White Bean Pancetta Salad

Elevate your salad game with this White Bean Pancetta Salad, a flavorful and satisfying dish perfect for any time of the year. This recipe brings together creamy white beans, crispy pancetta, and peppery arugula, all tied together with a zesty lemon and red wine vinegar dressing sweetened with a touch of honey. Finished with juicy cherry tomatoes, caramelized red onions, and optional Parmesan shavings, this salad achieves a perfect balance of savory, tangy, and fresh. Ready in just 25 minutes, it’s an impressive yet easy option for lunch, dinner, or as a vibrant side dish at gatherings. Packed with protein and bold flavors, this salad is sure to become a go-to favorite for healthy meal enthusiasts and salad lovers alike.

Nutriscore Rating: 72/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:10 mins

Total Time:25 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 15 oz canned white beans (e.g., cannellini or great northern beans)
• 4 oz pancetta, diced
• 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 0.25 cup red onion, finely diced
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 3 cups baby arugula or mixed greens
• 2 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tbsp red wine vinegar
• 1 tsp honey
• 0.5 tsp salt
• 0.25 tsp black pepper
• 0.25 cup parmesan cheese, shaved (optional)

Directions

Step 1

Rinse and drain the canned white beans thoroughly under cold water, then set them aside.

Step 2

In a medium skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced pancetta and cook for 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it becomes golden and crispy. Remove the pancetta with a slotted spoon and let it drain on paper towels.

Step 3

In the same skillet, add the diced red onion and sauté for 2 minutes until softened and lightly caramelized. Remove from heat and set aside to cool slightly.

Step 4

In a large mixing bowl, combine the white beans, sautéed red onions, cherry tomatoes, and crispy pancetta.

Step 5

In a small bowl, whisk together the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil, lemon juice, red wine vinegar, honey, salt, and black pepper to create the dressing.

Step 6

Pour the dressing over the bean mixture and toss until everything is evenly coated.

Step 7

Add the arugula or mixed greens to the salad and gently fold them in to avoid bruising the leaves.

Step 8

Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt or pepper if needed.

Step 9

Transfer the salad to a serving dish and garnish with shaved parmesan cheese, if desired. Serve immediately for the best flavor and texture.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(979.9g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1408.3

Total Fat 97.5g	0%
Saturated Fat 29.8g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.0g
Cholesterol 127.0mg	0%
Sodium 3627.7mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 77.2g	0%
Dietary Fiber 24.1g	0%
Total Sugars 16.2g
Protein 61.6g	0%

Vitamin D 23.8IU	0%
Calcium 954.5mg	0%
Iron 9.8mg	0%
Potassium 1963.3mg	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: 61.2%

Protein: 17.2%

Carbs: 21.6%