Description
A vibrant and refreshing Three Bean Salad featuring cannellini, kidney, and green beans tossed in a tangy red wine vinegar dressing with red onion and fresh parsley. Perfect as a light side dish or a healthy snack, this salad can be served immediately or marinated for enhanced flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
Dressing
- 1/3 cup red wine vinegar
- 2 teaspoons granulated sugar
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
Salad
- 1 small red onion, finely chopped (about 1/2 cup)
- 1 (15-ounce) can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 (15-ounce) can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 (14.5-ounce) can cut green beans, drained and rinsed, or 1½ cups chopped blanched green beans
- 1 cup loosely packed fresh parsley leaves, finely chopped
Instructions
- Make the dressing: In a large bowl, whisk together red wine vinegar, sugar, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, and 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper until the sugar is completely dissolved, about 30 seconds. Gradually add the extra-virgin olive oil while whisking to emulsify the dressing. Stir in the finely chopped red onion and let the mixture sit for 5 minutes to soften the onion and meld flavors.
- Combine the beans: Gently fold in the drained and rinsed cannellini beans, kidney beans, and green beans along with the chopped fresh parsley. Toss everything lightly to ensure the beans are well coated with the tangy dressing and herbs.
- Rest or serve: Serve the salad immediately for a crisp and fresh taste, or cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour (up to overnight) to allow the flavors to fully develop and the beans to marinate. Stir gently before serving to redistribute the dressing.
Notes
- For best flavor, marinate the salad overnight to allow beans to absorb the dressing.
- Use fresh green beans instead of canned by blanching and chopping them if preferred.
- Adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper to taste after marinating.
- This salad keeps well refrigerated for up to 2 days.
- Can be served as a side dish or a light vegetarian main course.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: three bean salad, bean salad, vegetarian salad, easy salad, red wine vinegar dressing, summer salad, healthy salad, make-ahead salad
