Skip the long line at the grocery counter and make your favorite sides right in your own kitchen. These dishes work perfectly for picnics, potlucks, or simple lunches at home.
They also serve as excellent toppings for loaded sub sandwiches. I found 13 deli salads that range from fresh fruit mixtures to creamy chicken options.
1. Rice Salad
We need to discuss this particular rice dish. It takes the greatest elements of cowboy caviar and transforms them into a delicious deli side.
The fresh vegetables and rice get coated in a citrusy, spicy dressing.
2. Tomato Salad
This option feels incredibly light and refreshing. You just need red onions sliced thin, ripe grape tomatoes, and balls of fresh mozzarella.
Drizzle olive oil and red wine vinegar on top to finish it off.
3. Bean Salad
This dish is affordable, packed with protein, and easy to assemble. The recipe uses five specific legumes: kidney, garbanzo, green, wax, and black beans.
It fits perfectly alongside Southern staples like fried chicken or collard greens sauteed with bacon.
4. Curried Chicken Salad
Curry brings a bold kick to the tender shredded chicken here. The mixture also includes juicy grapes, crisp celery, and a smooth mayonnaise dressing.
Enjoy it piled onto fresh lettuce or tucked inside a sandwich.
5. Fruit Salad
Colorful fresh fruits like kiwi, oranges, blueberries, and strawberries fill this bowl. A honey lime dressing gets drizzled over the produce.
It is a quick, easy option perfect for Fourth of July gatherings.
6. Grated Carrot Salad
You will find this recipe incredibly simple to prepare. The ingredients list includes onion, parsley, carrots, and a lemon dijon vinaigrette.
Try it inside a veggie sandwich or eat it as a side dish.
7. Apple Cranberry Coleslaw
Combine dried cranberries, carrots, cabbage, almonds, and crisp apples with a tangy dressing made from Greek yogurt. This sweet and creamy slaw works beautifully for holiday meals.
8. Marinated Vegetable Salad
Vibrant summer vegetables including cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, and bell peppers fill this bowl. A tangy, tart red wine vinaigrette coats the healthy ingredients.
Let the dish rest in the refrigerator overnight so the flavors can come together.
9. New York Deli Potato Salad
This recipe combines mayonnaise, white vinegar, and new potatoes. Onions, carrots, and parsley provide freshness to balance the fat and starch.
It is tasty and substantial enough to eat on its own.
10. Creamy Delicatessen Fruit Salad
The base features juicy grapes, pineapple chunks, crisp apples, and slices of mandarin orange. Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, and cream cheese combine to create the dressing.
You can use fresh fruit or stick with canned mandarin oranges and pineapple.
11. Broccoli Slaw
This unique slaw features slivered almonds, basil, quinoa for protein, and fresh broccoli. A homemade honey mustard dressing coats the mixture.
12. Sweet Macaroni Salad
This dish offers everything you enjoy about the classic version plus more. Condensed milk gives the creamy dressing a sweet twist.
Your friends will want to know the secret ingredient.
13. Bulgur Salad with Cucumbers, Red Peppers, Chickpeas, Lemon & Dill
This dish resembles tabbouleh and features chopped parsley, lemon juice, cucumbers, and bulgur. Bell peppers add crunch while chickpeas provide protein.
You can include seasonal cherry tomatoes or omit the sugar for a diet with less sweet stuff.