This Is The Best Way To Make A Cold Plate, According To Our Readers

Before there was “girl dinner,” there was the cold plate, an assembly of prepared foods ideal for eating when it is simply too damn hot outside to cook. This is no cheese board, sandwich, or salad—a good cold plate combines a few different items to make a meal. Typically served for lunch (although it makes a fine summer supper), a plate will often include a mayo-based salad or three, some fresh fruits and vegetables, crackers or bread, and other add-ons, like pickles, deviled eggs, or slices of deli meat. It can be fancy, or cobbled together with whatever’s left in the fridge.

Southerners are experts when it comes to making cold plates, and they are very opinionated about them, too. Here’s what we learned from a recent Facebook poll where we asked our readers to share what’s on their favorite cold plate.

Cold Plate Essentials

Chicken Salad

Of all of the mayo-based salads, chicken salad reigns supreme on cold plates, according to survey responses. Whether you make it from scratch, pick up a container of it at the grocery store, scoop it onto the plate, stuff it inside of a tomato (more on that later), or place it atop a bed of mixed greens, it is essential. Tuna salad and egg salad were the next favorites, and many people like a scoop of each on a cold plate. 

Crackers

For eating the chicken salad, of course! I can’t explain why baguette slices or bread in general isn’t as common on a cold plate, but that’s just how it is. Many readers got specific about their preferred crackers, saying that they like saltines or Club crackers, as well as “buttery crackers” like Ritz.

Tomatoes

Tomatoes ranked nearly as high as chicken salad in our survey. Perhaps it’s because they happen to be in season when cold plates are the most popular. (Several people specified “home grown” or “garden” tomatoes.) Most respondents said that the tomatoes should be sliced, and others like to use them as a vessel for the chicken salad. Fancy! 

Fruit

Along with tomatoes, a good cold plate needs another fresh element. Fruit is a natural addition, although no clear favorite emerged, with people naming peaches, watermelon, cantaloupe, and fruit salad. Grapes were also mentioned, both on their own, and mixed into chicken salad—a perennial Southern favorite.

Nice To Include

Pimiento Cheese

Pimiento cheese was mentioned in the survey many times, although it’s more of a bonus item than an essential. Why not add a small scoop of it to a cold plate if you already have some on hand?

Pickles And Cucumbers

Cucumber slices came up quite a bit, as did pickles (both dill and sweet). Pickled ingredients add a welcome dose of tanginess and acidity, while cucumbers add a refreshing crunch to balance out all that mayo.

Fun Extras

Other items that deserve an honorable mention: cottage cheese, deviled or hard boiled eggs, potato salad, macaroni salad, pear salad.

Don’t Forget A Cold Drink

Surprisingly, many people included a beverage choice—over ice, of course—with their cold plate. Sweet tea (with or without lemon), lemonade, and even lemon water were suggested.