Calling all salad lovers! We found the best salad recipes submitted by home cooks in every state.
The Best Salad in Every State
Updated Aug. 05, 2023
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From lettuce salads to pasta salads to even marshmallow-filled “salads,” we can’t get enough. That’s why we found the best salad recipes across the country. Go ahead and see if you’ve made your state’s most popular recipe yet.
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Alabama: Orange Gelatin Pretzel Salad
Salty pretzels pair nicely with the sweet fruit in this refreshing layered salad. It’s a family favorite that is a slam-dunk at potlucks. —Peggy Boyd, Northport, Alabama
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Alaska: Festive Cranberry Fruit Salad
This fruit salad is a tradition on my Christmas table. It goes together quickly, which is a plus on such a busy day. —Rousheen Arel Wolf, Delta Junction, Alaska
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Arizona: Grilled Southwestern Potato Salad
This salad is perfect with a grilled steak for a Tex-Mex meal, and most of it can even be prepared out in the backyard. Poblanos and cayenne make it pop. —Johnna Johnson, Scottsdale, Arizona
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Arkansas: Deluxe German Potato Salad
I make this for all occasions because it goes well with any kind of meat. When I take the warm salad to bring-a-dish events, there are rarely leftovers! —Betty Perkins, Hot Springs, Arkansas
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California: Guacamole Tossed Salad
The fresh blend of avocados, tomatoes, red onion and greens in my salad gets additional pizazz from crumbled bacon and a slightly spicy vinaigrette. —Lori Fischer, Chino Hills, California
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Colorado: Apple Salad with Maple-Mustard Vinaigrette
This seasonal salad will be a hit at any gathering. It’s also easy for weeknights; just halve the recipe. —Beth Dauenhauer, Pueblo, Colorado
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Connecticut: Layered Veggie Tortellini Salad
Tortellini and a Parmesan dressing give this layered salad an unexpected twist. It's great for a potluck. —Dennis Vitale, New Preston, Connecticut
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Delaware: Favorite Cucumber Salad
Add a fresh-tasting touch to your menu with this favorite salad. The crunchy cucumbers are tossed with onion, green pepper and a sweet-tart dressing seasoned with celery seed.—Mary Lou Boyce,Wilmington, Delaware
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Florida: 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
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Georgia: Creamy Grilled Potato Salad
To avoid turning my oven on in the summer, I grill just about everything—including this creamy grilled potato salad. My friends have dubbed this ‘The Best Potato Salad You’ll Ever Put in Your Mouth!—and I love that! —Gayle Robinson, Carrolton, Georgia
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Hawaii: Watermelon and Spinach Salad
Summer's the perfect time to toss up this watermelon salad. You'd never expect it, but spinach is awesome here. Eat it and feel cool on even the hottest days. —Marjorie Au, Honolulu, Hawaii
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Idaho: Quick Ambrosia Fruit Salad
This contest-winning ambrosia fruit salad recipe is the perfect side for any holiday. All you have to do is stir everything together and chill it in the fridge until you're ready to serve. Easy!
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Illinois: 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.
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Indiana: Bacon Macaroni Salad
This pleasing pasta salad is like eating a BLT in a bowl. Filled with crispy bacon, chopped tomato, celery and green onion, the sensational salad is coated with a tangy mayonnaise and vinegar dressing. It’s a real crowd-pleaser! —Norene Wright, Manilla, Indiana
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Iowa: Candy Bar Apple Salad
Snickers salad may not be a traditional green salad, but it is a midwestern specialty. Bring this easy one-bowl dessert to your next potluck and watch it disappear!
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Kansas: Pistachio Mallow Salad
Fluffy, creamy, sweet pistachio salad isn't exactly what you expect from a salad—but it is delicious. Here's how (and when) to make this vintage side dish.
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Kentucky: 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
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Louisiana: Creamy Frozen Fruit Cups
I love to prepare these cool, fluffy fruit cups to give a refreshing boost to many meals. They've been well received at family gatherings and summer barbecues. There's no last-minute fuss since you make them well in advance. —Karen Hatcher, St. Amant, Louisiana
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Maine: Grilled Chicken Salad with Blueberry Vinaigrette
We love adding grilled chicken to our salads in the summer, but the real star here is the vinaigrette made with blueberry preserves and maple syrup. This salad goes great with a fresh baguette and a frosty glass of minted lemonade. —Susan Gauthier, Falmouth, Maine
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Maryland: Roquefort Pear Salad
Guests at a barbecue we hosted one summer brought this cool, refreshing salad. Now it's a mainstay at many of our gatherings year-round. The mingling of zesty tastes and textures instantly wakes up the taste buds. —Sherry Duval, Baltimore, Maryland
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Michigan: Michigan Cherry Salad
A vibrant mix of fresh greens, tangy dried fruits and crunchy nuts, topped with Gorgonzola and a homemade raspberry dressing, this Michigan salad will make a salad fan out of anyone.
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Minnesota: Perfect Winter Salad
A delight to the palate and also just a great-looking dish, this winter salad is easy to make yet complex and satisfying.
