On the 4th of July 2010 most Americans will be outdoors gathered around a barbecue and apart from the meat there has to be salads. Here are my top 10 barbecue salad recipes for this July 4th meal.

1. Coleslaw

The classic shredded cabbage and a little grated carrot, mixed with mayonnaise, salt and pepper. You can also add raisons or cranberries to the 4th of July coleslaw salad.

2. Red (purple) Cabbage Salad

Shred a red cabbage and mix with a little mayonnaise, salt and pepper, the mayonnaise turns pink and the combination is delicious and completely different to a white cabbage salad. A 4th of July barbecue meal is not complete without pink juice dripping down your chin!

3. Egg Salad

Another classic barbecue salad for July 4th is egg salad. The basic ingredients of egg salad are boiled eggs and mayonnaise, salt and pepper. Some people grate the eggs others slice the boiled eggs into big chunks. You can add mustard to the egg salad or finely chopped parsley, or spring onions (green onions). Egg salad is one of the top 10 July 4th salads.

4. Potato Salad

Another classic July 4th salad is the potato salad made with peeled and boiled potatoes cut into large chunks and mixed in with mayonnaise, salt and pepper. You can vary this barbecue salad by adding small pieces pickled cucumbers or spring onions, some people also add a sliced boiled egg. You can also spice up a potato or egg salad with curry or chili powder.

5. Green Salad

This is the salad that always goes with any meal, and although the standard ingredients are cucumbers, tomatoes, onions and lettuce you can really add any fresh vegetables you like. Try adding grated carrot, grated beetroot, nuts, sunflower seeds, pine nuts, apple, celery, broccoli, cauliflower, mushrooms or bean sprouts to your green salad. A green salad can also taste completely different depending on the salad dressing. I prefer to leave the salad dressings on the side for people to add but I always add lemon juice, a little olive oil, salt and pepper.

6 Avocado Salad

Another salad which is served in several ways is the avocado salad. Avocado salad can be large chunks of avocado with lemon juice and salt, or it can be mixed with a sliced boiled egg. Another variation of this July 4th barbecue salad is to mash the avocados. An avocado salad can also have fresh herbs added, like parsley, or finely chopped onion or pickled cucumber.

7. Waldorf salad

Although the Waldorf salad is well know I have seen many variations of it. The Waldorf salad I like best is simply chunks of celery, green apple, pineapple and walnuts all served on a bed of lettuce. This mixture is then mixed into some mayonnaise with a little lemon juice, salt and pepper. Definitely deserving of a place in the list of top 10 July 4th salads!

8. Cherrie tomato salad

Cherrie tomatoes are miniature tomatoes and a little sweeter than the regular kind. Chop some Cherrie tomatoes in half, mix with some chopped up parsley and/or coriander, crushed garlic and a chopped up green chili. Then dress this July 4th salad with a mixture of lemon juice, oil, salt and pepper.

9. Herb salad

Take every kind of fresh green herb you can get your hands on: parsley, coriander, mint, basil basically any kind, and chop them up. Mix these mixed herbs with a little crushed garlic and lemon juice, taste and add salt and pepper to your liking. An unusual July 4th barbeque salad!

10. Carrot Salad

A well known salad eaten at most barbecues is the carrot salad. Simply grate some carrots and squeeze some orange juice over them. Some people add a little sugar and others add raisons or nuts. I have even tasted a variation of the carrot salad where a green chili pepper has been added, and another carrot salad variation with chopped up fresh mint.

When you lay out plenty of salads the July 4th spread seems lavish and impressive although these salads really are quick, simple and don't take a long time to make.