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Served chilled or at room temperature, this Summery White Bean Salad is great to make ahead, or to grab and go! A short prep time means you can have it on the table fast!
Packed with protein, and yummy veggies, and dressed with a simple homemade vinaigrette (don’t forget the salt and pepper!), it’s ready fast – and lasts in the fridge for a few days. Great for a quick lunch, an easy side, or even as a mid-afternoon snack.
I do love Spring and (the beginning of) Summer. Summer here in Phoenix is crazy amounts of hot, and so heating up my kitchen to make a tasty side for something grilled is not my idea of a good time.
I love beans, and I love a good salad – especially one that takes so little time to make, and can be made ahead! This white bean salad recipe is quick and easy, and stays super yummy for several days in the refrigerator.
We have this a side dish regularly, but can also grab some crackers and pack it for lunch to be the main dish. This is a great recipe for picking and choosing ingredients and mixing it up!
If you love make-ahead salads, you’ll enjoy this Kale Salad as well as this Southwestern Chicken Salad!
Why you’ll love this recipe
- Make ahead. This salad actually improves with a good long stay in the refrigerator! Perfect for meal prep fans and other organized folks.
- Easy to make. A little bit of chopping, but can be done very very quickly!
Ingredients
The full list of ingredients and quantities is found in the printable recipe card below.
Just a few simple ingredients and tons of flavor – what’s not to love? This bean salad is PERFECT!!
- White Or Cannellini Beans. Drained and rinsed well. Cannellini, Great Northern, or Navy Beans. all will work just fine!
- Red Peppers. Dice these up small.
- Parsley. Don’t leave this out, it adds a pretty green color and a savory flavor to the bean salad.
- Red Onion. You can sub white onion if you must, but red is prettier.
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil. You can use Extra Virgin or a light blend, either will work.
- White Wine Vinegar. This, combined with the olive oil forms the vinaigrette on the salad.
- Garlic. Garlic is important! Mince finely and add it to the vinaigrette.
How to make this recipe
Scroll for Recipe
The full list of ingredients, quantities and instructions can be found in the printable recipe card below.
- Place the beans, red bell peppers, parsley, and onion in a large bowl.
- In a lidded jar, add the olive oil, vinegar, garlic, salt & pepper. Put the lid on tightly, and shake until well combined.
- Add the dressing to the bean mixture, using a spatula to combine (gently – so you don’t break the beans).
- Taste, add more seasoning if needed.
- Refrigerate until needed (up to 4 days).
- Devour.
Kylee’s Notes
Substitutions/Additions
I like to mix this up and use navy, or great northern beans, and even add some black beans occasionally.
Switch out the parsley for cilantro, and add some corn for a southwestern bean salad!
Some of our favorite salad recipes:
- Easy Southwest Pasta Salad with Lime Vinaigrette Dressing. Black beans, corn, red peppers, jalapenos, cilantro and red onions feature in this easy to make pasta salad. With the addition of the lime vinaigrette… oh, myyyyyyy.
- Vegan Chickpea Salad An excellent make-ahead Summery Vegan Chickpea Salad, that will stay good for a few days in the fridge, making this perfect for lunches.
- Crunchy Curried Chicken Salad. A brilliant make-ahead curried chicken salad balanced with tart apples, sweet raisins, and finished with cilantro, this is one you will make over and over!
- Caprese Orzo Salad (Basil Tomato Mozzarella). An easy side, this salad combines tomatoes, fresh mozzarella and basil with a yummy homemade balsamic vinaigrette. Make ahead!
- Grilled Vegetable Salad with Tarragon Dressing. A spectacular, smoky charcoal-grilled vegetable salad, bursting with flavor, this is an easy side that you can make ahead or make with the family!
- Roasted Beet Salad with Feta & Walnuts. Made with feta and roasted walnuts, drizzled with a homemade vinaigrette. The beets are the star of the show!
- Arugula Salad (with Lemon Vinaigrette). This is the one you’ve been looking for! Peppery arugula mixed with bright tomatoes, parmesan, and dressed with fresh lemon vinaigrette. Perfection!
