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    Home » Recipes » Recipe Collections

    20+ Make Ahead Salads for a Crowd

    By: Jessica · Posted: Apr 17, 2023 · Updated: Dec 20, 2024 · This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

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    20+ Make Ahead Salads for a Crowd: Whether you’re whipping up an easy pasta salad, potato salad, or even just a standard lettuce side salad for your next get-together, salad recipes can be so easy to make ahead of time.

    There are so many delicious ways to make a salad that can feed a crowd.

    I’ve gathered some of the best make ahead salads for a crowd, so you have plenty to choose from when you need them!

    Make ahead salad collage of images with text overlay.

     

    Post originally published February 2019 – Updated April 2023

    Make Ahead Salads for a Crowd

    You’ll find that these make-ahead salads for a crowd are perfect for barbecue parties, cookouts, spring dinner recipe ideas, or any other fun parties where you need a dish. You can easily whip one of these up and you’re ready to go!

    Or, if you like to make side dishes ahead of time or that easy to whip up in a pinch to go with dinner for your family, then you’ll find a fabulous amount of salad recipes to choose from here. (Salads are PERFECT as a side dish to accompany a ton of main dishes!)

    20+ Salad Recipes for a Crowd

    Wooden spoon holding serving of red skin potato salad.

    Red Skin Potato Salad

    This delicious and easy potato salad recipe is a side dish staple at any barbecue. Easy to make and it can be made in advance, and transports well!

    Best Salad Recipe in White Plate with Red Napkin
    The BEST Salad Recipe

    The BEST Side Salad Recipe

    This side salad recipe has gone CRAZY on Pinterest with so many fans! We make this often ahead of time, to eat on all week or to take to a function. TIP: Make sure to store the toppings separately that could make your lettuce soggy. (i.e. bacon, cheese, etc.)

    EASY broccoli raisin salad recipe

    Broccoli Salad

    Loaded with both texture and flavor, this salad is a great way to change things up from a lettuce salad, and a great way to get in the greens.

    Apple Snicker Salad in white bowl
    Apple Snicker Salad

    Snickers Salad

    The crowd is going to LOVE this one as a dessert or to even have as a sweet side dish during the holidays. It’s one of our top favorite no bake dessert recipes, that we also consider a fun salad side dish.

    Carrot salad in a white bowl, next to blue napkin.

    Easy Carrot Salad Recipe

    Get in your extra veggies with this veggie salad that has carrots, and a lot of crunch!

    Thai salad in a wooden bowl.

    Thai Salad with Noodles

    A fantastic twist on a salad recipe that has texture and is full of flavor!

    Apple salad with yogurt in white bowl.

    Apple Salad

    This crispy and sweet salad is a great dessert salad that you can make ahead of time!

    Pistachio salad in bowl on black and white linen
    Pistachio Salad

    Pistachio Salad

    This may be more of a dessert salad but it’s a crowd-pleaser for sure, and a great addition to any holiday table.

    Chicken macaroni salad in brown wooden bowl.
    Chicken Macaroni Salad

    Chicken Macaroni Salad

    This pasta salad is so simple to make, and a great go-to for any party. The addition of chicken adds protein to make it a light, yet hearty dish.

    3 bean salad recipe - quick and easy and a great side dish idea

    Three Bean Salad

    A bean salad is a nice change from lettuce and pasta salads. It’s also perfect for cookouts or anywhere that you want to bring a healthier dish. 

    Chopped Asian Salad with mandarin oranges

    Asian Chopped Salad

    This is a light salad recipe that’s perfect to serve in the spring and summer and is so easy to make.

    This creamy cucumber crunch salad is a delicious side dish for potluck parties.

    Creamy Crunchy Cucumber Salad

    A fresh and light salad recipe for a hot summer day! Make it in advance, and pull it out of the refrigerator when it’s time to eat!

    This low carb cauliflower potato salad is a great low carb recipe! So easy and definitely a low carb vegetable for the keto diet!

    Cauliflower “potato” salad

    If you’re counting carbs or watching carbohydrates, this faux potato salad recipe is perfect for low-carb eaters!

    crab salad in white bowl with pink napkin underneath

    Crab Salad

    When it comes to make-ahead salad recipes, this crab salad is one that can be made in advance, and it only gets better with time!

    caesar chicken pasta salad recipe in a white bowl on a marble table

    Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad

    It may sound different to put some of these ingredients together but talk about a flavor combination that you’ll love! This chicken Caesar pasta salad is a favorite at functions. When making it ahead of time though, it’s best to prep everything and store the dressing and pasta in different containers. Then, combine all of it just before serving.

    Fruit salad with Cool Whip in gray bowl on counter.

    Fruit Salad with Cool Whip

    As seen on so many holiday tables, this dessert salad is one that can be made ahead of time, and is so easy to whip up!

    cornbread salad

    Cornbread Salad

    This savory Cornbread Salad is the perfect combination of sweet, crunchy, and savory to make the perfect salad for your next get-together with friends. 

    Italian Pasta Salad Recipe - This cold blend of ingredients is amazingly good! Love the bowtie pasta, and how easy it is!

    Cold Italian Pasta Salad

    An easy, cold salad that can be made in a pinch and that sits wonderfully and absorbs flavors. TIP: Take along extra dressing if it will be sitting a while, and drizzle with more dressing right before serving, in case the pasta soaks up the majority of the dressing.

    A close up photo of a large oblong white bowl holding a fluffy orange desserts salad sprinkled on top with mini marshmallows and mandarin orange slices

    Orange Fluff Salad

    Have you seen this delicious pile of fluff at family reunions and holidays? It’s a popular recipe that so many love, and is one of the best make-ahead salad recipes, due to how long it can sit.

    Tuna pasta salad in white bowl

    Tuna Pasta Salad

    A lovely combination of the creamy dressing, the tender pasta and the flavor of the tuna, all combe together to make a delicious pasta salad.

    Honey lime fruit salad in white bowl.

    Honey Lime Fruit Salad

    This fruit salad is a wonderful way to make prep a make-ahead salad for any event or for snacking on during the week.

    shrimp macaroni salad in bowl

    Shrimp Macaroni Salad

    Much like our tuna salad, this salad uses salad shrimp, and the combination of the seafood with the tender pasta is incredible.

    Cold bacon ranch pasta salad in individual servings.

    Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad

    The cubed cheese, cooked bacon and tender pasta, all drenched in a creamy dressing is a pasta salad that will be a hit at the next reunion.

    KFC Coleslaw in white bowl, sitting next to big bowl.

    KFC Copycat Coleslaw Recipe

    This easy coleslaw is such a great copycat recipe! So similar and it can be made at home in minutes!

    You won’t find only salad recipes around here…

    You’ll find TONS of easy recipes that can be made using everyday ingredients, that your family will love! Browse the easy recipes and pin your favorites!

    What are some of your favorite make-ahead salads for a crowd? Share them right here in the comments below!

    We love gathering recipes for you, depending on cuisine, ingredient, holiday, or season! See all of our amazing recipe collections!

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    1. David Clark says

      March 17, 2025 at 6:42 am

      Looking forward to more content like this!

      Reply

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    Jessica Burgess of Fantabulosity, slicing an avocado.

    Hi, I'm Jessica! - Owner and Creator of the blog and brand, Fantabulosity.

    I’m here to teach you how to make quick and easy recipes, using simple ingredients, that your family will love.

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