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    Home » What We're Eating » Three Bean Salad

    Three Bean Salad

    Published: Jul 3, 2019 by Blair Lonergan

    Jump to Recipe
    Long collage of Three Bean Salad recipe

    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!

    Classic three bean salad in a blue and white serving bowl

    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!

    Bowl of 3 bean salad sitting on a wooden table with a yellow and white stripe towel

    How to make Three Bean Salad:

    The main ingredients in this bean salad are:

    • Kidney beans
    • Green beans
    • Wax beans
    Canned beans for 3 bean salad

    First, drain and rinse the beans.

    Drained and rinsed beans for three bean salad ingredients

    Next, place the beans in a large bowl and add a diced sweet onion.

    Beans and onion in a large blue and white serving bowl

    Next, whisk together a simple dressing by combining olive oil, apple cider vinegar, sugar and salt.

    Dressing for three bean salad in a glass bowl with small whisk

    Pour the dressing over the bean salad and toss gently to coat. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve!

    Close up shot of three bean salad in a blue and white serving bowl garnished with parsley

    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.
    Long overhead shot of bowl of 3 bean salad

    More easy bean salad recipes that you might enjoy:

    • Simple Italian Green Bean Salad
    • Black Bean and Corn Salad
    • Mexican Chicken Salad with Red Beans
    Classic three bean salad in a blue and white serving bowl
    Print Pin
    5 from 2 votes

    Three Bean Salad

    This old fashioned Three Bean Salad recipe is an easy side dish that you can stir together in about 10 minutes -- no cooking required!
    Course Salad
    Cuisine American
    Keyword bean salad recipe, three bean salad, vegetarian side dish
    Prep Time 10 minutes
    Chill 1 hour
    Total Time 10 minutes
    Servings 6 cups
    Calories 90.7kcal
    Author Blair Lonergan

    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.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 0.5cup | Calories: 90.7kcal | Carbohydrates: 10.2g | Protein: 2.4g | Fat: 4.8g | Saturated Fat: 0.7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.6g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3.3g | Sodium: 416.2mg | Potassium: 100.9mg | Fiber: 3.4g | Sugar: 4.1g | Vitamin A: 115IU | Vitamin C: 3.9mg | Calcium: 21mg | Iron: 0.5mg
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Macy Brown From MakeTheBread

      July 04, 2019 at 1:23 am

      5 stars
      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...!

      Reply
      • Blair

        July 04, 2019 at 5:12 am

        Thanks, Macy! I hope you'll give it a try! 🙂

        Reply
    2. Mein Gmx.de

      July 09, 2019 at 6:52 am

      5 stars
      healthy for our health….and its remembered my childhood food…it looks soo yummy & more

      Reply
    3. Mary E. Gray

      April 17, 2020 at 2:58 pm

      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.

      Reply
      • Blair

        April 18, 2020 at 5:36 am

        Your version sounds delicious, Mary. I love the idea of adding feta. Thanks so much for your note -- glad it was a hit!

        Reply

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    Welcome to my farmhouse kitchen in the foothills of Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains. Inspired by local traditions and seasonal fare, you'll find plenty of easy, comforting recipes that bring your family together around the table. It's down-home, country-style cooking!

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