Forget the deli counter lines; you can conjure tasty, homemade deli salads in your own kitchen!
Perfect for lunches, potlucks, or a side dish with a stacked sandwich, these 13 recipes from creamy chicken to vibrant fruit are guaranteed to become new favorites.
1. Marinated Vegetable Salad
If a marinated vegetable salad is your jam, then brace yourself for this delightful recipe. The dish is practically overflowing with summer veggies like bell peppers, cucumbers, and cherry tomatoes.
To elevate all that goodness, a tangy red wine vinaigrette is used. For the best flavor, chill it overnight in the fridge so everything melds well.
2. Fruit Salad
If you need a summer salad that will really wow, you need to try this sensational recipe. It’s absolutely overflowing with a vibrant selection of fresh fruits like strawberries, oranges, blueberries, and kiwi.
You’ll then drizzle a honey-lime dressing over that fresh goodness. It’s fast, fresh, and easy, making it destined to become the most popular dish at your next potluck or barbecue.
3. Grated Carrot Salad
Grated carrots have never tasted so incredible before. This wonderful and simple recipe is a surefire win. The only things you will need are parsley, onion, carrots, and a lemon dijon vinaigrette.
Serve this as a simple side dish or use it to add flair to your next veggie sandwich. Either way, this is a guaranteed delicious experience.
4. Broccoli Slaw
If you’ve never experienced the magic that is a broccoli-filled slaw, you need to throw this together. The tasty slaw is bursting with basil, slivered almonds, and fresh broccoli and quinoa for a protein boost.
But what about the flavorful element? That would be a delicious homemade honey-mustard dressing.
5. Rice Salad
Let’s dive into the realm of rice salad, particularly, this exact one. Taking notes from the most delectable aspects of cowboy caviar, this transforms that into an amazing deli salad.
And there is even more goodness, as the fresh veggies and rice all benefit from a coating of a spicy, citrusy dressing.
6. Tomato Salad
Is there anything better than a tomato fresh from the garden? Feast your eyes on this tomato salad, that’s what!
Utilizing ripe grape tomatoes, thinly sliced red onions, and fresh mozzarella balls, this is a simple dish. To kick it up a notch, simply toss with a drizzle of olive oil and some red wine vinegar.
7. New York Deli Potato Salad
Does a creamy and tangy potato salad fire you up? If that’s the case, grab a fork and get ready for something incredible.
This New York deli version blends mayo and white vinegar with new potatoes. Carrots, parsley, and onions inject a burst of freshness to cut through all that starch and fat. The resulting salad is so satisfying, you might find yourself polishing off an entire bowl on your own.
8. Apple Cranberry Coleslaw
Needing a holiday-worthy deli salad? Consider this dish your newest holiday hack!
Crisp apples, almonds, and dried cranberries combine with cabbage and carrots in a tangy Greek yogurt dressing. When it’s time to whip up your holiday feast, incorporate this creamy and sweet slaw for best results.
9. Bean Salad
Since my childhood, bean salad has always been a staple on my table. I love that it’s loaded with protein, budget-friendly, and quick to create.
The five-bean salad requires kidney beans, black beans, wax beans, green beans, and garbanzo beans. This simple salad makes an incredible addition to any southern meal. I’m thinking, homemade cornbread, fried chicken, and bacon-sauteed collard greens.
10. Sweet Macaroni Salad
Allow me to unveil your new deli salad obsession, sweet macaroni salad. Providing everything you enjoy about macaroni salad with a hint of something extra, you can’t go wrong here.
The main element that provides the creamy dressing its sweetness is condensed milk. Using that along with the other fixings ensures everyone will beg you to reveal your secret.
11. Bulgur Salad with Cucumbers, Red Peppers, Chickpeas, Lemon & Dill
Bulgur salad is one of those dishes I’m always craving. Being able to throw this together ahead of time for work lunches during busy weeks makes it ideal.
The main ingredients are bulgur, lemon juice, and chopped parsley, similar to tabbouleh. Bell peppers contribute a snappy crunch and chickpeas make it more filling.
During the summer, adding in some cherry tomatoes is a great touch. I love that you can also opt to leave the sugar out if you’re trying to cut back.
12. Creamy Delicatessen Fruit Salad
Elevate a basic fruit salad into a deli masterpiece with this recipe. At its foundation you will find juicy grapes, crisp apples, mandarin orange slices, and pineapple chunks.
The dressing is a concoction of cream cheese, Greek yogurt, and mayo. I like that this calls for canned oranges and pineapple, but fresh versions can be swapped in too.
13. Curried Chicken Salad
There’s more than one way to conjure chicken salad, but this recipe is a standout winner. Melty shredded chicken receives a flavorful punch from the addition of curry.
Of course, what would it be without the silky mayo dressing, crunchy celery, and juicy grapes? I love that this can be served straight out of the bowl or put on a crisp bed of lettuce or a sandwich.