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Mississippi: Shrimp and Spinach Salad with Hot Bacon Dressing
When I meet former co-workers for lunch at our favorite restaurant, we always order this salad. I wanted to share it with my husband, so I made it my mission to re-create it. Mission accomplished! —Lisa Bynum, Brandon, Mississippi
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Missouri: 7-Layer Gelatin Salad
Here's an eye-catching salad that my mother makes for Christmas dinner each year. You can choose different flavors to make other color combinations for specific holidays or other gatherings. —Jan Hemness, Stockton, Missouri
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Montana: Taste-of-Fall Salad
My parents stayed with me at a friend's beautiful ranch for the holidays and I made them this great salad. It turned into every night's first course. —Kristin Kossak, Bozeman, Montana
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Nebraska: Cucumber Shell Salad
This refreshing cucumber pasta salad works as a summertime lunch or light dinner, and it comes together with only five ingredients.
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Nevada: Orzo Vegetable Salad
This tasty lemon orzo salad recipe is just the thing you’ll want to have on hand, whether you’re in need of a quick meal or a side dish everyone will love.
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New Hampshire: Homemade Antipasto Salad
Bring together bold Italian flavors in one bowl with this antipasto pasta salad.
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New Jersey: Lemon Vinaigrette Potato Salad
I developed this recipe for a friend who needed a potato salad that could withstand Fourth of July weather. The vinaigrette was a safe and delicious alternative to traditional mayonnaise-based potato salads. I've also substituted fresh thyme for the basil. Any fresh herbs would be great! —Melanie Cloyd, Mullica Hill, New Jersey
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New Mexico: Balsamic Steak Salad
This classic steak salad recipe features a perfectly cooked, well-seasoned steak atop a hearty mix of greens and toppings. It's a nutritious and quick dinner perfect for any night of the week.
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New York: Mama's Potato Salad
Everyone needs a reliable potato salad recipe in their repertoire, and this one is classic in its simplicity. It's quick and versatile, and it will go with just about anything.
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North Carolina: BLT Chicken Salad
Featuring all the fun fixings for a BLT chicken sandwich, this salad is so lovable. I can prep the ingredients ahead of time and just throw it together at the last minute. Barbecue sauce in the dressing gives it unexpected flavor. Even picky eaters love my chicken salads. —Cindy Moore, Mooresville, North Carolina
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North Dakota: 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
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Ohio: Sour Cream Cucumbers
Cucumber salad with sour cream is the side dish you need. It is cool and creamy—the perfect way to use all those cucumbers from your garden!
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Oklahoma: Chili Cornbread Salad
A co-worker brought this wonderful dish to a potluck several years ago. She had copies of the recipe next to the pan. Now I make it for get-togethers and also supply copies of the recipe. I never have any leftover salad or recipes. —Kelly Newsom, Jenks, Oklahoma
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Oregon: Broccoli Salad Supreme
Whether you need to liven up your dinner menu or prep for a potluck, broccoli grape salad blends sweet and savory flavors and acts as a side dish or a main, if you add protein. (Bonus: It includes bacon!)
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Pennsylvania: Shrimp Pasta Salad
I adore shrimp, so discovering it in this pasta salad recipe was a real treat for me. The lemon-dill sauce is light and bright. It's one of our favorite cold pasta salad recipes! —Traci Wynne, Denver, Pennsylvania
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Rhode Island: Wedge Salad with Blue Cheese Dressing
A wedge salad gets the creamy treatment when topped with blue cheese dressing. Keep the dressing as a topper, or make it a dip for Buffalo wings. —Jenn Smith, East Providence, Rhode Island
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South Carolina: Tomato Feta Salad
Fresh, vibrant tomato feta salad brings together the best of summer’s flavors in every bite.
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South Dakota: Bacon Spinach Salad
Even our kids—who normally don't care for spinach—can't resist this salad with its rich dressing and crumbled bacon. Of course, you can use other greens instead of spinach. —Gretchen Kuipers, Platte, South Dakota
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Tennessee: Sunflower Strawberry Salad
We have an annual strawberry festival in our town, so recipes with strawberries are popular here. I have served this salad at luncheons and have always received compliments. —Betty Malone, Humboldt, Tennessee
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Texas: Sweet & Sour Squash Salad
This salad goes over really well with all ages, and it's a good way to get kids to eat summer squash. —Opal Shipman Levelland, Texas
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Utah: 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
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Vermont: Cilantro Salad Dressing
Use this zippy dressing over greens or hot or cold boiled potatoes. You'll love it! —Sara Laber, Shelburne, Vermont
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Virginia: BLT Macaroni Salad
Our BLT pasta salad will get everyone's attention at your next cookout or backyard barbecue. It brings the classic combination of lettuce, tomato and especially bacon to this still-easy side dish.
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Washington: 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
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West Virginia: Fresh Ginger Carrot Salad
I created this salad as an alternative to the mayonnaise, raisin and carrot salad my mom used to make. I had some leftover ginger and really liked the fresh taste. I have a sweet tooth, and this salad satisfies it! —Lauri Cherian, Scott Depot, West Virginia
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Wisconsin: Cool Beans Salad
This protein-filled dish could be served as a colorful side dish or a meatless main entree. When you make it, double the recipe because it will be gone in a flash! The basmati rice adds a unique flavor and the dressing gives it a bit of a tang. —Janelle Lee, Appleton, Wisconsin
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Wyoming: Honey-Dijon Potato Salad
No matter which recipe I tried, my potato salad always turned out bland. So I came up with this creamy version that has plenty of pizzazz. It's so tangy and flavorful, you wouldn't realize it calls for fat-free honey-Dijon salad dressing. It's a favorite at picnics. —Kristie Kline Jones, Douglas, WyomingOriginally Published: May 21, 2019
