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Photo:
Antonis Achilleos; Prop Stylist: Christina Daley; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall
In the South, we use the term « salad » with somewhat wild abandon. While some might only see a salad as leafy greens dressed up in different ways, we go beyond the bed of lettuce. For example, consider such retro gelatinous classics such as
Strawberry-Pretzel Jello Salad
or
Watergate Salad
, as well as cool, creamy, mayo-based creations such as Classic Macaroni Salad and our many
potato salad renditions
. For Southerners, salad is based more in tradition and passed-down recipes than a certain ingredient list—and yes, it can sometimes be used interchangeably as both a side dish and dessert.
01
of 28
Strawberry-Pretzel Jello Salad
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Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Torie Cox
Starting with a vintage favorite, this sweet and colorful take on a salad includes strawberry gelatin, cream cheese, whipped topping, and pretzel. What it lacks in veggie nutrients it makes up for in fun flavor.
02
of 28
Classic Macaroni Salad with Ham
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Jen Causey
Mayo-based salads are a prominent pillar in the Southern potluck community, and it doesn’t get more familiar than a macaroni salad. This recipe is bulked up with cubed ham.
03
of 28
Marinated Cucumber, Tomato And Onion Salad
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Hannah Zimmerman
A staple come summertime in the South. Unlike salads with lettuce, this one gets better the longer it sits.
04
of 28
Broccoli, Grape, and Pasta Salad
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Southern Living
There’s no rhyme or reason why broccoli-grape salad works so well, but nonetheless it always remains a side dish staple at any Southern cookout. Crumbled bacon tops off the crunchy dish.
05
of 28
Cranberry Fluff Salad
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Antonis Achilleos; Prop Stylist: Christina Daley; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall
Don’t knock this creamy, dreamy, sweet salad until you try it. This retro-inspired recipe is just as common to be plopped on the plate by the green bean casserole as it is to be served as dessert.
06
of 28
Whipped-Cream Corn Salad
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Southern Living
A unique take on creamed corn, this crowd-pleasing seasonal recipe comes together with fresh corn that’s dressed with a light and fluffy cloud of whipped cream.
07
of 28
Creamy Overnight Fruit Salad
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Abigail Wilt
Fruit salad is always a fresh addition to any spread, but this dish makes it a little bit more indulgent. The base starts with canned fruit for convenience.
08
of 28
Deviled Egg-Potato Salad
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Antonis Achilleos
Two Southern classics—deviled eggs and potato salad—come together in this mayo-laden salad that is packed full of flavor and fits in at just about any meal.
09
of 28
Mama Mae’s Ambrosia Salad
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Fred Hardy, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Hannah Greenwood
Folks like to poke fun at this retro cold salad, but it’s actually quite refreshing alongside creamy casseroles. While some renditions call for whipped cream, marshmallows, and fruit cocktail, this recipe has only three ingredients: oranges, pineapple, and sweetened coconut.
10
of 28
Heirloom Tomato-Cracker Salad
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Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Ali Ramee; Prop Styling: Christine Keely
If you haven’t heard of this tomato salad, you’ve been missing out. The simple concoction is like a tomato sandwich deconstructed and only calls for a few ingredients, including saltine crackers and—of course—a little bit of mayonnaise.
11
of 28
Watergate Salad
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Alison Miksch; Food Stylist: Karen Rankin; Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle
You might also know this recipe as Pineapple Pistachio Delight, Green Fluff, or Funeral Salad. Made from pistachio-flavored instant pudding mix, canned pineapples, whipped cream, mini marshmallows, and toasted nuts, it is an American potluck classic.
12
of 28
Cajun-Style Potato Salad
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Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Ali Ramee; Prop Styling: Christine Keely
This is basically a traditional potato salad that has gotten a Louisiana-style makeover. Creole mustard and Cajun seasoning make this anything but boring.
