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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!
Served chilled or at room temperature, this is a versatile salad!
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 light lunch, a great side dish or even as a mid-afternoon snack.
Step by step photos and instructions below!
Update: This recipe was originally published in of 2017. It was republished with updated photos in May of 2022.
I 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 easy salad – especially one that takes so little time to make, and can be made ahead! This easy white bean salad recipe is quick and easy, and stays super yummy for several days in the refrigerator.
A loaf of crusty bread like this Oatmeal Bread, and you’ve got a meal!
We have this as the perfect side dish regularly, but can also grab some crackers and pack it for work lunches as the main course. This is a great salad for picking and choosing ingredients and mixing it up!
Are white beans healthy?
Yes! They’re a great source of fiber, protein and other nutrients.
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 and tastes better the next day. Perfect to meal prep for work lunches!
- Easy to make. No cooking time! A little bit of chopping of fresh ingredients, but can be done very very quickly!
I have included step by step photos and instructions, as well as tips and tricks in the post. If you’d rather skip all that, scoot right on down to the full recipe card located at the bottom of the post.
Recommended Equipment/Tools
- Chopping Board
- Knife
- Large Mixing Bowl
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. There are lots of varieties of white beans! Cannellini, Great Northern, White Kidney Beans or Navy Beans are all great options!
I use canned beans, but you can obviously use dry beans if you soak and cook them prior to using. - Red Peppers. Dice these up small.
- Parsley. Don’t leave this out, fresh herbs add a pretty green color and a savory flavor to the bean salad. Experiment with different herbs! You could add fresh basil, or peppery arugula instead – but wait until the last minute to add these for best flavor.
- 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. Red wine vinegar also works, as well as fresh lemon juice. You need an acid for the dressing, so pick your favorite.
- Garlic. Garlic is important! Mince finely and add it to the vinaigrette.
How to make White Bean Salad
Scroll for Recipe
The full list of ingredients, quantities and instructions can be found in the printable recipe card below.
Get prepped
Chop the vegetables, and open the can of white beans. Give the beans a good rinse.
Place the beans, red bell peppers, parsley, and onion in a large bowl.
Make the dressing
In a lidded jar, add the olive oil, vinegar, garlic, salt & pepper. Put the lid on tightly, and shake until well combined.
Assemble
Add the dressing to the bean mixture, using a spatula to combine (gently – so you don’t break the beans).
Taste, add kosher salt and black pepper if needed.
Refrigerate until needed (up to 4 days).
Devour.
Kylee’s Notes
Substitutions/Additions
I like to mix this up and use navy, great northern beans, garbanzo beans and even add some black beans or lima beans occasionally.
Switch out the fresh parsley for cilantro, and add some corn for a southwestern bean salad!
Try green onions, basil or arugula instead of parsley.
Cherry tomatoes are a great addition.
A little dijon mustard in the dressing adds some depth of flavor.
Storage
Store this simple salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Some of our favorite salad recipes. All great options for making ahead!
- Greek Chick Pea Salad An excellent make-ahead 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!
- Easy Italian Salad (from Spend with Pennies)
- Chopped Asparagus Salad (from View from the Great Island)
If you have tried this recipe or any other recipe on Kylee Cooks, leave a comment and rating – I truly love to hear from you!
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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!