Mediterranean Bean Salad

Mediterranean Bean Salad is an easy three bean salad recipe (3 bean salad) is loaded with legumes and veggies all tossed in a bean salad dressing. It’s also nutritious, delicious, easy to make, and it travels well so it’s a perfect cold bean salad to take to a potluck or summer barbecue! 

This Mediterranean Bean Salad will remind you of a classic three bean salad (or 3 bean salad), but it’s even better!  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. 

You’ll love how easy this 3 bean salad recipe is to make, and if you want to make it extra special, toss in some 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 salad is a delicious mix of canned garbanzo beans, kidney beans and cannellini beans all tossed with chopped organic vegetables, fresh herbs and a delicious bean salad dressing.

• Garbanzo Beans
• Kidney Beans
• Cannellini Beans
• Red Onion
• Celery
• Cucumber
• Tomatoes
• Italian Parsley
• Basil
• Bean salad dressing
• Parmesan Cheese (optional)
• Kalamata olives (optional)
• Pepperoncini (0ptional)

I typically add Parmesan cheese, kalamata olives and pepperoncini to this salad because they add so much flavor to the mix!

How to Make Three Bean Salad

This salad 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. You can also add everything to a mason jar, seal the lid and shake well.
2. Drizzle the dressing over the ingredients and toss again.
3. Refrigerate for 45-60 minutes before serving.

Bean Salad Dressing Recipe

This 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.

• Extra-virgin olive oil
• Freshly squeezed lemon juice
• Garlic
• Italian seasoning
• Salt and pepper to taste

If you make the dressing in advance, be sure to shake it well before tossing the salad with it. If the dressing hardens in the refrigerator (it likely will), just set it out at room temperature for 10-15 minutes then shake well to combine.

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

• Use feta cheese instead of Parmesan
• Add other vegetables like chopped zucchini, yellow squash and red pepper
• Toss in some kalamata olives and pepperoncini 
• Add lots of fresh basil leaves cut into ribbons
• Double up on the dressing so the beans can marinate (and you’ll have a little dressing left over for a green salad).
• Sprinkle in a little dried basil and oregano (I always sprinkle in about 1/4 teaspoon each for a more robust flavor)

Why We Love This Salad

• Super quick and easy to make
• It travels well making it a perfect potluck and barbecue salad 
• High in protein and fiber
• It’s vegetarian (vegan if you omit the cheese)
• Makes a great as a side dish or vegetarian main course
• It’s really great tossed in with a green salad

Looking for more healthy salads to serve?

• 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

Want more ideas? Check out all my healthy salad recipes.