I absolutely love picking up a fresh side from the local sandwich shop to round out my afternoon meal. You can easily recreate that exact same magic right in your own kitchen with these 13 incredible deli salads. Prepare your tastebuds for everything from creamy chicken creations to brightly dressed fruits and veggies!
1. Apple Cranberry Coleslaw
I have the absolute perfect side dish ready for your next big holiday gathering.
Crisp apples and crunchy almonds mingle with shredded cabbage and carrots alongside sweet dried cranberries. The entire colorful mixture gets drenched in a wonderfully tangy Greek yogurt dressing. This creamy and slightly sweet creation adds a remarkable crunch to any festive feast.
2. Curried Chicken Salad
You should definitely try this highly upgraded recipe the next time you crave a savory shredded chicken side.
A distinct hit of curry brings massive flavor to the creamy mayonnaise dressing. Sweet juicy grapes and crisp celery bits provide the most delightful textural contrast. I love scooping this mixture straight out of the mixing bowl or serving it beautifully over a bed of crisp lettuce leaves.
3. Marinated Vegetable Salad
This vibrant bowl of goodness is absolutely calling my name. Crisp bell peppers mix beautifully with fresh cucumbers and juicy cherry tomatoes for a gorgeous summer side.
The entire mixture gets tossed in a beautifully tart red wine vinaigrette. I highly suggest letting the bowl rest in the refrigerator overnight so those zesty liquids can thoroughly soak into the veggies.
4. Grated Carrot Salad
I honestly never realized how incredible simple grated carrots could taste until I tried this brilliant recipe.
It requires just a quick toss of fresh parsley and onions mixed right into the vibrant orange shreds. A bright lemon dijon vinaigrette provides the ultimate zesty finish. I love enjoying this as a standalone side dish or piling it incredibly high inside a thick veggie sandwich.
5. Broccoli Slaw
I strongly suggest making this epic recipe immediately if you have never experienced a broccoli based slaw.
Crisp green broccoli florets mix perfectly with fresh basil and a hefty sprinkle of slivered almonds. Protein packed quinoa transforms the bowl into an incredibly substantial dish. Everything is heavily tossed in a gorgeous homemade honey mustard dressing that will keep you coming back for extra helpings.
6. Tomato Salad
I truly believe that nothing beats the taste of produce pulled straight from a summer garden. This incredibly light side dish showcases perfectly ripe grape tomatoes mixed with fresh mozzarella balls and thinly sliced red onions.
A simple glug of olive oil and red wine vinegar is all you need to finish things off. You simply toss everything together to achieve absolute perfection in a bowl.
7. Bean Salad
My family table has featured this incredibly simple protein packed recipe since I was just a little kid. It brings together an affordable combination of kidney beans mixed with black and garbanzo beans alongside tender green and wax beans.
This mixture is an absolute dream when paired with classic southern cooking. I highly recommend serving it alongside some warm cornbread and crispy fried chicken with collard greens.
8. New York Deli Potato Salad
This luxurious recipe takes standard fruit bowls to an entirely different level of decadence.
The base features crunchy apples mixed with juicy grapes alongside pineapple chunks and bright mandarin orange slices. Everything gets smothered in a rich dressing made from mayonnaise blended with cream cheese and Greek yogurt. I love that you can easily utilize canned citrus and pineapple if fresh options are unavailable.
11. Bulgur Salad with Cucumbers, Red Peppers, Chickpeas, Lemon & Dill
You absolutely need this beautifully vibrant bowl on your menu for any upcoming summer gatherings.
It highlights a refreshing blend of fresh kiwi and oranges mixed with bright blueberries and ripe strawberries. A perfectly sweet honey lime dressing gets drizzled right over the top for an extra burst of citrus power. I always bring this quick and easy masterpiece to neighborhood barbecues and Fourth of July parties.