- Kale Salad (with Honey Dijon Vinaigrette). Simple ingredients and simple instructions (including how to massage kale) make this Kale Salad Recipe an absolute keeper!
- Easy Coleslaw (Homemade Coleslaw Dressing Recipe). Basic ingredients make this Homemade Coleslaw Recipe a cinch to make! With a Creamy Coleslaw Dressing, this side will be a welcome addition to any table.
- Bacon, Parmesan & Arugula Potato Salad. A combination of tiny buttery potatoes, peppery & spicy arugula, salty bacon, parmesan…. this extra special potato salad is out of this WORLD.
- Easy Italian Salad (from Spend with Pennies)
- Chopped Asparagus Salad (from View from the Great Island)
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Summery White Bean Salad
Suggested Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 15oz cans cannellini or northern beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup red bell pepper , finely chopped
- 1/2 cup fresh parsley , chopped
- 1/2 cup red onion , finely chopped
- 4 Tbs olive oil
- 4 Tbs white wine vinegar
- 2 tsp minced garlic
- Salt and pepper
Instructions
- Place the beans, red pepper, parsley, and onion in a large salad bowl.
- In a lidded jar, add the olive oil, vinegar, garlic, salt & pepper. Put the lid on tightly, and shake until well combined.
- Add the dressing to the bean mixture, using a spatula to combine (gently – so you don’t break the beans).
- Taste, add more seasoning if needed.
- Refrigerate until needed (up to 4 days).
- Devour.
Tips & Notes:
nutrition facts
Nutritional Disclaimer
Recipes written and produced on Kylee Cooks are for informational purposes only. Kylee is not a certified nutritionist. Nutritional data provided on Kylee Cooks has not been evaluated or approved by a nutritionist or the Food and Drug Administration.
Source: Adapted from Good Cheap Eats
alice says
Oh great the summer is coming and this is can be made in advance so can store some for whenever we need. Thanks
Kimberley Pereda says
Nice recipe. This is unique to me. I ‘ve never heard this kind of recipe before. I will try it so I can add some new dish in my table.
jessica says
Hello Kylee, I’ve been looking for this salad recipe for 2 months. thank you very much
eatfrysmith says
Yes, I think so
Lisa@eatfrysmith says
My children really like it, I’m really happy. Thank you
Sanchez says
I’ve made it in the morning. It’s really delicious.
Robert Derby says
I made it on this morning. It’s really good.
Bella Hardy @ Healthnerdy says
Definitely I will make summery white bean salad on the weekend for my family.
Pastor Jean Caudill says
I just made a huge bowl of this salad to take to a BBQ tomorrow evening. Great dish for my vegan/vegetarian friends. Hope everyone likes this salad as much as I do!
Jill Roberts says
Gorgeous photos and amazing looking summery white bean salad! Combination of taste, I like a balanced diet, a variety of protein and vitamin supplements so that they will have good health. Thx for sharing Kylee!
Joanne Byrne says
This is a wonderful salad that really lends itself to personal add-ins. My husband loves to add chopped tomatoes to his and my daughter brought this to a party and served it with pita chips as a bean dip. It was a hit! Thank you for sharing this recipe.
Christine @ myblissfulmess says
I love super simple and quick recipes like this, and such a wonderful salad packed with protein. Yum!
swathi says
This is my kind of salad I love this simple white bean salad with bell pepper and onion. As you right these kinds of simple treat are not only good for health but also tasty and colorful
traditionallymodernfood says
Simple and protein rich salad like this are my favorite. with minimal effort such a filling and tasty meal
Marisa Franca @ All Our Way says
What a great side dish any time of the year. We love our beans and I can add a touch of a cuisine related spices to the beans. Greek, Italian, Asian — I’m coming up with lots of ideas. Thank you for sharing. I’m savng this recipe
Amy says
Kylee, this looks so fresh and tasty and delicious! I am a huge fan of beans and love serving them during the summer as a cool side dish. Dying to try this at my next bbq!