Layered with fresh summer ingredients like tomatoes, pinto beans, bacon, corn, cheese, and Jiffy cornbread mix, this Old Fashioned Cornbread Salad is a beautiful side dish for your next family reunion or potluck.

Spooning up a big serving of Old fashioned Cornbread Salad.

Cornbread Salad Recipes

This easy recipe for cornbread salad is a beautiful side when it’s made in a glass trifle bowl so everyone can see all the layers and fresh summer ingredients.

I love using fresh cornbread or I think it’s the perfect leftover cornbread recipe.

I’ve been making this southern cornbread salad for a good 15-20 years, but I still hear people say “Gosh, I’ve never even heard of a salad like that!”

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They always love it….after all, what’s not to love about cornbread, bacon, cheese, veggies, and Ranch dressing?

A beautifullayered Cornbread Salad layered in a trifle bowl.

Ingredients needed for Old Fashioned Cornbread Salad

For the Salad

Tomatoes: Feel free to use your favorite tomatoes.
Pinto beans: Black beans and northern beans also work well.
Corn: Fresh, canned or thawed frozen corn works perfectly.
Scallions: Plan to use the green and white parts of the scallions.
Bell pepper: We love using all colors of peppers to make this salad stunning.
Shredded carrots: Shred yourself or buy them pre-shredded.
Jiffy Cornbread Mix: Cooked and crumbled. If you don’t have time to bake the muffin mix ahead of time, you can purchase 6 cornbread muffins at your local grocer’s bakery department!
Bacon: I like to cook my bacon in the air fryer – it’s so fast!
Shredded Cheddar. I like to use sharp cheddar, but you can add just about any shredded cheese that you enjoy.

For the Dressing

Mayonnaise
Sour cream
Hidden Valley Ranch Seasoning: Or a similar ranch salad dressing mix

All the ingredients needed to make Delta Cornbread Salad.

How to make Old Fashioned Cornbread Salad

In a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise, sour cream and ranch dressing mix.

Stir until smooth and set aside.

In a large mixing bowl, combine the chopped tomatoes, pinto beans, corn, diced red pepper, and chopped green onions.

Reserve 1/2 of this to use as a garnish later.

Chopped bell peppers, pinto beans and corn for the Delta Cornbread Salad.

Layering the cornbread salad into the glass trifle dish.

Using a 3-4 quart glass serving bowl or trifle dish, layer half of the crumbled cornbread over the bottom of the dish.

Top with half of the pinto bean mixture, half of the crumbled bacon, and half of the cheese.

Spread half of the prepared mayonnaise and sour cream mixture over the top of the cheese.

Repeat the layers once more, ending with the mayo and sour cream mixture as the last layer.

All the layers of the cornbread salad in the trifle bowl.

Sprinkle the reserved 1/2 cup of vegetables over the top of the cornbread layered salad.

Top with cheddar cheese.

Old Fashioned Cornbread Salad ready to be refrigerated.

This salad needs several hours to chill and let the flavors meld together, so allow for at least 8-10 hours in the fridge before serving.

How to store Delta Cornbread salad

Delta Cornbread Salad will keep in refrigeration for 2-3 days. After that, the ingredients will begin to get a bit soggy from sour cream mixture and condensation.

Keep the salad tightly covered with plastic wrap or a tight-fitting lid.

Can you freeze Delta Cornbread salad?

Sadly, no. As it thaws, all the ingredients get soggy and it’s such a disappointment. This salad is made to be eaten as soon as it’s fully chilled and will keep 2-3 days only.

What’s the easiest way to layer this salad into the trifle bowl?

I’ve found that instead of making a bunch of thin layers, it’s easier (and prettier) to simply divide your ingredients in half when layering them into the bowl.

You’ll put in half of your cornbread crumbles, top with half of the veggie/bean mixture, half of the cooked, crumbled bacon, half of the shredded cheddar cheese and then half of the sour cream mixture.

Then, just repeat the layers once more

I don’t have a trifle dish/bowl. Can I use something else?

Any deep bowl will work fine. If it happens to be clear, it will help to show off your work, but if not, no worries.

Once somebody removes a scoop of the salad with the serving spoon, everyone can see all the pretty layers and ingredients. They will all dig right in!

What goes well with cornbread salad

We love this easy cornbread salad with Country Style Ribs in the Air Fryer, Garlic Butter Sizzle Steaks, or our Barbecue Chicken Sliders with a side of Jalapeno Cream Corn.

Other Summer Salad Recipes to Enjoy

Chipotle Chicken Pasta Salad is an easy crowd-pleaser with shredded rotisserie chicken, penne pasta and smoked gouda, that will surely be your favorite pasta salad.

This easy Corn Salad with Fritos has a creamy mayo and Greek Yogurt dressing that compliments the corn, celery, tomatoes, cheese, and crunchy Chili Cheese Frito corn chips.

Shoe Peg Corn Salad with mayonnaise, cucumbers, tomatoes, and onions is a refreshing summer salad perfect for parties or a everyday side dish.