A backyard barbecue spread is the American equivalent of a Scandinavian smorgasbord—only with way less fermented fish. And while burgers, dogs, ribs, and immaculately grilled sausages tend to steal the spotlight, real ones know the sides are where the magic happens. Cold sides, especially, are MVPs: no sweat in the kitchen, refreshing enough to cool you down when the sun is merciless.
As in most scenarios, we firmly believe sausage makes everything better. That includes cookout classics. From quick no-cook salads to unexpected twists on staples, these cold side dish recipes prove that when the heat is on, sausage is a dish best served cold.
Chicken Sausage and Shrimp Paella Pasta Salad
Honestly, we could probably make an entire list of sausage-intensive pasta salads (oh, hey, we did!), but if we had to pick one showstopper, it’d this absolutely banging shrimp and Classic Roasted Chicken Sausage paella pasta salad. Is it a flex? Sure! Will it make people wonder whether your friend who always brags about learning to make paella during their semester in Spain is overcompensating? Absolutely! Either way, you’re about to show up at a cookout with cold, delicious, saffron-spiked paella salad.
Recipe: Chicken Sausage and Shrimp Paella Pasta Salad
Watermelon Feta Salad with Chicken Sausage
Our sausages are incredibly juicy. So, too, is watermelon. Don’t worry, we’re not recommending running the two through a juicer together (yet). But we ARE recommending tossing them together in a bowl with salty feta, fresh cucumbers, and onions, then drizzling the whole thing with balsamic. This one is guaranteed to draw some curious stares, followed by people racing for a second helping before it disappears.
Recipe: Watermelon Feta Salad with Chicken Sausage
Caprese Sausage Skewers
Caprese skewers are already the world’s easiest app. Add Italian Herb Chicken Sausage and suddenly they’re more fun—because eating things off sticks always is.
Recipe: Caprese Sausage Skewers
Grilled Esquites with Chicken Sausage
Street corn is already a party, but throw sausage into the mix and you’ve got a full-blown fiesta. Grilled corn gets slathered in a creamy, tangy sauce, dusted with cotija and chili powder, and topped with juicy chicken sausage. It’s smoky, salty, sweet, and spicy—basically, the ultimate cookout flex.
Recipe: Grilled Esquites with Chicken Sausage
Dense Bean Salad with Chicken Sausage
In the summer of protein, the dense bean salad has emerged as cookout royalty thanks to its ability to engage in a little proteinmaxxing without compromising flavor. This version takes things up a level, adding even more grams to the mix courtesy of our deeply flavorful Italian Herb Chicken Sausage, whose notes of fennel, basil, and Calabrian chili play beautifully with fresh summer veggies and a bright vinaigrette. Even better? The recipe makes a big bowl that’s perfect for all-week pick-me-ups.
Recipe: Dense Bean Salad with Chicken Sausage
Vietnamese Chicken Lettuce Wraps
Inspired by Vietnamese lettuce wraps, our Classic Roasted Chicken Sausage forms the base of a layered salad kicked up with umami, citrus, salt, and heat. Eating these is an extrasensory experience full of delicious aromas, crunchy texture, and the tactile joy of putting together the perfect bite each time.
Recipe: Vietnamese Chicken Lettuce Wraps
Summer Chopped Salad with Chicken Sausage
With so much excellent produce in season all summer, it’s tough to pick just one or two things to throw into a salad. So don’t. Choose ’em all! This take on the classic is essentially summer in a bowl, bringing together juicy tomatoes, sweet grilled corn, crisp cucumbers, roasted red peppers, pickled red onions, and salty feta atop a bed of fresh lettuce. Classic Roasted Chicken Sausage transforms it from side dish to main event, adding savory protein that plays perfectly with the bright vegetables and tangy dressing.
Recipe: Summer Chopped Salad with Chicken Sausage
Farmers Market Chicken Sausage Orzo Salad
Speaking of salads that might get you accused of robbing a farmers market, this tasty side is a celebration of both seasonal produce and the magic of pasta salad summer. Heirloom tomatoes, sweet corn, peaches, cucumbers, basil, and feta deliver plenty of fresh flavor, while Classic Roasted Chicken Sausage adds savory protein that turns the whole thing into a satisfying meal.
Recipe: Farmers Market Chicken Sausage Orzo Salad
Thai Green Papaya Salad
Thai papaya salad is often paired with Isaan sausage and sticky rice, so why not chuck some sausage in the mix and turn it into a single, protein-packed side dish? The heat from Thai chiles, lime juice, and fish sauce do the heavy lifting when it comes to flavor; sausage will be just as home among the strands of sour green papaya.
Recipe: Thai Green Papaya Salad (via Hot Thai Kitchen)
German-Style Potato Salad with Chicken Sausage
Everybody loves potato salad at a BBQ…in theory. But too often, it’s purchased in a bucket and forced to live out its days coagulating untouched in the sun. Not this one. This German-style potato salad takes its cues from the Oktoberfest favorite, swapping bacon for lightly crisped Classic Roasted Chicken Sausage. The result is smoky, savory, and packed with juicy protein, pairing perfectly with fluffy potatoes, briny pickles, and a tangy mustard dressing. Even better? It’s just as good as a late-summer crowd-pleaser as it is an Oktoberfest staple.
Recipe: German-Style Potato Salad with Chicken Sausage
Italian Herb Chicken Sausage Panzanella
Panzanella is a salad for people who prefer their crouton-to-veggie ratio weighted to the unhinged side, and we’re here for it. With juicy tomatoes, crisp bread, and peak summer energy, our take is already a standout. Add seared Italian Herb Chicken Sausage, and suddenly it’s a full-on meal disguised as a salad... or a deconstructed sandwich.