This summery Tuscan White Bean salad is a super simple make-ahead side dish that uses ingredients you probably already have on hand in your kitchen. It's a great option for hot summer days when you don't want to cook!
If you're a big fan of white beans, try this Vegetarian White Bean Sandwich or these Chicken & White Bean Tostadas.
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Contents:
A salad for your next al fresco dinner
In the warmer months sometimes you just want a simple salad or side dish and this Mediterranean bean salad certainly fits the bill! It's super easy to make, is naturally vegan, and only uses a few ingredients. Sometimes when it's really hot out I think it's fun to plan a meal that revolves around a couple of great, hearty salads and some delicious crusty bread. Enjoyed with a nice glass of wine on the patio this makes the ideal summer dinner.
While you can eat this right after making it, it's actually better as it sits so it's perfect for prepping at the beginning of the week or as a make-ahead dish for your next summer BBQ.
This is the perfect recipe to add to your summer meals recipe collection. Read on to learn more about how to make this Tuscan White Bean Salad, or jump straight to the recipe to start cooking!
Recipe ingredients + substitutions
The full list of ingredients and quantities can be found in the recipe card below.
This easy side dish uses a handful of simple ingredients. Here's what you'll need:
- Great Northern White Beans: For this salad, I use canned Great Northern white beans to give you a more creamy texture. You can substitute cannellini beans if you can't find Great Northern at your local grocery store.
- Roma tomatoes: If you've got fresh tomatoes growing in your garden those would also be excellent in this salad.
- Red onion: Since you are not cooking it, red onion is the best option for this recipe. If you use anything else, the taste may overpower the other ingredients.
- Italian parsley: This is not the curly version of parsley, it has flat leaves.
- Seasonings: dried rosemary, dried oregano, sea salt, ground pepper
- Pantry staples: Extra virgin olive oil, white wine vinegar, dark sesame oil
How to make this recipe
Preparing this salad is as simple as chopping the ingredients and tossing them all into a bowl. Less than 10 minutes and you are ready to go!
Step 1 | Chop the veggies. Chop the tomatoes and red onion and toss them in a large mixing bowl.
Step 2 | Make the salad. Then add the drained beans, herbs, olive oil, and vinegar. Add some salt and ground black pepper to taste. Mix well.
Step 3 | Chill and serve. Cover the bowl and place it in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving. Just before serving, add the fresh parsley.
Meal Prep Tips
- Entire dish: Since this side dish is bean based, you can make the entire thing a day or even two ahead of time.
- Dressing: You can make the vinaigrette a couple of days in advance and store it in the refrigerator until you are ready to make the salads. Remove it from the refrigerator about 20 minutes before you plan to serve.
What you'll need for this recipe
Large mixing bowl - For recipes like this, I like to use a bowl that comes with a lid so you can mix and store in the same bowl. These bowls from Crate & Barrel are nice enough to serve in as well!
Tomato Knife – While this may seem like another kitchen gadget you might not need, I actually find a tomato knife to be very useful. The serrated edge makes it much easier to cut tomatoes and get a consistent-sized dice.
Frequently asked questions
Great Northern beans are smaller and rounder than cannellini beans. In most recipes, they can be used interchangeably.
Serving Suggestions
Pair this easy Mediterranean bean salad with these Southwestern Turkey Burger Sliders or this Grilled Salmon for your next al fresco dinner!
More summer sides
If you are looking for other great summer sides and salads, check out these reader favorites:
- Summer Tortellini Pesto Pasta Salad30 Minutes
- Balsamic Glazed Melon, Prosciutto and Mozzarella Skewers10 Minutes
- Watermelon, Feta & Mint Salad27 Minutes
- Zucchini Noodles with Pesto25 Minutes
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Tuscan White Bean Salad
Ingredients
- 1 15 ounce can Great Northern White Beans
- ½ cup diced roma tomato
- 2 tablespoons minced red onion
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 teaspoons white wine vinegar
- ½ teaspoon dried rosemary
- ¼ teaspoon dried oregano
- 2 tablespoons fresh Italian parsley leaves
Instructions
- Rinse and drain the beans and add to a medium mixing bowl.
- Add the remaining ingredients and mix well. Refrigerate for about 30 minutes then serve.
Notes
Nutrition
This post was originally published in July 2018. It was updated in July 2023 with some new information and photos. No changes were made to the original recipe.
Dawn - Girl Heart Food says
We always have beans stocked in our pantry and I've never eaten as much beans as I have in recent years. They're just too darn convenient! Love how a delicious salad like this one can be put together in no time! Perfect for meal prep on Sunday for the week ahead 🙂
Gloria says
This looks like the perfect salad to take to a BBQ party this weekend. This is hearty, nutritious and sounds totally delicious. I know it will be a crowd pleaser for sure.
FoodieGirlChicago says
It's definitely one of my favorites for a quick and easy dish to take to a party.
Jyothi (Jo) says
I'm eat-your-salad-everyday-person and I love salads like this. Protein rich and filling salad. It looks like a perfect salad for any day of the week.
Emily Leary says
This looks delicious! It's so easy and quick to make. I'm not sure that Great Northern White Beans are available in the UK but I'm sure I could find some substitutes!
FoodieGirlChicago says
Thanks Emily! Cannellini beans are a good substitute for the Great Northern White Beans.
Anne Murphy says
I totally love a dinner made of various salads and cold dishes in this hot and humid weather! And that looks delicious. I would definitely let it sit a while for the flavors to meld...
Elaina says
White bean salads are so easy to make and yet I somehow always forget about them, LOL! Thank you for the reminder. I love your addition of chopped fresh tomatoes. It would be so good with heirloom tomatoes right now while they're in season.
Leslie Haasch says
This looks so light and delicious! I might have a batch of this to bring for a coupe lunches this week!
Karyl Henry says
I have the hardest time finding cannellini beans in my grocery store, but when I do I always stock up on a few cans of it. This looks like such a simple, delicious way to eat them. I'll have to give this one a try
FoodieGirlChicago says
Too bad you have a hard time finding them, they are so good. Great Northern White beans make a great substitute.
Sharon says
This bean salad is a beautiful and tasty dish. Would be great with a main meat dish or all by itself for a quick lunch. Delicious!
Shanna Jones says
This is super simple to make! What a perfect lunch idea. I'm always looking for something that packs well and can be the main dish or a side dish. Looks so tasty!
Sam | Ahead of Thyme says
I've never had a bean salad and I have no idea why! This looks so good! Perfect for an end of summer picnic.
Julie says
We love this salad - it's quick and easy, perfect to pack for lunch, and even my 3 year old likes it!
Kathy says
Hi! Would fresh lemon juice work in place of the white wine vinegar?
Urban Foodie Kitchen says
Hi Kathy - I haven't tested it with lemon juice instead of vinegar. You'll get a slightly different taste but think it would work just fine! Let me know how it goes if you give it a try.
Jennifer T Tammy says
Tuscan White Bean Salad is always one of my favorite things to see at potlucks - it looks so easy to make, I might just bring it to my daughter's end of school potluck!