Bean Bonanza Salad
A vibrant bean salad featuring a mix of colorful beans, tangy vinaigrette, and fresh herbs, perfect for potlucks, picnics, or light summer meals. Refreshing and flavorful.
Ingredients
- 16 oz. can kidney beans, drained ⓘ
- 16 oz. can cut wax beans, drained
- 16 oz. can green beans, drained ⓘ
- 16 oz. can lima beans, drained ⓘ
- 1/2 cup sugar ⓘ
- 1/2 cup salad oil ⓘ
- 1/2 cup wine vinegar ⓘ
- 1/2 medium onion, cut in pieces ⓘ
- 1/2 teaspoon dried tarragon leaves, crushed ⓘ
- 1/2 teaspoon basil leaves, crushed ⓘ
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper ⓘ
- 1 small green pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt ⓘ
- 1/2 teaspoon dry mustard ⓘ
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine drained beans.
- In a blender container, place sugar, salad oil, wine vinegar, onion, dried tarragon, basil, pepper, green pepper, salt, and dry mustard.
- Blend until onions and green pepper are finely chopped.
- Pour the salad oil mixture over the beans and toss to coat.
- Chill several hours, stirring occasionally before serving.
Tips & Substitutions
For a more vibrant flavor, consider adding fresh herbs like parsley or cilantro. If you want to reduce sugar, try using a natural sweetener like agave syrup. You can also swap out the salad oil for olive oil for a richer taste. For a heartier texture, add diced avocado or chopped celery. This dish is great for meal prep as it holds up well in the fridge.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this Bean Bonanza Salad as a refreshing side dish at barbecues or picnics, or enjoy it as a light lunch on its own. It pairs beautifully with grilled meats or can be a part of a larger spread featuring dishes like Chili Potato Stew. Garnish with fresh herbs for an extra touch of flavor and presentation.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. The flavors will continue to meld, enhancing the taste. To reheat, gently warm it on the stove or in the microwave, stirring occasionally to ensure even heating. This salad is also delightful served cold, so it can be enjoyed straight from the fridge.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Bean Bonanza Salad contains roughly 395 calories, with 16g protein, 54g carbohydrates, and 13g fat. It is an excellent source of dietary fiber (63% of the Daily Value), vitamin C (42% of the Daily Value), and iron (32% of the Daily Value). At about 395 calories per serving, it is a lighter, protein-rich choice.
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this salad ahead of time for a gathering?
Absolutely! This salad is perfect for making ahead of time. It actually tastes better after sitting in the fridge, as the flavors deepen. Just be sure to give it a good stir before serving to redistribute the dressing and ingredients.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).