Mom'S Five Bean Salad
A vibrant, protein-packed bean salad with a tangy vinaigrette, perfect for picnics, potlucks, or as a refreshing side dish for summer gatherings.
Ingredients
- 1 (1 lb.) can red kidney beans, drained ⓘ
- 1 (1 lb.) can green beans, drained ⓘ
- 1 (1 lb.) can Great Northern beans, drained ⓘ
- 1 (1 lb.) can baby limas, drained ⓘ
- 1 (1 lb.) can garbanzo beans, drained ⓘ
- 1 cup celery, diced ⓘ
- 1 cup green pepper, cut up ⓘ
- 1 (4 oz.) can chopped pimento ⓘ
- raw onion rings ⓘ
- 1/2 cup salad oil ⓘ
- 1/2 cup vinegar
- 1/2 cup sugar ⓘ
- 2 teaspoons salt ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon pepper ⓘ
Instructions
- In a jar, shake together the salad oil, vinegar, sugar, salt, and pepper.
- Put the drained beans, green pepper, diced celery, chopped pimento, and raw onion rings in a large bowl.
- Pour the liquid mixture over the bean mixture.
- Mix well and let stand in the refrigerator overnight before serving.
Tips & Substitutions
To enhance flavor, consider adding fresh herbs like parsley or cilantro. For a twist, substitute one can of beans with black beans for a different texture. If you're short on time, you can use frozen green beans instead of canned. This salad can also be made vegan by ensuring the salad oil and vinegar used are plant-based.
Serving Suggestions
This vibrant five bean salad makes an excellent side dish for barbecues or picnics, pairing beautifully with grilled meats or sandwiches. Serve it alongside dishes like Holiday Vegetable Salad for a colorful platter. It's also great as a filling lunch option on its own, garnished with avocado or served with pita bread for a nutritious meal.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors will continue to meld, making it even tastier the next day. If you want to enjoy it warm, gently heat it in a saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally. Avoid reheating in the microwave, as it can alter the texture of the beans.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Mom'S Five Bean Salad contains roughly 582 calories, with 9g protein, 46g carbohydrates, and 41g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (79% of the Daily Value) and dietary fiber (38% of the Daily Value), and a good source of protein and iron. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1525mg per serving (66% of the Daily Value).
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 use dried beans instead of canned?
Yes, you can use dried beans, but you'll need to soak and cook them beforehand. This adds extra time to the recipe, but it allows you to control the texture and flavor of the beans.
Is this salad suitable for meal prep?
Absolutely! This salad stores well and can be made ahead of time, allowing the flavors to develop. Just keep it refrigerated and enjoy it over the next few days.
Can I add other vegetables to this salad?
Certainly! Feel free to get creative by adding diced cucumbers, shredded carrots, or even cherry tomatoes for added color and crunch. Just ensure the additional ingredients complement the overall flavor.
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).