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Dense bean salad with chickpeas, beans, feta, olives, cucumber, and bell peppers
Emma Aline

Dense Bean Salad Recipe

A fresh, hearty dense bean salad with chickpeas, navy beans, crisp vegetables, feta, olives, and herbs tossed in a bright lemon-Dijon vinaigrette. It’s an easy no-cook option for lunches and meal prep.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings: 6 people
Course: Salad
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Calories: 427

Ingredients
  

For the Salad
  • 1 15-ounce can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
  • 1 15-ounce can navy beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 15-ounce can corn, drained
  • 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes
  • 2 Persian cucumbers diced
  • 1 red bell pepper diced
  • 1 orange bell pepper diced
  • ½ medium red onion finely chopped
  • ½ cup pitted olives sliced
  • ½ cup crumbled feta cheese
  • ½ cup chopped fresh parsley
  • ¼ cup chopped fresh mint
For the Lemon-Dijon Vinaigrette
  • ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
  • 2 teaspoons honey
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 garlic clove minced
  • ½ teaspoon dried oregano
  • ¼ teaspoon salt plus more to taste

Method
 

  1. Drain the beans. Rinse the chickpeas and navy beans under cold water, then drain them thoroughly. Drain the corn well, too. Letting excess water drip off helps prevent a watery salad.
  2. Prepare the vegetables. Dice the cucumbers and bell peppers, finely chop the red onion, halve the cherry tomatoes, slice the olives, and chop the parsley and mint.
  3. Whisk the vinaigrette. In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, honey, Dijon mustard, garlic, oregano, and salt until combined.
  4. Combine the salad. Add the chickpeas, navy beans, corn, tomatoes, cucumbers, bell peppers, red onion, olives, feta, parsley, and mint to a large bowl.
  5. Add the dressing. Pour the lemon-Dijon vinaigrette over the salad. Toss gently until everything is evenly coated, taking care not to mash the softer beans or feta.
  6. Taste and serve. Let the salad sit for about 10 minutes if time allows, then taste and adjust the salt or add a squeeze of fresh lemon as needed. Serve immediately or cover and refrigerate for later.

Notes

  • Drain the beans thoroughly after rinsing so excess water doesn’t dilute the vinaigrette.
  • Cannellini beans can replace the navy beans. You can also use about 1½ cups cooked and cooled beans in place of each 15-ounce can.
  • If preparing the salad more than a day ahead, consider adding the tomatoes and mint closer to serving for the freshest texture.
  • Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.