It can be fancy, or cobbled together with whatevers left in the fridge.
Tomatoes
Tomatoes ranked nearly as high as chicken salad in our survey.
Perhaps its because they happen to be in season when cold plates are the most popular.
Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
(Several people specified home grown or garden tomatoes.)
Fruit
Along with tomatoes, a good cold plate needs another fresh element.
Grapes were also mentioned, both on their own, and mixed into chicken salada perennial Southern favorite.
Credit:Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Costen King, Prop Stylist: Priscilla Montiel
Why not add a small scoop of it to a cold plate if you already have some on hand?
Sweet tea (with or without lemon), lemonade, and even lemon water were suggested.
Credit:Fred Hardy; Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey; Prop Stylist: Caleb Clarke
Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
