Classic Three Bean Salad Recipe - The Recipe Critic (2024)

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A delicious blend of beans tossed in a tangy dressing, three bean salad is the perfect side to any dinner! It’s super easy to whip up and has incredible flavor in each bite.

This three bean salad is an easy and flavorful salad you’ll love bringing to all of your potlucks this summer. A few more recipes to try out are Greek orzo salad, black bean and corn salad, and Mediterranean quinoa salad! They’re cool and refreshing but packed with amazing savory flavor!

Classic Three Bean Salad Recipe - The Recipe Critic (1)

Three Bean Salad Recipe

If you’re looking for a tasty, protein-packed salad to bring to all of your summer get-togethers, look no further! This quick and easy salad uses 3 different types of beans- green, kidney, and garbanzo, all tossed in a delicious, tangy dressing. I add in chopped red onions too for crunch and a pop of flavor! It’s going to fly off the table at your next potluck.

The delicious texture of this salad works with just about any entrée! The crunch and tangy flavor is a great contrast to meat dishes like this grilled honey barbecue chicken! As simple as this three bean salad is, it is so satisfying and delicious! It’s always a favorite at our house! You’re going to love the tangy dressing combined with soft beans and crunchy red onions!

Ingredients You’ll Need to Make It

The best part about this delicious salad is the fact that you only need a handful of pantry staples to throw it together! The combination of these flavors is absolutely irresistible. You can find measurements for each ingredient listed in the recipe card below.

  • Canned Beans: I used a mix of green beans, dark kidney beans, and garbanzo beans. You can also swap these out for black, pinto, or wax beans.
  • Red Onion: Adds sharp, delicious flavor and the perfect crunch!
  • Vinegar: This recipe uses a blend of white wine vinegar and apple cider vinegar! The combination is tangy and slightly fruity.
  • Sugar: This helps to balance out the acidity of the vinegar.
  • Olive Oil: Helps coat the beans in all of the delicious flavors.
  • Salt and Pepper: Add both to taste!

How to Make Classic Three Bean Salad

Making this three bean salad is as easy as it gets! It mixes up in minutes and is great for making ahead. I actually recommend it because this way, the flavors have more time to meld!

  1. Prepare Beans and Onion: In a colander, add the beans and rinse in cold water. Transfer to a large bowl and add the red onion.
  2. Mix Dressing Ingredients: In a small bowl whisk the vinegar, sugar, and olive oil.
  3. Combine: Add to the bowl and toss until coated. Salt and pepper to taste and serve.
Classic Three Bean Salad Recipe - The Recipe Critic (2)

Tips and Variations

Here are a few extra ways to customize this delicious salad! It’s so good, you’re going to want to bring it to every summer party.

  • Swap Out Dressing: A fun way to customize your salad is to use different homemade dressings! Try this lemon vinaigrette or Greek dressing next!
  • Add Herbs:Fresh herbs are the best way to add a delicious pop of flavor to your salad! Try adding a dash of Italian seasoning or chopped basil, or mint!
  • Use Other Veggies: If you find the flavor of red onion to be overpowering, try using chopped celery or red bell peppers instead!

Storing Leftover Three Bean Salad

This simple three bean salad is great for both storing and making ahead! It’s the perfect thing to have on hand for a quick and easy snack or dinner side. The best part about this salad? The longer it’s stored, the more infused and delicious the flavors become!

Classic Three Bean Salad Recipe - The Recipe Critic (3)

More Delicious Summer Salads

Cool, crisp, and bursting with flavor, here are a few more salads to add to your dinner lineup! They’re super easy to make and loaded with healthy and delicious ingredients. You can find my full list of tasty salad recipes here!

Salads

Tomato Basil Salad

8 mins

Salads

Tabouli Salad

20 mins

Side Dishes

Creamy Cucumber Salad

5 mins

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Three Bean Salad

5 from 5 votes

By: Alyssa Rivers

A delicious blend of beans tossed in a tangy dressing, three bean salad is the perfect side to any dinner! It's super easy to whip up and has incredible flavor in each bite.

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Total Time: 10 minutes minutes

Servings: 4

Ingredients

Instructions

  • In a colander, add the beans and rinse in cold water. Transfer to a large bowl and add the red onion.

  • In a small bowl whisk the vinegar, sugar, and olive oil. Add to the bowl and toss until coated. Salt and pepper to taste and serve.

