Five-Bean Salad

Total Time

Prep: 10 min. + chilling

Makes

15 servings

Updated: Aug. 25, 2023
This 5-bean salad recipe from Jeanette Simec of Ottawa, Illinois is great to take to picnics or potlucks. "Everyone loves the variety of beans in this simple salad. My husband, Chuck, just can't get enough of it," says Simec. The colorful classic is made with an oil and vinegar dressing, and of course, five different kinds of beans. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Ingredients

  • 1 can (15 ounces) garbanzo beans or chickpeas, rinsed and drained
  • 1 can (16 ounces) kidney beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 can (15-1/2 ounces) great northern beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 can (14-1/2 ounces) cut wax beans, rinsed and drained
  • 2 cups frozen cut green beans, thawed (about 8 ounces)
  • 2 small onions, chopped
  • 1 cup white vinegar
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 1/4 cup canola oil
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper

Directions

  1. In a large bowl, combine the first 6 ingredients. In another bowl, whisk vinegar, sugar, oil, salt and pepper. Pour over bean mixture; toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate for several hours or overnight. Serve with a slotted spoon.
5-Bean Salad Tips

Do you need to rinse canned beans?

When you're making recipes that use canned beans, be sure to rinse and drain them before preparing the recipe. This helps wash away extra brine and salt before stirring them into your favorite healthy dinners and 5-ingredient recipes with canned beans, especially since their flavor will be more prominent when fewer ingredients are involved.

Can you use other types of beans to make 5-bean salad?

Bean salad recipes like this one are really versatile. You can mix and match your favorite beans like navy beans, pinto beans, black beans, butter beans and more!

What do you serve with 5-bean salad?

This salad is perfect for a buffet because it complements so many main dishes. The sweet and tangy flavor is especially delicious with spicy favorites like barbecue chicken recipes, slow-cooker pulled pork recipes and grilled steak recipes.

Can you make 5-bean salad in advance?

Since it's best to chill 5-bean salad for several hours or overnight to let the flavors blend, it's a perfect side dish for the Fourth of July or any other potluck you're headed to. Cover and refrigerate leftovers for up to 2 to 3 days.

—Peggy Woodward, Taste of Home Senior Food Editor

Nutrition Facts

2/3 cup: 162 calories, 4g fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 353mg sodium, 27g carbohydrate (12g sugars, 5g fiber), 5g protein.