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A Popcorn Salad Recipe Went Viral With 3M Views On Twitter, Yet For All The Wrong Reasons
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A Popcorn Salad Recipe Went Viral With 3M Views On Twitter, Yet For All The Wrong Reasons

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There is a Latin maxim “De gustibus non est disputandum“ literally meaning that you don‘t argue about taste, but more broadly implicating that everyone‘s preferences are subjective and they can‘t be right or wrong.

Well, people on the internet would challenge that notion as they are showing no mercy for a popcorn salad that went viral. Chef Molly Yeh shared a recipe which includes popcorn and mayonnaise and the internet is horrified. People are expressing their disgust and even calling the salad a crime against humanity.

More info: Twitter

A video of TV chef Molly Yeh making popcorn salad with mayonnaise went viral and people are disgusted by the dish

Image credits: Food Network

Molly Yeh is an American cookbook author, blogger, and host of the Food Network cooking show Girl Meets Farm. Most of her recipes are inspired by her Jewish and Asian roots and her Midwestern surroundings as she moved from Brooklyn to a farm on the North Dakota-Minnesota border.

Usually her recipes are quite liked and look mouth-watering. If you go on any of her social media platforms, you can find delicious-looking snacks, main courses, and desserts. But people on the internet are agreeing that the popcorn salad should not have been made.

The ingredients include mayonnaise, popcorn, and vegetables

Image credits: Food Network

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Image credits: Food Network

While she is making the salad, Molly explains that “Popcorn salad is one of those classic Midwestern dishes that you would often find in a church basement potluck.” According to her, the typical ingredients are vegetables, popcorn, and mayonnaise; some people put fish in it. She admits that hearing what goes into the salad, it sounds weird, but is confident saying that the final dish tastes really good.

Molly’s recipe includes vegetables like peas, carrots, and shallots whipped up with mayonnaise, sour cream, cider vinegar, sugar, and Dijon mustard. It all gets mixed with a pile of popcorn and the plate is finished off by putting watercress and some celery leaves on top.

The chef said that it was a typical Midwestern dish

Image credits: Food Network

Image credits: Food Network

Molly Yeh describes the salad as ‘crunchy’ but people have a hard time believing it, imagining that it should be soggy

Image credits: Food Network

The chef does a taste test and is nodding to us expressing her approval. To describe the texture of the salad, she uses the word ‘crunchy’; however, people on the internet don’t believe that and imagine the popcorn being soggy, which is what makes the salad not edible for them. However, Molly says in the video “The texture of the popcorn in the salad is so weirdly good, I just can’t get enough of it.”

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Molly had some friends over so they also got to taste the salad. One of the friends said that she’d never heard of a salad with popcorn, but for her, “it’s surprisingly delicious,” while other people on the internet, even those from Midwest, where the salad supposed to be a classic dish, were surprised to hear about such an unusual food combination.

Image credits: Food Network

The salad was made by a Buzzfeed writer and she really didn’t like the outcome

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Image credits: Food Network

Everyone became a food critic, but we all know the saying don’t knock it until you’ve tried it. That is exactly what a writer for Buzzfeed did, so that we would all know what the salad tastes like and if it’s not a waste of perfectly good popcorn.

So, she made the salad and it didn’t look appetizing. For the sake of the experiment, she also tried it, but it tasted like it looked. The popcorn was soggy and the vegetables were crunchy, and it wasn’t a good mix. We shouldn’t say that it was a disappointment, because it was what we were expecting.

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This was the first time a lot of people had heard about a popcorn salad, but you can actually find a lot of recipes on Google

Image credits: Food Network

Weirdly enough, if you google ‘popcorn salad,’ several recipes come up, some of which were posted several years ago. They too include the controversial ingredient in this dish, mayonnaise, and various vegetables. A lot of them suggest you include bacon and a warning that it must be served immediately and it does not make a great leftover meal.

Image credits: Food Network

Under the Twitter video commentators were saying that they would never eat this salad and were sorry for Molly’s friends who had to try it. Others were calling it a crime, joking that they should call the police or simply putting puking emojis and gifs.

Video credits: Food Network

The video of her making the weird salad went viral when it was shared on Twitter by Cody Tapp. In a couple of days it racked up 3 million views. It was originally aired on the Food Network, but it only now gained more attention, only not for the right reasons.

