Dense Bean Salad Tart Cherry (Printable)

Hearty bean and vegetable salad tossed in a tangy tart cherry vinaigrette dressing.

# What You'll Need:

→ Beans

01 - 1 can (15 oz) chickpeas, drained and rinsed
02 - 1 can (15 oz) cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
03 - 1 can (15 oz) kidney beans, drained and rinsed

→ Vegetables & Herbs

04 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
05 - 1 small cucumber, diced
06 - 1/2 small red onion, finely chopped
07 - 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
08 - 2 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped

→ Sleepy Girl Mocktail Dressing

09 - 1/4 cup tart cherry juice, unsweetened
10 - 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
11 - 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
12 - 1 teaspoon maple syrup or honey
13 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
14 - 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
15 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

→ Optional Toppings

16 - 2 ounces feta cheese, crumbled
17 - 1/4 cup toasted walnuts or pumpkin seeds

# Step-by-Step:

01 - In a large bowl, mix chickpeas, cannellini beans, kidney beans, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, parsley, and dill until evenly combined.
02 - Whisk together tart cherry juice, olive oil, apple cider vinegar, maple syrup, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper in a small bowl or jar until emulsified.
03 - Pour dressing over the bean and vegetable mixture and toss gently to coat all ingredients uniformly.
04 - Taste the salad and modify seasoning as desired.
05 - Transfer to a serving dish, then top with crumbled feta cheese and toasted nuts or seeds if desired. Serve immediately or chill for 30 minutes to enhance flavors.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It's filling enough to be dinner but light enough you won't feel weighed down before bed.
  • The tart cherry dressing tastes nothing like health food, just bright and sophisticated.
  • Everything comes together in twenty minutes with zero cooking required.
02 -
  • Don't skip rinsing the canned beans; that starchy liquid is the enemy of a good salad.
  • Make the dressing in a jar rather than a bowl if you're serving later—you can shake it again right before serving to re-emulsify.
03 -
  • Buy the best tart cherry juice you can find; cheap versions taste medicinal rather than bright.
  • If your dressing breaks or looks separated, whisk in a tiny drop of water and it will come back together instantly.
Go Back