Scandanavian Salad
A vibrant Scandinavian salad featuring a colorful mix of vegetables and a tangy, sweet dressing. Its fresh flavors and crunchy texture make it a perfect side dish for summer gatherings or family meals, appealing to those who enjoy sweet and savory contrasts in their salads.
Ingredients
- 1 small jar pimento, chopped ⓘ
- 1 can green peas, drained ⓘ
- 1 can French-style green beans, drained ⓘ
- 4 small carrots, sliced ⓘ
- 1 green pepper, diced ⓘ
- 2 cups celery, chopped
- 2 purple onions, chopped ⓘ
- 1/2 cup salad oil ⓘ
- 1 cup vinegar ⓘ
- 3/4 cup sugar ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon paprika ⓘ
- 2 teaspoons salt ⓘ
- pepper to taste ⓘ
Instructions
- Combine pimento, green peas, French-style green beans, sliced carrots, diced green pepper, chopped celery, and chopped purple onions in a bowl.
- In a separate bowl, mix salad oil, vinegar, sugar, paprika, salt, and pepper to make the dressing.
- Pour the dressing over the vegetables and stir to combine.
- Refrigerate the salad for 24 hours.
- Drain before serving.
Tips & Substitutions
For a crunchier texture, consider adding some diced cucumbers or bell peppers. If you want a tangy twist, substitute the salad oil with a light French Vinaigrette. You can also reduce the sugar for a less sweet dressing. This salad can be made ahead of time for gatherings, allowing the flavors to meld beautifully. Use fresh vegetables if available for the best flavor.
Serving Suggestions
This Scandinavian Salad pairs beautifully with grilled meats or as a side for a summer picnic. Serve it alongside a light main dish like chicken or fish. For a complete meal, add some crusty bread or a serving of Lite Ranch Dressing Mix(Lo-Fat Salad Dressing) for extra flavor. It also makes a refreshing addition to any buffet.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The salad can become soggy if left too long, so it's best consumed within this time frame. If you prefer to enjoy it chilled, serve directly from the fridge. Stir well before serving again to redistribute the dressing.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Scandanavian Salad contains roughly 520 calories, with 11g protein, 83g carbohydrates, and 19g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin A (199% of the Daily Value), vitamin C (154% of the Daily Value), and dietary fiber (83% of the Daily Value), and a good source of calcium. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 2234mg per serving (97% 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 vegan?
Yes, this salad can easily be made vegan by ensuring that the salad oil used is plant-based and that the dressing does not contain any dairy products. You can also enhance its flavor by adding herbs like dill or parsley.
How long can I keep this salad in the fridge?
The salad can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. After that, the vegetables may begin to lose their crunchiness. For the best taste and texture, try to consume it within this time frame.
Can I add other vegetables to this salad?
Absolutely! Feel free to customize the salad by adding other vegetables like diced radishes, cherry tomatoes, or even some corn for sweetness. Just ensure that the vegetables are chopped to a similar size for even mixing and presentation.
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).