This three bean salad has a delicious vinaigrette dressing, which takes the flavors over the top. A fresh cold salad that you can make ahead.
Since this salad includes so many beans, it provides a lot of fiber and protein too. What a delicious way to get that in your diet.
Cold Salad
The zippy flavors and textures in this cold salad really do make it the perfect summer salad to serve at any barbecue, potluck, or relaxing weekend meal.
This will remind you of an old fashioned three-bean salad, probably like your grandma’s recipe.
Make Ahead Side Dish
This recipe is a time-saver. So easy and even better when you make it a day ahead of time. The flavors have a chance to meld together, which makes it taste even better.
So, if you are doing any entertaining throughout the year, this is the perfect addition to your summer menu or even Holiday menu. Everyone digs in and there are rarely any left to put away.
Three Bean Salad Ingredients
Kidney Beans. I use canned kidney beans because it is easy. I love the fiber that they add to the salad.
Green Beans. Most often, I use the canned fresh cut green beans. You can use frozen or fresh beans if you blanch and cool them.
Yellow Beans. I add these for color. I get the canned fresh cut beans.
Bean Variations. Be creative and add the type of bean that you enjoy. Often, this recipe is made with Garbanzo Beans (Chickpeas). They are the same thing.
Onions. If you can get them, sweet onions are the best in this recipe. However, red, white, yellow, or scallions, work great too.
Preparing the Easy Vinaigrette Salad Dressing
OIL: Canola oil or vegetable oil can be used because they are generally flavorless. However, if you use olive oil, it will thicken slightly in the refrigerator. I do find that the olive oil will add to the taste of the vinaigrette, so you might want to do a taste test to see which why you prefer your oil.
Vinegar. White vinegar gives this salad a delicious and bold flavor. However, if you do not have it on hand, you can substitute this with cider vinegar, red or white wine vinegar. Our favorite to use though is rice vinegar. It gives just enough tang for us.
Sugar. Granulated sugar we use most of the time for this recipe. However, you can use an equal amount of honey. Just be sure to incorporate it well.
Seasonings. Just a bit of salt and pepper. Another option is to add a teaspoon of celery seed. It gives a nice flavor pop once in awhile when you bite into one.
Herbs. Today, I used dried parsley. However, fresh dill or cilantro would work well too.
What to do if Your Onion Flavor is Too Strong?
If your onion flavor is too strong, rinse and drain them in a colander before adding to the salad. This will make them a bit milder.
Fresh Herbs Versus Dried Herbs
This recipe uses dried parsley. However, if you happen to have fresh parsley on hand, go ahead and use that. The ratio of dried to fresh herbs is two to one. In other words, use half the amount for dried herbs as you would for fresh herbs.
Can I Use Fresh Green Beans?
Yes. Just blanch them first so they are tender. Then add them to the recipe.
Do I have to cook canned beans?
No. They are already cooked and all you need to do is drain them, rinse them, and add them to this salad.
How to make Three Bean Salad
This is the easiest salad in the world to make. If you can get a can of beans opened, you are halfway done with the recipe.
- Drain and rinse the kidney beans in a colander. Add those to a mixing bowl.
- Drain the green beans and add those to the mixing bowl.
- Drain the yellow beans and those go in the mixing bowl as well.
- Dice the onion and add that to the bowl.
- In a separate bowl, whisk the oil, sugar, salt, pepper, and parsley. Pour this over the beans and onions in the mixing bowl and gently toss to incorporate.
- For best taste, refrigerate 2 hours or overnight to let the flavors meld together. However, you can serve this right away if you choose.
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 3 – 5 days.
Deli Counter Three Bean Salad
Just like the three bean salad that we love from the deli counter. When we purchase one pound, it is gone in an instant. Therefore, it is much more economical to make this recipe at home. We get to add the types of beans we want too.
I especially love to have this during the summer months. When you have a dish to pass, I urge you to give this easy recipe a try.
It just takes minutes and I rarely have any left to take home. However, at home, I can whip up a batch in minutes and we enjoy for a few days.
Make Ahead Green Bean Recipe
This recipe can be made ahead. Whenever you are entertaining throughout the year, this is the perfect make ahead recipe. Your guests will love it and you will love that all the work, which is just minutes, is done the day before.
This is a green bean side dish perfect for the Thanksgiving menu, Christmas menu, or a fun picnic on a lazy summer day.
Three Bean Salad
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Kitchen Essentials
Ingredients
- 15 ounce kidney beans 1 can
- 15 ounce green beans 1 can
- 15 ounce yellow beans 1 can
- 1/2 cup onions diced, can be sweet onion, red, white, or yellow, even green onions.
- 1/3 cup canola oil or olive oil
- 1/2 cup rice vinegar or white vinegar
- 2/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- 1 TBSP dried parsley optional
Instructions
- Drain and rinse the kidney beans in a colander. Add those to a mixing bowl.15 ounce kidney beans
- Drain the green beans and the yellow beans, add those to the mixing bowl.15 ounce green beans, 15 ounce yellow beans
- Dice the onion and add that to the bowl.1/2 cup onions
- In a separate bowl, whisk the oil, sugar, salt, pepper, and parsley. Pour this over the beans and onions in the mixing bowl and gently toss to incorporate.1/3 cup canola oil, 1/2 cup rice vinegar, 2/3 cup granulated sugar, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp pepper, 1 TBSP dried parsley
- For best taste, refrigerate 2 hours or overnight to let the flavors meld together. However, you can serve this right away if you choose.
Your Own Private Notes
Notes
Nutrition
This three bean salad is a delicious deli copycat. If you would love to make more of your favorite fast food, restaurant, and deli recipes at home, check out All Free Copycat Recipes. They have hundreds of tasty recipes at your fingertips.
