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This old fashioned Three Bean Salad recipe is an easy side dish that you can stir together in about 10 minutes — no cooking required! Pack it for picnics, bring it to a potluck, or offer it alongside a burger at your next cookout. This versatile salad is always a crowd-pleaser!
I’ve been making this particular salad for as long as I can remember, and it totally reminds me of my childhood. My mom used to buy this dish at the deli counter or I’d scoop spoonfuls of it onto my plate at restaurant salad bars. There’s just something about that classic sweet and sour dressing paired with tender beans and crisp onion that creates the most perfectly satisfying vegetarian side dish!
How to make Three Bean Salad:
The main ingredients in this bean salad are:
- Kidney beans
- Green beans
- Wax beans
First, drain and rinse the beans.
Next, place the beans in a large bowl and add a diced sweet onion.
Next, whisk together a simple dressing by combining olive oil, apple cider vinegar, sugar and salt.
Pour the dressing over the bean salad and toss gently to coat. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve!
Is Bean Salad good for you?
Yes! There are so many great health benefits from the beans in this salad. Beans are excellent sources of dietary fiber, protein, B vitamins and many other important vitamins and minerals. Some studies show that they can help reduce blood sugar, improve cholesterol levels and help maintain a healthy gut, too.
The olive oil in the dressing is full of healthy monounsaturated fats and antioxidants, while the apple cider vinegar may lower blood sugar levels, lower cholesterol and improve heart health. So eat up!
How to serve Bean Salad:
You can serve this salad cold or at room temperature. There are many dishes that go well with the salad, including:
- Garlic and Herb Grilled Chicken Breast
- Burgers
- Slow Cooker Beef Barbecue
- Tuna Melts
- Dump-and-Bake Southern Chicken Salad Casserole
How long will Three Bean Salad keep?
This salad is best if enjoyed within 24 hours; however, it will keep in the refrigerator and stay fresh for up to 3 – 5 days. The perfect make-ahead side dish!
Cook’s Tips and Recipe Variations:
- You do not need to cook canned beans before using them in this salad. Simply drain and rinse the beans and they’re ready to serve!
- Make your Three Bean Salad with Corn by adding a can of drained corn to the mix!
- For more filling protein, stir in a can of drained and rinsed chickpeas.
- Wondering what’s the difference between green beans and wax beans? Green beans get their color from chlorophyll, while yellow wax beans are simply green beans that are bred without this pigment (source). The two beans taste almost exactly the same!
- Serve this salad cold or at room temperature. It’s delicious either way!
- Have leftovers? Properly sealed in an airtight container, this salad will keep in the freezer for at least 1 month.
More easy bean salad recipes that you might enjoy:
Three Bean Salad
Ingredients
- 1 (16 oz) can kidney beans
- 1 (14.5 oz) can cut green beans
- 1 (14.5 oz) can wax beans
- 1 small sweet onion, diced
For the dressing:
- ¼ cup olive oil
- ¼ cup cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 ½ teaspoons salt
Instructions
- Drain and rinse beans and place in a large bowl. Add onion.
- Whisk together dressing ingredients until completely combined (or shake in a jar with a lid). Pour over beans and refrigerate until ready to serve (up to 24 hours in advance).
Notes
- You do not need to cook canned beans before using them in this salad. Simply drain and rinse the beans and they’re ready to serve!
- Make your Three Bean Salad with Corn by adding a can of drained corn to the mix!
- For more filling protein, stir in a can of drained and rinsed chickpeas.
- Wondering what’s the difference between green beans and wax beans? Green beans get their color from chlorophyll, while yellow wax beans are simply green beans that are bred without this pigment (source). The two beans taste almost exactly the same!
- Serve this salad cold or at room temperature. It’s delicious either way!
- Have leftovers? Properly sealed in an airtight container, this salad will keep in the freezer for at least 1 month.
This is an outstanding salad come with more healthy for our health….and its remembered my childhood food…it looks soo yummy & more beautiful…i will make it tonight…Thanks for sharing…!
Thanks, Macy! I hope you’ll give it a try! 🙂
healthy for our health….and its remembered my childhood food…it looks soo yummy & more
I made three bean salad for Easter. I added bacon bits and feta cheese as a garnish. The taste was enhanced. Still was delicious. The feta cheese was Caribbean style very good.
Your version sounds delicious, Mary. I love the idea of adding feta. Thanks so much for your note — glad it was a hit!