Savory Sweet Four Bean Delight
Discover the joy of vibrant flavors and satisfying textures with this delicious Four Bean Salad! This cherished recipe was a delightful find among my old papers, originally shared by a thoughtful co-worker who knew of my love for culinary adventures. The original had a lovely taste, but I've enhanced it by revamping the dressing to offer a delightful balance of sweet and tangy notes. Featuring a medley of chickpeas, green beans, wax beans, and kidney beans, this salad is not only a feast for the eyes but also incredibly wholesome. The addition of fresh bell pepper and red onion adds a crunch, while parsley provides a refreshing herbal note. Best enjoyed after marinating overnight, this dish is perfect for potlucks, barbecues, or just as a healthy side dish for any meal. While the sweetness can be adjusted to your liking, I believe it adds a unique twist that will keep this gem a family favorite!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
15
Ingredients
Ingredients
chickpeas
1 (19 ounce) can (drained and rinsed)
green beans
1 (14 ounce) can (drained)
wax beans
1 (14 ounce) can (drained)
red kidney beans
1 (19 ounce) can (drained and rinsed)
red bell pepper
1 (diced)
red onion
1 small (peeled and thinly sliced)
flat-leaf parsley
1/2 cup (chopped)
red wine vinegar
2/3 cup (none)
balsamic vinegar
2 tablespoons (none)
canola oil
1/2 cup (none)
granulated sugar
1/2 cup (adjustable)
garlic
1 clove (minced)
Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon (none)
kosher salt
1 teaspoon (none)
fresh ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon (none)
Instructions
1
Begin by draining a 19-ounce can of chickpeas (garbanzo beans) and rinsing them well. Make sure to drain again and set aside in a large mixing bowl.
2
Next, drain the liquid from a 14-ounce can of green beans and a 14-ounce can of wax beans, making sure they're well-drained before adding them to the bowl with the chickpeas.
3
Take a 19-ounce can of red kidney beans, rinse them under cool water, and drain thoroughly. Add these to the mixing bowl with the other beans.
4
For added color and crunch, dice one red bell pepper (feel free to use orange or yellow if you prefer, but I personally steer clear of green) and toss it into the bean mixture.
5
Peel a small red onion and slice it into very thin strips. Add these delicate rings to the bowl along with about ½ cup of freshly chopped flat-leaf parsley for a burst of herbal freshness.
6
Now it's time to prepare the dressing! In a separate bowl, whisk together ⅔ cup of red wine vinegar, 2 tablespoons of balsamic vinegar, and ½ cup of canola oil.
7
To this, add ½ cup of granulated sugar (or adjust to your taste if you prefer less sweetness), 1 minced garlic clove, 1 teaspoon of Worcestershire sauce, and 1 teaspoon each of kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper.
8
Mix the dressing thoroughly until the sugar is well dissolved, then pour it over the salad ingredients in the large mixing bowl.
9
Gently toss everything together to ensure all the beans and veggies are coated with the dressing.
10
Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight, stirring occasionally. Before serving, be sure to taste the salad as it may need additional salt or a splash more of vinegar to enhance the flavors.
11
When ready to serve, use a slotted spoon to transfer the bean salad into a serving bowl, letting most of the dressing drain off for a lighter salad presentation.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Savory Sweet Four Bean Delight?
It is a vibrant bean salad featuring chickpeas, green beans, wax beans, and kidney beans in a tangy-sweet dressing.
Which four beans are included in this salad?
The recipe uses chickpeas, green beans, wax beans, and red kidney beans.
How are the chickpeas prepared for the salad?
A 19-ounce can of chickpeas should be drained and rinsed well before adding them to the mixing bowl.
Do I need to rinse the green beans and wax beans?
No, for the green beans and wax beans, you only need to drain the liquid from the 14-ounce cans.
How should the red kidney beans be handled?
You should rinse a 19-ounce can of red kidney beans under cool water and drain them thoroughly.
What color bell pepper is recommended for this recipe?
The recipe calls for one red bell pepper, though orange or yellow may be used; the author recommends avoiding green bell peppers.
How should the red onion be prepared?
Peel one small red onion and slice it into very thin strips or delicate rings.
What kind of parsley is used in the Four Bean Delight?
The recipe uses 1/2 cup of freshly chopped flat-leaf parsley for herbal freshness.
What are the main vinegar components in the dressing?
The dressing uses 2/3 cup of red wine vinegar and 2 tablespoons of balsamic vinegar.
What type of oil is used for the bean salad dressing?
The recipe calls for 1/2 cup of canola oil.
How much sugar is required for the dressing?
The recipe includes 1/2 cup of granulated sugar, though it is adjustable to your taste.
Is there garlic in the Savory Sweet Four Bean Delight?
Yes, the recipe requires 1 minced garlic clove in the dressing mixture.
What other seasonings are added to the dressing?
The dressing is seasoned with 1 teaspoon of Worcestershire sauce, 1 teaspoon of kosher salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper.
How should the dressing be mixed?
Whisk all dressing ingredients together in a separate bowl until the sugar is well dissolved.
How long does the salad need to marinate?
For the best flavor, the salad should be covered and refrigerated overnight.
Should I stir the salad while it is in the refrigerator?
Yes, it is recommended to stir the salad occasionally while it marinates overnight.
How should the salad be served for a lighter presentation?
Use a slotted spoon to transfer the beans to a serving bowl, allowing the excess dressing to drain off.
Can I adjust the seasonings before serving?
Yes, you should taste the salad before serving as it may need additional salt or a splash of vinegar.
Is this recipe suitable for a potluck?
Yes, this dish is perfect for potlucks, barbecues, or as a healthy side dish for any meal.
What is the texture of the Four Bean Delight?
The salad features a medley of satisfying bean textures combined with the crunch of fresh bell pepper and onion.
Is Savory Sweet Four Bean Delight vegetarian?
Yes, the recipe is tagged as vegetarian-friendly.
Is this bean salad considered vegan?
The recipe is tagged as vegan, though users should ensure their Worcestershire sauce is a vegan-certified brand.
What makes the dressing 'revamped' compared to the original?
The author updated the dressing to offer a more delightful balance of sweet and tangy notes.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are a total of 15 ingredients used in this salad.
Can I use a different color of onion?
While the recipe specifies red onion for its color and flavor, other mild onions could be substituted.
Is this a summer recipe?
Yes, it is tagged as a summer recipe and is ideal for warm-weather gatherings.
What kind of salt is best for this salad?
The recipe specifically calls for 1 teaspoon of kosher salt.
Why is a slotted spoon recommended for serving?
A slotted spoon helps serve the salad without it being overly saturated by the marinating liquid.
Can I reduce the sugar in this recipe?
Yes, the recipe notes that the sweetness can be adjusted to your liking.
Are the beans used in this recipe canned or dried?
This recipe uses canned beans (chickpeas, green beans, wax beans, and kidney beans) for convenience.