White Bean Salad (Easy 5-Minute Recipe) - Fifteen Spatulas (2024)

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by Joanne April 1, 2023

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This healthy White Bean Salad recipe is as simple as mixing a handful of ingredients together, and letting the flavors meld. It’s a great side dish or make-ahead recipe for meal prep, with tons of flavor!

I can bring this dish together in 5 minutes, no joke. It’s an easy, easy, easy recipe.

White Bean Salad (Easy 5-Minute Recipe) - Fifteen Spatulas (1)

If you’re looking for some new additions for Sunday meal prep, these beans keep unbelievably well in the fridge. They can be packed into work lunches for the week to come, or can even be a go-to dish for potlucks or picnics.

I recently had some friends over for lunch and served it, and kept getting complimented on how good the beans were.

This made me laugh because it’s little more than a few cans of beans tossed with some fresh and simple ingredients. But it really is delicious!

White Bean Salad (Easy 5-Minute Recipe) - Fifteen Spatulas (2)

Not to mention, keeping healthy ready-to-eat food in the fridge helps me avoid eating things likePeanut Butter Cookiesthat may be hiding in the pantry.

Step by Step Overview:

Start by making the salad dressing.

In a large mixing bowl, combine extra virgin olive oil, fresh lemon juice, lemon zest, fresh garlic cloves that have been minced or finely chopped, kosher salt, and black pepper:

White Bean Salad (Easy 5-Minute Recipe) - Fifteen Spatulas (3)

Whisk that together well, then add rinsed and drained canned Cannellini beans, chopped red onion, fresh parsley, and rosemary:

White Bean Salad (Easy 5-Minute Recipe) - Fifteen Spatulas (4)

Can you use other white beans?

You can use any sort of white bean you like, such as great Northern beans, navy beans, or white kidney beans. But I love the silky, creamy texture that Cannellini beans have. You can also do a variety of white beans and use them all.

This recipe also works well with black beans or pinto beans.

For best results, do NOT use no salt or low-sodium canned beans. They will not taste right, and they tend to have a less creamy texture.

Toss this together well, then place in the fridge for an hour, to let the flavors meld. Like any non-lettuce salad, it’s best when it’s gotten a chance to sit.

White Bean Salad (Easy 5-Minute Recipe) - Fifteen Spatulas (5)

If you’re in a hurry, you can serve it earlier, but you can taste the difference when you wait.

Transfer the beans to a serving bowl, and enjoy. I like this dish best served at room temperature, but chilled is also wonderfully refreshing.

White Bean Salad (Easy 5-Minute Recipe) - Fifteen Spatulas (6)

Baba Ganoush,Corn and Avocado Bean Salad, andColeslaware some of my other favorite healthy dishes to keep in the fridge for quick noshing. Enjoy!

Recipe Variations

This delicious salad recipe lends itself well to so many great options for additional ingredients.

For a more mediterranean white bean salad, add halved cherry tomatoes, feta cheese, and swap red wine vinegar for the lemon juice.

You can also add diced english cucumber, bell peppers, or sliced green onions.

Recipe FAQ and Tips

How do you store leftovers?

Keep in an airtight container or a large bowl tightly wrapped with plastic wrap for up to 5 days in the fridge.

Don’t have fresh lemon juice?

You can swap in a high quality vinegar from your pantry. Red or white wine vinegar are the best choices.

Did you enjoy the recipe? Please leave a 5-star rating in the recipe card below and/or a review in the comments section further down the page. Or, follow me on Facebook, Instagram or Pinterest!

White Bean Salad (Easy 5-Minute Recipe) - Fifteen Spatulas (7)

White Bean Salad

Servings: 4

Prep Time: 5 minutes mins

Total Time: 1 hour hr 5 minutes mins

This healthy White Bean Salad recipe is as simple as mixing a handful of ingredients together, and letting the flavors meld in the fridge. It's great picnic food!

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Ingredients

  • 5 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • zest of 1 lemon
  • 1 clove garlic pressed
  • 1/2 tsp kosher salt
  • 1/8 tsp black pepper
  • 2 15oz cans of cannellini beans rinsed and drained
  • 1/4 cup chopped parsley
  • 1/4 cup finely chopped red onion
  • 1 tbsp minced fresh rosemary

Instructions

  • In a large mixing bowl, whisk to combine the olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, garlic, salt, and black pepper.

  • Add the remaining ingredients and mix well. Try to let the salad sit in the fridge for at least an hour before serving, to let the flavors meld together. Enjoy!

Nutrition

Calories: 310kcal, Carbohydrates: 47g, Protein: 16g, Fat: 7g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Sodium: 551mg, Fiber: 11g, Sugar: 1g

Nutrition is estimated using a food database and is only intended to be used as a guideline for informational purposes.

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Author: Fifteen Spatulas

Post updated in November 2019. Originally publishedNovember 2012.

posted in: All Recent Posts, Dairy-free, Gluten-free, On the Lighter Side, Salads, Vegan 28 comments

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    28 Comments on “White Bean Salad”

  1. Charles Wade Reply

    Made it and it was amazing.

    • Taylor Reply

      So glad you enjoyed Charles! Thank you!

  2. Carol Reply

    Very good bean salad! I added a little chopped celery, too, to add a little extra crunch. I let it set a couple hours before dinner and am glad I did. Hubs and I both thought it was really good and I’m looking forward to having the rest tomorrow!

    • Taylor Reply

      Yum! Thanks Carol!

