Southern Grandmothers’ Favorite No-Cook Recipes

She’s an expert cook and baker, but sometimes it’s just too hot (or busy) to turn on the oven or the stovetop.

Grandma is known for many legendary recipes. Whether her towering coconut cake, her perfect Easter ham, or her famous chicken and dumplings, she’s no novice in the kitchen. She’s an expert cook and baker, but sometimes it’s just too hot (or busy) to turn on the oven or the stovetop. That’s right—even Southern grandmothers can appreciate a cooking shortcut from time to time, including this collection of no-cook recipes. Though they’re extremely easy to execute, none of these dishes from Grandma’s recipe tin look thrown-together. Plus, these Grandma-loved no-cook recipes will take you from appetizer to dessert. From starters like a Ham Cheese Ball or Texas Caviar, to side dishes like Waldorf Salad and desserts like Lemon Lush or Éclair Cake, there are enough no-cook recipes in Grandma’s repertoire to create an entire menu around. Whip up a retro feast without burning up this summer with these Southern grandmother-approved no-cook recipes.

Watergate Salad

Readers have been making this retro “salad” for decades with no intention of stopping. Especially popular at holiday gatherings, this marshmallow creation will delight family members young and old.

Cream Cheese and Pepper Jelly

“As much as our Southern mothers and grandmothers espouse the importance of hand-grating for the pimiento cheese and brining the chicken in buttermilk, there are some things that even they respect keeping simple,” writes Digital Editor Kaitlyn Yarborough. This perfect pairing is one of those things.

Éclair Cake

When we posted this vintage Éclair Cake to Instagram, we received over 100 comments from readers who have been loving it for generations. “My fave! Grandma used to make it and I make it today,” wrote one.

Orange Sherbet Punch

Our grandmothers didn’t attend a single bridal or baby shower where a beautiful punch bowl full of this pastel concoction wasn’t served. Freezing a few scoops of sherbet ahead of time so they’ll float on top adds a whimsical touch to the presentation.

Lemon Lush

Retro layered desserts like this pretty Lemon Lush were a hallmark of entertaining in Grandma’s day. For even layers and easy slicing, don’t rush the freezing process.

Cranberry Fluff Salad

Classic cranberry salad is either loved or hated around the holidays, but this festive recipe will be the best surprise for Grandma on the Thanksgiving table.

Classic Peanut Brittle

You don’t even need to heat up the stovetop to make this old-fashioned treat. This simple recipe comes together with the help of your microwave.

Pear Salad

Perhaps one of the most polarizing of our beloved Southern “salads,” we’re willing to bet this one causes mixed reactions around your table.

Texas Caviar

Crunchy and colorful, this recipe is delicious as a dip or relish. It tastes better the longer it sits, so feel free to let it chill the night before you plan to serve.

Chocolate Lasagna

There’s nothing better for large family gatherings than a big-batch dessert that comes together without even having to turn on the oven.

Carrot Raisin Salad

If Grandma has been missing Chick-fil-A’s beloved carrot raisin salad over the years, make her our gussied-up version for Sunday supper.

Kool Aid Pie

You need just five ingredients for this cool and creamy pie recipe. Simply stir the ingredients together, let it chill, and serve! 

Quick-Pickle Cucumbers And Onions

Grandma always had some pickling jars in her pantry of things she was “putting up” from summer. This quick-pickle recipe doesn’t even require you to boil water on the stove, which is why we love it so much.

Southern Pimiento Cheese

We know Grandma might not need a recipe for pimiento cheese (it’s already stored in her memory), but this is one of our favorite ways to whip up a batch.

Lemon Icebox Pie

Would you believe you need just six ingredients to put together this beautiful summer dessert? You can prep everything and leave it to chill the night before your gathering, but be sure to wait until just before serving to add the whipped cream topping.

Ambrosia

Ambrosia is a vintage holiday tradition in the South that Grandma doesn’t plan on giving up any time soon. This is our most basic recipe for it, but we’ve developed plenty of new iterations over the years.

Heirloom Tomato-Cracker Salad

Humble saltine crackers are the backbone of some of our favorite Southern recipes (looking at you, Firecrackers!). This new take on an old-fashioned tomato-cracker salad ups the presentation with thick slices of heirloom tomatoes and the dressing on the bottom of the platter.

Cherries-and-Cream Icebox Cake

Icebox cakes have long been our grandmothers’ go-to for hotter-than-hot Southern summers. This one has flavors reminiscent of cherry pie with so much less work on the cook’s part.

Ham Cheese Ball

“It's not a Southern party without a cheese ball,” according to cookbook author and contributing editor Sheri Castle, and we know Grandma agrees. This creation will be gone first from the appetizer table.

Bourbon Balls

Whether Grandma prefers this no-cook version rolled in powdered sugar or the chocolate-covered Kentucky Bourbon Balls version, we’re willing to bet she’s made a batch or two of this boozy treat before.

Ham Salad

Chicken salad gets all the love at lunchtime, but there’s plenty to be said for old-school ham salad. We love to serve it between cheese puffs or on small white bread (with the crusts cut off!) for luncheon-worthy presentation.

Southern Tomato Sandwich

Southerners dress up this sandwich in many different ways, but the classic is as simple as it gets—white bread (and only white bread!), thick, juicy slices of tomato, plenty of mayonnaise, salt, and pepper.

Mrs. R’s Coleslaw

This recipe might be from our 1972 Southern Living Party Cookbook, but it stands the test of time even today. Chopped bell peppers and celery add lively color and crunch to this classic cookout side dish.

Best Waldorf Salad

This seven-ingredient fruit salad was a mainstay at ladies’ luncheons and showers back in Grandma’s day.

Marshmallow Fruit Salad

“It wouldn't be the holidays without Mama's Marshmallow Fruit Salad,” writes Copy Chief Libby Minor. We know there are plenty of Southern families who agree.

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Read the original article on Southern Living.