Bean Salad is an easy-to-prepare vegetarian dish that can make a tasty quick meal or even a useful side dish. For this great event, common ingredients such as beans of different types, fresh and crisp carrots, tomatoes, cresses, onions, and a tangy dressing are a sure bet for this event. From a small get-together to planning meals for the week ahead, this is a perfect Bean Salad. Colorful, and filled with protein and fiber, there’s no better salad for a nutritious yet satisfying meal.
Why Choose Bean Salad?
Here are the many benefits of Bean Salad, which is a great option that should be included in the household’s list of recipes. First of all, it is very convenient to make. No cooking is needed which makes this snack very easy to prepare, just put your ingredients together and you’re good to go. Using canned beans is well suitable in this recipe since it will cut down the preparation time significantly though it does not affect taste. So if you just wash them thoroughly, you’re good to go because the sodium overlay will have been lessened. The use of black beans, kidney beans, and chickpeas gives the Bean Salad a different texture and taste, hence it is filling.
Bean Salad has another great advantage concerning its nutritional value. They contain protein, fiber, and other nutrients, simply by their nature as beans they are a healthy choice. They do not easily cause one to get hungry again soon allowing anyone keen on their diet to take this salad without worrying about gaining weight. In addition, it also enhances the qualities of the ingredients such as bell pepper, cucumber, and onions that increase the nutritional value of the dish.
Customizing Your Bean Salad
Bean Salad’s strength of being a very versatile dish is perhaps one of the document’s highlights. One of my favorite aspects of this recipe is that you can always make changes yourself depending on your preferences. Love a bit of spice? You can add some chili flakes of jalapeños to your salad. Prefer a touch of sweetness? One can add a little honey or maple syrups into the dressing as the tangy ingredients counterbalance. If you like using cheese in your dishes, crumbled feta cheese will act as a creamy and add extra taste to the salad.
Should you decide that you’d like to add a few more vegetables to your Bean Salad, go right ahead and have your go at it? Many people mix vegetables such as celery carrots or even corn to add more texture to the food. One thing cannot be practiced, though: forgetting the ammonia water and fresh herbs. The basic selection would be parsley and if you want to add something else it would be preferable to stick to the green, for example, cilantro or basil for a more herby flavor.
Serving Suggestions for Bean Salad
Bean Salad is especially delicious on its own, although it can complement other recipes quite well too. Simply, accompany it with grilling steaks, chicken, or fish, or use it to top a taco or burrito. It’s also a perfect dish for parties or barbecues, as it stays well both at room temperature and can be easily transported in a large casserole. By the next day or even after a couple of hours, it is best stored in the refrigerator and the dish gets always tastier!
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Fresh and Flavorful Bean Salad: Ready in 15 Minutes
Description
This is a light dish that can be taken as a salad or even as a meal; it is indeed easy to prepare. This figure-packed salad contains high protein and fiber made from an assortment of beans, fresh vegetables, and a tangy dressing. It works for you because it is fast and easy to prepare, truly a healthy food, delicious and flexible for use in potlucks or carrying for picnics, or simply as part of your meal prep for the week.
Ingredients
Optional Ingredients:
Instructions
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Step 1: Prepare the Ingredients
Drain and rinse the black beans, kidney beans, and chickpeas if using canned beans. Set them aside in a large mixing bowl.
Chop the red bell pepper, cucumber, red onion, and parsley, and add them to the beans.
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Step 2: Make the Dressing
In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, apple cider vinegar (or lemon juice), Dijon mustard, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Adjust seasoning to taste.
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Step 3: Combine Everything
Pour the dressing over the bean salad mixture in a large bowl.
Toss everything together until the beans and vegetables are evenly coated with the dressing.
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Step 4: Chill and Serve
For the best flavor, refrigerate the bean salad for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
Serve chilled, and garnish with extra parsley or optional feta cheese if desired.
Servings 5
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories 190kcal
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 8g13%
- Saturated Fat 1g5%
- Sodium 405mg17%
- Potassium 165mg5%
- Total Carbohydrate 25g9%
- Dietary Fiber 6g24%
- Sugars 10g
- Protein 5g10%
- Vitamin C 8 mg
- Calcium 37 mg
- Iron 1 mg
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Note
- If you prefer more crunch, add chopped celery or shredded carrots.
- For a sweeter flavor, add 1 tbsp honey or maple syrup to the dressing.