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 375kcalCarbohydrates: 56gProtein: 18gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gSodium: 327mgPotassium: 893mgFiber: 17gSugar: 11gVitamin A: 800IUVitamin C: 16mgCalcium: 118mgIron: 6mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Side Dish

Tried this recipe?Mention @alyssa_therecipecritic or tag #therecipecritic!

About Alyssa Rivers

Alyssa Rivers is the author of 'The Tried and True Cookbook', a professional food photographer and experienced recipe-developer. Having a passion for cooking, her tried and true recipes have been featured on Good Morning America, Today Food, Buzzfeed and more.

Read More About Me

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Classic Three Bean Salad Recipe - The Recipe Critic (2024)

FAQs

What is three bean salad made of? ›

If we're talking about a traditional American 3 bean salad, you'll typically see these three types of beans: Canned green beans, kidney beans or black beans, and garbanzo beans, also known as chickpeas. I'm not a fan of canned green beans: They just feel too mushy for my taste.

How long can you keep a bean salad in the fridge? ›

If refrigerated, bean salad can last between three and five days and should be discarded when left out more than two hours. The absence of meat or dairy products in most recipes also allows this dish to keep longer than other food items that require consistent refrigeration and sealed storage.

What do you serve with bean salad? ›

What to Serve with Three Bean Salad (26 Best Sides)
  1. Meat. • 1 Chicken. • 1 Crispy fried chicken. ...
  2. Seafood. • 1 Easy healthy baked salmon. • 1 Garlic grilled shrimp. ...
  3. Produce. • 1 Baked potato. • 1 Brown rice with mushrooms & thyme, Toasted. ...
  4. Frozen. • 1 Fried rice. ...
  5. Deli. • 1 Blt sandwich. ...
  6. Other. • Hamburger and Fries.

How many calories are in a 3 bean salad? ›

Three bean salad, canned (0.5 cup) contains 15.5g total carbs, 12.7g net carbs, 0.3g fat, 3g protein, and 73 calories.

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

Is it healthy to eat bean salad everyday? ›

The Bottom Line. Beans are great for your health, providing protein and fiber that can aid in weight maintenance and improve gut health. Plus, bean eaters tend to have healthier diets.

What is the healthiest bean? ›

Beans, such as black beans, garbanzo beans, and lima beans, are amongst the most nutritious foods you can eat. They're rich in fiber, magnesium, potassium, and other nutrients that tend to be low in modern-day diets.

Does bean salad go bad? ›

If you've made your own bean salad, it will typically last 3-5 days in the fridge. While it's possible to freeze bean salad, the texture may change upon thawing, making it less appetizing.

Are beans still good after 2 weeks in fridge? ›

Your cooked beans last about 3 to 5 days in the fridge. To store them, let the beans cool down after cooking, then pop them in the refrigerator within an hour. Getting them stored quickly and chilled in the fridge will help prevent the growth of bacteria.

Can I eat canned mixed bean salad cold? ›

They are already cooked, so if you like cold beans, by all means eat them straight out of the can. Beans, and all canned foods, are cooked during the canning process. So if you want to eat beans straight from the can, go ahead.

Can you eat beans straight from the can? ›

Canned beans are the good kind of fast food because they're already cooked, which is a great time-saver for participants. They're convenient, ready-to-eat and can be served straight from the can (though rinsing and draining first is recommended) or quickly warmed in the microwave or on the stovetop.

Is three-bean salad high in carbs? ›

Mark & Spencer 3 Bean Salad (1 serving) contains 19.2g total carbs, 8.2g net carbs, 2.4g fat, 5.9g protein, and 99 calories.

What are the best beans to eat for weight loss? ›

Many do not consider beans healthy when following a low carb diet as it is high in carbohydrates. However, along with carbs, beans also contain fiber (mostly soluble), which can help lower cholesterol level. Black beans, kidney beans, navy beans are the ones considered best for weight loss plan.

Is canned bean salad good for you? ›

Additionally, remember to rinse any canned beans, as the liquids they're stored in are where most of the sodium content resides. Regardless of how they're prepared, beans are a great source of protein, fiber, vitamins and minerals like potassium, iron and magnesium. Simply put, they're a great addition to your diet.

Is three bean salad high in carbs? ›

Mark & Spencer 3 Bean Salad (1 serving) contains 19.2g total carbs, 8.2g net carbs, 2.4g fat, 5.9g protein, and 99 calories.

What is mixed bean salad made of? ›

The most common beans for a three bean salad include garbanzo beans or chickpeas, red kidney beans, sometimes black beans and green beans. Red onions, shallots or white onions work well in bean salads along with green onions or chives. I used red onion in this one but feel free to use whatever you have or prefer.

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