Fresh and Easy Three Bean Salad
Fresh and Easy Three Bean Salad is a healthy three bean salad recipe with fresh green beans and a flavorful dressing!
The NBA Finals are giving me an ulcer you guys, and if you’re a basketball fan, you know what I’m talking about. We’re huge Warriors fans living in the SF Bay Area, and having our team get to the finals after 40 years is beyond exciting.
The Warriors and Cavaliers are one of the best match-ups ever, and every game has been a nail biter so far. The worst part is that I can’t help but root for Matthew Dellavadova on the Cavs because we watched him play every year he played at Saint Mary’s College before he went pro. We love him, but he’s a complete thorn in our side right now. I guess all I can say now is Go Warriors! ??
There…I feel better for getting that off of my chest. 🙂
Now I have a food-related question for you — when it comes to picnics and barbecues, what is your go to side dish? I have so many favorites, but the funny thing is that I’d forgotten about three bean salad until I saw one on the menu at a cafe recently.
This three bean salad was made with fresh beans, along with chopped veggies, herbs, etc. It was such a great reminder, and I made this version at home within a few days.
Since it’s green bean season, I used fresh green beans. I used canned chickpeas and kidney beans, then added tons of freshness and crunch with red and yellow bell pepper, red onion, and chopped flat leaf parsley.
And all the colors….those get me every time. 🙂
What I always remember about three bean salad is the dressing, which is usually high on apple cider vinegar and sugar. I’m fine with it being high on vinegar, but I used just enough sweetener here (I chose maple syrup as usual) to make this dressing just sweet enough. If you like yours sweeter, simply add more.
This Three Bean Salad recipe is perfect because it can be made way ahead as it soaks up the flavor from the dressing and gets better over time.
This salad isn’t super perishable, either, so being out in the heat for an extended period of time isn’t going to result in someone getting sick like mayo based salad. And yes — you can whip this up in mere minutes and it feeds a crowd!
Talking about this salad was a nice distraction from my basketball stress….thank you for listening. 🙂
More salad recipes you’ll love:
Wedge salad by House of Yumm
Fresh and Easy Three Bean Salad
Ingredients
For the salad:
- 8 ounces fresh green beans washed and trimmed*
- 15 ounces chickpeas rinsed and drained
- 15 ounces kidney beans rinsed and drained
- 1 medium bell pepper seeded and chopped fine (I used half red bell pepper and half yellow)
- ½ medium red onion chopped
- 2 tablespoons chopped flat leaf parsley
For the dressing:
- ¼ cup plus 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 3 tablespoons pure maple syrup or your favorite sweetener*
- ¼ cup vegetable oil
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of water to boil. Add the green beans and bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium. Simmer 3-4 minutes or until they reach the desired doneness. Place in a colander and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking, then set aside to drain and cool. Once cool enough, cut into ½" pieces.
- Place the green beans, chickpeas, kidney beans, bell pepper, red onion, and parsley in a large bowl and set aside.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the vinegar, maple syrup, salt and pepper, to taste until combined. Whisking constantly, add the canola oil in steady a stream. Taste and add more sweetener, salt and pepper, if desired.
- Pour the dressing over the salad and toss to coat -- I used all of it.
- The salad is best made ahead so the flavors can meld. Serve cold or at room temperature, and enjoy!
Notes
- Feel free to substitute the fresh green beans with canned if they're out of season or your pressed for time.
- *I don't like my dressing too terribly sweet, so if you like yours on the sweeter side, add 1-2 tablespoons more of the sweetener you choose.
- Store leftover salad in the fridge in an airtight container.
Nutrition
Nutrition is estimated using a food database and is only intended to be used as a guideline for informational purposes.
53 Comments on “Fresh and Easy Three Bean Salad”
I love all your salad recipes Marcie and this one is no exception! looks so fresh and delicious, love the colors! 🙂
Thank you so much, Manali, and have a wonderful weekend!
Marcie – this salad looks fantastic! Love the color, flavors and the dressing is perfect! Pinned!!
Thanks, Deb! It really doesn’t get any easier than this.
Haha! Marcie, your NBA Finals crack me up my dear friend. Especially since you followed my pain through the Superbowl. 🙂 And, I have to tell you, I have a 3 Bean Salad recipe that is my absolute favorite for grilling and BBQs too. Mine is different from yours, but it’s still one of my favorites. And yours looks amazing.
Why are sports so stressful?! I have seen and pinned your 3 bean salad — it looks so good, but I swear, it had been a while since I though about this wonderful side dish! Thanks, Kristi, and have a great weekend!
This three bean salad looks so vibrant, fresh and delicious! I mean who can resist that look at that gorgeous platter! Fantastic recipe!
Thank you, Anu! The more color the better, right?
I’ve only had bean salad a handful of times in my life — I actually had it for the first time in a lonnnngg while at a picnic last year. I was raving about how tasty it was and everyone just kind of stared at me like “Who brought that one?” This version sounds delicious! Love the fresh green beans
That’s so funny, Kelly — I do that with food too and some people just stare at me sideways. . Thanks so much, and have a great weekend!
