Carol's Three or Four Bean Salad

Brighten up your table with Carol's Three or Four Bean Salad, a vibrant, protein-packed dish that’s equal parts nutritious and delicious. This versatile salad combines fresh green beans, kidney beans, garbanzo beans, and an optional fourth bean—black beans—for a hearty, fiber-rich base. Finely diced red onion, crisp celery, and a sprinkle of fresh parsley add a pop of color and flavor, while a tangy-sweet dressing made from white vinegar, olive oil, and a touch of sugar pulls everything together. With just 15 minutes of prep time and a quick blanching of green beans, this chilled salad is an effortless make-ahead option, perfect for potlucks, picnics, or a refreshing side dish any time of year. Whether you’re looking for a light lunch or a flavorful accompaniment to grilled mains, this bean salad delivers on taste and texture with every bite.

Nutriscore Rating: 83/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:5 mins

Total Time:20 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 1 cup green beans, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
• 1 cup canned kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 cup canned garbanzo beans (chickpeas), drained and rinsed
• 1 cup canned black beans, drained and rinsed (optional for the fourth bean)
• 0.5 cup red onion, finely diced
• 0.5 cup celery, finely chopped
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
• 0.25 cup white vinegar
• 0.25 cup olive oil
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper

Directions

Step 1

Bring a small pot of water to a boil. Add the green beans and blanch for 2-3 minutes until bright green and tender-crisp. Drain immediately and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process. Set aside.

Step 2

In a large mixing bowl, combine the kidney beans, garbanzo beans, and black beans (if using). Add the blanched green beans, red onion, celery, and parsley. Gently toss to mix.

Step 3

In a small bowl, whisk together the white vinegar, olive oil, sugar, salt, and black pepper until well combined.

Step 4

Pour the dressing over the bean mixture and toss until the beans are evenly coated.

Step 5

Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or overnight, to allow the flavors to meld together.

Step 6

Before serving, give the salad a quick toss and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1264.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1417.7

Total Fat 63.0g	0%
Saturated Fat 9.8g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 5.3g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 3505.2mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 172.6g	0%
Dietary Fiber 47.5g	0%
Total Sugars 46.3g
Protein 46.5g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 404.7mg	0%
Iron 15.0mg	0%
Potassium 2680.1mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 39.3%

Protein: 12.9%

Carbs: 47.8%