Crunchy Bean Salad and Dijon Maple Dressing
This Crunchy Bean Salad is perfect for summer, ideal for meal-prep lunches throughout the week, and incredibly easy to make. The light Dijon maple dressing gives the salad a fantastic flavor, which is a little sweet, savory, and has a hint of spiciness. I like that everything comes together in a single salad bowl.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
Quick and Easy. It can be prepared in under 15 minutes and uses simple, everyday ingredients that come together in a single salad bowl.
Customizable. You can customize it to your preference. Consider using black beans as an alternative to cannellini beans, or add cooked chicken breast.
Good amount of protein. Each serving contains a good amount of protein; however, if you would like a higher protein version, I suggest adding cooked chicken or steak.
Ingredients Needed For Crunchy Bean Salad and Dijon Maple Dressing
- Cannellini beans are a good source of plant-based protein. You can substitute them for black beans or cooked chicken breast.
- Chickpeas are an excellent source of dietary fiber and plant-based protein.
- Cucumber is a good source of antioxidants.
- Grape tomatoes contain vitamins A and C, as well as fiber.
- Avocados are a good source of healthy fats, fiber, and vitamins, including vitamin C.
- Onion supports gut health.
- Olive oil is a good source of healthy fats.
- Dijon mustard is used to make the salad dressing.
- Lemon juice is rich in vitamin C, an essential antioxidant that supports the immune system.
- Cilantro
- Maple syrup adds a little sweetness to the salad dressing.
- Seasonings: I used thyme, garlic powder, crushed red pepper, salt, and black pepper.
How To Make Crunchy Bean Salad and Dijon Maple Dressing
Add canned cannellini beans, chickpeas, cucumber, grape tomatoes, avocados, onion, and cilantro to a large salad bowl.
In a measuring cup, add olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, maple syrup, thyme, garlic powder, crushed red pepper, salt, and black pepper. Combine with a spoon.
Pour the mixture into the salad bowl and stir.
Store the salad in glass meal bowls in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. When you are ready to serve, enjoy straight out of the glass bowl. Please take a look at the recipe card below for a detailed recipe.
Commonly Asked Questions
Will the salad get soggy in the fridge? I believe it won’t because we didn’t use greens like lettuce. It should be fine in the refrigerator for 3-4 days if stored in glass containers.
Can I add chicken breast? You can certainly do so, and you can also add salmon or steak for a higher-protein version.
Won’t the avocado turn brown? It does turn brown sometimes. If you’re not a fan of brown avocado, I suggest adding it when ready to serve.
More Salad Recipes You Will Love
Greek-Inspired Ground Turkey Salad
High-Protein Sweet Potato, Cottage Cheese, Pickle, Ground Beef Bowl
Mexican-Inspired Shrimp Salad with Lime Chipotle Dressing
Quick and Easy Chickpea Corn Salad
Crunchy Bean Salad with Dijon Maple Dressing
Ingredients
- 2 cups cucumber
- 2-3 cups cannellini beans
- 2 cups chickpeas
- 1 cup grape tomatoes
- ½ cup onion
- ¼ cup cilantro
- 1 medium avocados
- 4 TBSP olive oil
- 3 TBSP maple syrup
- 4 TBSP lemon juice
- 1 TBSP Dijon mustard
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp thyme
- salt to taste
- ¼ tsp crushed red pepper
- ½ tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Drain and rinse canned beans and chickpeas.
- Chop the cucumber and the avocados, and halve the grape tomatoes. Finely chop the onion and cilantro.
- In a large salad bowl, add the cannellini beans, chickpeas, cucumber, grape tomatoes, onions, avocados, and cilantro.
- Combine olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, maple syrup, garlic powder, thyme, crushed red pepper, salt, and black pepper in a mixing cup to make the salad dressing.
- Pour the dressing over the ingredients in the large salad bowl and combine.
- Add to 4-5 glass meal prep bowls and store them in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Absolutely delicious and nutritious and It’s definitely on my list to make again and again ! Yum !
Thank you Fayette for all your delicious recipes!
I’m glad you like it!