Virginia Beach Style Cornbread Salad with Bacon and Cheddar

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-07-26 · Updated 2026-07-26

A regional twist on cornbread salad featuring golden cornbread cubes tossed with crisp bacon, sharp cheddar, fresh veggies, and a tangy buttermilk dressing. This American Southern-inspired salad recipe, ready in about 20 minutes, pairs cornbread, cut into 1-inch cubes, bacon slices, cooked and crumbled, shredded sharp cheddar cheese into a side that holds its own next to almost any main — bright, balanced, and quick enough to slot into a weeknight plate. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly next to roasted proteins, grain bowls, or weeknight mains. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 4 cups cornbread, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 6 bacon slices, cooked and crumbled
• 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 cup diced cucumber
• 1/2 cup diced red bell pepper
• 1/2 cup green onions, sliced
• 1/2 cup buttermilk
• 1/4 cup mayonnaise
• 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 1 tsp honey
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper

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Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large bowl, combine 4 cups 1-inch cubed cornbread, 6 slices cooked and crumbled bacon, 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese, 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes, 1 cup diced cucumber, 1/2 cup diced red bell pepper, and 1/2 cup sliced green onions.
2. Step 2: In a separate small bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup buttermilk, 1/4 cup mayonnaise, 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar, 1 tsp honey, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper until smooth and creamy.
3. Step 3: Pour the dressing over the cornbread mixture and gently toss to fully combine without breaking up the cornbread too much.
4. Step 4: Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld and cornbread to soak up the dressing.
5. Step 5: Serve chilled or at room temperature as a vibrant side dish reflecting Virginia Beach regional flavors.