Print

Fresh Three Bean Salad Recipe Easy Zesty Italian Dressing for Summer

fresh three bean salad - featured image
Print Recipe

A quick and easy fresh three bean salad with a zesty homemade Italian dressing, perfect for summer gatherings and busy weeknights. This vibrant, crunchy, and tangy salad combines fresh green beans, kidney beans, and garbanzo beans with a bright, flavorful dressing.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1/2 lb fresh green beans, trimmed and blanched
  • 1 (15 oz) can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 (15 oz) can garbanzo beans (chickpeas), drained and rinsed
  • 1/2 cup red bell pepper, diced
  • 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Bring a medium pot of salted water to a boil. Add trimmed green beans and blanch for about 3 minutes until bright green and just tender. Immediately transfer to an ice bath or rinse under cold water to stop cooking. Drain well and pat dry.
  2. Rinse canned kidney beans and garbanzo beans thoroughly under cold water. Drain well.
  3. Dice red bell pepper into small pieces. Finely chop red onion. Chop fresh parsley. If onion is too sharp, soak in cold water for 10 minutes and drain before adding.
  4. In a small bowl or jar, combine extra virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey or maple syrup, minced garlic, dried oregano, dried basil, salt, and pepper. Whisk or shake vigorously until emulsified and creamy.
  5. In a large bowl, combine blanched green beans, kidney beans, garbanzo beans, red bell pepper, red onion, and parsley. Pour the zesty Italian dressing over and toss gently but thoroughly to coat evenly.
  6. Cover and refrigerate the salad for at least 1 hour before serving to allow flavors to meld.
  7. Before serving, give the salad a gentle stir and adjust seasoning if needed.

Notes

Use fresh green beans blanched quickly for best crunch and color. Whisk or shake dressing thoroughly to emulsify. Chill salad for at least 1 hour to let flavors meld. Adjust seasoning before serving. Can substitute black beans for kidney beans or add fresh cherry tomatoes or cucumber for variation. For vegan version, replace honey with maple syrup.

Nutrition

Keywords: three bean salad, Italian dressing, summer salad, easy salad, healthy side dish, vegetarian, gluten-free, vegan option

Find it online: https://juliamadeit.com/fresh-three-bean-salad-recipe-easy-zesty-italian-dressing-for-summer/