Cold Bean Salad
A vibrant and tangy cold bean salad combining crisp green beans, sweet peas, crunchy onions, and colorful pimento. Dressed in a zesty vinegar and oil mixture, it's perfect for picnics, potlucks, or light summer lunches, offering a refreshing and flavorful side dish for any occasion.
Ingredients
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the drained green beans, small garden peas, chopped pimento, chopped onion, and sliced red onion.
- In a separate container, mix together the vinegar, salad oil, salt, black pepper, and sugar.
- Pour the dressing over the vegetable mixture, stir well, and refrigerate overnight before serving.
Tips & Substitutions
For a fresh twist, consider adding diced bell peppers or cherry tomatoes to enhance color and flavor. If you prefer a lighter dressing, substitute half of the salad oil with Greek yogurt. Make sure the salad is well-chilled for the best taste, as flavors meld beautifully when allowed to rest overnight. This Cold Bean Salad is perfect for summer picnics or as a side dish with grilled meats.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the Cold Bean Salad as a refreshing side dish at barbecues or potlucks. It pairs wonderfully with grilled chicken or fish, making it a great complement to a summer meal. For a complete meal, consider serving it alongside crusty bread or a light pasta dish. It also makes a hearty addition to a picnic lunch.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors will continue to develop as it sits. If you'd like to enjoy it cold again, simply give it a gentle stir before serving. Avoid reheating, as this salad is best served cold and fresh.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Cold Bean Salad contains roughly 337 calories, with 5g protein, 48g carbohydrates, and 15g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (46% of the Daily Value) and dietary fiber (32% of the Daily Value), and a good source of iron and potassium. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1375mg per serving (60% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this salad in advance?
Yes! In fact, making the Cold Bean Salad a day in advance allows the flavors to meld together beautifully. Just be sure to keep it refrigerated and give it a good stir before serving to redistribute the dressing.
Is there a way to make this salad vegan?
Absolutely! This recipe is already quite adaptable. To make it vegan, simply use a plant-based salad oil and ensure your vinegar is vegan-friendly. You can also add in additional veggies to enhance the flavor profile.
What can I substitute for sugar in the dressing?
If you're looking to reduce sugar, consider using honey or maple syrup as a natural sweetener. Alternatively, you can substitute with a sugar alternative like agave nectar or a stevia blend to maintain sweetness without the calories.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).