44 Deli Salads You Need to Know by Heart

Creamy Coleslaw

This creamy coleslaw recipe is rich, tangy and sweet. It’s the perfect partner for barbecue, but it tastes just as good as a topping for tacos or a meaty sandwich.

Chicken Salad with Grapes

This chicken salad with grapes is ready in a snap when using rotisserie chicken and a few quick chops of pecans, sweet onion and celery. —Julie Sterchi, Jackson, Missouri

3-Bean Salad

We make this three bean salad all summer long! It’s a delicious summer side dish for a small gathering. —Barbara Wiggins, Lexington, North Carolina

Authentic German Potato Salad

This authentic German potato salad recipe came from Speck’s Restaurant, which was a famous eating establishment in St. Louis from the 1920s through the ‘50s. I ate lunch there almost every day and always ordered the potato salad. When the owner learned I was getting married, he gave me the recipe as a wedding gift! —Violette Klevorn, Washington, Missouri

Rotini Pasta Salad

For a light meal, we toss rotini pasta with cucumber, zucchini and sweet peppers. Make this cucumber pasta salad into a main dish by adding grilled chicken. —Christine Schenher, Exeter, California

Broccoli Salad with Bacon

This delicious broccoli salad with bacon features a perfect blend of crisp broccoli, smoky bacon, toasted pecans and sweet dried fruits tossed in a tangy, creamy dressing. It's perfect for summer barbecues, potlucks or a refreshing side dish for any meal.

Potato Salad

This homemade potato salad recipe doesn’t have many ingredients, so it isn’t as colorful as many that you find nowadays. But Mama made it the way her mother did, and that’s the way I still make it today. Try it and see if it isn’t one of the best-tasting potato salads you have ever eaten! —Sandra Anderson, New York, New York

Macaroni Coleslaw

My friend Peggy brought this coleslaw to one of our picnics, and everyone liked it so much, we all had to have the recipe. —Sandra Matteson, Westhope, North Dakota

Garden Tomato Salad

For as long as I can remember, Mom made a salad of tomatoes and cucumbers. Now I make it whenever beautiful tomatoes are in reach. —Shannon Arthur, Upper Arlington, Ohio

Bulgur Salad

Whether it's nutrition or taste you're after, it doesn't get any better than a bulgur salad. Bulgur wheat, beans, tomatoes, pine nuts and olive oil team up in this Mediterranean-inspired vegetarian main dish salad.

Creamy Pineapple Fluff Salad

Guests of all ages will gravitate to this traditional “fluff” salad, chock-full of pineapple, marshmallows and cherry bits. —Janice Hensley, Owingsville, Kentucky

Shaved Brussels Sprout Salad

The first time my friends tasted my new side dish, they said it was phenomenal. The longer you let it chill in the fridge, the more tender the sprouts will be. —Nick Iverson, Denver, Colorado

Mexican Coleslaw

Mexican coleslaw captures everything you love about classic coleslaw, with a sweet and spicy twist. It’s perfect as a side dish or a topping for tacos and burrito bowls.

Barley Corn Salad

A terrific alternative to pasta salad, this colorful side dish adds refreshing herb flavor to corn, barley, and red and green peppers. Bring it to your next get-together and see how fast it disappears! —Mary Ann Kieffer of Lawrence, Kansas

Ham Salad

This ham salad recipe is the perfect way to use up your leftover roasted ham, as well as the rolls you served with it!

Lemon Orzo Salad

This bright lemon orzo salad recipe is just the thing you’ll want to have on hand when you’re in need of a quick meal or a light side dish everyone will love.

Pennsylvania Dutch Cucumbers

My mom's side of the family was German and Irish. Settling in Pennsylvania, they adopted some of the cooking and customs of the Pennsylvania Dutch. This is a dish Mom loved, and today it's my favorite garden salad. It tastes delicious alongside a plate of homegrown tomatoes. —Shirley Joan Helfenbein, Lapeer, Michigan

Curry Chicken Salad

Curry chicken salad is flavorful, creamy, and crunchy all at once. Although certain ingredients may seem like an odd combination, trust us—it's delicious.

Cashew-Chicken Rotini Salad

I’ve tried many chicken salad recipes over the years, but this is my very favorite. It’s fresh, fruity and refreshing, and the cashews add wonderful crunch. Every time I serve it at a potluck or picnic, I get rave reviews—and ( always come home with an empty bowl! —Kara Cook, Elk Ridge, Utah

Aunt Marion’s Fruit Salad Dessert

Make this fruit salad with vanilla pudding for an easy picnic dessert. Featuring a mix of fresh fruits and a creamy vanilla pudding sauce, it’s a versatile dish that's simple to prepare and sure to impress.

Grilled Firecracker Potato Salad

I can eat potato salad like crazy. A little spice is nice, so I use cayenne and paprika in this grilled salad that comes with its own fireworks. —Ashley Armstrong, Kingsland, Georgia

Easy Macaroni Salad

Pass it at a potluck, unwrap it at a picnic or bust it out at a barbecue; this easy macaroni salad is perfect as a side for the summer grilling season.

Cucumber and Red Onion Salad

If you need to quickly make a dish for a potluck or gathering, you can make this cucumber and red onion salad in just a few minutes. Even if you don't have time to let it sit so that the flavors can fully meld, it will still taste cool and refreshing.

