Tres Amigos Salad
A vibrant and crunchy bean salad featuring a colorful mix of green beans, wax beans, and kidney beans, tossed in a tangy apple cider vinaigrette. Perfect for potlucks, picnics, or light gatherings, it offers a refreshing and flavorful side dish that appeals to all ages.
Ingredients
- 16 oz. can no-salt-added green beans, drained ⓘ
- 16 oz. can wax beans, drained
- 16 oz. can kidney beans, drained ⓘ
- 1 cup chopped green bell pepper ⓘ
- 2/3 cup chopped green onions ⓘ
- 2/3 cup apple juice ⓘ
- 1/3 cup cider vinegar ⓘ
- 2 teaspoons sugar ⓘ
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper ⓘ
- 1/4 teaspoon dry mustard ⓘ
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika
- 1/8 teaspoon dried oregano ⓘ
Instructions
- Combine green beans, wax beans, kidney beans, chopped green bell pepper, and chopped green onions in a large bowl.
- In a small jar, combine apple juice, cider vinegar, sugar, pepper, dry mustard, paprika, and dried oregano. Cover tightly and shake vigorously to make the vinaigrette.
- Pour the vinaigrette over the bean mixture and toss gently to coat evenly.
- Cover the salad and chill for at least 2 hours before serving.
Tips & Substitutions
For a twist, consider adding some diced tomatoes or corn to enhance the salad's color and flavor. If you prefer a bit more heat, a pinch of cayenne pepper can be a great addition. Substitute apple juice with orange juice for a sweeter vinaigrette. To save time, pre-chop your vegetables and store them in the fridge until ready to combine.
Serving Suggestions
Tres Amigos Salad is perfect as a light lunch or a side dish at barbecues. It pairs beautifully with Spicy Taters for a satisfying meal. You can also serve it alongside grilled meats or as part of a potluck spread. Garnish with additional chopped green onions for added freshness.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors will continue to meld as it sits. It's best enjoyed cold, so there's no need to reheat; simply take it out and serve. If you plan to store it longer, consider freezing the bean mixture without the dressing.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Tres Amigos Salad contains roughly 87 calories, with 3g protein, 21g carbohydrates, and 1g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (48% of the Daily Value), dietary fiber (31% of the Daily Value), and iron (31% of the Daily Value), and a good source of calcium. It also contributes 9g of dietary fiber toward your daily target.
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 fresh beans instead of canned beans?
Yes, you can use fresh green beans, wax beans, and kidney beans. Just blanch them in boiling water for a few minutes until tender, then cool in an ice bath before adding to the salad. This will give you a fresher taste and crunch.
How can I make this salad more filling?
To make Tres Amigos Salad more filling, consider adding some cooked quinoa or chickpeas. These additions will increase the protein content and make it a more substantial meal, perfect for a light lunch or dinner.
Is this salad suitable for meal prep?
Absolutely! Tres Amigos Salad can be a great option for meal prep. Just keep the vinaigrette separate until you're ready to eat to maintain the texture of the beans and veggies. It can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days, making it a convenient option for busy weeks.
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).