Classic Three Bean Salad (2024)

Here’s how to make the best three bean salad recipe: a fresh spin on Grandma’s! It’s so easy to throw together for picnics and potlucks.

Here’s a fresh spin on that classic Bean Salad! You know, the kind at picnics and potlucks long into the cicada-buzzing summer? This American classic has been gracing tables for generations, and everyone has their own take on it. Here’s our spin on that bean salad of our youth, with a little more complexity and freshness. But don’t worry: it’s still an easy three bean salad that’s as easy as dump and stir. Is it actually better than Grandma’s? We think so. (Sorry, Grandma: don’t be offended!)

The anatomy of a bean salad

Bean salad is a classic American salad of canned beans marinated in a vinaigrette. It’s a staple at picnics and potlucks because it doesn’t require refrigeration and can sit out in the heat for hours. This type of bean salad originated in the 1950’s, when recipes using canned beans started appearing in cookbooks (per this source). Either way: Alex and I have been enjoying it for our entire lives.

Bean salad recipes vary and most cooks have their own regional spin. The most common ingredients are kidney beans, green beans, and garbanzo beans (it’s often called three bean salad). Other ingredients you’ll often see are pinto beans, wax beans, and onions. It’s almost always marinated in a dressing of vinegar, oil, sugar and salt.

How to make this three bean salad recipe

Our spin on Grandma’s three bean salad is just as easy to make as the 1950’s style classic. That means the main steps are “dump and stir:” open the bean cans and stir everything together! At the same time, we wanted to freshen up the classic by cutting back on the sugar and adding a little freshness. Here are the elements we added to this three bean salad to make a modern spin:

• Kidney beans and pinto beans: We prefer pinto beans in a bean salad, since chickpeas can have a tough texture and don’t soak up the marinade as quickly.
• Green and yellow beans: You can use just green beans for a classic three bean salad. However, we like the color contrast of adding yellow wax beans to the mix if you can find them! They can often be harder to find at the grocery, in which case you can substitute more green beans.
• White onion and red onion: White onion is standard and has the most classic flavor. Red onion adds brightness with the lovely purple color.
• Curly parsley: The green confetti adds a fresh flavor and visual flair. Use curly parsley if you have it, but Italian also works.
• White vinegar and olive oil: Bean salad works well with straight white vinegar (not white wine vinegar), just like a classic cucumber salad. It adds just the right astringent punch, balanced by the salt and sugar.
• Dried dill and garlic powder: These seasonings heighten the savory and fresh flavors in this dish.

You can eat your bean salad recipe right away and it tastes great. Or, pop it in the refrigerator to let it marinate for at least 1 hour, and it’s even better. The refrigeration time really lets the flavors soak in.

The end result? This recipe has half the sugar as the standard, but it’s just as delicious! It’s got all the classic elements so you feel like you’re eating Grandma’s. We’ll be eating this for years to come.

How to slice the onions

One area where home cooks can be tripped up: how to cut the onions into slivers! The cut that looks best in this bean salad recipe is different from the standard half-moon shape. Some people call it French cut: it’s a way of making the onion slivers look attractive instead of long and floppy.

• How to do it? It’s easiest to explain by showing you. Go to minute 1:40 of thisHow to Cut an Onionvideo!
• The basic explanation? Cut slices from the tip to the root (instead of through the middle).

Storage info

We’re huge fans of this easy salad and we think it works anytime: picnics, potlucks, and meals any time of the year. It’s a great protein-packed vegan side dish, and it helps to make any vegetarian or plant-based meal more filling. It also is great for summer grilled meals.

How long does homemade bean salad last? Store it refrigerated for 3 to 5 days. Like a pickle, the flavor intensifies over time! It’s great for lunches throughout the week. Beans don’t last indefinitely refrigerated, so make sure not to leave it longer than the storage recommendation.

More bean salad recipes

Bean salads are versatile and useful because they add a punch of plant-based protein to any meal! Here are a few other bean and legume-based salads to try after this summer salad:

• Try Easy White Bean Salad
• Opt for Black Bean and Corn Salad
• Go for Edamame Salad or Black Eyed Pea Salad
• Grab Simple Chickpea Salad

This bean salad recipe is…

Vegetarian, vegan, plant-based, dairy-free, and gluten-free.

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