Whether you make it for a picnic, potluck, or a weeknight dinner at home as a side dish, this Five Bean Salad is guaranteed to impress. Flavored with homemade garlicky mustard dressing, it comes together in 20 minutes, can be made ahead, and travels well.
1cupof fresh green beansrinsed and cut into ½ inch pieces
Water
1teaspoonsalt
For the Salad:
1canred kidney beans, drained and rinsed15 ounces
1canchickpeas, drained and rinsed15 ounces
1canblack beans, drained and rinsed15 ounces
1canCannellini beans, drained and rinsed15 ounces
4stalks of scallionssliced thinly
1small bell pepperseeded and chopped
½English cucumbercut into ½ inch cubes
½cupfresh Italian parsleychopped
For the Garlicky Mustard Dressing:
⅓cupolive oil
⅓cuplemon juice
2tablespoonDijon mustard
2tablespoonshoney
3clovesgarlicminced
1teaspoonkosher saltor more to taste
¼teaspoonblack pepper
Instructions
To cook the green beans: Place a bowl with cold water and some ice. Set aside. Heat 3 cups of water and 1 teaspoon salt in a small saucepan. When it comes to a boil, add in the green beans. Cook for 6-7 minutes or until the green beans are cooked to your liking. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the beans into the ice cold water to stop the cooking. Let it sit a few minutes, drain, and set aside.
To make the salad: Combine red kidney beans, chickpeas, black beans, Cannellini beans, cooked green beans, scallions, bell pepper, cucumber, and parsley in a bowl. Give it a gentle mix and set aside.
To make the dressing: Mix all ingredients in a jar, put the lid on, and shake vigorously until fully mixed.
Drizzle the dressing over the bean salad. Using large servings spoons, give it a mix. Taste for seasoning and add in if necessary.
Serve.
Video
Notes
I listed cans as 15 ounces, but different brands come in different sizes. Adjust the amount based on the brand you use.
If you want to make it ahead, you can cook the green beans, put all the salad ingredients in a bowl, place them in an airtight container, and keep in the fridge. You can prep the salad and the dressing up to 2 days in advance. When you are ready, drizzle the salad with the dressing and serve.
If you have leftovers, as long as you keep in the fridge in an airtight container, this salad keeps fresh up to 2 days.
This Five bean salad yields 1 to 1 1/2 cups per serving.