Overnight Vegetable Salad(Makes 14 Servings)
A vibrant overnight vegetable salad packed with fresh flavors, perfect for potlucks or light summer meals. Its tangy vinegar dressing complements the crunchy vegetables beautifully.
Ingredients
- 10 oz. frozen green peas, thawed ⓘ
- 15 oz. can red kidney beans, drained ⓘ
- 16 oz. can cut green beans, drained ⓘ
- 12 oz. can white whole kernel corn, drained ⓘ
- 1 cup diced celery ⓘ
- 1 medium onion, diced ⓘ
- 1/2 cup diced green pepper ⓘ
- 2 oz. jar pimentos, chopped ⓘ
- 3/4 cup white vinegar ⓘ
- 1/2 cup sugar ⓘ
- 2 Tbsp. salad oil
- 1 1/2 tsp. salt ⓘ
- 2 tsp. water ⓘ
- 1/2 tsp. paprika ⓘ
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine all vegetables.
- In a small bowl, combine remaining ingredients; stir until sugar is dissolved.
- Pour the dressing over the vegetables and toss to coat.
- Cover and refrigerate at least 24 hours, stirring occasionally before serving.
Tips & Substitutions
For added flavor, consider using fresh herbs such as parsley or dill. You can substitute fresh green beans for canned ones if preferred—just blanch them briefly. If you're looking for a sweeter dressing, increase the sugar slightly. This salad can also be made vegan by ensuring the salad oil is plant-based. It's a great addition to potlucks alongside dishes like Marinated Vegetables.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this salad as a refreshing side dish at barbecues or family gatherings. It pairs beautifully with grilled meats or sandwiches. For a heartier meal, serve it alongside a slice of Meat Loaf Covering. You can also enjoy it as a light lunch on its own or with pita bread for a quick vegetarian option.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors will continue to meld and improve over time. If the salad becomes too dry, simply stir in a little more dressing or a splash of vinegar before serving. Avoid freezing, as the texture of the vegetables may change.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Overnight Vegetable Salad(Makes 14 Servings) contains roughly 324 calories, with 4g protein, 22g carbohydrates, and 26g fat. It is a good source of dietary fiber (15% of the Daily Value) and vitamin C (14% of the Daily Value). It also contributes 4g of dietary fiber toward your daily target.
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 use fresh vegetables instead of frozen or canned?
Yes, you can use fresh vegetables. If you opt for fresh green peas and green beans, blanch them briefly before adding to the salad. This will keep them tender yet crisp. Fresh corn can be cut off the cob and added for a sweeter taste.
How long should I refrigerate the salad before serving?
It's best to refrigerate the salad for at least 24 hours. This allows the flavors to meld beautifully. If you can, stir it a few times during this period to ensure the dressing evenly coats all the vegetables.
Can I make this salad ahead of time for a party?
Absolutely! This salad is perfect for making ahead. In fact, the longer it sits, the better it tastes. Just prepare it a day or two in advance and store it in the refrigerator until you're ready to serve.
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).