Our Favorite Bean Salad
A colorful, flavorful bean salad combining multiple beans with a tangy, sweet dressing—perfect for potlucks, picnics, or as a protein-rich side dish for any meal.
Ingredients
- 1 can green beans ⓘ
- 1 can wax beans
- 1 can kidney beans ⓘ
- 1 can garbanzo beans ⓘ
- 3/4 cup white sugar ⓘ
- 1/2 cup salad oil ⓘ
- 1/2 cup tarragon vinegar ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon celery seed ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon salt ⓘ
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper ⓘ
- 1 clove garlic, pressed
- 1 small onion, chopped fine ⓘ
- 1 small green pepper, chopped fine (optional) ⓘ
Instructions
- Drain and mix together the green beans, wax beans, kidney beans, and garbanzo beans.
- Mix together white sugar, salad oil, tarragon vinegar, celery seed, salt, pepper, garlic, onion, and green pepper.
- Add the bean mixture to the dressing and let stand at least overnight to develop the best flavor.
Tips & Substitutions
For a more vibrant flavor, consider adding fresh herbs like parsley or cilantro. You can substitute the tarragon vinegar with apple cider vinegar for a milder taste. If you're short on time, using canned beans is a great shortcut, but rinsing them well can help reduce sodium. Experiment with a dash of hot sauce for a spicy kick if desired.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this bean salad chilled or at room temperature, making it a perfect dish for picnics or potlucks. It pairs beautifully with grilled meats or as a side to a hearty sandwich. For an easy meal, serve it atop a bed of greens. Consider complementing it with dishes like Jessie'S Sweet Pickles or Three Ingredient Chili.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftover bean salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors will continue to develop as it sits. For a quick refresh, give it a gentle stir before serving. Avoid freezing, as the texture of the beans may change when thawed.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Our Favorite Bean Salad contains roughly 1151 calories, with 30g protein, 93g carbohydrates, and 77g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (122% of the Daily Value), dietary fiber (117% of the Daily Value), and protein (61% of the Daily Value), and a good source of calcium. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 2760mg per serving (120% 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
How long should I let the salad sit before serving?
For the best flavor, let the salad sit overnight, allowing the beans to absorb the dressing. If you're short on time, aim for at least 2 hours in the fridge, but overnight is ideal for the most delicious results.
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).