This vintage vegetable marinade recipe is a classic American-style refrigerator salad that became popular during the mid-20th century when marinated vegetable dishes were common at potlucks, family dinners, and holiday buffets. The recipe combines oil, vinegar, sugar, and vegetable juice to create a tangy-sweet dressing that enhances the flavor of fresh and canned vegetables. Artichoke hearts, tomatoes, onions, asparagus, and radishes are soaked in the flavorful marinade, allowing the vegetables to absorb the dressing while remaining crisp and colorful. Easy to prepare ahead of time, this refreshing dish serves as both a salad and a side dish. Its bright flavors, attractive presentation, and make-ahead convenience made it a favorite for entertaining and warm-weather meals.
Ingredients
- ¼ cup vegetable oil
- ½ cup vinegar
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 14 oz artichoke hearts (drained and quartered)
- 2 carrots (thinly sliced and lightly cooked)
- 2 tomatoes (cut into wedges)
- 1 onion (thinly sliced)
- 1 cup asparagus pieces (cooked and cooled)
- 6 radishes (thinly sliced)
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Marinade
- In a large bowl, whisk together the vegetable oil, vinegar, sugar, and vegetable juice until the sugar dissolves.
Step 2: Prepare the Vegetables
- Drain the artichoke hearts and cut into bite-sized pieces.
- Cut tomatoes into wedges.
- Thinly slice the onion.
- Cook asparagus until just tender and cool.
- Cook carrot slices until crisp-tender and cool.
- Thinly slice the radishes.
Step 3: Combine
- Add the artichokes, tomatoes, onions, asparagus, carrots, and radishes to a large bowl.
- Pour the marinade over the vegetables.
- Toss gently to coat.
Step 4: Marinate
- Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or overnight for best flavor.
- Stir occasionally if possible.
Step 5: Serve
- Drain excess marinade if desired.
- Serve chilled as a salad or side dish.
Tips
- Marinate overnight for deeper flavor.
- Add cucumber slices for extra crunch.
- Include bell peppers for color and sweetness.
- Substitute red onion for a milder flavor.
- Add black olives for a Mediterranean twist.
- Use apple cider vinegar instead of white vinegar.
- Sprinkle with fresh parsley before serving.
- Add celery for additional texture.
- Serve over lettuce for a complete salad.
- Reduce sugar slightly for a more tart dressing.
Nutrition
Calories: 105kcalCarbohydrates: 11gProtein: 2gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gSodium: 210mgPotassium: 285mgFiber: 3gSugar: 7gVitamin A: 5550IUVitamin C: 18mgCalcium: 32mgIron: 1mg