People in the comments are horrified by this salad and are roasting it without mercy

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Jurgita Dominauskaitė

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Having started as a content creator that made articles for Bored Panda from scratch I climbed my way up to being and editor and then had team lead responsibilities added as well. So it was a pretty natural transition from writing articles and titles as well as preparing the visual part for the articles to making sure others are doing those same tasks as I did before well, answering their questions and guiding them when needed.

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Lukas is a photo editor at Bored Panda. 4th year in Vilnius Gediminas Technical University as a graphic designer. Can do whatever he sets his mind to.

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raereynolds58 avatar
Rae Reyn
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have lived in the Midwest my whole life. I had a Grandmother who did unholy things with Jello. I have eaten Ramen salad, both sweet and savory, in a church basement, but never in my white bread and mayo filled life have I ever heard of 'Popcorn Salad".

heathervance avatar
AzKhaleesi
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"Never in my white bread and mayo filled life...." Omg I'm laughing so friggin hard right now.

Load More Replies...
wingnut9339 avatar
moconnell avatar
M O'Connell
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Except the church basement is definitely a No-Smoking zone. You'd have to be smoking something to come up with this.

Load More Replies...
meganalinde avatar
MAL
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I've lived in Wisconsin my entire 40 years of life and I have NEVER heard of this. Pretty sure if someone showed up to a cookout with this, they would be turned away and banned from any future gatherings. The Midwest does not claim this dish.

petarlazic avatar
Pezor Zass
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

combat the gross food: microwave some butter and maple syrup for two minutes, then carefully pour over freshly popped popcorn while tossing or stirring, salt to taste.

webmaster_8 avatar
Paul K. Johnson
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I grew up in the midwest, went to tons of potlucks and there was never - not even once - anything popcorn. There was Ambrosia which is the grossest stuff ever made and forced to make a choice I would choose the mayo popcorn.

mriche avatar
Memere
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm thinking someone in the Midwestern town she's living in has totally pranked her, hahaha! I've lived in the Midwest my entire 69 years and NEVER heard of "popcorn salad". Macaroni salad made with the other ingredients, yes, but never never never with popcorn.

marymaney avatar
wickedlxy36 avatar
Physo
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is disgusting, but I like how she tried her best to hide her disgust. Pray for her guests

idrow avatar
Id row
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When I was a kid, we went on a field trip and for a treat they gave us popcorn with sweetened strawberries over it. I remember looking at it like, 'what is this craziness?'. I tried it and it was surprisingly delicious. Never had it since, so that was like 40 years ago, but remember how good it was. But this mayo soaked monstrosity looks like a true crime against nature. You couldn't pay me to eat that.

sirhenryspice avatar
Marie Lopner
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In Germany we eat popcorn sweet. I was really confused when people told me popcorn in the US is salted. Countries and their weird habits

Load More Replies...
amyherzog1221 avatar
Amy Herzog
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Minnesota here. We def impart the word 'salad' with a very broad definition. Snickers Salad? 100% into it. Strawberry Pretzel Salad? Sign me up. For the love of Lutherans, don't bring that mess into a church basement unless you want to get exorcised on the spot by Agnes and Ruth.

cc082415 avatar
Charlie
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

South Dakota does NOT claim this dish. And we make some weird sh it. Spaghetti corn anyone? It's delicious... seriously.

vickyz avatar
Vicky Z
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think there should be some laws about these monstrosities!!! And big fines!!

kayrose avatar
RoseTheMad
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Americans: "Britain has such bad food" Also America: "MAYONAISSE POPCORN SALAD" .........................I should probably state that I do in fact understand 99.99% of American's, even the "Midwest" wouldn't touch this with a 10 foot pole. Or even a 20 foot, hell 50 FOOT pole.

jennetterajesh avatar
birdie asf
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

this is literally unheard of and im honestly terrified this may be other countries' first looks at the US. i swear we don't all go around eating this bs that i have never ever heard of in my 20 years of living in the midwest.

