Three-Bean Salad (Printable)

A vibrant mix of three beans in tangy vinaigrette, perfect for gatherings and healthy meals.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Beans

01 - 1 cup canned green beans, drained and rinsed
02 - 1 cup canned kidney beans, drained and rinsed
03 - 1 cup canned chickpeas, drained and rinsed

→ Vegetables & Herbs

04 - 1/2 cup red onion, finely diced
05 - 1/2 cup celery, thinly sliced
06 - 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped

→ Vinaigrette

07 - 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
08 - 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
09 - 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
10 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
11 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
12 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

# How to Make It:

01 - In a large bowl, combine the green beans, kidney beans, chickpeas, red onion, celery, and parsley.
02 - In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, apple cider vinegar, sugar, Dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper until the sugar is completely dissolved.
03 - Pour the vinaigrette over the bean mixture and toss gently to coat all ingredients evenly.
04 - Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving to allow the flavors to meld together.
05 - Toss again before serving, taste, and adjust seasoning as needed.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It gets better as it sits, so you can make it hours ahead without stress.
  • Three different beans mean you're actually getting interesting texture and flavor in every bite, not just one monotonous ingredient.
  • The vinaigrette is tangy enough to wake up your taste buds but balanced enough that it doesn't overwhelm the beans themselves.
02 -
  • Don't skip rinsing the canned beans—that starchy water will make your vinaigrette cloudy and bitter-tasting after sitting overnight.
  • The salad actually tastes better the next day, so if you have time, make it a full day ahead and let the flavors settle into each other.
03 -
  • If you're serving this outside on a hot day, keep it in a cooler with ice packs rather than relying on shade; the cold matters.
  • A pinch of fresh garlic powder mixed into the vinaigrette adds complexity if your crowd likes more depth, but taste first—it can easily overpower the delicate bean flavors.
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