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    Home » Salad Recipes

    Easy Three Bean Salad

    LAST UPDATED: July 20, 2020 PUBLISHED: July 20, 2020 By Pam Greer 30 Comments As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video Print Recipe

    The Easy Three Bean Salad is one that you'll make all year long! With cannellini beans, garbanzo beans, kidney beans, red onion and an easy vinaigrette.

    Bean salad in a bowl on top of checkered table cloth.

    I know what you're thinking.

    Where are the green beans and the wax beans?

    I know. But you won't miss them in this even easier salad! When making the classic 3 bean salad, you had to either use fresh green beans and cook them a bit or use canned.

    This version uses all canned beans making it perfect year round!

    Click here to pin this now!

    Cannellini beans, chickpeas, kidney beans, red onion and a bowl filled with olive oil, red wine vinegar, sugar, salt and pepper.

    Ingredients

    Canned Beans - cannellini, garbanzo (chickpeas) and kidney beans.

    Olive oil - use a good flavored extra virgin olive oil.

    Sugar, salt and pepper.

    Red onion - can also use Pickled Red Onion.

    Parsley - optional, but adds a nice touch and flavor. Could also use cilantro or basil.

    Red wine vinegar - or your favorite vinegar. A flavored vinegar would work like our Lemon Herb Vinegar or our Basil Vinegar.

    Photo collage showing dressing in bowl and then bowl filled with beans.

    Instructions

    In a bowl large enough to hold the salad, mix together the olive oil, vinegar, sugar, salt and pepper. Whisk to dissolve the salt and sugar.

    If you want your onions to have less of a bite, dice them and add them to the dressing to soak for a few minutes.

    Open the beans and rinse in a colander.

    Add the beans to the bowl.

    Photo collage showing bean salad being stirred and then in a bowl.

    Stir to coat the beans with the dressing.

    If you are using the parsley, mince it and add it to the salad.

    Green bowl filled with 3 bean salad on a colored tablecloth.

    Like most bean salads, this was even better the next day!  The flavors blended beautifully!  Perfect for a picnic or to pack in your lunch!

    While there is nothing wrong with the classic three bean salad with green beans and/or wax beans, I really do love this even easier version!

    I will always keep some canned beans on hand so that I can make this anytime I want!

    Some easy additions: celery, bell pepper, cucumbers and capers.

    Click here to pin this now!

    More bean recipes:

    • Boston Baked Beans
    • Black Bean Salad with Avocado
    • Zucchini, Corn and Bean Salad
    • Corn, Avocado and Black Bean Salad

    Browse:

    • 30 Minute Recipes
    • Meatless Recipes
    • Salad Recipes
    • Side Dishes

    Recipe

    **As an Amazon affiliate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Green bowl filled with a 3 bean salad.
    Print Pin Save Saved!
    5 from 6 votes

    All Bean Three Bean Salad

    This three bean salad doesn't use green beans or wax beans, instead it's easily made with all canned beans!
    Course Side Dish
    Cuisine American
    Prep Time 10 minutes
    Total Time 10 minutes
    Servings 8
    Calories 216kcal
    Author Pam Greer

    Ingredients

    • 15 ounce canned cannellini beans
    • 15 ounce canned kidney beans
    • 15 ounce canned chickpeas
    • ½ cup red onion minced
    • ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
    • 2 tbsp red wine vinegar
    • ½ teaspoon sugar
    • ¼ cup fresh Italian parsley minced
    • salt and pepper to taste

    Instructions

    • In a bowl large enough to hold the salad, whisk together the olive oil, vinegar, sugar and salt and pepper until sugar and salt dissolve.
    • If you want you onion a little mellower, add it to the vinaigrette in the bowl to sit for a few minutes.
    • Drain the beans and rinse them in a colander.
    • Add the beans to the bowl and stir to combine. Add the parsley. Add salt and pepper to taste.

    Notes

    You could easily change this up by adding diced bell pepper, celery, cucumbers or even hot peppers.

    Video

    Nutrition

    Calories: 216kcal | Carbohydrates: 28g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 288mg | Potassium: 481mg | Fiber: 8g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 166IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 78mg | Iron: 3mg

    This was originally published in 2014 and has been updated for 2020.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Beth says

      July 20, 2020 at 10:23 am

      5 stars
      This recipe is so delicious and yummy! I can't wait to make this again!

      Reply
    2. Jessica Formicola says

      July 20, 2020 at 10:10 am

      5 stars
      Bean salad is my favorite, and this is the best recipe I’ve found! Thanks so much for sharing it!

