28 No-Cook Appetizers And Salads So You Don't Have To Spend A Minute By Your Stovetop

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Updated on June 16, 2024

Creamy Crab Dip Recipe — Photo: Hector Manuel Sanchez

During summertime in the South, it can get too hot to even think of turning your oven or stovetop on. Luckily, hot summer temps don't have to hold you back from exploring delicious new recipes. These no-cook appetizers and salads showcase the best of summer's gorgeous produce. Without having to put much work in, you can still show up at the church potluck or neighborhood cookout with the prettiest appetizer or salad in sight.

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Herbed-Goat Cheese Spread

Herbed-Goat Cheese Spread — Greg DuPree; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Christine Keely

You're just 5 minutes and a few stirs away from setting this easy goat cheese spread out for your guests.

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Texas Caviar

Texas Caviar — Southern Living

This tailgate-favorite dip is actually pretty healthy, so go ahead and dig in.

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Classic Pimiento Cheese

Basic Pimiento Cheese — Jennifer Causey; Prop Styling: Christine Keely; Food Styling: Torie Cox

This might be a simple pimiento cheese recipe with very few ingredients, but it surely doesn't taste basic. Set it up with crackers and crudité or make tea sandwiches with it for easy grab-and-go access.

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Creamy Avocado Dip

Creamy Avocado Dip — Johnny Autry; Prop and Food Styling: Charlotte L. Autry

Mayonnaise transforms avocados into a creamier version of guacamole. Serve alongside chips and veggies of your choice.

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Fresh Fruit Salad

Fresh Fruit Salad — Jen Causey

Every luncheon, potluck, and brunch spread could use a simple, delicious fruit salad, like this lightly dressed one.

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Pineapple-Pepper Slaw

Pineapple-Pepper Slaw — Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Missie Neville Crawford; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Fresh pineapple and peppers create a colorful coleslaw that just may become your family's new favorite slaw.

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Creamy Broccoli Slaw

Creamy Broccoli Slaw — Jennifer Causey; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer

Follow this simple recipe to upgrade bagged broccoli slaw and turn it into a refreshing summer dish.

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Tomato Sandwiches

Tomato Tea Sandwiches — Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Cat Steele

What's a shower or luncheon without an arrangement of tea sandwiches? This recipe takes a Southern classic and makes it portable for parties.

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Spicy Pineapple Slaw

Spicy Pineapple Slaw — Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Kellie Kelley; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke

This crunchy, festive slaw recipe combines sweet pineapple with spicy jalapenos for a side dish that can get the party started.

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Tomato-and-Watermelon Salad

Tomato-and-Watermelon Salad — Photo: Oxmoor House

Combine sweet, juicy watermelon chunks with fresh tomato, onion, and a red wine vinaigrette for a salad that is the essence of summer.

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Creamy Crab Dip

Creamy Crab Dip Recipe — Hector Manuel Sanchez

Fresh lump crab is the star of this easy dip recipe, and the flavor of Lowcountry favorite Old Bay seasoning shines through.

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Our Best Ambrosia Recipe Ever

a plate of ambrosia salad — Greg DuPree; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke

Toasted coconut chips add a layer of crunch and tropical flair to colorful ambrosia.

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Ham Salad

Cheese Puffs with Ham Salad — Alison Miksch; Prop Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Whether with crackers, cheese puffs, croissants, or in tea sandwiches, your friends will love this old-school recipe at the luncheon or potluck.

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Brussels Sprout Slaw with Apples and Pecans

Brussels Sprout Slaw with Apples and Pecans — Greg DuPree

This fresh, crunchy slaw has everything you could want in a side dish, and the presentation is much prettier than the time you spent on it would let on.

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Watermelon, Cucumber, and Feta Salad

Watermelon, Cucumber, and Feta Salad — Hector Manuel Sanchez; Prop Styling: Lydia Pursell; Food Styling: Toni Brogan

Summer produce shines in this simple salad that will start the meal off on a bright note.

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Whipped-Cream Corn Salad

Whipped-Cream Corn Salad — Southern Living

If you don't have time to make corn pudding before the potluck, no worries! This no-cook salad has all the fluffy goodness you crave.

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Herbed Shrimp-and-Rice Salad

Herbed Shrimp-and-Rice Salad Recipe — Alison Miksch; Prop Styling: Mary Clayton Carl; Food Styling: Mary-Claire Britton;

Your guests will never know this colorful, light salad was made with shrimp you didn't cook yourself and microwaveable rice, but they don't have to.

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Tomato, Peach, and Corn Salad

Tomato, Peach, and Corn Salad — Photo: Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Cat Steele

This summer stunner showcases all those gorgeously fresh fruits and veggies you picked up at the local farmers' market.

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Smoky Black-Eyed Pea Hummus

Collard Dip — Hector Manuel Sanchez

You can make a gorgeous platter of crudité and homemade pita chips to surround this Southern spin on classic hummus.

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Old-Fashioned Chicken Salad

Southern Living Old Fashioned Chicken Salad on plates to serve with lettuce and crackers — Morgan Hunt Glaze, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley

There's no need for fuss: This simple chicken salad recipe will do the trick at any luncheon.

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Mini Caprese Bites

Mini Caprese Bites — William Dickey

These savory bites are the easiest appetizer for guests (and hosts) on the move.

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West Indies Crab Salad

West Indies Crab Salad — Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Claire Spollen; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Showcase fresh lump crabmeat with this old-school recipe from Mobile, Alabama. Guests who haven't had it before will fall in love.

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Caesar Salad Bites

Caesar Salad Bites — Photo: Jennifer Davick/Prop Styling: Lydia DeGaris Pursell/Food Styling: Marian Cooper Cairns

Everything you love about Caesar salad, in pick-up form! Don't fuss with tossing a salad (or said salad getting wilted and soggy during the party) with this colorful starter.

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Herbed Cucumber-and-Tomato Salad

Spiced Beef Kabobs with Herbed Cucumber and Tomato Salad — Photo: Greg Dupree

This Greek-inspired side dish is fresh, easy, and only gets better the longer it marinates.

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Cherry Tomato Caprese Salad

Cherry Tomato Caprese Salad — Hector Manuel Sanchez; Prop Styling: Lydia Pursell; Food Styling: Toni Brogan

We updated the classic caprese with farm-fresh cherry tomatoes for easy big-batch serving.

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Southern Tomato Sandwich

tomato sandwich halves stacked on top of one another — Photo: Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Anything but basic. This is the quintessential Southern sandwich that allows the juicy, garden ripe tomatoes to shine. Just some white bread and a slab of mayo will make this an unexpected but welcome dish.

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Corn And Tomato Salad

Southern Living Corn and Tomato Salad in a serving bowl to serve — Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Corn and tomatoes are a match in summertime heaven. Both sweet, juicy, and perfect for tossing together in a fresh and flavorful recipe that takes less than 20 minutes to make.

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Cheese Slaw

Southern Living Cheese Slaw in a bowl to serve — Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Torie Cox

While you may have never heard of Cheese Slaw, one taste of this delicious salad and you'll wonder where it has been hiding all of your life. Swiss cheese, banana peppers. scallions, and lime come together to make this perfect for munching on recipe.

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