Description
This Mediterranean Bean Salad is a vibrant, fresh, and protein-packed dish perfect for lunch, dinner, or as a side for gatherings. With creamy beans, crisp vegetables, briny olives, and a tangy lemon-olive oil dressing, it’s a simple yet flavorful recipe that comes together in under 30 minutes. Perfect for meal prep, this salad keeps well in the fridge and tastes even better after the flavors meld. Its colorful presentation makes it ideal for entertaining, and its adaptability lets you customize with seasonal vegetables or your favorite herbs. Healthy, satisfying, and incredibly easy, this salad is a go-to for busy weeknights or relaxed weekends.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup canned chickpeas, rinsed and drained
- 1 cup canned cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 cup canned kidney beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cucumber, diced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- ½ red onion, thinly sliced
- ½ cup Kalamata olives, pitted and halved
- ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1–2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Rinse and drain canned beans. Chop vegetables and herbs.
- In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, oregano, salt, and pepper.
- In a large bowl, gently combine beans, vegetables, and olives. Pour dressing over the salad and toss until coated.
- Let the salad sit for 10–30 minutes to allow flavors to meld. Taste and adjust seasoning before serving.
Notes
- Use high-quality olive oil and fresh lemon juice for best flavor.
- Optional additions: feta cheese, roasted peppers, or artichoke hearts.
- For meal prep, store dressing separately to keep vegetables crisp.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes (if using canned beans)
- Category: Salad, Side Dish
- Method: No-cook
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4–6
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 280mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 8g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 0mg