Cornbread is a hotly debated food in the South. “Why would anyone debate cornbread?” you ask. It’s because there are so many different ways to prepare it. Everyone has an opinion. Should it be sweet or savory? Thin or thick? Do you want add-ins, making adjustments to a classic recipe, like broccoli cornbread, Mexican cornbread, or Sour Cream Cornbread?
Imagine my surprise, when visiting states outside the South, that no one ate cornbread. They’d never even heard of it. “We don’t have cornmeal here,” several people told me. Sadly, that means they’ve never tried one of the classic Southern staples. But, we get creative with our cornbread! One of my favorite ways to prepare cornbread is in this Cornbread Salad Recipe.
The Best Cornbread Salad Recipe
Cornbread Salad is a staple at potluck meals or church dinners. The first time I tried this recipe, at a church dinner, naturally, I was hooked. It takes a basic cornbread recipe to a whole new level, adding veggies, pickles, bacon, and a homemade dressing.
I usually prepare my salad in what all of my friends and I refer to as our “salad dish.” It’s really a 4 cup Pyrex dish that we use for any sort of salad; potato, macaroni, cornbread, jello, you name it. Seriously, if you go to any type of dinner in the South, you’ll find one of these dishes on the table.
Cooking Tips:
- In a hurry? Don’t bother to make the cornbread from scratch! You can use a box of Jiffy Corn Muffin Mix instead. Just prepare it as directed on the package and then substitute it in the salad for your favorite cornbread recipe.
- Want to make this recipe gluten-free? Substitute a box of Gluten-Free Cornbread Mix for the traditional cornbread. Prepare the cornbread mix as directed on the package before adding it to the salad.
- This recipe can easily be doubled if you’d like to use a trifle dish for a showier presentation.
- If you’ve never made cornbread before, the best–and classic– way to cook it is in a cast-iron skillet.
- Plan to make this salad in advance as it needs to chill 2 hours before serving.
Substitutions And Additions:
- If you don’t have bread and butter pickles, you can substitute dill pickles, but it will change the taste. Bread and butter pickles are sweeter. Dill pickles will give it a more savory taste.
- Add a can of kidney, pinto, or red beans to the salad. Be sure to drain the juice before adding the beans to the salad.
- Want to make this salad even tastier? Add a cup and a half of your favorite shredded cheese.
- Adjust the amount of salt and pepper to your taste. You can start with 1/2 teaspoon and add up to 1 teaspoon.
- You can use low-fat mayonnaise and artificial sweetener in the dressing if you prefer.
Alternate Ways to Prepare the Bacon
Tired of the bacon popping grease all over the kitchen? You can prepare it in the oven or in the air fryer.
- Did you know you can cook bacon in the oven? To prepare; spread slices across a baking pan. Place the pan in a preheated 350-degree oven. The bacon will take 15 to 20 minutes to cook. Because of individual preferences of crispiness, begin checking the bacon after about 12 minutes of cooking time.
- Preparing bacon in the air-fryer is my preferred method. There’s no mess or splattering and it only needs to be turned once. Preheat the air-fryer to 400 degrees. Add the bacon slices to the tray. Cook for 12-15 minutes, turning once. (Note: I cook an entire package of bacon at once. If you are only preparing a few slices of bacon, begin checking the bacon after 5 minutes.
Ingredients You’ll Need:
- prepared cornbread, using a mix, or your favorite recipe. Allow the cornbread to cool to room temperature before beginning.
- bell pepper (in the color of your choice)
- yellow onion
- tomatoes
- bread and butter pickles
- bacon slices, cooked and crumbled
- For the Dressing:
- mayonnaise
- sugar
- bread and butter pickle juice
- salt
- pepper
Printable Recipe
The Best Cornbread Salad Recipe
Ingredients
2 1/2 cups cornbread (use your favorite recipe)
1 medium green bell pepper, diced
1 medium yellow onion, diced
3 medium tomatoes, diced
1/2 cup bread and butter pickles, diced
12 bacon slices, cooked and crumbled
For the dressing:
1 cup mayonnaise
1 tablespoon sugar
1/2 cup bread and butter pickle juice
1/2 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
1/2 teaspoon pepper (or to taste)
Directions
- Crumble the cornbread and place in a medium bowl. Top the cornbread with a layer of green bell pepper, then a layer of the onion.
- Top the onion layer with tomatoes. Top the tomato layer with a layer of pickles. Top the pickle layer with crumbled bacon.
- Make the dressing- Mix the mayonnaise, sugar, bread and butter pickle juice, salt, and pepper in a medium bowl until blended.
- Spread dressing over the top of the salad. Chill for two hours before serving.
This recipe is featured in our cookbook, The New Southern Cookbook: Classic Family Recipes and New Twists on Old Favorites, published by Rockridge Press. If you liked this recipe, we’ve got 99 more delicious recipes, many with gluten-free, dairy-free, or vegan adaptions. You’ll also find detailed cooking instructions, cooking hints, and fun foodie facts, and family stories. You can pre-order it here->https://amzn.to/2LUdLNk. Have you tried Cornbread Salad? What is your favorite way to prepare cornbread?
I’ve never thought of mixing bread and butter pickles with cornbread, but now I’m dying to try it out! I can’t wait. Thanks for sharing this!
I hope you enjoy it, Brittany!
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My mind has been blown by this post. I never even thought about making a salad out of cornbread, which I absolutely love. I HAVE to try this recipe and will let you know how it goes.
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I have been missing out! I’ve never had cornbread salad before, but it sounds like comfort food heaven! Can’t wait to try it!
I need to make this! I have never even heard of cornbread salad, but I love cornbread. This looks so good!
I love salad! All of the ingredients you have on this recipe are my fave! It looks so tasty.
Corn bread salad sounds very unique and it looks delicious! I never thought of making a salad this way but it looks tasty.
What a fun idea! I don’t think I’ve ever made something like this. It’s nice to come up with unique salad ideas. Thanks for the recipe.
That is such an awesome recipe idea! I would really enjoy some of this at a gathering.
Yay! Its so nice I was able to stumble upon this post. I can’t help myself but drooling over this deliciously good looking salad. Definitely be printing the recipe today.
Okay, hold the phone – I didn’t even realize that cornbread salad was a thing until now and I am SO glad I learned about it! Everything about this salad sounds absolutely delicious!
I totally LOVE cornbread salad! It is a Southern thing for sure! I will have to give your recipe a try. Your pictures look so good! Yum!
This is the first I am hearing of cornbread salad but it sounds absolutely delicious! Given how much I adore cornbread, I can not wait to give this a try. Yum!
I have never heard of a cornbread salad but this sounds & looks delicious. I totally need to check out this recipe. I bet I would love it.
I LOVE cornbread salad and this one is a lot like the one I make. i do layer mine in a bowl to present it. So good in the summertime and a way to use up garden veggies.
One of our church members makes cornbread salad for our church potlucks. It’s always a hit. Oh and about that “salad dish” yep, I’ve got one of those too. We use it for ALL of salads: potato, pea, etc. LOL!
Oh yum, this is my kind of salad! I’ve never had a cornbread salad before, but I’m intrigued. I love cornbread, so this would be a tasty combo.
I’ve never had cornbread salad before. This is my first time ever hearing about it. This recipe looks yummy, can’t wait to give it a try.
I can not resist a good cornbread so this salad with cornbread is a great idea. I am not a baker but if I can get the bread I will make this.
I have never heard or made cornbread salad. Does sound really good. Going on my list of have to make and try.
I love cornbread salad! My best friend makes it every time we have a get-together. I haven’t made it in a while and need to do so soon. It’s so delicious!