Easy, No-Cook Picnic Side Dishes

Get ready for an alfresco meal in a flash with quick, simple sides that require no cooking –– perfect for a hot summer day.

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5-Minute Salad: Goat Cheese, Herb and White Bean

Ellie's no-cook Five-Minute Salad couldn't be easier to make and lets fresh, summery ingredients like ripe tomatoes shine. The secret is her simple homemade vinaigrette and a handful of torn basil leaves that give the salad that from-the-garden taste.

Get the Recipe: Five-Minute Salad: Goat Cheese, Herb and White Bean

Papaya Slaw with Spicy Honey Vinaigrette

Kelsey juliennes mango and papaya, adds chopped peanuts for crunch and tosses the tropical fruit combo with a tangy dressing for a salad that’s as sweet and bright as a summer day.

Get the Recipe: Papaya Slaw with Spicy Honey Vinaigrette

Panzanella (Stale Bread Summer Entrée)

Debi and Gabriele's panzanella salad is a great way to use up stale bread and bring a taste of Tuscany to your picnic. Make sure to pack the E.V.O.O. and vinegar in your basket, so you can dress the salad right before you're ready to eat.

Get the Recipe: Panzanella (Stale Bread Summer Entree)

Greek Feta and Cucumber Salad

Feta cheese adds just the right amount of saltiness to Michael Symon's light and refreshing cucumber salad, and since it only takes 10 minutes to pull together, you can spend more time soaking up that vitamin D.

Get the Recipe: Greek Feta and Cucumber Salad

Carrot Slaw

Instead of the julienne method traditionally used when making slaw, Alton Brown utilizes a vegetable peeler to shave his carrots into long, thin ribbons, which look lovely piled high in a bowl.

Get the Recipe: Carrot Slaw

Chickpea and Spinach Salad with Cumin Dressing

In order to ensure this salad stays crisp for your picnic, pack Ellie's cumin dressing and yogurt sauce in separate containers from the spinach and chickpea mixture.

Get the Recipe: Chickpea and Spinach Salad with Cumin Dressing and Yogurt Sauce

Antipasto Salad

Spiral-shaped fusilli pasta tossed with salami, smoked turkey and Italian cheeses makes for a satisfying summer side, but be sure to keep this salad in the cooler until you're ready to serve it.

Get the Recipe: Antipasto Salad