This easy, fresh three bean salad is full of protein and bold refreshing flavors. 3 beans such as kidney beans, black beans, and cannellini beans are tossed together with fresh onion, celery, and red wine vinegar to create the best healthy flavors without the refined sugar.
Enjoy 3 beans salad for either lunch or dinner–this three-bean salad is perfect for both. Fresh, lemon juice, sweet honey, and aromatic garlic are some of the key ingredients that make this salad so delicious and tasty.
You will want to make this easy bean salad all summer long because it comes together in minutes and requires no cooking. Just simply toss everything together and serve it alone or with your favorite pairings like crackers or chips.
WHY YOU WILL LOVE THIS RECIPE
- Quick and minimal: This 3 bean salad recipe is ready in less than 20 minutes and is perfect for the next potluck, BBQ, birthday, or another type of backyard celebration. There are hardly any steps to this easy salad.
- Delicious and satisfying: Red wine vinegar and lemon juice create rich tart flavors that are balanced out by sweet and sticky honey. The beans absorb all of the flavors and the cilantro adds another layer of refreshing notes.
- Healthy and full of fiber: Black beans, kidney beans, and cannellini beans are rich in protein and fiber which makes this a filling and well-rounded salad recipe. Onion, celery, and garlic are also nutrient-dense and allow this salad to be as fresh as possible.
INGREDIENTS FOR THIS EASY 3-BEAN SALAD
FOR THE BEAN SALAD DRESSING
- Olive oil: Rich, silky olive oil is the perfect base for the salad dressing because it is rich in flavor and simply delicious. High-quality olive oil is what we recommend.
- Red wine vinegar: Red wine vinegar is slightly bitter and allows the dressing to be bold enough to taste. This ingredient is a key ingredient in many cooking recipes.
- Lemon juice: Fresh lemon juice provides slightly acidic flavors that blend well with red wine vinegar and oil.
- Honey: Subtly sweet honey balances out the bitter tart flavors and allows the dressing to be the perfect combination of sweet yet savory. Maple syrup can also be used.
- Fresh garlic: Freshly minced garlic is highly recommended because it tastes the freshest for this recipe.
- Italian seasoning: Dried Italian seasonings such as oregano, basil, thyme, and rosemary provide enough seasoning for the dressing to allow it to be robust and earthy.
- Kosher sea salt and pepper: Sea salt and pepper provide enough flavor for the dressing. No extra ingredients are needed as salt and pepper are classic choices for seasoning.
THE 3 BEAN SALAD
- Beans: For this salad, you will need cannellini, black, and kidney beans. Of course, you can use garbanzo beans if you need to.
- Celery: Fresh crispy celery provides some crunch for this salad to make it filled with different textures.
- Red onion: Freshly sliced red onion provides an extra layer of refreshing qualities and pairs well with the bean salad dressing. Red onions are slightly sweet yet a little bitter.
- Cilantro: Leafy fresh cilantro is fragrant and a must for this salad. Parsley will also work with the other ingredients.
HOW TO MAKE THE BEST HEALTHY THREE BEAN SALAD RECIPE
First, prepare and chop all of the ingredients for the dressing and salad. Measure out all of the ingredients so they are ready to be used.
Next, in a small bowl, combine all of the ingredients for the salad dressing such as the oil, vinegar, lemon juice, honey, garlic, Italian seasoning, sea salt, and pepper. Whisk the ingredients with a fork until well combined.
Now, let’s prepare the salad. In a large bowl, combine the cannellini, kidney, and black beans along with the chopped celery, fresh onion, and cilantro.
Next, pour the dressing over the bean salad and lightly toss everything together until evenly coated.
Serve the salad in a bowl and enjoy it right away!
RECIPE NOTES AND TIPS
- If not eating right away, place the 3 beans salad in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
- Refrigerate any leftovers in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to four days.
- Add chopped cucumber to the bean salad in addition to fresh tomatoes and feta cheese.
- Adjust the salt and pepper to your liking.
- For vegan bean salad, use maple syrup instead of honey.
