Great choice! Georgia Cracker Salad is a classic Southern recipe that’s simple, crunchy, and full of flavor. It’s made with saltine crackers, fresh tomatoes, green onions, and mayonnaise, and is usually served as a side dish with fried chicken, barbecue, or seafood. The key is to mix it just before serving, so the crackers stay crunchy.
Georgia Cracker Salad Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 sleeve (about 36) saltine crackers
- 2 large ripe tomatoes, diced (drained slightly to avoid sogginess)
- 3–4 green onions, chopped
- ½ cup mayonnaise (Duke’s is traditional in the South)
- ½ tsp salt (adjust to taste)
- ½ tsp black pepper
- Fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
1. Prep the Vegetables
- Dice the tomatoes and chop the green onions.
- If the tomatoes are very juicy, lightly drain them to prevent the salad from becoming soggy.
2. Crush the Crackers
- Place the saltine crackers in a bowl and crush them coarsely with your hands (not too fine, keep them chunky for texture).
3. Mix the Salad
- In a large mixing bowl, combine tomatoes, green onions, salt, pepper, and mayonnaise.
- Add the crushed crackers last and fold everything together gently.
4. Serve Immediately
- Garnish with fresh parsley if desired.
- Serve as a side dish with Southern favorites like fried chicken, fish, or barbecue.
Tips & Variations
- Timing is key: Always add crackers right before serving, or the salad will get soggy.
- Extra flavor: Add chopped boiled eggs, diced jalapeños, or shredded cheddar cheese.
- Lighter version: Substitute part of the mayo with Greek yogurt or sour cream.
- Make it a meal: Top with grilled shrimp or chicken.
✨ Georgia Cracker Salad is creamy, crunchy, and refreshing — a true Southern comfort dish that’s quick and budget-friendly!
Would you like me to also write a short historical background of how this salad became a Southern staple?