Summer Bean Salad

This summer bean salad recipe is the most delicious and simple salad to hit your plate. It’s a knock-out summer side dish that’s super versatile.

Maybe it’s because I’m from Minnesota, where I grew up with regular sub-zero temperatures. Or maybe because I live in Indiana, where fall and winter are dismally gray. Whatever the case: I love summer. It’s for so many reasons: Wearing no socks! (They’re so oppressive, right?). Sunshine for days. Morning coffee on the porch, going to the splash park, and lazy meals our patio with a glass of rose. Summer is my spirit animal. And so is this summery easy bean salad. It’s one of the tastiest bean recipes you’ll find.

Why to make this bean salad

Why bean salad? Where I’m from it’s tradition. In Minnesota, the summer potluck is all about the bean salad. It’s always welcome alongside a burger or salmon at a patio grill out. It’s got Father’s Day recipe written all over it. And bean salad is perfect for sitting on a picnic table for hours on end.

Why make this particular bean salad, when there are so many easy recipes out there? Well, this one is the most delicious, easiest bean salad with a sophisticated flair. It’s based on a bean salad that my mom makes, but we’ve made it even simpler and tastier. Every time we set out to make a simple recipe, the trade-off is flavor. So here, we’ve optimized to get the best flavors with the least amount of time and fuss. Just how to do it…?

How to make bean salad…the easy way

We’re all about dumping and stirring on this bean salad. And we’re not about waiting for it to marinade! We’re not even going to cook green beans. Here’s what to do to make this tasty salad:

• Drain and rinse 3 cans of beans. That’s right! Garbanzo, cannellini, and kidney beans. Throw them in a bowl.
• Slice celery and scallions (and chives, if you’ve got ’em). You’ll use them raw. Throw them into the bowl, too!
• Make the salad dressing. The secret to the flavor is the salad dressing! It’s made with a bit of tomato paste and ketchup, along with cider vinegar and lemon juice. It has an unexpected earthy undertone. Now throw that in the bowl!
• Lastly, add feta! Feta cheese brings in a savory flair! If you’re planning to leave this bean salad in the sun at a barbecue, you could omit the feta, but we love the burst of flavor the salty cheese brings.

That’s it! Taste and enjoy the beauty that is easy bean salad.

Pro tip: buy tomato paste in a tube

We like buying our tomato paste in a tube! This way, you can keep it in the refrigerator and squeeze out the amount you need. If we buy it in a can, we always end up with a half used can that sits in our refrigerator for months on end and then ends up going bad!

Serving this bean salad…it works anytime!

There’s something about bean salad that just says SUMMER, right? It would also be a perfect Father’s Day recipe. This year, we’ve already made it for countless cookouts, so we knew we needed to share it with you.

But it’s supremely versatile and works as a side dish any time of the year. Since the ingredients are mostly canned and not fresh, you could easily serve it as a side dish in a vegetarian meal to pile on the protein and nutrients. Let us know if you try it out: as always, we’re over on Instagram and would love to see your creations!

This easy bean salad recipe is…

Gluten-free and vegetarian. For vegan, plant-based and dairy-free, omit the feta.

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Looking for more healthy side dish recipes?

This easy bean salad is a fantastic healthy side dish recipe; here are a few more side dish and salad recipes:

• Crispy Sweet Potato Fries
• Incredible No Mayo Potato Salad
• Avocado & Chickpea Salad
• Incredible Chopped Salad
• Seasoned Baked Potato Wedges
• Perfectly Creamy Polenta Recipe
• Grilled Romaine Lettuce
• Greek Orzo Salad
• Strawberry Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette
• Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad with Pomegranate
• Caribbean Black Bean Salad
• Best Popovers Recipe
• Apple Manchego Salad
• Classic Greek Salad
• Peach & Burrata Salad
• Arugula & Tomato Burrata Salad
• Cucumber Salad with Vinegar
• Classic Vegan Potato Salad
• Best Tossed Salad Recipe
• French Potato Salad
• Nicoise Salad
• Strawberry Summer Salad
• Homemade Croutons Recipe
• 10 Summer Salads You Need Now

Last updated: March 2020