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Cooking in The Keys

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Deli Salads for Summer

felice kaufman author bio
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Here are our top deli salads for summer entertaining. You can make all your favorite deli salads at home with these easy recipes. From coleslaw to potato salad and macaroni salad, these have real New York deli flavor.

collage fo cold summer salads

Easy deli salads for summer are simple sides like potato salad, coleslaw, macaroni salad, and seafood salads that come together fast and hold up well in the fridge. Perfect for barbecues, picnics, and hot days when you don't want to cook.

From Long Island Delis to the Florida Keys

I grew up on Long Island where there's a delicatessen or bagel store in every strip mall, and there are a lot of them! I took it all for granted until I moved to Florida.

I always cooked a lot, so I wasn't relying on the corner deli to feed us. But sometimes I'd still stop in and pick up a few salads. It was quick, easy, and you knew exactly what you were getting.

There are New York delis in Florida, but not down here in the Florida Keys. So I recreated my favorites at home. Now you can make them too.

Classic Deli Salads

Classic deli salads you'll always find in the case. These are the go-to favorites that show up at every deli, simple, familiar, and easy to make at home.

1
sweet creamy coleslaw with cabbage, carrots, peppers, and creamy dressing
Sweet Coleslaw Recipe
This sweet coleslaw recipe is super easy and delicious. It combines crunchy cabbage, a little carrot, and coleslaw dressing. Perfect for burgers, bbq ribs, sliders, chicken, or a summer barbecue, it's a side dish everyone will love!
Recipe
2
Bowl of deli-style macaroni salad with mayonnaise.
New York Deli Macaroni Salad
New York Deli Macaroni Salad is a sweet pasta salad made with elbow macaroni, mayonnaise, vinegar, sugar, vegetables, and a few finely chopped vegetables.
Recipe
3
white potato salad with mayo and onions.
Deli Potato Salad
This NY deli potato salad is cold and creamy, made with thin-sliced russet potatoes in a sweet and tangy mayo dressing. Just like the kind you'd find at a New York deli. No mustard, no eggs, no relish. Perfect for picnics, BBQs, or any casual get-together. Great with pastrami, roast beef, or your favorite sandwich.
Recipe

Southern Potato Salad

Southern potato salad is a nice change of pace. It's not something you'd find at a corner deli, but it fits right in for summer.

4
Dill pickle potato salad with eggs and fresh dill served with oven fried chicken.
Potato Salad With Pickles and Eggs
Southern-style potato salad with pickles and eggs made with boiled potatoes and a creamy dressing. A classic, make-ahead side dish for cookouts and family meals.
Recipe

Protein Deli Salads

Tuna salad, egg salad, and chicken salad are simple, filling, and easy to keep in the fridge. They're the kind of salads you scoop onto a plate, pile onto a sandwich, or eat straight out of the container.

5
bowl of chicken salad with celery and mayo
How To Make NYC Deli Chicken Salad
This NYC deli-style chicken salad is made with tender poached chicken, mayonnaise, and celery. Simple, creamy, and perfect for sandwiches.
Recipe
6
chicken salad with grapes, celery, mayo, and almonds
Chicken Salad with Grapes and Dill
This sweet chicken salad with grapes is creamy and lightly sweet, made with cooked chicken, mayo, Dijon, celery, and red grapes. Great for sandwiches or an easy lunch. Gluten-free.
Recipe
7
Old-fashioned tuna salad with crisp lettuce, sliced tomato, cucumber, and scallions
New York Diner Tuna Salad
Classic New York deli tuna salad made with canned tuna, mayonnaise, and crunchy celery. Serve it on a sandwich, in a wrap, or as a diner-style salad plate over crisp greens. Easy to make and perfect for lunch or a light dinner.
Recipe
8
Tuna on a bialy.
Veggie Tuna Salad
Veggie Tuna Salad is a classic New York deli and bagel store classic. The creamy salad is loaded with crispy and chopped vegetables. Veggie tuna can be enjoyed on a bagel, wrap, or on a bed of greens. Canned tuna with veggies and mayo has tons of flavor and it's so easy to pull together! This recipe is gluten-free and low-carb.
Recipe
9
tuna melt and coleslaw
Tuna Melt on a Scooped Out Bagel
Tuna Salad Melt on a Scooped-Out Bagel Creamy tuna salad, melted cheese, and a quick run under the broiler makes this famous NY sandwich a full meal. Scooping out the bagel keeps it lighter while still packing in all the flavor. Perfect for lunch or a quick dinner!
Recipe
10
Cranberries and Apple Tuna with Mary's Gone Crackers with a spoon in a wooden bowl.
Whole Foods Cranberry Apple Tuna Salad Recipe
This Whole Foods Cranberry Apple Tuna Salad copycat recipe combines flaky canned tuna fish with dried cranberries, diced apple, celery, and a creamy mayo dressing. It's perfect for sandwiches and salad toppings or an afternoon high-protein snack. It's easy to prepare and full of flavor.
Recipe
11
Flaked canned salmon with pasta salad over greens with a lemon wedge.
Salmon Pasta Salad
Cold salmon pasta salad made with small pasta, canned salmon, and fresh vegetables tossed in a creamy dressing. This easy dish comes together fast, keeps well in the fridge. It's perfect for lunch, picnics, or potlucks.
Recipe
12
baked salmon salad
Bagel Store Baked Salmon Salad
Deli-Style Baked Salmon Salad is a creamy, deli-style spread with baked salmon, mayo, and seasonings. Perfect on bagels or crackers for brunch or lunch! Gluten-free, dairy free, and low carb.
Recipe

Seafood Salads

Seafood salads are a staple at any good deli. Shrimp, crab, and seafood mixes are usually tossed in a simple dressing and served cold. These are all light and easy to make.

