Easy 5 Bean Salad

Get the perfect mix of flavor and nutrition with this easy 5 bean salad recipe. Whip up this classic dish in no time for any occasion!

Are you looking for an easy dish to make for your next summer get-together or family potluck? Look no further – this five bean salad is sure to please!

Packed with nutrition, flavor and a boatload of colorful veggies, this no fuss recipe is super simple to prepare, requiring just one bowl (and zero cooking!)

With a perfect balance of sweet-tangy dressing using extra virgin olive oil, white vinegar and sugar, this will become your go-to dish when it’s time to impress everyone at the table.

Ready in only 20 minutes, this is an effortless side dish that’s perfect for BBQs or potlucks. Let’s get cooking!

Bean Salad Variation Ideas

Why settle for a boring bean salad when you can jazz it up with some tasty variations? Our classic recipe features canned green beans, wax beans, kidney beans, chickpeas, navy beans, and lima beans. But wait! Don’t miss out on fresh green beans, black beans, pinto beans, or cannellini beans that make for delicious substitutions.

With a recipe this flexible, you can modify and add any veggies you have in your fridge, like chopped celery, carrots, or green onions. Don’t forget the celery seed that’s sure to boost the flavor.

We know you’ll love our family’s favorite simple bean salad, but we encourage you to make it your own by customizing the recipe!

How to Store Bean Salad

Ah, the age-old question: how long can a marinated bean salad last? Fear not, my friend! This delectable dish will stay fresh in the fridge for up to a week if wrapped in plastic or stored in an airtight container.

And let me tell you – it only gets better with time. After a night of soaking up those savory marinade flavors, this salad is the perfect make-ahead dish!

Can I Freeze a Bean Salad?

Bean salad is a great option for a healthy and fulfilling meal – no doubt about that! But what if you’ve made too much? Can you freeze it? The answer is a resounding “hey, sure you can!” Our recipe in particular makes a whopping 10 cups of bean salad, after all.

Leftovers can easily be stored in an airtight container or freezer bag, and for up to three months at that! If you have a ton of salad to go through (ten cups is a lot, people!), consider dividing it into smaller portions before freezing.

Just remember, when it comes time to thaw the salad, never microwave or store at room temperature. Both can drastically affect its flavour and texture. Instead, pop it in the fridge a day ahead of time and let it thaw slowly for the perfect, tasty and healthy meal!

About the Ingredients for 5 Bean Salad

Beans – Let’s talk beans. For a bangin’ 5 bean salad, I like to use canned green beans, wax beans, kidney beans, chickpeas, navy beans, and lima beans (Yeah, yeah, we know that’s six beans – but let’s call the green and wax beans a duo deal). Feel free to pice it up with fresh green beans or yellow wax beans, or swap the navy beans for cannellini, and make it your own!

Onion – Now, let’s add some zing. Yellow onions? Delicious. Sweet onions? Even better.

Peppers – Not a fan of green bell peppers? Red, yellow – let your pepper preferences shine. You could even toss in some diced jalapeno for a little bite.

Dressing – What’s a salad without its dressing? We are keeping it simple with extra virgin olive oil, white vinegar, salt, pepper, and sugar. A fruity vinegar like balsamic vinegar or red wine vinegar can work in place of the white vinegar but you will want to reduce or even omit the sugar.

Looking for Another Great Recipe for Salad?

Check out some of my favorite salad recipes!

This watermelon cucumber salad with feta is the perfect refreshing side dish for summer potlucks, BBQs, and picnics!

This grilled crack corn salad recipe pairs sweet and salty for an unexpectedly delicious summer side dish that pairs well with grilled meat!

How to Make Five Bean Salad

Yields: 20 Servings | Prep time: 10 Minutes | Cook time: 0 Minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 Can Green Beans
• 1 Can Wax Beans
• 1 Can Kidney Beans
• 1 Can Chick Peas
• 1 Can Navy Beans
• 1 Can Lima Beans
• 1 Cup Chopped Onion
• 1 Cup Chopped Green Pepper
• 3/4 Cup Extra Virgin olive Oil
• 3/4 Cup White Vinegar
• 1 tsp Salt
• 1 1/2 tsp Pepper
• 3/4 Cup Sugar

Directions:

Drain and rinse the beans. 

In a large bowl mix ingredients together until well combined, and sugar dissolved. 

Refrigerate until ready to serve.