Mediterranean Bean Salad Recipe
A refreshing and vibrant Mediterranean Bean Salad that combines kidney beans, chickpeas, fresh vegetables, and herbs with a zesty lemon-garlic dressing. Perfect as a light lunch, side dish, or picnic salad, this recipe is quick to prepare and can be enjoyed immediately or after marinating for enhanced flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Beans and Vegetables
- 2 cans red kidney beans (15 ounces each), rinsed and drained, or 3 cups cooked kidney beans
- 1 can chickpeas (15 ounces), rinsed and drained, or 1 ½ cups cooked chickpeas
- 1 small red onion, diced (about 1 cup)
- 2 stalks celery, sliced in half or thirds lengthwise and chopped (about ¾ cup)
- 1 medium cucumber, peeled, seeded and diced
- ¾ cup chopped fresh parsley
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill or mint
Dressing
- ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
- ¼ cup lemon juice (about 1 ½ lemons)
- 3 cloves garlic, pressed or minced
- ¾ teaspoon fine salt
- Small pinch red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Combine Ingredients: In a serving bowl, add the rinsed and drained kidney beans and chickpeas, then mix in the diced red onion, chopped celery, diced cucumber, chopped parsley, and fresh dill or mint. Stir gently to combine all the ingredients evenly.
- Prepare Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the extra-virgin olive oil, freshly squeezed lemon juice, minced garlic, fine salt, and a small pinch of red pepper flakes until the dressing is well blended and emulsified.
- Toss Salad: Pour the lemon-garlic dressing over the mixed salad ingredients in the serving bowl. Toss gently but thoroughly to coat everything evenly with the flavorful dressing.
- Serve or Marinate: Serve the salad immediately to enjoy the fresh, vibrant flavors. Alternatively, cover and refrigerate the salad for a couple of hours or longer to let the flavors meld and intensify. The salad will keep well, covered and refrigerated, for up to 4 days. If flavors mellow over time, refresh the salad with a sprinkle of salt or a drizzle of lemon juice before serving.
Notes
- The salad tastes best served fresh but can be refrigerated for up to 4 days.
- Marinating the salad enhances the flavor, so consider letting it rest for a few hours if possible.
- You can substitute dill with mint, according to your flavor preference.
- Use cooked beans if you prefer, adjusting quantities as needed.
- Feel free to add chopped bell peppers or cherry tomatoes for more color and texture.
Find it online: https://justsosavory.com/mediterranean-bean-salad-recipe/
