Add protein and fiber to the viral carrot ribbon trend in this Butter Bean Carrot Ribbon Salad! With fresh, crunchy carrots, hearty butter beans, and Niçoise herbs, this French-inspired recipe is perfect for meal-prep!
If you watched the recipe video on Insta or TikTok associated with this recipe, you’ll see that it came about when I accidentally ordered 4 cases of butter beans instead of 4 cans for my Little Soirée on the Prairie dinner party. And by 4 cases, I mean 4 12-packs of butter beans. So 48 cans total. I know, I know. My brother-in-law asked me, “How did you not notice the price?!”, to which I have to honestly answer – I have no idea. I had a crazy, crazy busy summer last year and was doing 30 things at once for months. I genuinely don’t even remember ordering the beans, I’m sorry to say. But regardless of how this came to be, the fact of the matter is I now have about 38 cans left to go through.
So let’s kick off #ButterBeanMania with this easy, French-inspired recipe. A spin on the viral carrot ribbon salad trend on TikTok, this Butter Bean Carrot Ribbon Salad has a Niçoise vibe. It’s very pantry-friendly, so ideal to make in the winter when there’s not a ton of produce. You can make this recipe for meal-prep, but it’s also a nice light lunch or side with dinner! The possibilities are endless, Enjoy!
For more carrot recipes, try my Red Carrot Salad with Zhoug-ish Pesto, or my viral Carrot Ribbon Salad with herbs!
Butter Bean Carrot Ribbon Salad
Ingredients
Salad
- 1 15 oz Can Butter Beans rinsed and drained
- 4 Cups Carrot Ribbons from about 4 large, whole carrots
- 2/3 Cup Pitted Green Olives in Brine (NOT oil) such as Castelvetrano, halved
- 3 Scallions chopped
- 1 Cup Arugula packed, chopped
Niçoise Vinaigrette
- 2 Tbsp Extra-Virgin Olive Oil
- 1 Tbsp Red Wine Vinegar
- 1 Clove Garlic grated
- 1/2 Tsp Dijon Mustard
- 2 Tsp Herbes de Provence
- 1/4 Tsp Salt or more, to taste
- Fresh-Cracked Black Pepper to taste
Instructions
- To begin, make the vinaigrette. Combine all of the vinaigrette ingredients in a small mixing bowl, and whisk together until evenly combined. Taste, and adjust seasonings to your preference. Set aside.
- Then, rinse and drain your can of butter beans, patting dry with a towel to remove any excess moisture. Add the butter beans to a large mixing bowl.
- Wash and dry your carrots. Peel off any brown spots if needed using a vegetable peeler.
- Peel the carrots into ribbons. Starting at the top of the carrot, slide the peeler down the entire carrot until you have a ribbon. Continue until you have about 4 cups (but it doesn't have to be exact). Add the carrot ribbons to the bowl with the butter beans. Save any leftover pieces of carrot for compost or making vegetable stock.
- Then, prep the rest of the vegetables for the salad – drain the olives from brine and cut in half; chop the scallions and arugula.
- Add the carrots, olives, scallions, and arugula to the mixing bowl. Give your dressing another good whisk, then pour onto the salad and stir well.
- Serve and enjoy!
Notes
- I highly recommend using Castelvetrano olives as your green olives in this recipe. Castelvetranos are firm, buttery, and are palatable for many people who “don’t like olives”. Be sure to use olives in brine, not in oil, and drain out the brine before using in this recipe (but save that brine for martinis later on!)
- Herbes de Provence is an herb blend that can be found in the spice section of pretty much any grocery store. It’s usually made with thyme, rosemary, oregano, lavender, and marjoram, though different blends may vary. If you can’t find this blend, feel free to make your own with equal parts of the aforementioned herbs!
Nutrition
Butter Bean Carrot Ribbon Salad FAQs
How long does this salad last?
This salad will last 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
Can I make a Butter Bean Carrot Ribbon Salad ahead of time?
Absolutely! The flavors will intensify as you let the salad rest. Just be sure to keep it refrigerated before serving!
Are butter beans the same thing as lima beans?
They are! Both terms refer to the Phaseolus lunatus plant. However, just how different plants can come in different sizes, butter beans refer to the large size of Phaseolus lunatus.
Are butter beans good for you?
Yes! Like other beans, they’re a good source of plant-based protein and fiber. They also contain micronutrients and minerals such as iron, potassium, magnesium, thiamin, vitamin C, vitamin B6, copper, and phosphorus.
What are Herbes de Provence?
Herbes de Provence are “Herbs of Provence”, meaning Provence, France. It’s usually a blend of thyme, rosemary, oregano, lavender, and marjoram, though there is no one definitive, canonical version. Other herbs sometimes included are bay leaves, savory, parsley, fennel, or basil.
What if I don’t like olives? Can I still make this recipe?
If you don’t like olives, I HIGHLY recommend trying some good-quality Castelvetrano olives (I like Frankie’s brand [affiliate link]). They’re firm and slightly buttery, and don’t have that pungent aftertaste many olives have. Give them a try – I really think you’ll like them! If not, you can either omit them or try subbing in the same amount of chopped canned artichoke hearts.
P.S.
For more plant-forward recipes, dinner parties, and New England lifestyle inspiration, be sure to follow along on Pinterest, Instagram, and TikTok! If you make a recipe, please tag me in the photo and use the hashtag #wellandfull so I can see! I love seeing your creations!
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