Seven Bean Salad
Seven Bean Salad is a hearty, flavorful dish combining a variety of beans with a tangy, sweet, and smoky sauce. The addition of cooked sausage makes it a satisfying main or side, perfect for gatherings or family dinners. It can be served hot or cold, offering versatility for any occasion.
Ingredients
- 1 can yellow beans, drained ⓘ
- 1 can green beans, drained ⓘ
- 1 can hot chili beans ⓘ
- 1 can baby lima beans ⓘ
- 1 can kidney beans ⓘ
- 1 can Great Northern beans ⓘ
- 1 can cranberry or pinto beans ⓘ
- 1 cup brown sugar ⓘ
- 1/2 cup barbecue sauce ⓘ
- 1 can tomato paste ⓘ
- 1 can tomato soup ⓘ
- 1 chopped green pepper ⓘ
- 1 onion ⓘ
- 2 lb hot sausage ⓘ
Instructions
- Cook green pepper and onion in a microwave or skillet until tender.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine all the drained beans.
- Add brown sugar, barbecue sauce, tomato paste, tomato soup, cooked green pepper, and onion to the beans.
- Mix well to combine.
- Transfer the mixture to a baking dish and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 40 minutes.
- While the beans are baking, fry the hot sausage and drain excess fat.
- Cut the cooked sausage into pieces.
- Once baked, stir the sausage into the bean mixture.
- Serve hot or cold as desired.
Tips & Substitutions
For a vibrant flavor, consider adding a splash of apple cider vinegar or a teaspoon of mustard to the bean mixture. If you prefer a vegetarian version, substitute the hot sausage with a plant-based sausage or omit it altogether. You can also experiment with different beans based on what you have available; black beans or chickpeas work well too.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this Seven Bean Salad warm or cold alongside a fresh green salad or with crusty bread for a complete meal. It pairs beautifully with Drunken Hot Dogs for a fun barbecue spread. You can also serve it as a side dish at potlucks or gatherings, where it will surely be a hit.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, place the salad in a saucepan over medium heat until warmed through, or microwave in short intervals, stirring in between. The flavors will meld beautifully after a day in the fridge, making it even tastier.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Seven Bean Salad contains roughly 859 calories, with 43g protein, 148g carbohydrates, and 13g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin A (333% of the Daily Value), vitamin C (127% of the Daily Value), and iron (121% of the Daily Value), and a good source of calcium. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 839mg per serving (36% 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 make this salad ahead of time?
Yes, this salad can be made a day in advance. In fact, it often tastes better after sitting in the refrigerator for a while as the flavors develop. Just give it a good stir before serving.
What can I use instead of hot sausage?
If you want to reduce the heat, you can use mild sausage or turkey sausage. For a vegetarian option, try using a plant-based sausage or simply omit it and add more beans or vegetables for texture.
How can I make this dish spicier?
To add heat, consider incorporating diced jalapeños or a few dashes of hot sauce into the bean mixture. You can also serve it with a side of spicy salsa for those who enjoy an extra kick.
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).