White Bean Salad (Easy 5-Minute Recipe) - Fifteen Spatulas (2024)

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by Joanne April 1, 2023

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This healthy White Bean Salad recipe is as simple as mixing a handful of ingredients together, and letting the flavors meld. It’s a great side dish or make-ahead recipe for meal prep, with tons of flavor!

I can bring this dish together in 5 minutes, no joke. It’s an easy, easy, easy recipe.

White Bean Salad (Easy 5-Minute Recipe) - Fifteen Spatulas (1)

If you’re looking for some new additions for Sunday meal prep, these beans keep unbelievably well in the fridge. They can be packed into work lunches for the week to come, or can even be a go-to dish for potlucks or picnics.

I recently had some friends over for lunch and served it, and kept getting complimented on how good the beans were.

This made me laugh because it’s little more than a few cans of beans tossed with some fresh and simple ingredients. But it really is delicious!

White Bean Salad (Easy 5-Minute Recipe) - Fifteen Spatulas (2)

Not to mention, keeping healthy ready-to-eat food in the fridge helps me avoid eating things likePeanut Butter Cookiesthat may be hiding in the pantry.

Step by Step Overview:

Start by making the salad dressing.

In a large mixing bowl, combine extra virgin olive oil, fresh lemon juice, lemon zest, fresh garlic cloves that have been minced or finely chopped, kosher salt, and black pepper:

White Bean Salad (Easy 5-Minute Recipe) - Fifteen Spatulas (3)

Whisk that together well, then add rinsed and drained canned Cannellini beans, chopped red onion, fresh parsley, and rosemary:

White Bean Salad (Easy 5-Minute Recipe) - Fifteen Spatulas (4)

Can you use other white beans?

You can use any sort of white bean you like, such as great Northern beans, navy beans, or white kidney beans. But I love the silky, creamy texture that Cannellini beans have. You can also do a variety of white beans and use them all.

This recipe also works well with black beans or pinto beans.

For best results, do NOT use no salt or low-sodium canned beans. They will not taste right, and they tend to have a less creamy texture.

Toss this together well, then place in the fridge for an hour, to let the flavors meld. Like any non-lettuce salad, it’s best when it’s gotten a chance to sit.

White Bean Salad (Easy 5-Minute Recipe) - Fifteen Spatulas (5)

If you’re in a hurry, you can serve it earlier, but you can taste the difference when you wait.

Transfer the beans to a serving bowl, and enjoy. I like this dish best served at room temperature, but chilled is also wonderfully refreshing.

White Bean Salad (Easy 5-Minute Recipe) - Fifteen Spatulas (6)

Baba Ganoush,Corn and Avocado Bean Salad, andColeslaware some of my other favorite healthy dishes to keep in the fridge for quick noshing. Enjoy!

Recipe Variations

This delicious salad recipe lends itself well to so many great options for additional ingredients.

For a more mediterranean white bean salad, add halved cherry tomatoes, feta cheese, and swap red wine vinegar for the lemon juice.

You can also add diced english cucumber, bell peppers, or sliced green onions.

Recipe FAQ and Tips

How do you store leftovers?

Keep in an airtight container or a large bowl tightly wrapped with plastic wrap for up to 5 days in the fridge.

Don’t have fresh lemon juice?

You can swap in a high quality vinegar from your pantry. Red or white wine vinegar are the best choices.

Did you enjoy the recipe? Please leave a 5-star rating in the recipe card below and/or a review in the comments section further down the page. Or, follow me on Facebook, Instagram or Pinterest!

White Bean Salad (Easy 5-Minute Recipe) - Fifteen Spatulas (7)

White Bean Salad

This healthy White Bean Salad recipe is as simple as mixing a handful of ingredients together, and letting the flavors meld in the fridge. It's great picnic food!

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Ingredients

  • 5 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • zest of 1 lemon
  • 1 clove garlic pressed
  • 1/2 tsp kosher salt
  • 1/8 tsp black pepper
  • 2 15oz cans of cannellini beans rinsed and drained
  • 1/4 cup chopped parsley
  • 1/4 cup finely chopped red onion
  • 1 tbsp minced fresh rosemary

Instructions

  • In a large mixing bowl, whisk to combine the olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, garlic, salt, and black pepper.

  • Add the remaining ingredients and mix well. Try to let the salad sit in the fridge for at least an hour before serving, to let the flavors meld together. Enjoy!

