15 Minute 5 Bean Salad is a classic warm weather side dish.
I like how simple this recipe is to make and that it can be made in advance of actually enjoying it.
15 Minute 5 Bean Salad
This recipe is perfect for summer and holiday gatherings because you can make it in advance and allow time for it to be served.
It seems as if every time I attend a barbecue or picnic, I look for a classic bean recipe such as this one.
Did you try my Mediterranean style green bean salad recipe?
Like this recipe, that green bean salad is a Mediterranean diet friendly side dish.
This recipe however, is also friendly to the vegan followers of this site.
Do you want to learn more about the Mediterranean Diet?
Find out how to follow the Mediterranean Diet here.
This recipe is especially for anyone asking how do you make a bean salad from scratch.
I consider to be a simple recipe because of the easy to follow instructions and ingredients,
However, it is important to follow the steps for best results.
A five bean salad such as this one, is really a two part salad.
This first part of this salad is of course the beans.
The second part of a five bean salad is the marinade that goes with the beans to make the salad.
Here is the secret to making a bean salad.
The secret to making a good bean salad is really in the proportions of the ingredients that go into the marinade.
Like most marinades, there is an acid (vinegar), and oil, and some kind of flavoring to balance them out.
The balance of flavors comes from a sweetener and seasonings as desired.
The sweetener that you use to make this bean salad can be sugar or a sugar alternative.
While I am giving a suggested amount to add, feel free to adjust this amount according to the sweetener that you use and your tastes.
Tips for making bean salad.
I just mentioned that the secret to making a good bean salad such as this one is in the balance of that goes into marinade. For best results, the oil and vinegar should be in equal parts.
Here are some more great tips for you.
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- It is essential that you both rinse and drain the beans before adding them to this recipe.
Not rinsing and not allowing the water to drain can throw off the quality and taste of your salad. - This is one of those recipes where allowing the ingredients to sit together and marinate is essential. Marinating the beans in the liquid allows the beans to soften as well as soak up the flavors of the other ingredients. Some folks may 'cheat' by microwaving the drained beans for up to twenty seconds to soften them. I have not tried this and I do not recommend microwaving not black beans.
- May favorite hack is to make the bean salad and store it in zip top bags if I will be taking it to share at a gathering. To serve, simple shake the ingredients in the bag and then transfer them to the serving bowl.
You may be wondering how long does homemade bean salad last.
I know that there are some people who swear by allowing the ingredients to sit for a few days refrigerated before serving. Doing so allows for the beans, as I mentioned, to both soften and absorb all of the flavors provided from the other ingredients.
However, I am also a person who is overly cautious with the food that I serve.
My recommendation is to keep this salad for at most, five days.
It should be stored in an airtight container as well.
What kind of vinegar is best for a bean salad?
A white wine vinegar is really the standard for a salad such as this one thanks to its acidity.
However, I do know folks who enjoy this kind of a salad with an apple cider vinegar or a more mild red wine vinegar. You may need to adjust the flavorings added due to the acidity.
By the way, while you are here you may also be interested in these ideas.
- Delicious Spinach and Beet Salad.
- Spinach Strawberry and Avocado Salad.
- Shaved Brussels Sprout Salad.
- Teriyaki Chickpea Lettuce Wraps.
- Maple Roasted Brussels Sprouts.
- Mediterranean Diet Sweet Potato Buddha Bowl.
- Oven Roasted Buffalo Cauliflower.
- How to Follow the Mediterranean Diet.
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15 Minute 5 Bean Salad
I mentioned that the secret to making a good bean salad such as this one is in the balance of that goes into marinade. For best results, the oil and vinegar should be in equal parts.
While this salad is all about the beans, feel free to add other ingredients to make your salad even better.
You could add cooked pasta, chopped broccoli, or chopped celery. Please keep in mind that you may need to make adjustments in your marinade if you decide to do so.
Ingredients needed to make a Bean Salad
- Green Beans- 1 14-15 ounce can. You can cut the green beans to make them a similar size as the other beans if needed.
- Black Beans- 1 15 ounce can.
- Garbanzo Beans- 1 15-16 ounce can.
- Dark Red Kidney Beans- 1 15-16 ounce can.
- Yellow Wax Beans- 1 14.5 ounce can.
- Whole Kernel Corn- 1 15.25 ounce can.
- Bell Pepper- 1 diced.
- Onion- 1 medium diced.
- White Wine Vinegar- â…” cup.
- Canola Oil- â…” cup (can use vegetable oil)
- Sugar or Sugar Alternative - ½ to ⅔ cup. The amount that you add may differ according to your tastes. Also, use a granular alternative that measures like sugar or adjust yours accordingly.
- Seasonings as desired. This can include Italian Seasonings, Mediterranean Diet Seasoning Blend, Greek Seasoning Blend, Salt, and/or Pepper.
How to make 15 Minute 5 Bean Salad
- Start by draining each of the cans of beans and corn well. Allow the water to drain before adding them to this recipe.
- In a large bowl, combine the beans, corn, bell pepper and onion. Toss the ingredients to mix.
- Next, in a separate bowl, to make the marinade, whisk together the vinegar, oil, sugar (or alternative) and seasonings. Then pour half of this over the beans and corn in the first bowl. Toss the ingredients well and then add the remaining marinade and toss until the ingredients are well covered.
- Cover the bean salad and refrigerate at least two hours before serving to allow flavors to combine and the beans to soften. You can add additional seasonings as desired before serving. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the refrigerator.
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Nutritional Information is only an estimate and can vary especially with ingredients that are used.
15 Minute 5 Bean Salad, a simple vegan side salad dish recipe that is perfect for picnics, barbecues and gatherings.
15 Minute 5 Bean Salad
Ingredients
- Green Beans– 1 14-15 ounce can.
- Black Beans– 1 15 ounce can.
- Garbanzo Beans– 1 15-16 ounce can.
- Dark Red Kidney Beans– 1 15-16 ounce can.
- Yellow Wax Beans– 1 14.5 ounce can.
- Whole Kernel Corn– 1 15.25 ounce can.
- Bell Pepper- 1 diced.
- Onion- 1 medium diced.
- White Wine Vinegar– ⅔ cup.
- Canola Oil– ⅔ cup can use vegetable oil
- Sugar or Sugar Alternative – ½ to ⅔ cup.
- Seasonings as desired. This can include Italian Seasonings Mediterranean Diet Seasoning Blend, Greek Seasoning Blend, Salt, and/or Pepper.
Instructions
- Start by draining each of the cans of beans and corn well. Allow the water to drain before adding them to this recipe.
- In a large bowl, combine the beans, corn, bell pepper and onion. Toss the ingredients to mix.
- Next, in a separate bowl, to make the marinade, whisk together the vinegar, oil, sugar (or alternative) and seasonings. Then pour half of this over the beans and corn in the first bowl. Toss the ingredients well and then add the remaining marinade and toss until the ingredients are well covered.
- Cover the bean salad and refrigerate at least two hours before serving to allow flavors to combine and the beans to soften. You can add additional seasonings as desired before serving. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the refrigerator.
Recipe Notes
originally posted:
May 10, 2021*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This means that the links on this website, and specifically on this post, that lead to other sites may be affiliate links.
Nutrition
Please note: Nutritional data has been calculated using a tool that comes with this recipe card and not by me. This means that Nutritional Information is only an estimate and can vary especially with ingredients that you use. The accuracy of this tool may differ from other tools as expected. Also note that there is no instructional value to the video that may be attached to this recipe. It is only there for visual pleasure. For more information about the images in this recipe, please refer the the recipe instructions. Thank you!
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