Looking for deli salads to brighten your table? This roundup features our favorite gluten-free, dairy-free salads. Most are vegan, some are vegetarian and a we added a few other deli salads. The list includes both our own recipes and our top picks from other food blogs.
We love a good deli salad, who doesn’t? They’re colorful, full of texture, and often taste even better on day two, after the flavors have had time to meld together. Whether served at picnics and family gatherings or packed for lunch, deli salads are one of those reliable dishes that fit almost any occasion.
In this collection, we share a mix of our own recipes and some of our favorite deli-style gluten and dairy-free salads from other food blogs. We’ve clearly labeled each one as gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan, or vegetarian to make choosing easier. From bean salads and slaws to creamy classics and fresh vegetable dishes, there’s something here for every table.
I hope you are hungry!
Jump to your favorite salad category
Vegetable-based gluten-free dairy-free salad recipes
1. Our favorite coleslaw
Gluten-free, dairy-free, vegetarian
Key ingredients: cabbage, carrot, mayonnaise
I have been making this super easy coleslaw for years, and it’s always a hit. Quick and easy to whip up, yet our best tip is to make it the day before and store it in the fridge overnight. Our entire family believes it’s best on day two. Another tip: if you substitute a vegan mayonnaise, it will be a gluten-free vegan salad.
2. Greek salad
Vegan and gluten-free
Key ingredients: cucumbers, tomatoes, onions, olives, DF feta
Fresh and colorful, the easy dairy-free Greek salad from Allergy Spot combines cucumber, tomatoes, red onion, olives, and dairy-free feta for classic Mediterranean flavor. It’s quick to make, naturally gluten-free, and perfect as a side dish, although, my wife likes it as a light lunch.
3. Pickled cucumber salad
Vegan and gluten-free
Key ingredients: fresh cucumbers, vinegar, sugar
The most difficult part of our traditional deli-style pickled cucumber salad recipe is waiting the three hours for it to marinate. Then it’s off to memory lane, as this is just like the one my mom used to bring home from one of the Jewish delis in New York City.
4. Carrot cucumber salad
Vegan and gluten-free
Key ingredients: carrot, cucumber, onion
Light, crisp, and fresh, the carrot cucumber salad from My Good Food World combines crisp vegetables with simple seasonings for a light, refreshing side dish. It’s quick to make, colorful on the table, and perfect alongside sandwiches, grilled dishes, or lunch plates.
5. Cilantro lime slaw
Vegan and gluten-free
Key ingredients: carrot, cabbage, red pepper
Full of crunch and citrus flavor, this summer slaw with creamy cilantro dressing from Get Inspired Everyday combines crisp vegetables with a bright, zesty herb-packed dressing for a refreshing side dish. It’s colorful, full of texture, and perfect for barbecues, tacos, or everyday meals.
Bean-based gluten-free dairy-free deli salads
6. Old-fashioned three-bean salad
Vegan and gluten-free
Key ingredients: green beans, white beans, kidney beans
A classic done right, the three-bean salad from Strength and Sunshine blends green beans, white beans, and kidney beans in a tangy, lightly sweet herb dressing that feels both fresh and nostalgic. It’s quick to make, packed with fiber and plant-based protein, and ideal for picnics or easy lunches. I like that the author keeps it simple while still giving the salad plenty of flavor.
7. Lupini bean salad
Vegan and gluten-free
Key ingredients: lupini beans, onion, cherry tomatoes, red pepper
Bright and protein-packed, lupini bean salad from Like Hot Keto combines tender lupini beans with crisp vegetables and savory flavors for a satisfying side dish. It’s easy to prepare, naturally gluten-free, and perfect for lunches, picnics, or light meals.
8. Mexican bean salad
Vegan and gluten-free
Key ingredients: cabbage, beans, corn, tomato, onion, avocado
Colorful and hearty, the quick Mexican bean salad recipe with avocado from Mexican Made Meatless combines beans, avocado, and bold Tex-Mex-inspired flavors in one easy bowl. It’s packed with plant-based protein and makes a great lunch, side dish, or picnic salad.
9. Tangy-sweet 5 bean salad
Vegan and gluten-free
Key ingredients: mixed beans, onion
Zesty and savory, the tangy-sweet 5-bean salad from Craving Something Healthy combines a variety of beans in a tangy-sweet dressing that tastes even better after chilling. It’s packed with plant-based protein and perfect for picnics, lunches, or make-ahead meals.
Gluten-free dairy-free salads with nuts or seeds
10. Cherry tomato salad
Vegan and gluten-free
Key ingredients: cherry tomatoes, pine nuts, chives, basil
Made with basil-chive oil, this cherry tomato salad by Sweet Miscellany is easy to make with no cooking involved. Packed with fresh, summery flavors, it makes a nice side or appetizer. It’s great paired with toasted GF bread to soak up the tomato juices and basil-chive oil.
