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Summer Bean Salad
Lisa

Summer Bean Salad

This simply easy summer bean salad uses easy to find ingredients, is easy to make, and can be made ahead of time.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 3 minutes
0 minutes
Total Time 23 minutes
Course: Main Course, Salad, Side Dish, vegan
Cuisine: American
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Dressing
  • 1 Tbsp Oil I have used olive or avocado oil in the salad dressing.
  • 3 Tbsp Lime Juice Can be substituted with lemon juice or apple cider vinegar.
  • 3 Tbsp Pure Maple Syrup
  • 1 tsp Garlic Powder Or one garlic clove, optional.
  • 1/2 tsp Salt
  • 1 tsp Dill I used dried dill in the salad. Fresh dill can be used as well.
Bean Salad
  • 1 15oz. can Black Beans
  • 1 15oz. can Chickpea (Garbanzo Beans)
  • 2 Stalks Celery
  • 1 Tbsp Fresh Cilantro Optional. See list below for alternatives.
  • 1/2 English Cucumber

Method
 

Making the dressing
  1. If using fresh garlic, prepare a small skillet with a little oil, and toss in the freshly chopped garlic.
  2. Cook over a medium heat until slightly browned.
  3. Remove from the heat and add to a small bowl.
  4. Next add the oil, lime juice, maple syrup, dill, and salt.
  5. Blend and set aside.
Making the bean salad
  1. Rinse the beans, and set aside to drain.
  2. Once completely drained, add to a medium sized serving bowl.
  3. Next slice a celery stick in half length wise and chop into small bite sized pieces, add to the bowl with the beans.
  4. Continue by slicing the English cucumber in half length wise, then chop into small pieces, and add to the bowl with the beans.
  5. If adding a fresh herb, mince and add to the bowl of beans.
  6. Next pour the dressing over the fresh salad and toss.
  7. Serve immediately or cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.

Notes

Want to try different varieties of beans?
Try kidney beans or even green beans.
Fresh Herb alternatives
Instead of cilantro add lemon balm, lemon grass, sweet basil, chives, parsley, pineapple sage, or any of the mint varieties.
How to serve
 
This healthy flavorful salad is a perfect side dish, snack, or even a main dish.
Serve the salad on the side with any main dish.
The salad can also be added to a bed of lettuce with a few sliced almonds as your main meal.
I also enjoy this salad as a chip or cracker dip.