White bean salad is one of those easy recipes that comes together in a matter of minutes but doesn't skimp on flavor. Creamy white beans, crisp vegetables, fresh herbs, and tangy feta are tossed with a bright sumac dressing made with lemon juice, olive oil, and pomegranate molasses. It's fresh, satisfying, and makes a delicious side dish or light lunch!
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This Mediterranean-style white bean salad is made with simple ingredients that come together beautifully to create a hearty, nutritious salad. We're sneaking in a few special ingredients to transform a simple white bean salad into something much more memorable!
Who knew that garden vegetables and pantry staples could come together to make a side dish that the whole family will love?
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🔖 Ingredients & Substitutions
- Beans: You'll need canned beans for this recipe. I'm using two 15.5-ounce cans of cannellini beans; however, you can substitute great northern beans, butter beans, chickpeas, or your favorite kind of beans.
- Veggies: Tomatoes (choose from cherry tomatoes, Roma tomatoes, or your favorite variety), cucumbers, onions (red onion or green onions), and fresh garlic.
- Fresh Herbs: Choose from fresh Italian parsley, basil, cilantro, oregano, and fresh mint leaves.
- Spices: Sea salt, black pepper, and sumac.
- Dressing: Extra virgin olive oil or avocado oil, fresh lemon juice, and pomegranate molasses/syrup.
- Mix-Ins: Avocado, Kalamata olives, and feta cheese.
🥗 How to Make a White Bean Salad
Step 1: Drain canned beans into a strainer and rinse well to remove excess starch, then add to a salad bowl.
Step 2: Cube cucumbers and tomatoes (or slice cherry tomatoes in half) and add to the bowl. Add chopped onions and fresh herbs.
Step 3: Prepare dressing by whisking olive oil, lemon juice, and pomegranate molasses with salt, black pepper, and sumac. Drizzle dressing over the salad and gently mix to combine. Chill for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld before serving. Top with diced avocado, Kalamata olives, and feta cheese just before serving.
Serving Suggestions
This white bean salad makes a delicious side dish for grilled chicken, steak, smoked lamb shanks, beef kofta kebabs, or fish. For a light Mediterranean-inspired meal, serve with warm Greek pita bread, Lebanese hummus, or muhamarra. You can also pair it with chicken shawarma, za'atar chicken, gyro pita, or your favorite sandwich!
🤷🏻♀️ FAQs
What Can I add to White Beans to Make Them Taste Better?
White beans have a mild flavor, so they pair well with all kinds of fresh vegetables, herbs, and flavorful dressings. Try adding grape tomatoes, English cucumber, green onions, diced avocado, and fresh herbs like basil, mint, cilantro, parsley, or chives. For the dressing, toss them with avocado oil and lemon juice, or a splash of balsamic vinegar. The possibilities are endless!
Can You Use Dry Beans?
If you prefer to use dried beans, soak 11/4 cups dried beans overnight, then drain. Cover beans with a few inches of water and simmer on low for around 90 minutes or until tender. Drain and cool completely before adding them to the salad.
What Other Beans Can I Use?
If you don't have canned or dried cannellini beans, you can substitute an equal amount of Great Northern beans, chickpeas, butter beans, fava beans, or navy beans.
👩🏼🍳 Pro Tips
- If you'd rather use dry beans, let the salad rest for 30 minutes before serving so the beans can absorb the sumac dressing.
- White bean salad can be prepared a day ahead of time. The flavors will have time to meld while the beans absorb the delicious dressing.
- Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Give it a good stir before serving.
🥑 More Salad Recipes
If you love this white bean salad recipe, check out these other salad recipes!
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📖 Recipe
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White Bean Salad with Sumac Dressing
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Drain canned beans into a strainer and rinse well to remove excess starch, then add to a salad bowl.
- Cube cucumbers and tomatoes and add to the bowl. Add chopped onions and fresh herbs.
- Prepare dressing by whisking olive oil, lemon juice, pomegranate molasses, and crushed garlic clove with sumac, salt, and black pepper.
- Drizzle dressing over the salad and gently mix to combine. Chill for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld before serving. Mix in diced avocado, Kalamata olives, and crumbled feta cheese just before serving.
Nutrition
Notes
- Let the salad rest for 30 minutes before serving so the beans can absorb the sumac dressing.
- White bean salad can be prepared a day ahead of time. The flavors will have time to meld while the beans absorb the delicious dressing.
- Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Give it a good stir before serving.
Hilda Sterner says
We hope you give this recipe a try and let us know what you think!