      Reply
    3. Shadi Hasanzadenemati says

      July 20, 2020 at 10:06 am

      5 stars
      This is absolutely delicious! I love that it’s such a crowd pleaser for the whole family

      Reply
    4. Nart at Cooking with Nart says

      July 20, 2020 at 9:58 am

      5 stars
      I love beans so this salad is right up my alley! It looks so good!

      Reply
    5. Kathryn Donangelo says

      July 20, 2020 at 9:52 am

      5 stars
      This 3 bean salad is so easy, simple and delicious! It made with best side dish this weekend, thank you!

      Reply
    6. Miz Helen says

      September 16, 2014 at 5:33 pm

      5 stars
      I can't wait to try this salad, it looks fantastic! Thanks so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday and hope you are having a great week!
      Come Back Soon,
      Miz Helen

      Reply
    7. Deb in Hawaii says

      September 14, 2014 at 7:00 pm

      Bring on the cilantro! 😉 This salad looks amazing--love the sounds of that dressing. Much prettier on the plate than the average 3-bean salad too. Thanks for sharing it with Souper Sundays this week.

      Reply
      • Pam Greer says

        September 14, 2014 at 9:00 pm

        I think you would love this!

        Reply
    8. grace says

      September 12, 2014 at 4:29 pm

      it seems surprising to me to see a three bean salad with no kidney beans! i don't mind though--this is fantastic!

      Reply
      • Pam Greer says

        September 12, 2014 at 8:48 pm

        You don't miss the kidney beans at all!

        Reply
    9. KalynsKitchen says

      September 10, 2014 at 10:56 pm

      Now that is my kind of salad, sounds great!

      Reply
      • Pam Greer says

        September 11, 2014 at 6:49 am

        Thanks Kalyn, I think you would love it!

        Reply
    10. Chris says

      September 10, 2014 at 10:08 pm

      That Cilantro chile dressing would rock as a marinade for grilled shrimp or chicken.

      Reply
      • Pam Greer says

        September 11, 2014 at 6:49 am

        Oh you are right!

        Reply
    11. Ordinary Blogger (Rivki Locker) says

      September 10, 2014 at 8:42 pm

      This looks wonderful. One of my kids hates the smell of cilantro so I avoid cooking with it because otherwise I get LOADS of complaints. But this salad might be worth it. Looks great!

      Reply
      • Pam Greer says

        September 11, 2014 at 6:50 am

        You could even substitute parsley for the cilantro!

        Reply
    12. Bella Rum says

      September 10, 2014 at 5:54 pm

      Pam,
      When I saw this post in my reader, I had to jump right over here. I love bean salads. So does my husband, and we're in the cilantro camp. So that will not be a problem. I also wanted to tell you that I've made that avocado/mango salad so many times this summer. It's one of my favorite salads, ever. What a flavor combination.

      Reply
      • Pam Greer says

        September 10, 2014 at 7:31 pm

        You have to try this salad then, you will love it!

        Reply
    13. cheri says

      September 10, 2014 at 4:13 pm

      HI Pam, love this combination of beans, great salad.

      Reply
      • Pam Greer says

        September 10, 2014 at 4:58 pm

        Thanks, it really is a wonderful bean salad!

        Reply
    14. Marjie says

      September 10, 2014 at 2:55 pm

      My daughter cleaned the fresh veggies from her fridge and brought them with her the last time she came up for 3 days, and cilantro was among the things she brought. I tried it, and wanted to like it, but to me it tasted like dishwater. I'm also not a fan of most beans, so I'll have to pass, pretty as this looks. I like your garlic chive flowers next to the plate.

      Reply
      • Pam Greer says

        September 10, 2014 at 4:58 pm

        I think the taste of cilantro grew on me, kind of like beer 🙂

        Reply
    15. a quiet life says

      September 10, 2014 at 9:52 am

      i LOVE cilantro, just not wild about beans...!

      Reply
      • Pam Greer says

        September 10, 2014 at 4:59 pm

        I didn't know you didn't like beans!

        Reply
    16. Linda (More Fun Less Laundry) says

      September 10, 2014 at 7:03 am

      Hi Pam, All these ingredients sound delicious together! I think my family would love it. Linda

      Reply
      • Pam Greer says

        September 10, 2014 at 4:59 pm

        Thanks Linda!

        Reply
    17. Joanne says

      September 10, 2014 at 6:58 am

      Definitely true...you cannot have a picnic without a good bean salad!! Definitely loving the fresh flavors in this one.

      Reply
      • Pam Greer says

        September 10, 2014 at 4:59 pm

        It's the law - all picnics must have a bean salad!

        Reply
    18. Mary says

      September 10, 2014 at 6:09 am

      Sounds delicious and so different Pam! Consider me a cilantro lover 🙂

      Reply
      • Pam Greer says

        September 10, 2014 at 6:47 am

        I think it's my new favorite three bean salad!

        Reply

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