Nutrition

Calories: 310kcal, Carbohydrates: 47g, Protein: 16g, Fat: 7g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Sodium: 551mg, Fiber: 11g, Sugar: 1g

Nutrition is estimated using a food database and is only intended to be used as a guideline for informational purposes.

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Author: Fifteen Spatulas

Post updated in November 2019. Originally publishedNovember 2012.

posted in: All Recent Posts, Dairy-free, Gluten-free, On the Lighter Side, Salads, Vegan 24 comments

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    24 Comments on “White Bean Salad”

  1. Dienia b Reply

    I made because Lori had it in her best of file ,and I see why ,it’s refreshing and easy to make

  2. ForeverMama Reply

    We loved this salad – it’s delicious with all those fresh tastes. Love what the rosemary does to it. Definitely placing this one on our regular rotation, especially for accompanying grilled foods this summer.

    • Taylor Reply

      I love that this will now be in your rotation! Thank you!

  3. Leonor Bertao Reply

    Hi Joanne,

    Can the rosemary be substituted for something else?

    Leonor

    • Joanne Reply

      Yes, you may just omit it since the parsley will provide plenty of freshness.

  4. Diya Reply

    Joanne, Thank You Sooo Much!

    I just made the beautiful White Bean Salad.

    I enjoyed the fragrance of the Parsley, Onion, Garlic, and Rosemary.

    I added Maldon Sea Salt, fresh Black Pepper!

    The Lemon 🍋 Wow!

    The salad is in the fridge. Lunch is at 2:00.

    • Joanne Reply

      That sounds lovely! Enjoy!

  5. Claire Reply

    I’ve just put this White Bean Salad in my fridge! The small taste test was pretty fantastic. Can’t wait till it has melded. Thanks

  6. Sarah Reply

    This is a great simple, healthy salad. I added cucumber and might sprinkle in some feta. Yum!

  7. Sandra Thompson Reply

    Great salad. I microwaved the drained bean plus 1 tsp salt for 3 minutes before adding to the dressing. Let sit for 30 minutes then add 1 chopped avocado along with the parsley and dill. Refrigerate before serving!

  8. Cathy Lindner Reply

    This is such a wonderful recipe! I’ve lately found that white beans helps raise your potassium level and came across this recipe. It is so fresh and full of flavor. I’ve made it several times and had it all week for lunch. Thank you!

  9. Duong Reply

    Hi Joanne,

    What’s the brand of canned bean do you use? The brand I currently buy overcooked the bean so they are all split and mushy. It taste great still. 🙂

    • Joanne Ozug Reply

      Hi Duong, I shop mostly at Whole Foods these days and buy their organic store brand, though I generally think that Bush’s does a good job and that’s more widely available. Hope that helps!

    • Ashleigh Reply

      I also use whole foods brand for this recipe no salt added. Beware Kroger brand as the Beans are undercooked and have a terrible “sharp” texture. And thanks for the recipe btw!!

  10. Karen Havling Reply

    So good and so easy! This will be lunch for the next 2 days…if I don’t gobble it up before then!

  11. Katrina Reply

    Great salad! I just watched your g+ hangout and loved it 🙂 Great job!

    • Joanne Ozug Reply

      Thanks Katrina, so glad you enjoyed the hangout!

  12. Anita at Hungry Couple Reply

    Looks wonderful! I share your love of beans and I do the same thing with the cans of chickpeas, sometimes. 🙂 Rosemary with white beans is a terrific combination.

    • Joanne Ozug Reply

      See, I knew we should be friends! lol.

  13. Nancy/SpicieFoodie Reply

    Haha, I see I’m not the only one who’s mind goes that route when they hear beans. 🙂 I too love beans and in salads they are great. Yummy recipe and thanks for sharing.

  14. Diane Reply

    Hey, Joanne! Love your website. I once asked a dietician how one can eat more beans and avoid the “explosion factor.” Her reply was to gradually introduce beans to your diet, about 1/2 c. per week. This allows your system to adjust without the noisy
    side-effects.

  15. Alicia Reply

    Just want to tell you how much I love your recipes! Great website!

  16. Mallory @ Total Noms Reply

    I thought you went to Florence! That’s in Tuscany, although I know what you mean by going to the less city-like places to get a more authentic experience. I spent a summer in Perugia in Umbria during college, and it was such a wonderful experience being out there. Not to mention the food. Even the olive oil is better out there. This salad looks awesome!

White Bean Salad (Easy 5-Minute Recipe) - Fifteen Spatulas (2024)

FAQs

Are cannellini beans the same as white beans? ›

What is a White Bean? Some recipes simply call for “white beans.” This is a general term for great northern beans, navy beans, cannellini beans, and other similar beans.

