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Three-bean salad with title reading Classic 3-Bean Salad Recipe with Tangy Dressing
Good Fork Daily Editorial Kitchen

Classic 3-Bean Salad Recipe with Tangy Dressing

A classic green, wax and kidney bean salad with onion, celery and a balanced sweet-tart dressing.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Refrigerated resting 4 hours
Total Time 4 hours 20 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Calories: 170

Ingredients
  

Salad
  • 1 14.5-ounce can cut green beans drained and rinsed, about 240 grams drained
  • 1 14.5-ounce can cut wax beans drained and rinsed, about 240 grams drained
  • 1 15-ounce can red kidney beans drained and rinsed, about 255 grams drained
  • 1/2 cup red onion thinly sliced, 70 grams
  • 1/2 cup celery finely diced, 50 grams
  • 1/3 cup flat-leaf parsley chopped, 15 grams
Sweet-tart dressing
  • 1/3 cup apple cider vinegar 80 grams
  • 3 tablespoons granulated sugar 38 grams
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard 5 grams
  • 1/2 teaspoon celery seed
  • 3/4 teaspoon fine salt plus more after resting
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 cup neutral oil or mild olive oil 54 grams

Equipment

  • Colander
  • Clean kitchen towels
  • Cutting board
  • Chef's knife
  • Large mixing bowl
  • Whisk
  • Broad silicone spatula

Method
 

  1. Drain and gently rinse all three canned beans until packing liquid is gone.
  2. Drain 2 minutes, spread over clean towels, blot and stand 5 minutes.
  3. Thinly slice red onion, finely dice celery and chop parsley; blot soaked onion if used.
  4. Whisk vinegar, sugar, Dijon, celery seed, salt and pepper for 30 to 45 seconds.
  5. Stream in oil while whisking until droplets are small and evenly dispersed.
  6. Fold onion, celery and kidney beans into the dressing.
  7. Add green beans, wax beans and parsley; fold gently with a broad spatula.
  8. Cover and refrigerate 4 to 24 hours, folding once after the first hour.
  9. Taste chilled salad and adjust vinegar by the teaspoon, sugar by one-half teaspoon or salt by a pinch.

Notes

  • Drain and blot all canned beans.
  • Dissolve sugar in vinegar before adding oil.
  • Add soft green and wax beans last.
  • Refrigerate at least 4 hours; overnight is ideal.
  • Judge sweetness only after resting.
  • Refrigerate up to 4 days.
  • Dijon may contain sulfites depending on brand.
  • This recipe was developed through culinary research and editorial review.