30 Southern Salad Recipes That Don't Include Any Lettuce At All
From retro gelatin creations to creamy mayo-based classics, the South likes to use the term "salad" loosely.
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.
Here are 30 Southern salad recipes that don't include any lettuce at all.
Strawberry-Pretzel Jello Salad
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.
Classic Macaroni Salad with Ham
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.
Marinated Cucumber, Tomato And Onion Salad
Hannah Zimmerman
A staple come summertime in the South. Unlike salads with lettuce, this one gets better the longer it sits.
Broccoli, Grape, and Pasta Salad
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.
Cranberry Fluff Salad
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.
Whipped-Cream Corn Salad
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.
Creamy Overnight Fruit Salad
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.
Deviled Egg-Potato Salad
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.
Mama Mae's Ambrosia Salad
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.
Field Pea, Corn, and Bacon Salad
Make the most of summer's bounty with this salad that goes heavy on the good stuff—meaning fresh field peas, fresh corn, and salty bacon to top it off along with a vinaigrette.
Heirloom Tomato-Cracker Salad
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.
Watergate Salad
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.
Cajun-Style Potato Salad
This is basically a traditional potato salad that has gotten a Louisiana-style makeover. Creole mustard and Cajun seasoning make this anything but boring.
Homemade Chicken Salad
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.
Cherry Cola Salad
We like to say that the only thing more retro than a congealed salad is a congealed salad made with Coke. This recipe was submitted to Southern Living by a reader back in 1980, and we guarantee you've never had anything quite like it.
Bacon-Ranch Pasta Salad
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!
Marinated Watermelon Tomato Salad
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.
Spicy Grilled Corn Salad
When corn is in season, consider your side dishes handled, including this warm grilled salad that works just as well as a garnish on flank stank or tacos.
Orange Sherbet Salad
This cloud-like pastel salad starts with a pint of orange sherbet. Fun fact: The old-fashioned side dish was the first congealed dish to appear in Southern Living in 1966.
Classic Potato Salad
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.
Lime Gelatin And Cottage Cheese Salad
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.
Field Pea and Pasta Salad
Field peas are too good of a seasonal ingredient to pass up for all of your cold salad needs, whether you're headed to the beach, lake, or a potluck.
Cheesecake Fruit Salad
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.
Penne with Green Beans and Tomatoes
Sometimes simple is better, and this pasta salad is a great way to use up whichever farmers' market vegetables that you have on hand, including green beans, tomatoes, and fresh herbs.
Creamy Cucumber Salad
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.
Southern Cornbread Salad
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.
Carrot Raisin Salad
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.
Layered Cranberry Salad
We couldn't leave out this Christmas hall-of-famer. Skip the canned cranberry sauce in favor of this gelatinous Bundt salad that only calls for six ingredients.
Marshmallow Fruit Salad
Fresh fruit, cherry pie filling, and mini marshmallows make for one nostalgic side dish. Or is it a dessert? We think both!
Pear Salad
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.
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