White Bean Salad (Easy 5-Minute Recipe) - Fifteen Spatulas (2024)

FAQs

Are white beans good for you? ›

White beans have a high nutrient density and fairly low calorie count. Combined with their high fiber and protein content, these attributes may promote a healthy body weight. Foods high in fiber and protein have been shown to promote feelings of fullness, leaving you less likely to overeat ( 15 , 16 , 17 ).

How do you eat a Napolina five bean salad? ›

The salad can be added to pasta for a quick and easy lunch. High in protein, a source of fibre and 1 of your 5 a day. Pulses have long been a staple part of the Italian diet and Napolina's are carefully selected before being rigorously checked to ensure that only the best of the crop are chosen.

Can you eat mixed bean salad straight from the tin? ›

You probably don't need to cook it (it should say ready to eat somewhere on the tin), but mixed beans and pasta together on their own might be a bit bland so maybe try adding some tabasco, or garlic, or both! Empty the tin into a sieve/colander and rinse well under the cold tap.

What are the different types of white beans? ›

What Are White Beans? White beans as a category includes navy beans, great northern beans, cannellini beans, baby lima beans, butter beans, garbanzo beans, pinto beans, etc. These are the most popular types of white beans (cooked white beans), however each type has its own unique peculiarities and features.

Is it OK to eat white beans everyday? ›

Is it healthy to eat beans every day? Yes! "Eating beans, including canned beans, every day is one of the best things you can do to help increase nutrients [that you may fall short on] and substantially improve the quality of your diet," says Papanikolaou.

Can I eat white beans for weight loss? ›

white beans are a good source of protein, fiber, and complex carbohydrates, which can help to support weight loss and reduce belly fat. it make you feel fuller for longer periods of time. carbohydrates provide sustained energy and can help to reduce the storage of fat in the body.

How long is bean salad safe to eat? ›

Bean salad will last up to 5 days if stored in an airtight container in the fridge. Can you freeze bean salad? Yes, bean salad freezes well. Freeze bean salad for up to four months, defrost in the fridge.

What is a tin of 5 bean salad? ›

Napolina Five Bean Salad is packed full of pulses including Red Kidney Beans, Black Eye Beans, Borlotti Beans, Pea Navy Beans, Baby Green Lima Beans and Sweetcorn, all mixed together with vinegar and spices in salted water. Try adding to Napolina pasta for a quick and easy lunch.

What is a five bean salad in water? ›

Country Range Five Bean Salad in Water contains a mix of cannellini beans, red kidney beans, chick peas, borlotti beans and butter beans. Pulses are a brilliant and cost-effective way off adding one of your '5 a day' into a dish. They're a great base ingredient for salads, curries and casseroles.

Can I eat canned white beans raw? ›

The reason that beans are safe to eat straight from the can is pretty simple: They're already cooked. Per Epicurious, beans are blanched before being canned with water, salt, and other additives, and then sealed and cooked under steam pressure at a high temperature before landing at your local grocery store.

What is the healthiest beans to put in a salad? ›

The 7 Healthiest Beans to Eat, According to Dietitians
  1. Lentils. Lentils are rich in polyphenols, plant-based compounds that have both anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. ...
  2. White Beans. ...
  3. Black Beans. ...
  4. Chickpeas. ...
  5. Pinto Beans. ...
  6. Red Kidney Beans. ...
  7. Lupini Beans.
Aug 14, 2023

Are canned white beans cooked? ›

They're already cooked! Unlike dried beans, there is no soaking required. Dried beans tend to soak up the flavor of the dish while cooking, which is why some people think beans from a can tend to be bland. But they don't have to be!

Which white bean is healthiest? ›

All beans are rich in fiber, but the top-ranking variety is the navy bean, allegedly named for its popularity in the U.S. Navy in the early 20th century. These pea-sized, cream-colored beans provide 10 grams of fiber per half-cup serving.

What is the most popular white bean? ›

Some of the most popular varieties are:
  • Lima Beans: Named for the capital city of Peru, lima beans are not white themselves, but varieties like baby lima beans are. ...
  • Navy Beans: Navy beans, which have a pale ivory or white color, are the smallest of various white beans.
Jun 7, 2021

What are the best tasting white beans? ›

Cannellini Beans

Meatier than Navy or Great Northern beans, they have a nutty, earthy flavor and tender flesh, and are often used in Italian dishes like Minestrone. They retain their shape and texture well, so they're perfect to use in salads, soups, stews, and chili.

What is the healthiest bean to eat? ›

The 7 Healthiest Beans to Eat, According to Dietitians
  1. Lentils. Lentils are rich in polyphenols, plant-based compounds that have both anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. ...
  2. White Beans. ...
  3. Black Beans. ...
  4. Chickpeas. ...
  5. Pinto Beans. ...
  6. Red Kidney Beans. ...
  7. Lupini Beans.
Aug 14, 2023

Which white beans are healthiest? ›

All beans are rich in fiber, but the top-ranking variety is the navy bean, allegedly named for its popularity in the U.S. Navy in the early 20th century. These pea-sized, cream-colored beans provide 10 grams of fiber per half-cup serving.

What is the healthiest color of beans? ›

Some of the healthiest beans to consume include: Black beans: Often known as turtle beans, black beans are inexpensive and widely available in supermarkets. Cooked black beans have a texture that makes them a superb beef and poultry alternative.

Can you eat too many white beans? ›

The most common side effects of eating beans are gas and intestinal discomfort. These are not dangerous but can be unpleasant and even painful for some people. When a person adds beans to their diet, they should increase the amount gradually to give their gut time to adjust.

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