24 Fourth of July Salads: Fluffy, Fruity and Festive

From the Recipe Creator: Our striking “flag” salad drew plenty of attention at our Independence Day party. The shimmering stripes are formed with distinctive gelatin layers. It makes you want to salute before spooning some up! —Laurie Neverman, Green Bay, Wisconsin

From the Recipe Creator: Fourth of July salads are even more festive when they echo the colors of the flag. When blueberries and strawberries aren’t in season, you can substitute frozen berries with equally good results. —Karen Wenzel, Conroe, Texas

From the Recipe Creator: This pina colada fluff recipe is from one of my grandma’s vintage cookbooks. Instead of alcoholic rum, you could use rum extract. —Crystal Jo Bruns, Iliff, Colorado

From the Recipe Creator: Whenever I make this pretty raspberry salad, people talk! It’s a festive side dish that works well for celebrations throughout the year. —Jane Vanderground, Macedonia, Ohio

From the Recipe Creator: Looking for a festive dish to light up the buffet? This pretty green gelatin salad is eye-catching and has a delightful, tangy flavor. —Cyndi Fynaardt, Oskaloosa, Iowa

From the Recipe Creator: Pretty slices of this refreshing salad are dotted with colorful cherries for a festive look. The flavor is pleasant and not overly sweet like some frozen cherry recipes. Prepared in advance and frozen, it’s a treat that fits into many different menus. I serve it throughout the year.  —Gail Sykora, Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin

From the Recipe Creator: With fiber-rich fruit, light dressing and crunchy walnuts, this is a great side dish or snack. Try it with low-fat granola. —Kathy Armstrong, Post Falls, Idaho

From the Recipe Creator: This fluffy pistachio salad is a real treat since it’s creamy but not overly sweet. It’s easy to mix up, and the flavor gets better the longer it stands. It’s perfect for St. Patrick’s Day, served in a green bowl. —Pattie Ann Forssberg, Logan, Kansas

From the Recipe Creator: Guests of all ages will gravitate to this traditional fluff salad, chock-full of pineapple, marshmallows and cherry bits. —Janice Hensley, Owingsville, Kentucky

From the Recipe Creator: When my children were young, I would often dress up fresh fruit in this easy salad. Decades later, my grandchildren and great-grandchildren still love digging in to the fruity layers. The salad goes well with barbecued meats or cold sandwiches. —Jonnie Adams Sisler, Stevensville, Montana

From the Recipe Creator: This is one of those Fourth of July salads that can also double as dessert! Don’t forget a dollop of whipped topping. —Constance Fennell, Grand Junction, Michigan

From the Recipe Creator: Kids can’t wait to eat this refreshing and creamy fruit salad with yogurt… I know ours can’t! It’s healthy, simple to make and tastes great. Our family can’t get enough of it. —Lisa Dunn, Red Oak, Oklahoma

From the Recipe Creator: Fourth of July salads get all the better when they are served up ice cold or frozen! —Tanya McKay, Wells, Nevada

From the Recipe Creator: This orange salad dessert is slightly sweet and tangy, too. It adds beautiful color to any meal and appeals to all ages! —Ann Eastman, Santa Monica, California

From the Recipe Creator: The cool colors and tangy flavors of vanilla yogurt and cream cheese are brightened with the sweetness and crunch of cheery red grapes in this refreshing and delicious salad. —Geraldine Saucier, Albuquerque, New Mexico

From the Recipe Creator: Almost as spectacular as the fireworks, this lovely Fourth of July salad makes quite a “bang” at our partiesl. It’s exciting to serve, and our guests loved the cool fruity and creamy layers. This salad really added to my patriotic theme. —Sue Gronholz, Beaver Dam, Wisconsin

From the Recipe Creator: This pretty pink mixture, rich with yummy fruit and nuts, is sure to disappear in a hurry. It’s a sweet and speedy treat that can be served as a dessert or salad. —Anne Powers, Munford, Alabama

From the Recipe Creator: This dessert is delicious and decadent, yet is chock-full of healthy fruit with a creamy lime dressing; the blueberries provide a lovely pop of color. —Laura Stricklin, Jackson, Mississippi

From the Recipe Creator: Fruit molds are my specialty. This one, with its refreshing peach taste, makes a colorful salad or dessert. —Adeline Piscitelli, Sayreville, New Jersey

From the Recipe Creator: I often bring this salad to potlucks, and everyone goes crazy for the sweet and crunchy combination. Be sure to add the pretzel mixture right before serving to keep it crispy. —Beth Olby, Ashland, Wisconsin

From the Recipe Creator: While I was growing up on a farm in western Kansas, we always had lots of hungry men around during harvesttime. This salad is one we served often since it was easy to increase and we could prepare it ahead of time.

From the Recipe Creator: When we were young mothers, I asked my best friend if she had a recipe for an easy ambrosia salad that I could take to a cookout later that evening. She shared this recipe with me and it’s become a must-have at every barbecue I attend. It’s sublime with peaches and peach gelatin, too. —Melissa Meinke, Fawn Grove, Pennsylvania

From the Recipe Creator: We first tried a cream cheese fruit salad like this at a local deli. Since I couldn’t get that recipe, I started mixing up different dressings until I hit on this one. Now I make this refreshing delightful salad for every picnic and get-to-gether. It can be a snack, side dish or dessert. —Connie Osterhout, Napoleon, Ohio