Mediterranean Bean Salad Recipe
A vibrant and refreshing Mediterranean Bean Salad featuring a colorful mix of three types of beans, fresh vegetables, and herbs, tossed in a tangy lemon and olive oil dressing. This wholesome salad is perfect as a light lunch, side dish, or a healthy appetizer, offering a delightful combination of flavors and textures.
- Author: rami
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: No Cook, Tossing
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- Diet: Vegetarian
Beans
- 1 15-ounce can garbanzo beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 15-ounce can cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 15-ounce can kidney beans, rinsed and drained
Vegetables and Herbs
- 1/4 cup red onion, chopped fine
- 3/4 cup celery, chopped
- 1 small cucumber, peeled, seeded, and chopped
- 3/4 cup fresh Italian parsley, chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
- 2 tomatoes, chopped fine
Additional Ingredients
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, finely grated
- 1/2 cup Kalamata olives (optional)
- 1/3 cup pepperoncini (optional)
Dressing
- 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- Juice of 1–1/2 lemons
- 1 clove garlic, peeled and minced
- 1/2 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- Ground pepper and sea salt, to taste
- Combine Salad Ingredients: In a large bowl, add the rinsed and drained garbanzo, cannellini, and kidney beans along with the finely chopped red onion, celery, cucumber, fresh parsley, fresh basil, tomatoes, Parmesan cheese, Kalamata olives (if using), and pepperoncini (if using). Gently toss to mix all components evenly.
- Prepare Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the extra-virgin olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, and dried Italian seasoning until well combined. Alternatively, place these dressing ingredients into a sealed mason jar and shake vigorously until emulsified.
- Toss Salad with Dressing: Drizzle the prepared dressing over the mixed salad ingredients and toss again thoroughly to ensure every bite is coated with the flavorful dressing.
- Chill and Serve: Cover the salad and refrigerate for 45 to 60 minutes to allow the flavors to meld beautifully. Serve chilled as a refreshing and nutritious dish.
Notes
- For a gluten-free option, ensure that the canned beans and seasoning contain no gluten additives.
- The Kalamata olives and pepperoncini are optional but add a nice briny and spicy touch.
- Make sure to rinse and drain canned beans thoroughly to reduce sodium content.
- This salad can be prepared a day in advance and kept refrigerated for up to 2 days for best flavor.
- Add extra lemon juice or olive oil according to your taste preferences.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (approx. 185g)
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 280mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 27g
- Fiber: 7g
- Protein: 9g
- Cholesterol: 5mg
Keywords: Mediterranean Bean Salad, healthy salad, vegetarian salad, bean salad, Mediterranean recipes, easy salad, summer salad, lemon dressing