11. Moroccan carrot salad
Vegan and gluten-free
Key ingredients: carrot, pistachios
Sweet, savory, and full of spice, Moroccan carrot salad from Dana’s Table combines tender carrots with warm seasonings and bright citrus for a flavorful side dish. It’s colorful, easy to prepare, and pairs well with grilled dishes, sandwiches, or grain bowls.
12. Shaved Brussels sprouts salad
Vegan and gluten-free
Key ingredients: Brussels sprouts, walnuts, cranberries, pear
Crunchy and full of contrast, this Brussels sprouts salad from Craving Something Healthy combines shaved Brussels sprouts with sweet cranberries and rich walnuts for a fresh, satisfying salad. It’s a great make-ahead side dish for holidays, lunches, or everyday meals.
13. Sweet and crunchy broccoli salad
Gluten-free, dairy-free, vegetarian
Key ingredients: broccoli, onion, sunflower kernels, cranberries
Crisp and flavorful, the sweet crunchy broccoli salad from Mandi of the Mountains combines crunchy broccoli, dried cranberries, sunflower seeds, and red onion in a tangy creamy dressing. It’s a fresh make-ahead side dish that works well for holidays, picnics, or everyday meals.
14. Millet salad with sundried tomatoes, yellow bell pepper, and almonds
Gluten-free, dairy-free, vegetarian
Key ingredients: millet, arugula, sun-dried tomatoes, bell pepper, carrot, almonds
Colourful and wholesome, the arugula salad from Cook Me Free combines peppery greens, nutty millet, and bold Mediterranean flavors in one colorful bowl. It’s naturally gluten-free, packed with texture, and perfect for lunch or a hearty side dish.
Deli-style salads with fish
15. Jewish whitefish salad recipe
Gluten-free, dairy-free
Key ingredients: smoked whitefish, mayonnaise, lemon juice, celery
The most difficult part of this recipe for us, now that we live in New Zealand, is getting smoked whitefish. Once that’s resolved, our whitefish salad recipe is another quick, easy, and delicious side dish, or main. My wife loves it on a gluten-free bagel as a sandwich for either breakfast or lunch.
16. Easy chickpea salmon salad
Gluten-free, dairy-free
Key ingredients: chickpeas, salmon, onion
Healthy and filling, the chickpea salmon salad from In the Kitch combines flaky salmon, chickpeas, and crisp vegetables in a bright, protein-packed bowl. It’s quick to prepare, satisfying for lunch, and ideal for easy meal prep.
More gluten-free dairy-free salad recipes
17. An easy pasta salad
Vegan and gluten-free
Key ingredients: GF pasta, cherry tomatoes, bell peppers, olives, red onion
This refreshing gluten-free pasta salad came from our personal recipe box. It’s perfect for any occasion. It’s vegan-friendly and so quick to prepare. Best of all, the entire family loves it for picnics, potlucks, as a side dish to any meal, or sometimes we cut in some vegan feta and enjoy it for a light lunch.
18. Summer fruit salad
Vegan and gluten-free
Key ingredients: fruit, vanilla pudding mix
Sweet and refreshing, the summer fruit salad by Yellow Bliss Road combines fresh seasonal fruit in a simple, crowd-pleasing dish that’s perfect for warm days. It’s easy to prepare, colorful on the table, and ideal for brunches, picnics, or light desserts.
19. Healthy Mediterranean egg salad
Gluten-free, dairy-free, vegetarian
Key ingredients: eggs, spring onions
Herby and colorful, the healthy Mediterranean egg salad from Cooking Gorgeous combines eggs, herbs, olive oil, and sun-dried tomatoes for a lighter take on a classic. It’s protein-rich, easy to prepare, and perfect for lunch, picnics, or meal prep.
20. Our fast, easy potato salad
Gluten-free, dairy-free, vegetarian
Key ingredients: potatoes, celery, mayonnaise, American-style mustard
Another one from our kitchen, our potato salad fights our coleslaw for the number one spot on barbecue day. It takes only about 30 minutes to whip up, and everyone in our family loves it. The secret ingredient is American mustard. But if that’s not your favorite flavor, check out one of these: 10 different dairy and gluten-free potato salad recipes
21. Broccoli and quinoa salad
Vegan and gluten-free
Key ingredients: quinoa, broccoli, cabbage, tahini
Loaded with flavor, the broccoli and quinoa salad from Kitchen Ready Betty is an easy-to-prepare, healthy side dish that’s rich in plant-based protein, fiber, and antioxidants. The author offers several alternatives. My favorite is creating her Mediterranean option with vegan feta for a satisfying lunch.
Please share
If you enjoyed our gluten-free dairy-free salads recipe, please share it on social media and save it for later on Pinterest.
Which deli-style salads will you try?
More side dishes you might like
Photo Credits
Photos on this page are either shot by our team and watermarked as such, supplied with the recipes and used with permission, or some stock photos are from DepositPhotos.
Leave a Reply