Summer Three Bean Salad

Summer Three Bean Salad

This cool, refreshing bean salad is perfect for summer. Customize it with any canned beans you already have at home and enjoy on its own, as a side dish, or even on top of green salad or rice. You can save time by using a premade salad dressing or make your own dressing using the recipe below.

Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 20 minutes
Servings: 6

INGREDIENTS

1 can garbanzo beans
1 can kidney beans
1 can cannellini beans
3 celery ribs
1 shallot or ½ medium onion
1 bunch of parsley
1 bottle of vinaigrette dressing
Salt & pepper (to taste)

INSTRUCTIONS

  1. Thoroughly rinse all beans and put in a large bowl.
  2. Dice the celery, finely chop the shallot and parsley, and add to the beans.
  3. Pour 1 cup (half the bottle) of dressing on top and mix well until everything is coated in dressing.

OPTIONAL DRESSING RECIPE (INGREDIENTS & INSTRUCTIONS)
Feeling proud of your culinary skills and want to take it a step further? Try making this dressing at home instead of using bottled dressing.

3 tbsp. olive oil
1 tbsp. apple cider vinegar or lemon juice
½ tsp. salt
½ tsp. cumin powder
2 garlic cloves, minced
A pinch of cayenne

Add the olive oil, vinegar, minced garlic, cumin, salt, and a pinch of cayenne to a small mason jar and shake well until all the ingredients are mixed well.

SPECIAL CARROT TIPS

• Many kinds of beans can work in this style salad; consider substituting northern white beans, black-eyed peas, black beans, or butter beans.
• Add ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes for an extra kick.
• Add extra herbs; rosemary, mint or basil can shift the flavor for added variety.
• This salad can take more veggies: cucumbers, carrots, red bell peppers, canned or fresh corn, or tomatoes can stretch the salad even further.
• Did you know that beans and rice create a complex protein when eaten together? This is a great way to get good, healthy energy without adding meat to a dish.

SERVING SUGGESTIONS

Serve this salad as a side dish alongside grilled chicken, hamburgers, or hotdogs for the perfect addition to a barbecue. Or, pop a scoop on top of a green salad for an extra dose of veggies! You can also pair three-bean salad with a piece of fruit for a quick and easy lunch or serve with rice for a protein-packed meal.

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