Don’t you agree that there’s always a need for more easy side dish recipes? Personally, I prefer to keep my side dishes uncomplicated as I want them to complement the main dish without overshadowing it or requiring too much extra effort in meal preparation. Quick and easy salads, such as this Mediterranean White Bean Salad, are perfect in this regard. They take just minutes to put together, yet they add a delightful blend of flavors, vibrant colors, and interesting textures to your plate. Plus, they remain delicious even as leftovers, making them a great option for tomorrow’s lunch. This recipe is definitely worth bookmarking, as I’m sure you’ll find yourself using it frequently!
I drew inspiration from the classic tabbouleh salad to create this Mediterranean bean salad, which showcases a delightful combination of flavors. Instead of bulgur, I opted for white beans to provide a unique twist. You’ll still get to relish the tangy lemon-garlic essence that I adore in tabbouleh, all without the hassle of cooking and chilling bulgur.
What Kind of Beans Can I Use?
For this recipe, I utilized big butter beans. However, if you don’t have butter beans on hand, you can substitute them with cannellini beans or chickpeas. It is advisable to steer clear of softer beans that are prone to mashing easily, such as navy beans or great northern beans. Cannellini beans and chickpeas are both sizable and sturdy enough to withstand the mixing involved in this salad.
What to Serve with Mediterranean White Bean Salad
The lemon and garlic flavors in this white bean salad are incredibly adaptable, making it an excellent accompaniment to a diverse range of main dishes. Experiment by pairing it with Yogurt Marinated Chicken, Garlic Butter Baked Cod, Baked Pizza Chicken, Mediterranean Turkey Burgers, Creamy Spinach Artichoke Chicken, Oven Baked Fish with Tomatoes, or Chicken Piccata. Alternatively, it can be a delicious component of a vegetarian spread alongside homemade hummus, pita, and falafel.
How Long Does This Salad Stay Good?
Here’s another fantastic illustration of a “refrigerator salad”, a salad that retains its freshness exceptionally well when refrigerated. You can savor this salad for up to four days without any compromise in taste. The flavors will meld together, and the beans will soak up the dressing as it chills, resulting in an even more delectable dish the following day! Just remember to give it a quick mix before serving to evenly distribute the flavors.
How to Make Mediterranean White Bean Salad – Step by Step Photos
To begin, prepare the dressing by combining 2 tablespoons of olive oil, 2 tablespoons of lemon juice, 2 minced cloves of garlic, ¼ teaspoon of salt, and ¼ teaspoon of freshly cracked pepper in a small bowl. Leave the dressing aside for later use.
Thoroughly rinse and drain two 15oz. cans of butter beans (or cannellini or chickpeas) and ensure they are well drained.
Take one bunch of fresh parsley and finely chop approximately one cup’s worth. Halve a pint of grape tomatoes by slicing them in half.
Combine the beans, tomatoes, chopped parsley, 2 oz. crumbled feta, and the prepared dressing in a bowl.
Combine the ingredients by tossing them together and then serve!