Veggie Chopped Salad

My husband's aunt gave me this recipe back in the '80s, and it's been a staple at our house ever since. I like to make it a day ahead because some time in the fridge makes it even better. Be sure to save yourself some leftovers, too. —Madeline Etzkorn, Burien, Washington

Bacon Macaroni Salad

Bacon macaroni salad is a simple side packed with crispy bacon, tender pasta and fresh veggies tossed in a tangy mayonnaise-based dressing.

Pina Colada Fruit Salad

Give friends a taste of the tropics on warm summer days with this refreshing fruit blend. For a little extra punch, you might add a splash of coconut rum. —Carol Farnsworth, Greenwood, Indiana

Sweet Macaroni Salad

A sweet out-of-the-ordinary dressing makes this macaroni salad special. My aunt gave me the recipe and it has become one of my favorites. I occasionally leave out the green pepper if I know that people don't like it, and it still tastes great. —Idalee Scholz, Cocoa Beach, Florida

Cranberry Waldorf Salad

Cranberries grow in the coastal area about 50 miles from our home. When they become available, I always make this creamy salad. —Faye Huff, Longview, Washington

Almond-Apricot Chicken Salad

Here's a one-of-a-kind pasta salad that combines tender chicken, sweet apricots and crunchy vegetables. Plus, the lemony dressing can't be beat. —Susan Voigt, Plymouth, Minnesota

Quick Antipasto Salad

I always told my sister, Karen, I'd marry a cowboy—and I did! Patrick and I had a festive farm-style wedding. My mother prepared all the side dishes, including this tongue-tingling salad. —Kendra Waterbury, East Thetford, Vermont

Garden Pesto Pasta Salad

This delicious pesto pasta salad makes for one mighty tasty side (or main) dish.

Chef Salad

This gorgeous combination of garden veggies, hard-boiled eggs, deli turkey and ham is perfect for lunch or dinner. Customize your chef salad with different vegetables and salad dressings.

Green Bean and Potato Salad

For family reunions, my mom would make everybody’s favorite green bean and potato salad. Now I’m the one who brings it. —Connie Dicavoli, Shawnee, Kansas

Ramen Noodle Salad

For potlucks and picnics, this ramen noodle salad is a knockout. I tote the veggies in a bowl, dressing in a jar and noodles in a bag. Then I just shake them all together when it’s time to eat. —LJ Porter, Bauxite, Arkansas

Quinoa Salad

Toasting the grain before it simmers isn’t essential, but it does add a pleasant nuttiness to the flavor of this vegan quinoa salad. Mix and match whatever fresh herbs and veggies you have on hand. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Caprese Salad

My husband and I love Caprese salad, but not the high prices we pay for it in restaurants. Here, we created our own version which tastes incredibly close, if not better, than any restaurant version we’ve tried. —Melissa Pearson, Sandy, Utah

Sweet Potato Salad

Tender sweet potatoes are tossed with crunchy nuts and chewy dried cherries for a burst of flavors and textures. —Fran Fehling, Staten Island, New York

Snickers Salad

This creamy, sweet salad with crisp apple crunch is a real people-pleaser. It makes a lot, which is good, because it will go fast! —Cyndi Fynaardt, Oskaloosa, Iowa

Summer Harvest Grilled Panzanella Salad

This colorful and healthy grilled panzanella salad is a delicious twist on the classic Italian dish that makes the most of simple, seasonal ingredients. It combines the smoky flavors of grilled summer vegetables- with juicy tomatoes, crusty bread and a zesty vinaigrette. Panzanella salad is best enjoyed after the bread has soaked up all the flavors and juices from the veggies and dressing. —Olga Kouloufakos, Lake Pleasant, Massachusetts

Tuna Macaroni Salad

Pack this classic salad for a picnic or workplace lunch. For best results, allow the salad to sit in the fridge overnight for flavors to blend. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Pineapple Coleslaw

When I was a child, my mother often served this salad with multicolored marshmallows sprinkled on top, much to my delight. The marshmallows added a touch of sweetness that really complemented this salad’s tangy flavor. —Betty Follas, Morgan Hill, California

Vegan Potato Salad

Don’t be fooled by the green color—this vegan potato salad is absolutely delicious! It’s perfect for potlucks and for those with dietary restrictions. —Laura Wilhelm, West Hollywood, California

Peach Mango Caprese Salad

Summer in the Midwest offers a bounty of fresh produce. I wanted to come up with a new recipe for the harvested goods, and this bright, flavorful salad is the refreshing end result. —Richard Robinson, Park Forest, Illinois

French Potato Salad

French potato salad is a pleasant change of pace from the traditional versions. It's a lighter take on the usual potato salad, perfect for warm summer days.

Homemade Deli Salads FAQ

What are the most popular deli salads?

The most popular deli salads are the ones you’ll find in every grocery store: macaroni salads, coleslaws, broccoli salads, chicken salads and potato salads. They’re so popular that the deli may feature several versions of each type of salad!

What makes a good deli-style pasta salad?

A good deli-style pasta salad showcases ingredients with different textures, colors and flavors. It may be made with macaroni noodles, or it can be a little bit showy with fun pasta shapes like spirals or fusilli (bow ties). Some recipes feature creamy dressings made with Miracle Whip or mayonnaise, while others opt for tangy vinaigrettes like Italian dressing. The salads often contain crispy and crunchy vegetables and fresh herbs, too.

How long do deli salads last in the fridge?

Most deli salads will last up to four days when stored in an airtight container in the fridge. Most recipes can be made ahead of time and become even more flavorful after chilling in the refrigerator for a day. However, any crunchy elements may lose their bite over time. Starchy components (like pasta or potatoes) can soak in dressing, so you may need to refresh the salad by adding extra dressing just before serving.