My husband is the same way right now, but it’s because of the Chicago Blackhawks…they’re in the finals right now and are currently leading the series! This salad looks delicious, Marcie! I love the pretty colors and fresh flavors. I’ve never made a bean salad before, so this looks just perfect! Pinned!
Sport are stressful things — good luck to the Blackhawks! Thank you for the nice comment, Gayle, and have a nice weekend!
Dear Marcie, I am a big fan of fresh and easy salads. This is perfect! xo, Catherine
Thank you, Catherine!
I enjoy all the simple salads during summer. You have some great ideas here.
That’s a healthy, perfect easy one dear.
Hope you are having a good summer, the kids would’ve started their break too. Enjoy.xo
Thank you, Ash! Yes, another summer vacation begins as the kids get out of school today. Hope you’re off to a great start, my friend!
I friggin’ love beans, however… They don’t really like me back 🙁 But I would risk a stomach ache for this!
Haha! I hear ya — beans can do that to a person! 🙂
I always forget about three bean salads! Until I see them at our local whole foods. haha This looks awesome – especially with the green beans!
I never see that at Whole Foods or I would have remembered to make one long ago! haha Thanks, Ashley! 🙂
I don’t think I’ve ver made a salad like this but I know I would totally enjoy it. Must try. Pinned!
Thanks, Kathy — it’s so easy you just can’t lose! 🙂
Love the bright colors and fresh flavors of this salad! Tons of protein 🙂
Thank you, Medha, and yes — love all the protein here! 🙂
Haha my husband has been glued to the games too! Love this three bean salad! The colors are so pretty the green beans are such a nice addition! Looks delicious, Marcie!
I’m so glad the Warriors have been playing better so I can breathe a little easier. If it goes to Game 7, I won’t be anymore! haha Thanks, Kelly! 🙂
So much freshness Marcie! Love this bean salad! So simple to make, too! Pinning!
Thank you, Mira! This salad really is beyond easy. 🙂
Oh I totally can’t watch sports because I just can’t handle the stress! One year the Flames (hockey) were in the Stanley Cup final and I seriously felt like I was getting an ulcer, too! I love the sounds of this salad, Marcie! My go-to bean salad uses white vinegar and it’s so sharp, I think I like the sounds of your apple cider vinaigrette much better!
I’ve been watching the finals too, but thankfully I’m not attached to either team so it is much less stressful for me! Good luck to your team though! I don’t think I’ve ever eaten a three bean salad before but this looks like something I would devour!
This mixed bean salad looks divine, Marcie! The colours are beautiful!
Three bean salad is one of my favorites and I love that you used maple syrup instead of sugar to sweeten it!
I wasn’t sure how the maple syrup would taste and I have no idea why I doubted it — it was great! Thanks, Christin!
Three bean salad is so good! I love how bright and beautiful your photos are.
Thank you! The more color the better, right? 🙂
I’m loving all these bright colors! What a healthy and delicious salad!
Yay for Golden State — I’m so glad we won! What s great series that was, right? Thanks, Mary Frances!
So yummy! My new favorite salad! Made exactly the way the recipe stated and it was perfect!
I’m so glad you enjoyed the salad, Nikki, and I really appreciate your taking the time to leave me feedback! Thank you so much! 🙂
I remember seeing salads like this when I was growing up, but regret to say I don’t remember eating them! I should change that! 🙂
The ones I had always had canned green beans — I thought fresh had to be better! Thanks, Jamie! 🙂
This recipe is amazing! It is now one of my favorite salads. So easy, so fresh, so delicious!
I’m so happy that you enjoyed the salad Gigi, and thank you so much for the awesome feedback! I really appreciate it. ?
Nice recipe.So nice I pinned it! Nancy Andres @ www.nancyandreswriter.com
Thank you, Nancy! 🙂
5 out of 5 stars. This is one of my go to recipes I make it A LOT! My boyfriend thinks I’m crazy when I always tell him I’m eating my bean salad and how good it is haha. The only substitution I make is instead of maple syrup I use organic coconut nectar which has the same consistency
I’m so glad to hear that you love this salad that much because I love it enough to eat it every day! I really appreciate your taking the time to leave your feedback — thanks Chelsea!
how far ahead of serving could I make this? (I have a glut of green beans to use, and an event 4 days away). I love the color contrast the chickpeas make
Hi Nancy! You can certainly cook your beans a few days in advance and assemble the salad the day before your event. That should work perfectly!
Hi. I love the idea of fresh beans and all the “healthy” ingredients in the salad. I was looking for a bean salad that had nice healthy ingredients like apple cider vinegar , healthy sweeter
Just a note though on the type oil used, to make it really “healthy” a better choice of oil would be something like olive oil or avocado oil. Both have great flavour and are much better for you than canola- which my sources advice to never consume if you are health conscious.
Thank you for your recipe, delicious.
You’re absolutely right Elaine — I no longer use canola oil and need to update this recipe to reflect that. Thank you for your feedback!
Made this for our Canadian Thanksgiving and it was delicious! I did add a squirt of fresh lemon juice but otherwise kept everything as is. Even doubled! Thanks for a great recipe 🙂
Thank you for your feedback Julia and I’m so glad you enjoyed the recipe!