There's a creamy spread in the South called smoked fish dip.

It's a lot like veggie tuna salad. It's made with smoked local fish like wahoo or mullet, and instead of using all mayonnaise, it's mixed with a little cream cheese.

You don't really taste the cream cheese, but it gives the dip a smooth, rich texture. It's served cold and you'll find it on menus all over Florida, especially at happy hour.

13
bowl of surimi crab salad with lemon slices.
Surimi Crab Salad
This easy surimi crab salad is made with imitation crab, mayo, lemon, Old Bay, and fresh veggies. It takes minutes to mix together and makes a tasty seafood salad. Serve it in sandwiches, over lettuce, or with crackers for a great meal.
Recipe
14
Close up of shrimp and crab salad with pasta, peas, and creamy lemon dressing on a spoon
Crab Meat Pasta Salad
Crab meat pasta salad with shrimp, a creamy lemon mayo dressing, and crisp celery. Light, creamy, and perfect served cold for lunch, dinner, or meal prep.
Recipe
15
Cold key west pink shrimp salad on a bed of lettuce.
Shrimp Salad with Old Bay and Dill Recipe
This easy shrimp salad with Old Bay and dill is packed with fresh flavor. Cooked shrimp are tossed in a light, creamy dressing with a touch of lemon, Old Bay seasoning, celery, and fresh dill. Perfect for sandwiches, wraps, or a light summer meal. Ready in minutes!
Recipe
16
shrimp salad with pasta and a lemon wedge
Shrimp Salad with Pasta
Shrimp Salad with Pasta is packed with wild-caught shrimp, pasta, fresh veggies, and a creamy Old Bay dressing. It's a cool, delicious side dish that's perfect for cookouts, picnics, or easy dinners. Serve chilled.
Recipe
17
key west spiny lobster rolls on salad with gingham napkin
Lobster Salad
This lobster salad is light, refreshing, and full of sweet lobster flavor. Serve it on a toasted roll, over crisp greens, or in lettuce cups for an easy, elegant meal. Perfect for lunch, buffets, beach picnics, or casual dinners.
Recipe

Egg Salad

Egg salad is a deli staple that's simple and satisfying. It's made with chopped eggs, a little mayo, and just enough seasoning to bring it together. Serve it on a sandwich, with crackers, or scoop it onto a plate for an easy meal.

18
deli egg salad
New York Egg Salad Recipe
New York egg salad is a classic deli staple. It's creamy and rich, perfect on rye bread, a bagel, or served over lettuce and tomatoes. Traditional deli-style egg salad skips the mustard and pickle juice, keeping the flavor simple.
Recipe
19
veggie egg salad in a bowl
Veggie Egg Salad
This NYC deli-style veggie egg salad is creamy with a little crunch from celery, carrots, and onion. Serve it on a bagel, sandwich, or over greens.
Recipe

More Cold Summer Salads

More summer salad recipes that are fresh, simple, and easy to make. I like to make double batches. These are great to have on hand for quick meals, sides, or when you want something cold from the fridge.

20
3 bean salad with chickpeas, kidney beans, white beans, celery, red onion, and herbs in a vinaigrette
Three Bean Salad
3 bean salad with a tangy vinaigrette, fresh vegetables, and simple pantry ingredients. This is an easy side dish for cookouts, meal prep, and everyday meals.
Recipe
21
white bean cucumber dill salad with vinaigrette and a lemon wedge
White Bean Tomato Cucumber Salad
White Bean Salad is a fresh Mediterranean dish made with cannellini beans, tomatoes, cucumber, and red onion tossed in a lemon herb vinaigrette.
Recipe
22
Chickpea Cucumber Feta Salad with garlic vinaigrette.
Chickpea Cucumber Tomato Feta Salad
Chickpea Cucumber Tomato Feta Salad is a fresh, colorful mix of tomatoes, cucumbers, red onion, parsley, olives, and feta. Tossed in lemon vinaigrette, this no-cook salad is quick, flavorful, and perfect for lunch or a light dinner.
Recipe
23
Watermelon arugula salad with feta and red onion on a platter, topped with lime vinaigrette, with a fork lifting a watermelon cube from the salad.
Watermelon Arugula Salad with Feta
Watermelon Arugula Salad with Feta is a fresh and easy summer side dish or appetizer. Made with juicy watermelon, peppery arugula, cubed salty feta cheese, sliced onions, and a lime vinaigrette. Light, sweet, and salty. Ready in 10 minutes!
Recipe
24
chopped Italian Antipasto Salad with balsamic vinaigrette
Italian Antipasto Salad
Italian Antipasto Salad is a big chopped salad made with salami, soppressata, ham, provolone, romaine, and radicchio. Tossed in a tangy balsamic vinaigrette, it's colorful, fresh, and filling. Serve as a full dinner or a simple side. This salad also works well for potlucks, buffets, or game day spreads.
Recipe
25
romaine and spinach strawberry salad with feta and almonds
Strawberry Spinach Salad With Feta Cheese and Sliced Almonds
Strawberry Spinach Salad with Feta Cheese is a light and fresh mix of romaine, baby spinach, sweet strawberries, crumbled feta, and toasted almonds. Tossed with a homemade pink vinaigrette, it's perfect for warm days or when you're craving a big sweet and crunchy salad.
Recipe

More Deli Recipes

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