as how easy it is to personalize with any ingredients that you love. Simply chop up all of your veggies, then toss them with any pasta of your choice and your creamy homemade dressing. I personally love using ditalini pasta because of its small size and how well it holds the dressing. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.

24. Chicken Wings

Chicken wings make a great pairing with potato salad. The heat of the wings is complimented by the coolness of the potato salad.

25. Shrimp

Shrimp of all kinds, fried shrimp, grilled shrimp, and boiled shrimp are all a good choice to serve with potato salad.

26. Chicken Fries

You can make your own chicken fries at home with the help of the freezer section. These fried chicken fries are so easy to make and perfect to make a complete meal with potato salad.

27. Turkey Roll Ups

Turkey pinwheels aren’t just an appetizer. You can make them a meal with a delicious side dish of creamy potato salad.

28. Meatballs

Tender, juicy meatballs always make a delicious meal. They don’t always have to be served with red sauce, they make a great protein to go with potato salad.

29. Turkey

This turkey tenderloin can be cooked up in the air fryer for a quick and delicious meal. Try serving with a roll and side of potato salad.

30. Shredded Chicken Sandwich

Have you ever tried shredded chicken sandwiches? They are made with chicken, potato chips, and a creamy sauce. A midwest favorite!

31. Texas Toast Sloppy Joes

Sloppy Joe meat served on Texas Toast with cheese is always a family favorite. Make it even better with a side of your favorite potato salad.

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