13
of 28
Homemade Chicken Salad
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Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Torie Cox
There’s no luncheon or shower that wouldn’t do well with a
basic chicken salad
made with mayonnaise. You can serve it with crackers, on miniature croissants, or loaded thickly on two slices of fluffy white bread.
14
of 28
Bacon-Ranch Pasta Salad
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Micah A. Leal
If you want a pasta salad that will please everyone at the barbecue, this creamier recipe combines the complimentary flavors of ranch seasoning and bacon along with tomatoes and pasta. Like a BLT, minus the lettuce!
15
of 28
Marinated Watermelon Tomato Salad
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Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Torie Cox
Southerners know that tomato and watermelon go together like unexpected best friends. You can’t be the burst of freshness with each bite of this simple side dish, and all it needs is a light coating of a minty vinaigrette and crumbles of goat cheese.
16
of 28
Classic Potato Salad
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Fred Hardy; Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey; Prop Stylist: Hannah Greenwood
This Southern staple is perhaps one of the most popular lettuce-less salads that we serve many times every year. It fits in for various occasions, from
Easter
to summer cookouts.
17
of 28
Lime Gelatin And Cottage Cheese Salad
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Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling
An unexpected ingredient that you might not assume goes into this congealed salad? Horseradish! Make this your jiggly holiday centerpiece, and you’re sure to spark up conversation.
18
of 28
Cheesecake Fruit Salad
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Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
Consider this a fun take on a fruit salad. Sliced fruit pieces are folded into a cheesecake filling made with cream cheese, frozen whipped topping, yogurt, and powdered sugar.
19
of 28
Creamy Cucumber Salad
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Hannah Zimmerman/Southern Living
If those cheeky cucumber sandwiches from a luncheon or shower became a salad, it would be this refreshing creation. During warmer months, a cool, creamy salad with a little extra crunch makes the perfect complementary side dish.
20
of 28
Southern Cornbread Salad
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Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
This is how Southerners do a panzanella salad. This layered salad is a delicious combination of homemade cornbread, bacon, black-eyed peas, cherry tomatoes, and more. It’s all topped off with a dressed-up ranch dressing.
21
of 28
Carrot Raisin Salad
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Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Torie Cox
Inspired by both old-school church cookbook carrot salads and Chick-fil-A’s beloved (and retired) classic menu item, this salad brings together carrots, raisins, pineapple, and mayonnaise into a surprisingly tasty result.
22
of 28
Pear Salad
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Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
While yes, there is clearly lettuce in this salad, in this case, the leafy greens are simply an ornamental garnish. To
eat a pear salad
properly, you pick up the pear and take a bite, leaving the lettuce behind.
23
of 28
Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad
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Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Torie Cox
Make room on the buffet for this pasta salad that is proof that bacon and ranch will always belong together.
24
of 28
Corn Salad
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Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Shell Royster
Watch summer corn shine in this fresh and flavorful recipe that stars sumac and feta in one delicious recipe.
25
of 28
Maude Crawford Barton’s Potato Salad
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Greg Dupree; Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Christine Keely
There is always a dish that every family member expects to see at a gathering. And for Alexis E. Barton it’s her mother’s signature potato salad recipe.
26
of 28
Cowboy Pasta Salad
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VICTOR PROTASIO; FOOD STYLIST: EMILY NABORS HALL; PROP STYLIST: CHRISTINA DAILEY
No cookout is complete without the pasta salad that features taco-inspired ingredients, such as black beans, corn, cheese, jalapeños, cilantro, and ground beef. Now that’s what we call a satisfying salad.
27
of 28
Party-Perfect Pasta Salad
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Robby Lozano; Food Stylist: Jasmine Smith; Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle
There is always room at the potluck for a salad that reminds you of home. Enter this recipe that is an old-school favorite featuring zesty Italian dressing, pepperoni, olives, and pasta.
28
of 28
Fried Potatoes And Onions
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Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
Potatoes and onions are the side salad that every Southerner expects to see at the family get-together. It’s true, this dynamic duo will give traditional potato salad a little picnic competition.