Grandma’s Three Bean Salad

Grandma’s Three Bean Salad is a mix of canned green, waxed, and kidney beans tossed in a sweet and tangy sauce. It’s the ideal side for a casual summer meal because it tastes good and is good for you.

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Why classic Three Bean Salad is the perfect picnic side

Does anyone go on picnics anymore? Perhaps more people would if they brought along Grandma’s Three Bean Salad! This Three Bean Salad recipe is easy to make and easy on the budget. It’s a no-cook recipe using cupboard staples, so it comes together quickly.

Throw the salad together in the morning, chill it, and toss it in your cooler for an afternoon picnic! It travels well, and you can serve it cold or at room temperature. Light, refreshing, and delicious, old fashioned Three Bean Salad is perfect for your next outdoor adventure.

What makes Grandma’s Three Bean Salad the one you will want to make on repeat? 

When it comes to side dishes, we all tend to go for the ones that come together the easiest and not necessarily those that are the tastiest. But Three Bean Salad may be the exception.

It’s delicious, and this stripped-down recipe couldn’t be quicker to make–just open some canned beans, add a dash of this and a sprinkle of that, and you’re done. And talk about versatility! Three Bean Salad is vegan-friendly and goes with just about any meal,

Classic Three Bean Salad ingredients

For this recipe, you’ll need:

• Green beans, canned
• Wax beans, canned
• Kidney beans, canned
• Oil
• Vinegar
• White sugar
• Salt
• Black pepper

How to make old fashioned Three Bean Salad

To prepare Grandma’s Three Bean Salad:

1. Drain the beans well and place them in a large bowl. 
2. In a separate bowl, whisk together the oil, vinegar, white sugar, salt, and black pepper. 
3. Pour the vinaigrette dressing over the beans and toss well to coat. 
4. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and put the salad in the fridge for at least two hours before serving. Remember to shake the bowl from time to time to ensure the beans are evenly coated in the dressing. 

What to serve with old fashioned Three Bean Salad

There is no end to the main courses that go with this recipe, but here are a few great options to try out:

• Fried Chicken. You already love hot fried chicken, but there is something special about cold fried chicken. So whip up a batch of Cracker Barrel Southern Fried chicken and let it cool. Keep the fried chicken cold and pack it into your picnic basket. Or go ahead and eat it hot–either way, Grandma’s Three Bean Salad will go great with it!
• Hamburgers and hot dogs. One classic deserves others, and you can’t get any more traditional for cookouts than hamburgers and hot dogs. For the juiciest burgers ever, try Culver’s Butter Burgers. Tired of plain old hot dogs? If ordinary hot dogs won’t do, try this Disney-inspired Truffle Macaroni and Cheese Bacon Hot Dog!
• Chicken Salad Sandwich. The creaminess of the chicken salad is a nice contrast to the tang of the Three Bean Salad. Newk’s Chicken Salad is a fantastic ‘fancy’ chicken salad that adds seedless grapes and pecan for a burst of sweetness and crunch. 

How to store Classic Three Bean Salad

You should keep Three Bean Salad in an airtight container in the fridge. This salad is refreshing when served straight from the fridge, or for the best flavor, allow it to sit a few minutes before serving. 

How long will it last?

The old fashioned Three Bean Salad will last for three to five days in the fridge before the beans begin to get too soggy. The longer the salad sits, the more dressing the beans will absorb. 

Favorite cold salads perfect for potlucks

• Asian Slaw
• Carrot and Raisin Salad
• Copper Penny Salad
• Cucumber and Onion Salad
• Dill Potato Salad
• Broccoli Salad
• Macaroni Salad
• Quinoa Salad
• Sauerkraut Salad
• Spaghetti Salad

Popular recipes with beans

• Barbecue Baked Beans
• Charro Beans
• Calico Beans

Find lots of easy salad recipes and the best side dish recipes on CopyKat!