Dense Bean Salad Sun-Dried Tomatoes (Printable View)

Protein-rich Mediterranean bean salad with sun-dried tomatoes, crisp veg, capers and a bright red wine vinaigrette.

# What You Need:

→ Beans

01 - 1 can (14 oz) cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
02 - 1 can (14 oz) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
03 - 1 can (14 oz) chickpeas, drained and rinsed

→ Vegetables & Add-Ins

04 - 3.5 oz sun-dried tomatoes in oil, sliced
05 - 1 small red onion, finely diced
06 - 1 small cucumber, diced
07 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
08 - 2 tbsp capers, drained
09 - 3 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
10 - 1 tbsp fresh basil, chopped

→ Dressing

11 - 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
12 - 2 tbsp red wine vinegar
13 - 1 tsp Dijon mustard
14 - 1 garlic clove, minced
15 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

# How-To Steps:

01 - Place cannellini beans, kidney beans, chickpeas, sun-dried tomatoes, red onion, cucumber, red bell pepper, capers, parsley, and basil in a large salad bowl.
02 - In a small bowl or jar, whisk together extra-virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper until fully emulsified.
03 - Pour dressing over the mixture in the large bowl and gently toss until all components are evenly coated.
04 - Let the salad rest at room temperature for at least 10 minutes to allow flavors to develop.
05 - Serve chilled or at room temperature as desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • This salad feels like a little secret: it tastes even better after resting, so you can make it ahead and impress everyone without fuss.
  • It’s perfect for those days when you want to eat fresh and hearty but have no desire to turn on the stove.
02 -
  • Once, I forgot to rinse the beans and ended up with a muddy-tasting salad—never skip that step.
  • Allowing the salad to rest really does deepen the flavors; a hasty forkful straight from the bowl just isn’t as special.
03 -
  • Chop the veggies evenly so every bite tastes balanced and satisfying.
  • A generous grind of freshly cracked black pepper over the top just before serving lifts all the flavors.

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