Sometimes recipes that you really enjoy get filed away and forgotten. Such was the case with this Easy Bean Salad that was created by my friend Jennifer Richardson. She made it for one of our support group meetings long ago and everyone in attendance loved it. For our meetings, members made a habit of listing the ingredients in their dishes on accompanying index cards. Those served as our homemade ingredient labels, so that those with additional food intolerances (which was most of us in attendance) would know what could be eaten safely.
Another member asked Jennifer if she could keep the index card for her bean salad so that she would be able to re-create this salad on her own later. Jennifer happily obliged, which meant that when I asked her for this recipe, she had to call up the ingredients from memory. She had made this bean salad on the spur of the moment with ingredients on hand. Those are always my very favorite kinds of recipes because they don’t require special ingredients and it’s very satisfying to create a meal from one’s pantry. Jennifer must have remembered well because this bean salad tasted just as wonderful as I remembered!
Bean salad is an old-school recipe. Folks have been bringing bean salads to potlucks for decades. For good reason. They’re ideal for taking to a social event (like an upcoming Labor Day picnic) and are very much worth adding to one’s own menu plan. I know I did not fully appreciate bean salads when I was growing up, but now I totally do! Bean salad recipes come together quickly, they easily feed a crowd, they provide a healthy dish (full of protein, veggies, and even some good fat), and they can safely feed just about everyone in attendance—those who are gluten free or gluten full, and vegetarians or vegans. (Only the die-hard paleo folks usually skip bean salad.)
As you can see this Bean Salad makes a very attractive dish. It’s one of those recipes that exemplify that real food is beautiful. Everyone will be drawn to this salad by its appealing colorful appearance alone, but they’ll love the mix of flavors and textures as well. I shared my last bean salad with my mom and my aunt and they both really enjoyed it.
By the way, I was channeling my mom in the photo below. My mom is loved by everyone for so many things, but she’s always been loved by her children and her grandchildren for placing their vegetables and salads in their own individual bowls. Her special attention ensures that there’s no unappealing “mixing” of foods on their plates. When you’re a kid, that is a true act of love!
I ate a little of this Bean Salad each day for about 5 days and it was still delicious and fresh on Day 5, so I know that it will keep at least that long. But you won’t have to worry about how long it will last if you take it to an event because it’s likely to disappear very quickly!
More Wonderful Bean Salad Recipes
~ Thanksgiving Green Bean Salad (with Blue Cheese, Dried Cranberries, and Pecans)
Easy Bean Salad Recipe
This colorful Easy Bean Salad is full of flavor and works for almost everyone! Folks might be unimpressed, UNTIL they try it.Easy Bean Salad
Ingredients
Dressing Ingredients
Instructions
Judee@gluten freeA-Z Blog says
Shirley,
Thank you so much for sharing this easy bean salad. I love how colorful it is and that is can be served at room temperature. I just got home from a week’s vacation in the Dominican Republic and was looking for an easy, no cook, yet healthy dinner! I love this idea-
Shirley Braden says
Thanks, Judee. Hope you had a wonderful vacation!
Shirley
Linda says
This looks delicious and pretty. I love your mom’s idea of putting veggies in a separate dish. I always do that with a green salad but I like the idea for other veggies and salads as well.
Shirley Braden says
Linda–Thank you! This salad is full of flavor. We just love it! Having separate dishes for all the veggies and salad type concoctions really works well and it does make them seem more special, too. 🙂
Shirley
Angela says
I too have always loved bean salads, but I really liked reading this recipe and I know I will love eating it! So colorful and happy looking, it practically begs you to pick up your spoon and start eating! I will definitely add this to the Labor Day menu!
Shirley Braden says
Hi Angela–Thank you, dear! That’s exactly the way I feel about this salad! It sure adds some color and goodness to any table—holiday or not. 🙂
Shirley
Vicky says
I love bean salads, they’re so quick to put together and this recipe is perfect for all and I don’t care if they’re old school, they’re yummy! I laughed when you stated your Mum put vegetables and salads in separate bowls for the children, it’s such a good idea, I remember having to do it for one of mine who hated his food being “touched”. Even I like to have my salad in a separate bowl most of the time, even now!
Shirley Braden says
Hi, Vicky! More and more I’m returning to my old school recipes because they are so good. (Although I’m not sure that I’ve ever totally gotten away from them to be honest. LOL) Bean Salad is not one you hear mentioned often any more, but it sure stands the test of time for looks and goodness–both nutritionally and taste wise. The separate bowl works for so many reasons. 😉 All of us love it!
Shirley
Bethany says
I love beans. 🙂 This salad looks great.
Shirley Braden says
Thanks, Bethany! It is quite delicious. 😉
Shirley
swathi says
Love this bean salad looks delicious and healthy thanks for sharing with Hearth and soul blog hop, pinning and tweeting.
Shirley Braden says
Hi Swathi–Yes, on both I’m happy to say. 🙂 Thank you for all the sharing!!
Shirley