We arrived mid-morning and were ready for the fun of the day. It was one of those perfect summer mornings. The sun was shining, a light breeze blowing, and the smell of roasting pig drifted in the air and awakened hunger. We unloaded the car with our goodies and headed for the kitchen. A spread of appetizers on the counter brought a smile to our faces. A sampling was in order to hold us over until the big picnic by the lake. Soon it was time for the feast and one dish really shined. It was a big bowl of vegetable salad and went perfectly with the pit-roasted pig.
Those picnics by the lake made so many wonderful memories. Something about them made us ravenous. Perhaps it was all the activities or smelling the meat roasting or both. It was amazing how fast big platters and bowls of food would disappear. I swear one time my German Chocolate Cake disappeared in two seconds. I turned around moments after slicing it to find only crumbs.
Vegetable Salad is easy and has many options. You can use fresh, frozen, or canned vegetables. The ones you use are up to you. Substitute at will. I used corn, baby lima beans, haricot verts (thin green beans), green peas, orange bell pepper, and sweet onion. Pimentos are in there too and add a lovely pop of red to the already colorful salad. The dressing is a basic sugar, oil, and vinegar combination that works as a marinade. Make the salad a day or two in advance so the vegetables have time to marinate. Remember to use oil that will not solidify when chilled. Canola or vegetable works best.
You will need to cook the vegetables for the salad. They should at room temperature and drained. Allow for cooking and cooling time unless using canned ones. The variety of colors and textures make it a feast for the eyes and the tummy.
Do you like to go on a picnic? If you are looking for ideas and recipes all you have to do is scroll down to find a big list below. Getting to the recipes is a simple click on the links. Wonderful Sunday Supper contributors have once again brought so many tasty dishes to our big virtual picnic table. Special thanks to our host Jane of Jane's Adventures in Dinner. Oh, and check out my Caramelized Onion, Goat Cheese, and Tomato Sandwich from the Sunday Supper picnic last year with links to more recipes in that post too.
Vegetable Salad
Ingredients
For the dressing:
- ⅔ cup white vinegar
- ⅔ cup canola or vegetable oil*
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
For the salad:
- 2 cups cooked corn kernels
- 2 cups cooked baby lima beans
- 2 cups cooked green beans
- 2 cups cooked green peas
- 1 cup chopped onion
- 1 bell pepper seeded and chopped
- 4 ounces diced pimento peppers drained
Instructions
For the dressing:
- Heat vinegar, oil, sugar, salt, and pepper in a small saucepan until the sugar dissolves. Remove from heat and cool to room temperature (about 30 minutes).
- *Note: If you want to substitute the oil, use one that will not solidify when chilled.
For the salad:
- Put corn, lima beans, green beans, peas, onion, bell pepper, and pimento peppers in a large bowl. Toss to combine.
- Pour dressing over vegetables and toss again.
- Cover and chill overnight, stirring occasionally.
- Bring salad to room temperature prior to serving (about 1 hour).
Notes
Are you looking for picnic recipes? Look no further than this fabulous list by Sunday Supper contributors. It is everything you need for a scrumptious day in the great outdoors.
Beverages
- Orange Blossom Iced Tea by girlichef
- Red, White, and Blue Sangria by Hezzi-D's Books and Cooks
- Rosemary Nectarine Sparkling Cocktail by Food Lust People Love
- Best Picnic Wines by ENOFYLZ Wine Blog
Appetizers
- Baked Garlic Parmesan Wings by Cindy's Recipes and Writings
- Buffalo Chicken Spring Rolls by Daily Dish Recipes
- Peppadew Dip by Confessions of a Culinary Diva
- Savory Red, White, and Bleu Truffles by Culinary Adventures with Camilla
Mains
- Asparagus and Cheddar Quiche by Mess Makes Food
- London Broil with Caramelized Red Onions by Crazy Foodie Stunts
- Stilton Potato and Stilton Pies by Jane's Adventures in Dinner
- Waffle Batter Fried Chicken Tenders with Maple Mustard Dipping Sauce by Kudos Kitchen by Renee
Sides
- Mushroom and Gruyere Cheesecake by Peaceful Cooking
- Scotch Eggs by Small Wallet, Big Appetite
Salads
- Caprese Pasta Salad by La Bella Vita Cucina
- Farro & Walnut Salad by Foxes Love Lemons
- Fruit Tortellini Salad by Jelly Toast
- Gluten Free Potato Salad by Gluten Free Crumbley
- Japanese Noodle Salad by Noshing With The Nolands
- Kale and Quinoa Tabbouli by Healthy. Delicious.
- Layered Chicken Salad by Nosh My Way
- Lightened Up Macaroni Salad by Peanut Butter and Peppers
- Loaded Potato Salad by Granny's Down Home Sassy Southern Cooking
- Mexican 3 Bean Salad by Bobbi's Kozy Kitchen
- Old Fashioned Potato Salad by Life Tastes Good
- Orzo Salad with Kale Pesto by Cooking Chat
- Pizza Pasta Salad by Curious Cuisiniere
- Red, White and Blue Fruit and Cheese Salad by Shockingly Delicious
- Tomato Bean Salad by Family Foodie
- Tuna Noodle Salad by Hot Momma's Kitchen Chaos
- Vegetable Salad by Magnolia Days
- Veggie Pasta Salad by Pescetarian Journal
- Watermelon and Feta Salad with Verjus by The Wimpy Vegetarian
Sandwiches and Wraps
- Pan Bagnat by A Kitchen Hoor's Adventures
- Panino con la Salamella by Manu's Menu
- Roast Beef Wraps by Cookin' Mimi
Sweets
- Banana Pudding Cheesecake by Serena Bakes Simply From Scratch
- Berry Cheesecake Chocolate Chip Cookie Cups {#glutenfree option} by Cupcakes & Kale Chips
- Cherry Chip Blossom Cupcakes by NinjaBaking.com
- Cherry Pie Crumb Bars by The Girl In the Little Red Kitchen
- Chocolate Chunk Brownies by What Smells So Good?