Load More Replies...
nicky_colohan avatar
IlovemydogShilo
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This sounds like a dish that was invented by a woman who was heavily pregnant woman. 🤢🤢🤢🤢🤮🤮🤮🤮

idkdii avatar
Idk....
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

As a Minnesotan, I have never tried or even heard of this dish in my life.

liddlecatpaws avatar
Jo Johannsen
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

One thing in the entire article sounded good (because I already do it), which is just eating popcorn with a spoon. Your fingers don't get greasy!

nubmaeme avatar
Nubmaeme
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I lived in four midwestern states over nearly 30 years and attended too many potlucks to even count. Never once was there a bowl of popcorn salad or any mention of it.

carol-good-583 avatar
Carol Good
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What is wrong with the tastebuds of people in the Midwest?

f_h_ avatar
F. H.
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I see nothing wrong with it. Yes, the sauce is mayo, but it's not much different in cloeslaw either. I mean, we in Germany put sausages and cheese in a bowl, put a little vinegar and onions on it and call it a salad.

dwendele avatar
David
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Freakin midwesterners! First it's spaghetti noodles in CHILI... now THIS?!

hemalivinayak avatar
Maul!
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The fake inorganic smile is just as out of the place as the unholy salad

mofirst avatar
Monika Lachova
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Honestly, nothing I'd choose to try, but, to be served as salad + popcorn meant to be mixed together right before eating it, it could give a little bit sense... Similar like pasta salad - the texture is different if dressing is put into it some time before serving versus putting dressing right before serving.

kittylunadarrow avatar
Kitty Luna Darrow
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You want classic church basement sides? Have funeral potatoes or jello salad. Not that abomination.

violetsunderfoot avatar
Violet Smith
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You think this is bad? (It is.) Google "Sandra Lee Kwanzaa Cake" You will not be disappointed.

ghostva avatar
Ghostva
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why does this look nasty?? I thought popcorn and salads were good. I guess this person was like ~I like popcorn and salads so why not put them together 😂

jasminehufflepuffhenderson avatar
Jasmine Hufflepuff Henderson
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.vice.com/amp/en/article/g5gx8q/whats-the-deal-with-molly-yeh-viral-popcorn-mayo-salad-recipe According to this article. Popcorn salad originates back to the 1920s, but with bananas added. It's changed over years and it was circulated in Minnesota in 2015. It's was feature in a journal in Nebraska. Also in 2015 it was classified as "Great for graduation parties" in Michigan. It's also in a 1992 cookbook.

joannafugal avatar
Amanita muscaria
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ok I get some people don't think it's good but she likes it... And imagine how she feels...

blue1steven avatar
Donkey boi
Community Member
3 years ago (edited)

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

So my first thought was, 'Hmm.... Could work'. Then I saw Dijon mustard! Like... No! Use real mustard! Colman's English Mustard! Then I heard her pronounce 'Dijon' and I was done. But I still thing it could work with the right ingredients.

raereynolds58 avatar
Rae Reyn
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have lived in the Midwest my whole life. I had a Grandmother who did unholy things with Jello. I have eaten Ramen salad, both sweet and savory, in a church basement, but never in my white bread and mayo filled life have I ever heard of 'Popcorn Salad".

heathervance avatar
AzKhaleesi
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"Never in my white bread and mayo filled life...." Omg I'm laughing so friggin hard right now.

Load More Replies...
wingnut9339 avatar
moconnell avatar
M O'Connell
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Except the church basement is definitely a No-Smoking zone. You'd have to be smoking something to come up with this.

Load More Replies...
meganalinde avatar
MAL
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I've lived in Wisconsin my entire 40 years of life and I have NEVER heard of this. Pretty sure if someone showed up to a cookout with this, they would be turned away and banned from any future gatherings. The Midwest does not claim this dish.

petarlazic avatar
Pezor Zass
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

combat the gross food: microwave some butter and maple syrup for two minutes, then carefully pour over freshly popped popcorn while tossing or stirring, salt to taste.

webmaster_8 avatar
Paul K. Johnson
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I grew up in the midwest, went to tons of potlucks and there was never - not even once - anything popcorn. There was Ambrosia which is the grossest stuff ever made and forced to make a choice I would choose the mayo popcorn.

mriche avatar
Memere
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm thinking someone in the Midwestern town she's living in has totally pranked her, hahaha! I've lived in the Midwest my entire 69 years and NEVER heard of "popcorn salad". Macaroni salad made with the other ingredients, yes, but never never never with popcorn.

marymaney avatar
wickedlxy36 avatar
Physo
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is disgusting, but I like how she tried her best to hide her disgust. Pray for her guests

idrow avatar
Id row
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When I was a kid, we went on a field trip and for a treat they gave us popcorn with sweetened strawberries over it. I remember looking at it like, 'what is this craziness?'. I tried it and it was surprisingly delicious. Never had it since, so that was like 40 years ago, but remember how good it was. But this mayo soaked monstrosity looks like a true crime against nature. You couldn't pay me to eat that.

