Three Bean Salad Recipe

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One of those dishes that surprises me every time is Three-Bean Salad recipe. The thing is that despite being relatively simple to make, it features an abundance of delicious ingredients that add to the overall taste.

This salad is quite special because of the use of three types of beans. The main components here are kidney beans, garbanzo beans, cannellini beans, red onions, cucumber and some other herbs and greens.

The combination of all the listed elements makes this salad tasty, filling and nutritious at the same time. This dish is perfect to be served either alone or as a complement to other foods. The typical Three-Bean Salad dressing contains vinegar, oil and sugar. But you can always modify the dressing to fit your tastes.

What I like about this salad is that it does not take much time to cook (ten minutes only). And I can guarantee that no matter how many times your friends or family members have tried it, each of them will want another serving.

Try this easy-to-make, delicious salad and enjoy its taste. Just follow the recipe below.

Equipments Required

Large Bowl: I use it to mix all the beans and other salad ingredients.
Small Bowl: Perfect for preparing the dressing so I can pour it over the salad later.
Whisk: I use it to whisk the dressing so everything blends perfectly.
Spoon: I use a spoon to mix the salad and dressing.

Three Bean Salad Ingredients and Substitutions

Note: This recipe serves around 4 people. You can increase or decrease the quantity of ingredients depending on the size of the gathering.

For The Salad:

1 Can Cannellini Beans
1 Can Kidney Beans
1 Can Garbanzo Beans
½ Red Onion: Shallots are also a great substitute in case you do not have red onions.
1 Cucumber: Add some chopped cucumber or carrot to the recipe. You can also add celery, if available.
1 Cup Packed Flat Parsley: Cilantro is a great substitute for parsley. You can also add thyme or oregano.
2 Teaspoons Capers: Capers add a great umami tang to every bite. You can also add chopped jalapenos if you prefer.

For The Dressing:

⅓ Cup Apple Cider Vinegar: You can also use lemon juice in the recipe.
1 Teaspoon Honey: Maple syrup is a great alternative to honey.
3 Tablespoons Virgin Olive Oil: Even sunflower oil is a great option to add instead of olive oil.
1 Teaspoon Dijon Mustard: The mustard adds a peppery flavour and tang to the vinaigrette.
1 ½ Teaspoons Salt: Kosher salt can be sprinkled too.
¼ Teaspoon Black Pepper: Add white pepper if you don’t have black pepper.
¼ Teaspoon Oregano: I used dried oregano but you can use any other herbs you have on hand.

Preparation And Cooking Time

Preparation Time	Cooking Time	Total Time
10 Minutes	–	10 Minutes

How To Make Three-Bean Salad At Home

Step 1

Combine all the ingredients for the dressing in a bowl and keep aside.

Step 2

Mix the beans in another bowl.

Step 3

Add in the chopped onion, cucumber, flat parsley and capers and mix the salad base.

Step 4

Mix the dressing into the salad.

Step 5

Serve with a side of lemon.

Expert Tips That I Recommend

To get the perfect dressing, I use honey but you can also dissolve sugar to ensure a smooth, non-gritty texture.
I often add a teaspoon of Dijon mustard for tang and minced garlic for depth for classic flavor.
If the vinegar tastes sharp, add more honey to balance it or reduce the sharpness.
Before adding canned beans, rinse and drain them to remove excess sodium.
You can add different types of beans like chickpeas, black beans and kidney beans to add variety and texture to the salad.

FAQs About Three-Bean Salad

Why are my beans too mushy?

Your beans are mushy because they are overcooked or you overmixed them while tossing them with the dressing. Avoid this by cooking them until tender but not too soft, which won’t make them mushy. While tossing, be gentle.

Why is the salad too dry?

Your salad turns out dry because you haven’t added enough dressing. When you put the salad to rest, the beans tend to absorb all the dressing. Add a little dressing right before serving to make your salad perfect.

Why is my salad watery in texture?

First, make sure you drain the beans properly and pat the vegetables dry. This will help prevent your salad from turning watery.

Why does the dressing feel sticky and gritty?

The dressing feels gritty because the sugar isn’t fully dissolved. Make sure the sugar is fully dissolved, or dissolve it in warm water first.

Why does the salad not have proper flavor?

Take a large bowl to mix and toss the salad with dressing. With simple mixing, you can ensure the flavors are well balanced and fully blended. That way, every bite will be full of juicy flavor.

Nutritional Information Per Serving

The Three Bean Salad is a delicious, tempting recipe for gatherings. This recipe uses nutrient-rich ingredients and delightful flavours. You can eat this healthy salad regularly because it is rich in protein, fibre and vitamins.

Calories	130 kcal
Carbohydrates	7 g
Protein	1 g
Fat	11 g
Saturated Fat	2 g
Polyunsaturated Fat	1 g
Monounsaturated Fat	8 g
Sodium	928 mg
Potassium	226 mg
Fiber	2 g
Sugar	5 g
Vitamin A	1329 IU
Vitamin C	24 mg
Calcium	46 mg
Iron	2 mg

You can easily customize this recipe to suit your dietary preferences by tweaking a few ingredients.

Recipe Variations For Different Diets

High Protein Version: Add tofu or nuts to the salad to increase the protein content.

Storing This Recipe

Refrigerate: Transfer the salad to an airtight container. Then place it in the refrigerator; this way, it will remain fresh for 3-4 days. Enjoy it later.

What To Serve With This Recipe

My favorite pairing for Three Bean Salad is with Creamy Cauliflower Cheese Soup. If you are not a cauliflower fan, then you can try Creamy Zucchini Soup too. It is also a very healthy option. To elevate it, serve it as a side with Sushi Rice or even tangy Fried Rice. I hope you enjoy these ideas as much as I do.

Printable Version

More Salad Recipes That You Can Try

Italian Chicken Salad Feature Image — Italian Chicken Salad

Cowboy Pasta Salad — Italian Chicken Salad

Conclusion

This Three-Bean Salad recipe is an all-American summer dish, and no wonder why. It is fresh, tasty, filling and unbelievably easy to make.

From a picnic meal to an easy lunch, whatever the case may be, Three-Bean Salad should definitely be on your menu. Try it out and share your experience in the comments below!

Yummy Three-Bean Salad Recipe

Equipments Required

Three Bean Salad Ingredients and Substitutions

Preparation And Cooking Time