25 Fourth of July Salads: Fluffy, Fruity and Festive

Ambrosia Salad

Because it’s so simple to make, this tropical fruit medley is great as a last-minute menu addition. Plus, with all the tropical flavors, it makes for a great summer or Fourth of July salad. —Judi Bringegar, Liberty, North Carolina

Go to Recipe

Red, White ‘n’ Blue Salad

Our striking “flag” salad drew plenty of attention at our Independence Day party. The shimmering stripes are formed with distinctive gelatin layers. It makes you want to salute before spooning some up! —Laurie Neverman, Green Bay, Wisconsin

Molded Strawberry Salad

This refreshing salad has two layers – a pretty pink bottom that includes sour cream, and a ruby red top with strawberries and pineapple. For years, Mom has included this salad in meals she prepares for our family.
-Gloria Grant, Sterling, Illinois

Two-Berry Fluff Salad

Fourth of July salads are even more festive when they echo the colors of the flag. When blueberries and strawberries aren’t in season, you can substitute frozen berries with equally good results. —Karen Wenzel, Conroe, Texas

Pina Colada Fluff

This pina colada fluff recipe is from one of my grandma’s vintage cookbooks. Instead of alcoholic rum, you could use rum extract. —Crystal Jo Bruns, Iliff, Colorado

Rosey Raspberry Salad

Whenever I make this pretty raspberry salad, people talk! It’s a festive side dish that works well for celebrations throughout the year. —Jane Vanderground, Macedonia, Ohio

Simple Lime Gelatin Salad

Looking for a festive dish to light up the buffet? This pretty green gelatin salad is eye-catching and has a delightful, tangy flavor. —Cyndi Fynaardt, Oskaloosa, Iowa

Frozen Cherry Salad

Pretty slices of this refreshing salad are dotted with colorful cherries for a festive look. The flavor is pleasant and not overly sweet like some frozen cherry recipes. Prepared in advance and frozen, it’s a treat that fits into many different menus. I serve it throughout the year.  —Gail Sykora, Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin

Crunchy Apple Side Salad

With fiber-rich fruit, light dressing and crunchy walnuts, this is a great side dish or snack. Try it with low-fat granola. —Kathy Armstrong, Post Falls, Idaho

Pistachio Mallow Salad

This fluffy pistachio salad is a real treat since it’s creamy but not overly sweet. It’s easy to mix up, and the flavor gets better the longer it stands. It’s perfect for St. Patrick’s Day, served in a green bowl. —Pattie Ann Forssberg, Logan, Kansas

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

Rainbow Fruit Salad

When my children were young, I would often dress up fresh fruit in this easy salad. Decades later, my grandchildren and great-grandchildren still love digging in to the fruity layers. The salad goes well with barbecued meats or cold sandwiches. —Jonnie Adams Sisler, Stevensville, Montana

Red-White-and-Blue Berry Delight

This is one of those Fourth of July salads that can also double as dessert! Don’t forget a dollop of whipped topping. —Constance Fennell, Grand Junction, Michigan

Creamy Fruit Salad with Yogurt

Kids can’t wait to eat this refreshing and creamy fruit salad with yogurt… I know ours can’t! It’s healthy, simple to make and tastes great. Our family can’t get enough of it. —Lisa Dunn, Red Oak, Oklahoma

Frozen Fruit Whip

Fourth of July salads get all the better when they are served up ice cold or frozen! —Tanya McKay, Wells, Nevada

Grandmother’s Orange Salad

This orange salad dessert is slightly sweet and tangy, too. It adds beautiful color to any meal and appeals to all ages! —Ann Eastman, Santa Monica, California

Yogurt Grape Salad

The cool colors and tangy flavors of vanilla yogurt and cream cheese are brightened with the sweetness and crunch of cheery red grapes in this refreshing and delicious salad. —Geraldine Saucier, Albuquerque, New Mexico

Patriotic Gelatin Salad

Almost as spectacular as the fireworks, this lovely Fourth of July salad makes quite a “bang” at our partiesl. It’s exciting to serve, and our guests loved the cool fruity and creamy layers. This salad really added to my patriotic theme. —Sue Gronholz, Beaver Dam, Wisconsin

Banana Split Fluff

This pretty pink mixture, rich with yummy fruit and nuts, is sure to disappear in a hurry. It’s a sweet and speedy treat that can be served as a dessert or salad. —Anne Powers, Munford, Alabama

Pear-Blueberry Ambrosia with Creamy Lime Dressing

This dessert is delicious and decadent, yet is chock-full of healthy fruit with a creamy lime dressing; the blueberries provide a lovely pop of color. —Laura Stricklin, Jackson, Mississippi

Peach Bavarian

Fruit molds are my specialty. This one, with its refreshing peach taste, makes a colorful salad or dessert. —Adeline Piscitelli, Sayreville, New Jersey

Pineapple Pretzel Fluff

I often bring this salad to potlucks, and everyone goes crazy for the sweet and crunchy combination. Be sure to add the pretzel mixture right before serving to keep it crispy. —Beth Olby, Ashland, Wisconsin

Frozen Waldorf Salad

While I was growing up on a farm in western Kansas, we always had lots of hungry men around during harvesttime. This salad is one we served often since it was easy to increase and we could prepare it ahead of time.

Apricot Fluff

When we were young mothers, I asked my best friend if she had a recipe for an easy ambrosia salad that I could take to a cookout later that evening. She shared this recipe with me and it’s become a must-have at every barbecue I attend. It’s sublime with peaches and peach gelatin, too. —Melissa Meinke, Fawn Grove, Pennsylvania

Company Fruit Salad

We first tried a cream cheese fruit salad like this at a local deli. Since I couldn’t get that recipe, I started mixing up different dressings until I hit on this one. Now I make this refreshing delightful salad for every picnic and get-to-gether. It can be a snack, side dish or dessert. —Connie Osterhout, Napoleon, Ohio