Mediterranean Bean Salad

This Mediterranean Bean Salad is nutritious, delicious and so easy to make!  And it travels well, so it’s a perfect cold bean salad to take to a potluck or summer barbecue! 

THREE BEAN SALAD

This Mediterranean Bean Salad will remind you of a classic three bean salad, but we’ve added a lot of extra goodies here like celery, cucumber, onion, tomato, parsley and basil and it’s all tossed in a delicious Italian vinaigrette. 

This Mediterranean bean salad recipe is super easy to make, and if you want to make it extra special, toss in some Mediterranean kalamata olives and sliced pepperoncini to the mix.  I bought them to add to this salad, but completely forgot to do so.  I recommend adding either one or both.  They add so much flavor and Mediterranean flair to this dish!  A little grated parmesan cheese also adds a nice touch.

THREE BEAN SALAD RECIPE

This healthy bean salad is a delicious mix of canned garbanzo beans, kidney beans and cannellini beans all tossed with chopped organic vegetables and fresh herbs.

• Garbanzo Beans
• Kidney Beans
• Cannellini Beans
• Red Onion
• Celery
• Cucumber
• Tomatoes
• Italian Parsley
• Basil
• Bean salad dressing
• Parmesan Cheese

HOW TO MAKE THREE BEAN SALAD

This is a cold bean salad that comes together in about 10 minutes start-to-finish.  It can be eaten at room temperature, but it’s really best if chilled for an hour or two before serving.  

1. In a large bowl, add the ingredients for the salad and toss.
2. Drizzle the dressing over the ingredients and toss again.
3. Refrigerate for 45-60 minutes before serving.

BEAN SALAD DRESSING RECIPE

This bean salad dressing uses just four simple ingredients (olive oil, lemon, garlic and Italian seasoning) to lightly toss your salad with.  You can adjust the seasoning after tossed, adding more or less, to your liking.

• 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• juice of 1-1/2 lemons
• 1 clove garlic, peeled and minced
• 1/2 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
• ground pepper and sea salt to taste

HOW TO MAKE BEAN SALAD DRESSING

This three bean salad dressing comes together as quickly as you can shake a jar, but it’s best if chilled in the refrigerator for an hour or two.

1. In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, garlic and Italian seasoning.
2. You can also add the ingredients to a mason jar, seal the lid tightly and shake to mix the ingredients well.

Variations to this Mediterranean Bean Salad Recipe

• Use fresh mint instead of fresh basil
• Feta cheese instead of Parmesan
• Add other vegetables such as zucchini and red pepper
• Add kalamata olives and pepperoncini 
• Double up on the dressing so the beans can marinate 
• Sprinkle in a little dried basil and oregano

Why we love this Mediterranean Three Bean Salad

• It’s quick and easy to make
• It travels well so it’s a perfect potluck and barbecue salad 
• It’s high in protein and fiber
• It’s vegetarian (vegan if you omit the cheese)
• It’s great as a side dish or vegetarian main course
• It’s also great to add to a green salad for the added protein

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HEALTHY SALAD RECIPES 

• Curried Chickpea Salad
• Mediterranean Chickpea and Cucumber Salad
• Mediterranean Quinoa Salad
• Italian Chopped Salad
• Greek Chopped Salad
• The Best Tuna Pasta Salad
• Wild Rice Salad