Summer Picnic Salads

Canadians love summer barbecues and picnics — a chance to gather outdoors after long winters, with big bowls of simple, shareable food. Potato salad, macaroni salad, and three-bean salad have become staples at these gatherings, each one easy to prepare ahead and hearty enough to feed a crowd.

Potato Salad with Egg & Pickle

This is the classic potato salad you’ll find at backyard cookouts and family reunions.

Boil 6 medium potatoes until tender, then drain and cool slightly.

Toss gently with 3 chopped hard-boiled eggs, ½ cup finely diced pickles, and ¼ cup red onion.

Whisk together 3 tbsp olive oil, 1 tbsp Dijon mustard, and the juice of 1 lemon. Season with salt and pepper.

Fold dressing through the salad and chill before serving so the flavours come together.

Classic Macaroni Salad

A creamy, comforting favourite that always shows up at Canadian potlucks.

Cook and cool 3 cups elbow macaroni.

Combine with 1 cup julienned carrots, 1 cup diced celery, and ½ cup finely chopped red onion.

Stir together ½ cup mayonnaise and the juice of ½ a lemon. Season with salt and pepper.

Mix into the pasta until everything is well coated, then refrigerate before serving.

Three-Bean Salad

Bright and refreshing, this salad balances heartiness with tang.

Rinse and drain 1 can each of kidney beans, cannellini beans, and chickpeas.

Mix with ½ cup diced celery, ¼ cup finely chopped red onion, and ½ cup chopped parsley.

Whisk together 3 tbsp olive oil, 2 tbsp red wine vinegar, and 1 tsp sugar (optional). Season with salt and pepper.

Toss through the beans, chill, and serve as a vibrant side for any picnic or barbecue.

Lost Lake, Whister, BC