Make-Ahead Summer Bean Salad

Freezes beautifully! I always keep a batch or two of this frozen, ready for unexpected company, or just for summertime ease. Guests will never know you made it weeks in advance. So simple, but this salad always gets compliments and requests for the recipe. A healthy and cooling addition to any summer lunch or dinner--pulling this out of the freezer really helps out when you're caught short or it's too hot to be stuck in the kitchen! Can be made and kept fresh in the fridge for several days before serving, or frozen (undrained) for several weeks.

Prep Time:
15 mins
Cook Time:
5 mins
Additional Time:
12 hrs
Total Time:
12 hrs 20 mins
Servings:
8
Yield:
8 servings
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Ingredients

Original recipe (1X) yields 8 servings

Sauce:

  • ¾ cup white sugar

  • cup white vinegar

  • cup canola oil

  • ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, or more to taste

Salad:

  • 1 (19 ounce) can dark red kidney beans, rinsed and drained

  • 1 (14.5 ounce) can wax beans, drained

  • 1 (14.5 ounce) can cut green beans, drained

  • 1 cup diced green bell pepper

  • 4 medium green onions, cut into 1/4-inch pieces

Directions

  1. Combine sugar, vinegar, oil, and pepper for sauce in a saucepan. Cook, stirring, over medium-low to low heat until sugar is dissolved, 3 to 5 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.

  2. While sauce is cooling, gently mix kidney beans, wax beans, green beans, bell pepper, and green onions together in a large bowl.

  3. Pour slightly cooled sauce over veggie mixture and stir to coat. Cover with plastic wrap and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 12 hours before serving or freezing, stirring once or twice if possible. To serve, drain and serve with a slotted spoon.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

238 Calories
10g Fat
34g Carbs
5g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 8
Calories 238
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 10g 12%
Saturated Fat 1g 4%
Sodium 447mg 19%
Total Carbohydrate 34g 13%
Dietary Fiber 6g 22%
Total Sugars 21g
Protein 5g 10%
Vitamin C 20mg 22%
Calcium 51mg 4%
Iron 2mg 9%
Potassium 111mg 2%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.