Mediterranean Bean Salad

Mediterranean Bean Salad

6 servings
This Mediterranean-style bean salad recipe is delightfully crisp and satisfying. Its fresh flavors include kidney beans, chickpeas, lemon, garlic and leafy herbs. This healthy salad is vegan and gluten free, but mostly just delicious! Recipe yields about six 1-cup servings.

Ingredients

  • 2 cans red kidney beans

    rinsed and drained, or 3 cups cooked kidney beans, 15 ounces each

  • 1 can chickpeas

    rinsed and drained, or 1 ½ cups cooked chickpeas, 15 ounces

  • 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
  • ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • ¼ cup lemon juice

    about 1 ½ lemons

  • 3 cloves garlic

    pressed or minced

  • ¾ teaspoon salt
  • Small pinch red pepper flakes

Directions

  1. 1

    In a serving bowl, combine the prepared kidney beans, chickpeas, onion, celery, cucumber, parsley and dill.

  2. 2

    Make the lemon dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, salt and pepper flakes until well blended. Pour the dressing over the salad and stir until combined.

  3. 3

    Serve immediately for the most flavor, or let it marinate in the refrigerator, covered, for a couple of hours or longer. Leftovers will keep well, covered and refrigerated, for up to 4 days. If necessary, wake up leftovers with a little sprinkle of salt or drizzle of lemon juice.

Mediterranean Bean Salad

Mediterranean Bean Salad

20 min6 servings

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About this Recipe

Craving a vibrant, healthy, and incredibly easy meal that bursts with fresh flavors? This Mediterranean Bean Salad is your answer, bringing the satisfying taste of the Mediterranean to your table in just 20 minutes, perfect for any occasion.

What makes this salad truly shine is the thoughtful combination of hearty kidney beans and chickpeas with crisp celery, refreshing cucumber, and the pungent warmth of red onion and garlic. A bright, zesty lemon-garlic dressing ties it all together, ensuring every bite is packed with incredible taste and texture. It's a simple assembly that delivers complex, satisfying flavors without any fuss.

Prepare for a delightful medley of textures: the substantial bite of the beans contrasts beautifully with the crunch of fresh vegetables. Each forkful bursts with the bright acidity of lemon, the aromatic depth of garlic, and the fragrant lift of fresh parsley and your choice of dill or mint. This healthy salad is not only naturally vegan and gluten-free, but also incredibly satisfying as a light lunch or a vibrant side dish, leaving you feeling nourished and refreshed.

Customizing this healthy salad is easy. If you prefer a milder onion flavor, simply soak the diced red onion in cold water for about 10 minutes before adding it to the salad. Feel free to adjust the amount of fresh herbs like parsley, dill, or mint to suit your preference, leaning more into mint for a brighter, cooler note. For an extra layer of zest, a little more red pepper flakes will add a gentle kick, or you can omit them entirely for a milder experience.

This versatile Mediterranean Bean Salad makes an excellent light lunch, a vibrant side dish for grilled chicken or fish, or a flavorful, impressive addition to any potluck or picnic spread.

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