Are white beans good for you? ›

White beans have a high nutrient density and fairly low calorie count. Combined with their high fiber and protein content, these attributes may promote a healthy body weight. Foods high in fiber and protein have been shown to promote feelings of fullness, leaving you less likely to overeat ( 15 , 16 , 17 ).

Are navy beans the same as white kidney beans? ›

Due to their creamy white color, navy beans are sometimes confused with other white beans such as great northern beans, cannellini beans, or white kidney beans. A quick tip to differentiate them: Navy beans are smaller and rounder than all of them.

How do you eat a Napolina five bean salad? ›

The salad can be added to pasta for a quick and easy lunch. High in protein, a source of fibre and 1 of your 5 a day. Pulses have long been a staple part of the Italian diet and Napolina's are carefully selected before being rigorously checked to ensure that only the best of the crop are chosen.

What is the healthiest white bean? ›

All beans are rich in fiber, but the top-ranking variety is the navy bean, allegedly named for its popularity in the U.S. Navy in the early 20th century. These pea-sized, cream-colored beans provide 10 grams of fiber per half-cup serving.

What is the best white bean? ›

Their creamy texture and mildly nutty flavor round out soups, casseroles, pasta dishes, and salads, and they make appealing dips. Our readers love them, too. Seventy-one percent say that they regularly buy cannellini beans, outstripping the next two most popular white beans: great Northern and navy.

Is it OK to eat white beans everyday? ›

Is it healthy to eat beans every day? Yes! "Eating beans, including canned beans, every day is one of the best things you can do to help increase nutrients [that you may fall short on] and substantially improve the quality of your diet," says Papanikolaou.

Can I eat white beans for weight loss? ›

white beans are a good source of protein, fiber, and complex carbohydrates, which can help to support weight loss and reduce belly fat. it make you feel fuller for longer periods of time. carbohydrates provide sustained energy and can help to reduce the storage of fat in the body.

Is it OK to eat beans every day? ›

In conclusion, beans are a versatile and incredibly nutritious food that can benefit both your body and mind. Regular consumption of beans has been linked to a reduced risk of obesity, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer, while also aiding in controlling blood sugar levels and promoting digestive health.

What is another name for white beans? ›

What Are White Beans? White beans as a category includes navy beans, great northern beans, cannellini beans, baby lima beans, butter beans, garbanzo beans, pinto beans, etc. These are the most popular types of white beans (cooked white beans), however each type has its own unique peculiarities and features.

What are the big white beans called? ›

Cannellini beans are the largest of the group and because of their traditional kidney shape, they can also be referred to as White Kidney Beans. Meatier than Navy or Great Northern beans, they have a nutty, earthy flavor and tender flesh, and are often used in Italian dishes like Minestrone.

How long is bean salad safe to eat? ›

If refrigerated, bean salad can last between three and five days and should be discarded when left out more than two hours. The absence of meat or dairy products in most recipes also allows this dish to keep longer than other food items that require consistent refrigeration and sealed storage.

What is a five bean salad in water? ›

Country Range Five Bean Salad in Water contains a mix of cannellini beans, red kidney beans, chick peas, borlotti beans and butter beans. Pulses are a brilliant and cost-effective way off adding one of your '5 a day' into a dish. They're a great base ingredient for salads, curries and casseroles.

Is napolina 5 bean salad ready to eat? ›

Napolina also offers Five Bean Salad and a Spicy Bean Salad in a ready to eat dressing for quick and easy meal solutions.

Can I replace cannellini beans with white beans? ›

You can absolutely swap cannellini and great northern beans in recipes. "It comes down to texture, and if you want a firmer-feeling bean in the dish you are preparing," says Hayward.

Can I use white beans instead of cannellini beans? ›

If you don't have cannellini beans, substitute other dried white beans, like Great Northern or navy beans. If you don't have chard, use kale or spinach.

Are cannellini beans just white kidney beans? ›

Cannellini beans are the largest of the group and because of their traditional kidney shape, they can also be referred to as White Kidney Beans. Meatier than Navy or Great Northern beans, they have a nutty, earthy flavor and tender flesh, and are often used in Italian dishes like Minestrone.

What are the 4 types of white beans? ›

What Are White Beans? White beans as a category includes navy beans, great northern beans, cannellini beans, baby lima beans, butter beans, garbanzo beans, pinto beans, etc. These are the most popular types of white beans (cooked white beans), however each type has its own unique peculiarities and features.

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