I realize that the idea of salads made from pantry items sound strange, but there are many ways to combine canned vegetables to create salads. This is a collection of our five favorite salads that are made from pantry items.

Using canned ingredients in your salad isn’t really new. Salad bars frequently contain beets, corn, and beans that are from cans. They are drained and rinsed, but they still came from a can. I can’t think of any time when one of my friends said “I’m not eating that. It came from a can.” as they piled beets and garbanzo beans on their salad plate.

Here’s our list of five salads prepared from pantry staples. Each of these recipes calls for a few fresh ingredients to add additional dept of flavor and texture, but they still utilize pantry staples.

Three Bean Salad

This salad bar staple, Three Bean Salad, is very easy to make and is prepared entirely from shelf stable ingredients. The only fresh ingredient needed is onion, and if you don’t have a red onion, a white or brown one will work just as well. In a pinch, you could probably do without the onion and just add onion powder instead.

Sweet and Sour Bean Salad

With the exception of a package of frozen edamame, Sweet and Sour Bean Salad is made entirely from items found on the pantry shelf. It’s simple and tastes best when it’s allowed to marinate overnight in the refrigerator to allow the flavors to fully combine.

Simple Pea Salad

This is one of my favorite recipes. Simple Pea Salad can be prepared with either frozen or canned peas.

Corn and Kidney Bean Salad

This salad, which can also be served as a salsa alongside some chips, can be made using cans of any kind of beans. Corn and Kidney Bean Salad is actually a mistake. I originally intended to use black beans, but in my haste, I opened a can of kidney beans. Since one of our mottos here is to make do with what we have, I proceeded with the recipe. It was still delicious. I have made this recipe using several different types of beans–cannellini, great northern, and pintos. Each version has tasted delicious. This recipe calls for fresh tomato, green onions and cilantro.

Texas Caviar

The recipe for Texas Caviar uses canned black eyed peas along with fresh vegetables and a bottle of Zesty Italian Salad Dressing. It’s a favorite around here during summer grilling time.

That’s our list of five salads that are made with pantry items. Granted, none of these recipes are made entirely from canned ingredients, but the use of canned ingredients makes them unique. This is a great way to supplement your supply of fresh vegetables to make them go further toward feeding your family.

Have you ever made a salad using canned vegetables? Which of these salads seems like something you would like? Let us know by leaving a comment below.

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