Build Your Summer Spread: Easy Protein Pairings for Stress-Free Hosting

 

Hosting season is officially here! The BBQs, the long lunches, the “bring a plate” weekends, the “is anyone actually inside the house or are we all living outdoors now?” energy. And honestly, nothing beats filling the table with big, generous salads and letting everyone dig in.

Whether you're the classic host who loves a full spread, the stylish host with an eye for presentation, or the lazy host who wants the compliments without the chaos... we’ve got you. A good salad deserves good company, and a great host deserves shortcuts that still look (and taste) incredible.

Here are our go-to protein add-ons that turn your favourite Salad Servers bowls into a full summer feast. Zero fuss. Maximum flavour. Big crowd-pleaser energy.

Glazed Ham

Warm it up, slice it thick, pop it on a platter... done. Glazed ham is a hosting hero because it pairs with almost everything. Try it with:

• Slaws (that crunch + ham = summer magic)

• Potato Salad, especially the creamy ones

• Classic Caesar Salad, for a combo that just works

It’s the set-and-forget protein that makes you look like you tried, even if you absolutely did not.

Butterflied Chicken

Juicy, golden, and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.

Give it a quick oven roast or BBQ until perfectly charred on the edges. Then pair it with:

• Pesto Pasta Salad (a certified fan favourite)

• Greek Salad, for that fresh-meets-charred contrast

• Any of our Grain Salads — quinoa, couscous, rice, you name it

Perfect for big groups, fussy eaters, and anyone who wants “wow, this chicken is amazing” whispered across the table.

Cooked Prawns

Low effort and high impact. Prawns are a summer entertaining essential and bring the kind of Aussie summer vibe that makes a table feel instantly festive.

Serve them chilled with lemon wedges or give them a quick garlic-butter sizzle if you’re feeling fancy. Prawns love to be paired with:

• Lentil Salads

• Glass Noodle Salad

• Pumpkin, Pinenut & Feta Salad

They instantly elevate a table. People will assume you put in effort. You did not.

Baked or Grilled Fish

Simple, fresh, and surprisingly impressive.

All you need is olive oil, lemon, salt, and pepper. Bake or grill until flaky, then team it with:

• Japanese Slaw

• Couscous Salads

• Green Goddess Salad 

Great for healthy eaters, pescatarians, or anyone who wants something light but satisfying.

Falafel & Haloumi (Vego Heroes)

The plant-based power couple.

Crispy falafel + golden haloumi is a combo that satisfies vegos, flexitarians, kids, carnivores — everyone. Serve with:

• Pumpkin Couscous Salad

• Tabbouleh

• Herby Quinoa & Broccoli Salad

This option brings colour, crunch and big flavour to the table.

Crowd Pleasers

Sometimes the salads themselves are the showpiece. These two favourites always impress and work with every protein above.

Black Rice, Beetroot, Walnut and Feta Salad
A vibrant, rich and earthy bowl that feels festive and generous.

Chermoula Couscous with Beetroot, Feta and Rocket Salad
With a base of Israeli couscous, roast pumpkin, pepitas, roasted red capsicum and chermoula dressing.

 

Build Your Summer Spread

Whether you’re hosting a backyard BBQ, long lunch, Christmas feast, or last-minute “everyone’s coming over” situation, pairing the right protein with our fresh, flavour-packed salads makes it easy to look like a hosting hero.

No prep. No stress. Just delicious, ready-to-serve food, because summer hosting should be fun… not frantic.

Ready to build your summer table?

Explore our full range of salads, hot meals, and hosting bundles. Delivered chilled, fresh, and ready to impress. Shop the range at Salad Servers Direct