Summertime barbecues and potlucks just aren’t complete without a scoop of creamy, flavorful potato salad. But if you’re wondering what main courses and side dishes truly shine alongside this classic side, you’ve come to the right place. Potato salad is incredibly versatile, and whether you prefer a Southern-style, German, or even a no-mayo version, it pairs wonderfully with a wide array of foods. Let’s dive into 13 of the best dishes to serve with potato salad, ensuring your next meal is a guaranteed hit.
A white bowl filled with creamy Southern potato salad, showcasing its texture and ingredients.
Classic BBQ & Grilled Mains for Potato Salad
Potato salad is a quintessential side dish for barbecues and grilling, complementing the smoky and savory flavors of grilled meats perfectly.
1. Hamburgers
Is there a more iconic summer duo than hamburgers and potato salad? Whether you’re grilling juicy patties outdoors or making hamburgers in the oven, the combination is irresistible. The richness of a savory burger on a toasted bun finds its perfect counterpoint in the cool, creamy potato salad. It’s a balanced and satisfying meal that’s always a crowd-pleaser.
2. Barbecue Chicken
Baked barbecue chicken, especially when glazed with a sweet and tangy barbecue sauce, is another fantastic main course to serve with potato salad. Preparing the potato salad ahead of time allows the flavors to meld and chill, making it an effortless side when your flavorful chicken is ready. The cool potato salad provides a refreshing contrast to the warm, savory chicken, creating a delightful summer meal.
3. Baked Brats
For a slightly different take on grilled fare, consider baked brats and sauerkraut. This popular recipe offers a comforting and flavorful experience. The combination of hot, savory bratwurst and warm, tangy sauerkraut is beautifully balanced by a scoop of cold, creamy potato salad. This pairing offers a delightful contrast in both temperature and flavor profiles, making each bite interesting.
4. Steak
Steak and potatoes are a classic pairing, and in the summer months, potato salad becomes an excellent alternative to hot potatoes. While roasted or baked potatoes are comforting in winter, a cool potato salad is a refreshing side for your favorite cut of steak during warmer weather. The savory, robust flavor of steak is wonderfully complemented by the creamy texture and tangy notes of potato salad. The seasonings on the steak, such as salt, pepper, and herbs, also enhance the overall flavor profile of the potato salad, creating a harmonious and satisfying meal.
5. Grilled Sausages
Barbecue glazed grilled sausages are incredibly easy to prepare and perfect for feeding a larger group. By making your potato salad in advance, you’ll have a stress-free side dish ready to go when the sausages come off the grill. The slightly sweet and smoky glaze on the sausages pairs beautifully with the creamy, comforting potato salad, making for a quick and delicious meal.
6. Ribs
Whether you prefer smoking ribs low and slow for ultimate tenderness, baking them in the oven, or even using a slow cooker, ribs and potato salad are a match made in culinary heaven. This combination is especially beloved in Southern cuisine. The long cooking time for ribs allows you ample opportunity to prepare your potato salad and let it chill, ensuring it’s perfectly ready to serve alongside the rich, flavorful ribs. For those without a smoker, grilling ribs is a fantastic alternative.
7. Ham
Continuing with pork dishes, glazed ham is another excellent main course to serve with potato salad. Whether it’s a casual Sunday dinner or enjoying leftover holiday ham, a rich and creamy potato salad provides the perfect counterpoint to the savory and often slightly sweet ham. This pairing is comforting, satisfying, and works well for both everyday meals and special occasions.
A spiral cut ham beautifully glazed with pineapple slices and a brown sugar glaze.
8. Grilled Fish
Grilled grouper, especially with a flavorful preparation like key lime butter, is a delightful summertime treat. The bright, zesty flavors of grilled fish call for a mellow and creamy side like potato salad. Potato salad also pairs well with other types of grilled fish such as tilapia, salmon, halibut, mahi-mahi, catfish, or trout – use whatever is freshest and available. The lightness of the fish combined with the creamy potato salad creates a balanced and satisfying meal that’s perfect for warmer weather.
9. Shrimp
Shrimp, whether boiled, grilled, or fried shrimp, makes a fantastic main dish to serve alongside potato salad. For an extra flavor boost, try sprinkling Old Bay seafood seasoning on your potato salad to create an even more harmonious pairing with the shrimp. For a fun and interactive meal, consider a shrimp boil on the grill as a flavorful alternative.
Side Dish Superstars to Serve Alongside Potato Salad
Potato salad also plays well with other side dishes, creating a well-rounded and flavorful meal.
10. Calico Beans
While potato salad is often a side dish, it can also be part of a side-dish focused meal. Baked calico beans are a fantastic hot side dish that complements potato salad beautifully, especially during summer gatherings. This hearty dish, featuring three types of beans baked with bacon, ground beef, and sausage, is substantial enough to almost serve as a main course when paired with potato salad. The combination of warm, savory beans and cool, creamy potato salad is incredibly satisfying.
A close-up shot of calico baked beans in a white casserole dish, highlighting the different beans and rich sauce.
11. Corn on the Cob
Nothing screams summer like fresh sweet corn on the cob. Grilling corn on the cob wrapped in foil is a simple and delicious way to prepare it. Serve it alongside cool and creamy potato salad for a perfect summer side dish duo. For a flavorful twist, Mexican street corn (elotes) is a delicious alternative that adds a bit of spice and zest. Pair these two summer sides with any of the main courses mentioned above for a complete and delightful meal.
12. Pasta Salad
If you’re a fan of make-ahead salads, pasta salad is another excellent choice, just like potato salad. Chicken pasta salad, Italian pasta salad, BLT pasta salad, and Tuscan pasta salad are just a few of the delicious varieties that complement potato salad. Offering both potato and pasta salad at a gathering provides variety and ensures there’s something for everyone.
13. Cucumber Salad
For another cool and creamy side dish that pairs wonderfully with potato salad, consider creamy cucumber salad. Creamy cucumber salad is easy to make ahead of time and offers a refreshing and delicious counterpoint to potato salad. The crisp cucumbers and creamy dressing create a light and refreshing side that complements the richness of potato salad without being too heavy.
Potato salad is truly a versatile side dish that enhances countless meals. From classic barbecue fare to refreshing seafood and complementary side dishes, the options are plentiful. Next time you’re planning a summer gathering or simply looking for delicious meal ideas, remember these fantastic pairings to make the most of your potato salad!
