Crunchy Refrigerator Salad
Crunchy Refrigerator Salad
I love cold vinegar salads like my Fire and Ice Salad. I could honestly dive into a vat of that stuff, but that salad really needs to be eaten within a few days and I was looking for something that would last longer in the fridge so I could always have it on hand. So I developed this Crunchy Refrigerator Salad as a spinoff salad using veggies that will stay crunchy longer, with a light coating of a dressing based on the same principle – but with a little added kick .
Let’s get mixing!
You’ll need: Matchstick carrots (or diced, or baby, or crinkle cut), an onion, coleslaw mix, and some broccoli and cauliflower florets.
AND…
Some sugar, white vinegar, Italian dressing mix (dry), and a little water.
Now for anyone who has never had a salad like this Crunchy Refrigerator Salad before, you might think that the sugar will make it sweet but it doesn’t. The sugar is just there to offset the vinegar slightly. It is still a good vinegar taste to it, but with this amount of sugar, it keeps your face from puckering 🙂
Chop your onion.
I had to do this when my husband was home, know why? Because I can’t reach the plates!
I keep asking him to put one of each type of dish on the counter before he goes to work but with all he is juggling right now, he often forgets.
This is not the best time to be married to me 🙂
Remind me, if I ever build a home to make a wheelchair accessible butler’s pantry.
Dump all of your veggies into a large bowl along with onion. Mix that up pretty good.
Mix together water, vinegar, sugar, and Italian dressing mix.
Pour your dressing over the salad.
Stir until well coated.
This isn’t going to seem like enough dressing but as it sits, the veggies will create more water and we will stir it every now and then until it is ready to eat. You’ll be surprised!
However, if you want to add more, add an extra 1/4 cup of water, 1/4 cup vinegar, and 1/4 cup sugar.
Note though, that I do not do this because my goal is to just have a light coating on the veggies.
Cover that and let it sit out for an hour.
Stir really well and then refrigerate all day or overnight.
Eat this Crunchy Refrigerator Salad whenever you like!
This will keep for up to a week and makes a great snack, side dish for supper, or quick lunch!
I’m eating some right now 🙂
Ingredients
- 14 ounces coleslaw mix
- 12 ounces broccoli and cauliflower florets
- 10 ounces matchstick carrots or 1 cup and 1/2 of diced carrots
- 1 onion chopped
Dressing
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup white vinegar
- .7 ounce package of dry Italian Dressing Mix enough to make 8 ounces of dressing
Instructions
- In very large bowl, combine all vegetables.
- In 2 cup measuring cup, pour water, vinegar, sugar, and dressing mix. Stir for a few minutes until well combined and sugar begins to dissolve (it won't dissolve completely at this point).
- Pour dressing over vegetables and stir well to coat. Cover and let sit at room temp for one hour. After one hour, stir again, cover and place in the fridge for several hours or overnight.
- Before serving, stir well. Will keep in fridge for up to a week. It actually gets better as the week goes on!
Nutrition
You may also enjoy these summer salad recipes:
Tomato Onion and Cucumber Salad
Cucumber Salad Creamy and Delicious
Low Carb Broccoli Cauliflower Salad
I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation . . .I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
~Philippians 4: 12-13
Ms Christy, call a neighbor, friend, or relative and have them get you a “grabber”! It’s a weird looken contraption. It is about 3 or 4 foot long with a handle and trigger on one end, and a pair of small round rubber cups on the other end. When you squeeze the trigger, you are squeezing the rubber cups together to grab an item. I am wheelchair bound and by using this thing, I can get plates, cans, bottles and containers from the tops shelves. (There is a weight limit on how much you can pick up with these.)
I bought mine from Wal-Mart several years ago, but I’m sure Lowes, Home Depot, or one of the other fix-it stores carry them as well.
Keep a smile on face, peace in your mind, and joy in your heart
Jo’s Kitchen
i have some mobility issues that keep me from reaching/bending stuff (ra/lupus) and I loved my “grabber”. I lost one of the cups and screws to mine and I sure need to go buy me another one. i can attest to how handy it comes in!
This is going to be on my try this week list. I really enjoy the Fire and Ice salad and I have been making it a visit to the South about 30 years ago. I find it stays crispy for about a week but I switch-out the dressing about day 4 to keep it clear. (I’m the only one who eats it and it takes about a week for me to finish a bowl) So glad I found Southern Plate. Hope you are mended soon. I hear you about the wheel chair height thing. Needs to be done in my home too.
Looks yummy and seems perfect to pack for lunches! Love the photo with all the blue bowls! So glad you’re back in the kitchen and posting tutorials!
Thank you so much, Barb! that big bowl is a big old Snowflake Garland Pyrex one, with a lovely glass lid. The other ones were a gift from a friend but don’t they go so perfectly with the pyrex?
I have some friends who are doing some guest posts for me coming up to help compensate for my down time, but I’ll still be here as well and am so grateful you are, too!
Christy, my husband is in a wheelchair, he finds those grabber things you can buy in the drugstores very helpful for reaching. Love you and saying prayers, for you and your family.
Thank you Sally! I have a toy one of those but the problem is it usually ends up being somewhere where I can’t reach it! lol
This is a wonderful recipe…love the ones that are ready to grab something out of the refrigerator!
Oh me too! I am always so much better behaved when I have good food handy 🙂 I think most of us reach for the junk because it is just so easy to do, you know?
Great job!
Thank you so much, Lucy!
This looks great and I can see a trip to the grocery store in my future. Hope you are feeling better. Take care
I sure am, Sandy, thank you!