Inspired by the viral TikTok recipe by @violetwitchel, this Mediterranean Dense Bean Salad is a simple and healthy dish packed with bright, vibrant flavors! It's made with a mixture of canned beans and fresh vegetables, making it the perfect recipe for meal prep and no-cook, summer dinners!
Course Meal Prep, Salad, Side Dish
Keyword banana peppers, beans, black beans, chives, cumin, mozzarella, peppers, roman beans, smoked paprika, swiss chard
Prep Time 15 minutesminutes
Servings 4
Calories 463kcal
Ingredients
Smoky Lemon-Cumin Dressing
1/4CupExtra Virgin Olive Oil
Juice from 1 Lemonor more, to taste
1/2TspSmoked Paprika
1/2TspDried Oregano
1/4TspCumin
1/2TspSaltor more, to taste
Black Pepperto taste
Dense Bean Salad
115 oz CanRoman or Pinto Beans
115 oz CanBlack Beans
1 1/2CupsRainbow Chardsee notes
1Large Banana Peppersliced
1PintCherry Tomatoescut into quarters
1/4CupChivesminced
1CupMozzarella Pearlssee notes
Instructions
Start by prepping your dressing. Whisk all dressing ingredients in a bowl until totally mixed. Taste, and adjust seasonings to your liking.
Drain and rinse your cans of beans. Gently pat the beans dry with a towel.
Prep your veggies - cut your tomatoes into quarters, chop your chard, cut your pepper into slices, and mince your chives.
To a bowl, add the beans with the cut veggies and mozzarella. Pour the dressing over, and mix well.
For best results, let the salad sit for about 30 minutes, to let the flavors meld.
Serve at room temperature, and enjoy!
Notes
If you don't like the taste of chard, use another soft green like spinach or a mesclun blend!
If you don't have a banana pepper, a bell pepper would also work just fine.
Feel free to add any proteins you like to the mix.
If you can't get your hands on mozzarella pearls, sub in sliced mozzarella or feta instead!
If using home-cooked beans, sub in 1 1/2 cups of beans per can.