sirhenryspice avatar
Marie Lopner
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In Germany we eat popcorn sweet. I was really confused when people told me popcorn in the US is salted. Countries and their weird habits

Load More Replies...
amyherzog1221 avatar
Amy Herzog
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Minnesota here. We def impart the word 'salad' with a very broad definition. Snickers Salad? 100% into it. Strawberry Pretzel Salad? Sign me up. For the love of Lutherans, don't bring that mess into a church basement unless you want to get exorcised on the spot by Agnes and Ruth.

cc082415 avatar
Charlie
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

South Dakota does NOT claim this dish. And we make some weird sh it. Spaghetti corn anyone? It's delicious... seriously.

vickyz avatar
Vicky Z
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think there should be some laws about these monstrosities!!! And big fines!!

kayrose avatar
RoseTheMad
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Americans: "Britain has such bad food" Also America: "MAYONAISSE POPCORN SALAD" .........................I should probably state that I do in fact understand 99.99% of American's, even the "Midwest" wouldn't touch this with a 10 foot pole. Or even a 20 foot, hell 50 FOOT pole.

jennetterajesh avatar
birdie asf
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

this is literally unheard of and im honestly terrified this may be other countries' first looks at the US. i swear we don't all go around eating this bs that i have never ever heard of in my 20 years of living in the midwest.

Load More Replies...
nicky_colohan avatar
IlovemydogShilo
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This sounds like a dish that was invented by a woman who was heavily pregnant woman. 🤢🤢🤢🤢🤮🤮🤮🤮

idkdii avatar
Idk....
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

As a Minnesotan, I have never tried or even heard of this dish in my life.

liddlecatpaws avatar
Jo Johannsen
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

One thing in the entire article sounded good (because I already do it), which is just eating popcorn with a spoon. Your fingers don't get greasy!

nubmaeme avatar
Nubmaeme
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I lived in four midwestern states over nearly 30 years and attended too many potlucks to even count. Never once was there a bowl of popcorn salad or any mention of it.

carol-good-583 avatar
Carol Good
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What is wrong with the tastebuds of people in the Midwest?

f_h_ avatar
F. H.
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I see nothing wrong with it. Yes, the sauce is mayo, but it's not much different in cloeslaw either. I mean, we in Germany put sausages and cheese in a bowl, put a little vinegar and onions on it and call it a salad.

dwendele avatar
David
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Freakin midwesterners! First it's spaghetti noodles in CHILI... now THIS?!

hemalivinayak avatar
Maul!
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The fake inorganic smile is just as out of the place as the unholy salad

mofirst avatar
Monika Lachova
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Honestly, nothing I'd choose to try, but, to be served as salad + popcorn meant to be mixed together right before eating it, it could give a little bit sense... Similar like pasta salad - the texture is different if dressing is put into it some time before serving versus putting dressing right before serving.

kittylunadarrow avatar
Kitty Luna Darrow
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You want classic church basement sides? Have funeral potatoes or jello salad. Not that abomination.

violetsunderfoot avatar
Violet Smith
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You think this is bad? (It is.) Google "Sandra Lee Kwanzaa Cake" You will not be disappointed.

ghostva avatar
Ghostva
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why does this look nasty?? I thought popcorn and salads were good. I guess this person was like ~I like popcorn and salads so why not put them together 😂

jasminehufflepuffhenderson avatar
Jasmine Hufflepuff Henderson
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.vice.com/amp/en/article/g5gx8q/whats-the-deal-with-molly-yeh-viral-popcorn-mayo-salad-recipe According to this article. Popcorn salad originates back to the 1920s, but with bananas added. It's changed over years and it was circulated in Minnesota in 2015. It's was feature in a journal in Nebraska. Also in 2015 it was classified as "Great for graduation parties" in Michigan. It's also in a 1992 cookbook.

joannafugal avatar
Amanita muscaria
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ok I get some people don't think it's good but she likes it... And imagine how she feels...

blue1steven avatar
Donkey boi
Community Member
3 years ago (edited)

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

So my first thought was, 'Hmm.... Could work'. Then I saw Dijon mustard! Like... No! Use real mustard! Colman's English Mustard! Then I heard her pronounce 'Dijon' and I was done. But I still thing it could work with the right ingredients.

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