Cold supper recipes offer r easy-to-prepare dishes perfect for warm evenings. They emphasize simplicity, seasonal ingredients, and satisfying flavors without the need to heat the house with a hot oven.
What is a cold supper?
Cold Suppers or Cold Plates in the American South reflect the simplicity of summer eveings, especially during sweltering summer months. Dishes like chicken salad, tomato sandwiches, fruit salads and chilled desserts offer comfort without heat. These meals celebrate seasonal ingredients and timeless family traditions passed through generations.
Recipe Ideas for Cold Suppers:
Ready to explore the world of cold suppers? Here are some classic favorites—along with a few surprising twists—to inspire your next no-cook or stovetop only meal.
Main Dishes:
Shrimp Salad: This is a creamy, delicious chilled salad that combines savory shrimp with a tangy dressing. Serve it on crackers, bread, or for a low carb option serve over lettuce. No matter how you serve it you’re going to love it!
Southern Chicken Salad: Creamy and delicious this Southern Chicken Salad is a classic recipe that’s been passed down in my family for years. Made savoy chicken tossed in a light, flavorful dressing that comes together in just minutes this chicken salad recipe is perfect for sandwiches, crackers, or serving on a bed of lettuce.
Classic Chicken Salad: This Chicken Salad recipe is loaded with pecans and grapes then tossed in a creamy dressing. With just a handful of ingredients and a few minutes work you’ll have a great cold salad perfect for lunch or a light dinner!
Bacon Ranch Cheddar Chicken Salad: These Bacon, Ranch and Cheddar Chicken Sandwiches combine cream cheese, cheddar, ranch seasoning and bacon then piled high on a bun to make then best sandwich that’s always a crowd pleaser whether it’s a weeknight dinner or a party.
Ceasar Chicken Salad Wrap: These Instant Pot Caesar Chicken Wraps are a perfect for lunch or a light dinner. Easy to prepare, full great flavor and ready in just 15 minutes.
Chicken Ranch Pasta Salad This pasta salad is made with shredded chicken and pasta with ranch seasoning. Served chilled as main dish or side this is pasta salad is summertime favorite.
Tuna Salad: Flakey tuna is mixed with simple ingredients and a creamy dressing with a bright hint of lemon. It will soon become your go-to tuna salad recipe for lunch or a light dinner.
Club Sandwich: With deliciously stacked layers of cold cuts, cheese and veggies this Club Sandwich Recipe is a perfect lunch or summertime dinner that will satisfy anyone.
Italian Grinder Sliders: These Ultimate Italian Sliders are a mini-version of the classic grinder sandwich. Made with layer of deli meats and cheeses and topped with a great tangy sandwich sauce. All of it loaded on sweet bread.
Spring Roll Chicken Salad: ndulge in the flavors of a classic Spring Roll with this delectable and delicious Spring Roll Chicken Salad recipe. Crisp veggies, chicken and a savory dressing makes this entree salad a must-try!
Veggie Chopped Salad: Use all those fresh garden vegetables to make this versatile Chopped Salad. It’s is loaded with fresh vegetables and topped with your favorite dressing. You can prep this salad in advance and enjoy it as a side dish or a healthy lunch.
Tomato Sandwich: Thick Slices of tomato on white bread with tangy mayo and a pinch of salt and pepper makes the ultimate summer sandwich. It’s even better with a garden grown tomato!
And of course the Classic B.L.T: Stacks of bacon, tomato, and lettuce on toasted wheat bread. You don’t need a recipe but check out these tips to make the your sandwich the absolute best.
Side Dishes:
Macaroni and Tomatoes: is a classic Southern favorite that only requires a six basic pantry ingredients and a few minutes to make. This easy side dish pairs with everything and can be served hot or cold.
German Potato Salad: This is the best German Potato Salad recipe you’ll ever make! Made with loads of potatoes, chopped bacon and red onion all tossed in a flavorful dressing! This savory side side will be the superstar of your cookout!
Five Bean Salad: Five Bean Salad with White Wine Vinaigrette is a fresh, easy side dish for all those summer cookoutsI It is perfect to pair with chicken or steaks and it’s a great alternative to fries or chips with burgers too.
Carrot and Raisin Salad: If you aren’t familiar with carrot raisin salad then chances are you probably aren’t from the south. It is a generational favorite and a must-make for any summer get together.
Bacon Fried Corn: Southern Skillet Fried Corn combines the savory flavor of bacon with the sweet crisp corn. Served hot o cold this easy side dish is the just perfect for summer.
Cheddar Bacon Ranch Stuffed Celery Sticks: These Cheddar Bacon Ranch Stuffed Celery Sticks are a delicious no cook recipe that make the perfect accompaniment for a cold plate or light lunch.
Seven Layer Salad: Layers of lettuce, onions, hard boiled eggs, bacon, cheese, peas and dressing come together to make this salad. Seven Layer Salad is a classic Southern side dish that’s perfect for a family gathering or a potluck.
Confetti Corn: Confetti Corn combines the flavors of fresh corn, bell peppers, and onions to create a delicious side dish that you can serve cold at a summer cookout or warm from the stove for your next taco night.
Fruit Salads
Classic Grape Salad: This Creamy Grape Salad recipe is made with red and green grapes tossed in creamy, sweet dressing that has just a hint of vanilla then served chilled. Perfect for those hot summer days.
Southern Ambrosia: Every Southerner knows that Ambrosia Salad is a wonderful creamy fruit salad that is perfect for enjoying on hot days.
Creamy Apple Salad: This Creamy Apple Salad is made with crisp apples, pecans and golden raisins tossed in cinnamon cream cheese dressing. This colorful salad is easy to put together and is prefect for enjoying anytime of year.
Don’t forger dessert! Try one of these desserts that are best served chilled!
Cold Desserts:
Strawberry Jello Mold: This Strawberry Jello Mold: is made plump strawberries and in a red vibrant jello that gives you a burst of fruit flavor while the condensed milk layer gives you a creamy sweetness in every bite.
Coconut Ice Box Cake: This Coconut Icebox Cake is a simple five ingredient no bake dessert what is perfect for summertime. With layers of coconut cream pudding, graham crackers and whipped topping this cake will be a hit with everyone.
Old Fashioned Chocolate Pie: This pie is a rich, creamy chocolate dream. It’s made from scratch with only seven ingredients and ready in just minutes.
No Bake Peanut Butter Pie: The rich, creamy filling of this No Bake Peanut Butter Pie is packed with peanut butter flavor that is perfectly complimented by the homemade chocolate crust.
Mini No Bake Cheesecakes: Indulge in bite-sized bliss with these delectable Mini Cheesecakes. Each individual sized cheesecake is the perfect combination crunchy sweet graham cracker crust and creamy tangy cheese cake. These sweet little treats are guaranteed to delight your taste buds.
Happy Cooking Y’all!
Susanne
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