- Chocolate Syrup Brownies by That Skinny Chick Can Bake
- Chocolate Zucchini Cake by Killer Bunnies, Inc
- Coconut Oil Chocolate Chip Cookies by Alida's Kitchen
- Flag Cake by Pies and Plots
- Peanut Butter Frosted Brownies by Feed Me, Seymour
- Red, White, and Blue Berry Angel Food Cake Parfaits by Neighborfood
- S'mores Crumb Bars by The Redhead Baker
- Stained Glass Jello with Coconut Milk Panna Cotta by Simply Gourmet
- Strawberry Banana Oat Muffins by Sue's Nutrition Buzz
Join the #SundaySupper conversation on twitter each Sunday. We tweet throughout the day and share recipes from all over the world. Our weekly chat starts at 7:00 pm ET and you do not want to miss out on the fun. Follow the #SundaySupper hashtag and remember to include it in your tweets to join in the chat. Check out our #SundaySupper Pinterest board for more fabulous recipes and food photos.
Would you like to join the Sunday Supper Movement? Click here: Sunday Supper Movement
Thank you for sharing your memories shining with love from your picnics on the lake, Renee...I imagine just about anything you serve whether it's cake or salad gets devoured pretty quickly....Delightful colors and veggies for a salad , indeed =)
Thanks a bunch Kim. You are always so sweet.
Beautiful memories! I love how colourful this salad is!
Thanks Manu
Renee!!! I love this vegetable salad and your photos!!!! loved seeing your awesome set-up on Facebook. . love the wood, love the plates, love the styling and the napkin!!! all just beautiful!!!
Oh Alice you are so kind! Thank you very much for such wonderful compliments.
Such a classic salad but you show it so beautifully! I love those bowls and plates too. Makes everything look so classy.
Thanks Susan. I found those bowls and plates on the clearance rack at Pier 1.
I always go for this salad first on the picnic table! I might or might not leave any for other people.
I seriously have been tempted to "forget" to bring it so I can have it all to myself.
What an excellent idea, Classic yet healthful and delicious too.
Thanks Marlene. I really enjoy updating some of the classic recipes to make it a little healthier and still be so delicious.
I'll bet this salad just gets better and better, Renee, which would motivate me to make extra just so I'd have leftovers.
It does Stacy. I really like it after 2 or 3 days.
Would love this side dish!! Days at the lake always left us hungry too! Still does!
Thank Tammi
What a great looking salad, it is making me drool, I want to go and grab one of those green beans right away!!
You know I had to grab a few green beans when I was taking photos. They just called out to me too.
I'm always looking for the healthy foods on the picnic table, and your veggie salad would be perfect for piling high on my plate! And it can be tweaked so nicely, too 🙂
Oh yes. A friend of mine makes a similar one with primarily beans and peas (maybe lentils too).
Such wonderful memories, and one terrific veggie salad!
Thanks Bobbi
This is such a great classic side dish. You can never go wrong with a good veggie salad!
For sure Courtney.
Gorgeous salad and the dressing sounds wonderful!
Thanks Heather. The dressing is so simple and yet works so nicely with this salad.
You salad is perfect for a picnic Renee and it looks awesome!
Thanks Martin and because of you I know what wine to bring to pair with it.
Your lakeside picnics sound like so much fun! I have some fond memories of the same kind of events from my childhood. Picnics are all about having fun and eating good food 🙂
Oh yes, it is all about the fun and eating good food.
This salad looks delicious but tell me more about this roasted pig!
Our friends dug a pit in their yard and fixed it up with racks where they would roast a whole pig or other meats. It was incredible. The meat had the most wonderful smoky flavor without being overpowering. Oh I wish I could have some right now.
This brings a whole new delicious meaning to veggie salad!
Thank you Sarah
Renee your pictures are beautiful! I love that this salad can be made ahead of time! Looks perfect for summer with all those veggies!!
Thank you so much Marion!
Gorgeous bowl of veggies! I'll have to give your salad a try - we are always looking for great veggie salad options.
Thanks Christy
It really has been so, so long since I've gone on an actual picnic. Something like this would be so perfect. It's light so I'd still be able to run around and splash in the water without feeling heavy and weighted down. Love it!
Thanks Kim. It is nice and light (well, except for people like me who may or may not have a few servings).
What a wonderful veggie salad! I always love a light option at a picnic!
Thanks Serena
A nice change from potatoes!
It sure is! Thanks Cindy
Such a perfect salad for all of the fresh veggies of summer! I am going to love this recipe! Happy 4th of July!
Roz
Thanks Roz and I hope you had a happy July 4th too.