White Bean Salad
Updated Aug 20, 2025
This white bean salad is made with canned white beans, fresh herbs, cherry tomatoes, and diced red onion tossed in a lemon vinaigrette.
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Make a batch of white bean salad!
I started making white bean salad when I was trying to stretch groceries one summer, and now it’s become one of those recipes I keep coming back to. My kids call it my “lazy day lunch” because it’s basically me opening up the pantry and tossing things together. But, that’s what I love about it, a can of white beans, some chopped veggies, a squeeze of lemon, and it’s fresh and filling. I’ll make a big bowl and keep it in the fridge for a few days, and this white bean salad tastes even better after it sits overnight.
Happy Cooking!
– Yumna
White Bean Salad Ingredients
- White beans: I use canned cannellini beans in this recipe. Great Northern beans or navy beans also work well.
- Onion: Finely dice the red onion to avoid big chunks. You can use white or yellow onion.
- Herbs: I like a mix of parsley and cilantro.
- Cherry tomatoes: Grape tomatoes also work.
- Olive oil lemon dressing: Made with olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, salt, and pepper.
How to Make White Bean Salad
White Bean Salad Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 15- ounce can white beans drained and rinsed
- ¼ cup cherry tomatoes halved
- ¼ cup red onion chopped
- ¼ cup parsley chopped
- 2 tablespoons cilantro chopped
Dressing
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 3 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 garlic clove pressed
- Salt and pepper
Instructions
- Mix the white beans, cherry tomatoes, red onion, parsley, and cilantro in a large bowl.
- In a small bowl or jar, whisk together the dressing ingredients.
- When ready to serve, pour the dressing over the salad and gently toss to combine.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information provided is an estimate. It will vary based on cooking method and specific ingredients used.
Recipe Tips
- Drain and rinse the beans first. The liquid in the can is starchy and salty, so you want to rinse as much of it off as possible.
- Finely chop the herbs. You want them to be small so they combine well with the other ingredients.
- Don’t add the tomatoes until serving. You can make and dress the rest of the white bean salad ahead of time, but cut the tomatoes just before serving so they don’t dry out.
- Make the dressing in the same bowl as the salad. If you’re serving the white bean salad immediately, whisk the dressing together in the large bowl first, then add the ingredients and toss everything together. One fewer dish to wash!
Serving Ideas
- Bread: Cottage Cheese Bread, Olive Bread, Air Fryer Bread
- Kabobs: Grilled Beef Kabobs, Grilled Lamb Kabobs, Grilled Veggie Kabobs
- Chicken: Skillet Cilantro Chicken, Creamy Pesto Chicken, Grilled Dijon Chicken
FAQs
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3–5 days.
You can freeze this Mediterranean white bean salad without the dressing or the tomatoes. Place the salad in an airtight, freezer-safe container with as much air removed as possible, then freeze for up to 3 months. Defrost in the fridge for 1–2 days.
I prefer canned beans because they’re easy and convenient. You can use dried beans, but you’ll have to cook them first so they’re soft. Read this post to learn how to cook dried beans.
Comments
It’s a delightful, light, vibrant summer salad. It was just the perfect combination of lemon and herbs and the avocado just puts it over the edge. I’m going to keep this with my bbq menu choices as a fun salad to serve.
Amazing! So glad you like it, Sandra!!
Just made this salad. Itโs so delish!! I added feta cheese and it kicked it up a notch. I might add sliced Kalamata olives as well. Definitely a make again!!
So happy you liked it, LC! Feta cheese sounds like a delicious addition, yum!
What can I use in the place of the parsley. Hate it!
You could use basil, cilantro, or even arugula!
Soaking dry white beans now! Canโt wait to meal prep this for yummy grab and go lunches!
Do I need to boil the beans first (like we do with foul)?
Hi Reem, you do not need to boil the beans. You can use them directly from the can after rinsing. Enjoy!
I love the bean salad! What would you suggest as an extra ingredient here that would compliment the salad? I’d like to
add something more to it.
Thanks
Thank you so much! You can really play around with it and add whatever you’d like. You could also serve this with a protein like my Grilled Lemon Chicken!
My husband loves this salad. Thanks
I’m so glad to hear that! Most welcome!
I just made this white bean salad (literally an hour ago) and it is delicious! Even my six year old loved it.
I’m so glad to hear that and even your 6 year old loved it – wow! Thank you!!
Love the use of parsley and cilantro together with cherry tomatoes to this white bean salad. Super.