Skip to content

Bean Salad Recipe

Updated on by Villa Cocina
This post contains affiliate links.

This bean salad brings balance to any meal—vibrant, fresh, and tossed in a zesty lemon-basil vinaigrette with plenty of texture. Best of all, it comes together in just 15 minutes.

Bean salad recipe

What is a Bean Salad?

A bean salad is a cold or room-temperature side dish made with a variety of beans, often combined with fresh vegetables, herbs, and a flavorful dressing.

This version is protein-packed, hearty, and refreshing—perfect for a light lunch or a picnic. I like to use red, black, and white beans for a beautiful array of colors, and honestly, it looks gorgeous on any table!

Being born in Mexico, I love bringing something different to our cookouts to create a new experience for everyone. Beans are a staple in Mexican cuisine, so even though this isn’t a traditional Mexican recipe, it’s been a hit at our gatherings—everyone keeps asking for the recipe!

Everything in this salad is delicious, but the vinaigrette steals the show. The combination of balsamic vinegar, lemon juice and zest, cumin, and olive oil comes together to create a light, refreshing vinaigrette that perfectly complements the beans.

Recipe Video Tutorial 

Watch my easy video tutorial for step-by-step visuals on making this Bean Salad. 

Enjoyed the video? Subscribe and tap the bell for updates on new recipes. Thank you for your support!

Serving Suggestions

More Salads

Bean salad recipe

5 from 3 votes
This vibrant bean salad is fresh, full of texture, and tossed in a lemon-basil vinaigrette. Ready in just 15 minutes—perfect for any day!
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes

Ingredients 

Servings: 10 servings

Lemon Vinaigrette

Beans

Veggies

  • 2 bell peppers (yellow and green), diced
  • 1/2 red onion, diced
  • 2 tomatoes, diced
  • 15 oz cooked corn kernels (1 can), drain
  • 1/2 cup fresh basil

Instructions 

Vinaigrette

  • In a small bowl, whisk together all the vinaigrette ingredients until fully combined.

Make the Salad

  • Stack the basil leaves, roll them tightly, and slice into thin strips (chiffonade). In a large bowl, combine the beans, veggies, and vinaigrette. Toss until everything is evenly coated. Taste and adjust the salt as needed.
  • Enjoy immediately, or refrigerate until ready to serve.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 260kcalCarbohydrates: 32gProtein: 9gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 8gSodium: 365mgPotassium: 587mgFiber: 9gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 468IUVitamin C: 16mgCalcium: 70mgIron: 3mg
Nutrition information is automatically calculated and intended as an approximation only.

Did you make this recipe?

Show some love! Tag @villacocinaofficial on Instagram and drop a 5-star review. Your support means everything—thanks!

Course: Salads, Sides
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Bean Salad, Cold Salad, Fresh Salad