Spanish White Bean Salad Recipe

Thanks to the country’s rich rural history, beans have been present in Spanish recipes for centuries, yet there is always a new recipe waiting to be discovered.

The Spanish white bean salad is a timeless classic, providing a wonderful main or side dish that can be enjoyed all year round, showcasing unmatched refreshing flavors and nutritional richness.

The beloved Andalusian recipe will be the protagonist of this article, where you will learn how to make it from scratch, and the best ways of storing, serving, and customizing.

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Pssst…!!?? You can’t get enough of Spanish salad recipes? Have a look at my other posts: 

• Spanish potato salad with olives

• Spanish lentil salad

• Spanish potato salad with beets

Background of the Dish

Spanish recipes featuring beans as the main ingredient are deeply rooted in both tradition and practicality, as it is a popular local produce that is also cheap and easy to prepare.

The Spanish white bean salad wasn’t the first Andalusian recipe with beans, yet it stands out by offering an alternative to people who are seeking a lighter alternative.

Today, you can find this delicious salad in almost any restaurant in southern Spain, alongside other beloved classics such as the Spanish bean soup with chorizo and the Spanish bean tomato soup.

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Things You’ll Need for Spanish White Bean Salad

The main ingredients needed for this Spanish white bean salad are canned cooked beans, onion, red and green bell pepper, garlic clove, cherry tomatoes, pitted olives, red wine vinegar, and olive oil.

Like other Spanish salad ideas, the only equipment needed is a large bowl to mix all of the ingredients.

Ingredients

• 2 cans (425gr each) cooked white beans
• 1 red onion
• 1 red bell pepper
• 1 green bell pepper
• 1 garlic clove
• 1 cup (180gr) pitted black olives
• 1 cup (200gr) cherry tomatoes
• 1/4 cup (60ml) olive oil
• 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• Salt and pepper (to taste)

How to Make Spanish White Bean Salad – Step by Step Guide

1. For the first step in this Spanish white beans recipe, you have to prepare the veggies. For that, wash and cut the cherry tomatoes in half. Cut the bell peppers in half, discard the seeds, and chop them into small squares. Peel and chop the onion into thin slices. Peel and mince the garlic clove.

2. After that, drain and rinse the canned white beans under cold water. Drain again, so you don’t end up with a watery Spanish salad.

3. Then, grab a small bowl and mix the olive oil, vinegar, and Dijon mustard until combined. This will be the Spanish salad dressing for the healthy white bean salad. In the meantime, cut the pitted black olives in half.

4. Now, toss the white beans, tomatoes, bell peppers, onion, and garlic clove in a large bowl. Season with salt and pepper, and stir in the dressing for the Mediterranean white bean salad.

5. To finish making the best white bean salad recipe, do a taste test and adjust the seasoning or dressing if desired. Now you can serve the Spanish white bean salad cold, topped with the black olives, and enjoy.

Substitution of Ingredients

We encourage you to take inspiration from other easy Spanish salad recipes, as they can come in handy while thinking about the possible replacements that you can follow.

First, you can follow the mixed bean salad and make this salad with your favorite mix of beans, including red beans, black beans, or even chickpeas.

Most salad recipes from Spain are renowned for their diverse flavor profiles, and the best white bean salad is no exception.

Don’t hesitate to enhance it with spices such as chili flakes, turmeric, or paprika for an extra burst of flavor.

Since it is a Mediterranean white bean salad recipe, it has a strong presence of classic ingredients like cherry tomatoes and black olives, but you could substitute them with regular ripe tomatoes and green olives, or skip them if you prefer.

Lastly, you can prepare the Spanish white bean salad with your favorite mix of vegetables, adding chopped carrots, zucchini, cucumber, yellow bell pepper, etc.

Tips on Serving Spanish White Bean Salad

First, this bean dish makes for an amazing Spanish side salad, just place the bowl on the table and let your guests serve as much as they like (you will have from 6 to 8 servings).

The Spanish white bean salad is a great main dish (you would have to form 3 to 4 servings in that case), especially if you combine it with other proteins like grilled chicken, shrimp, prawns, hard-boiled eggs, or tofu.

Some toppings that complement the Spanish salad ingredients are chopped and toasted almonds or peanuts, a drizzle of garlic aioli for added creaminess, and bread croutons.

Besides that, if you’re seeking a Spanish salad bowl suitable for winter and the chilled bean salad doesn’t appeal to you, be sure to try our delicious warm cannellini bean salad or the simple warm bean salad.

How to Store Spanish White Bean Salad

Spanish salad recipes use super fresh local produce, so the best way to enjoy them is by serving them freshly made. However, this Spanish salad recipe also gives you the chance to save some for later.

In case you want to store it, prepare the Spanish white bean salad but don’t add the dressing, just transfer the other ingredients to an airtight container.

Then, you can store the traditional Spanish salad in the fridge for up to 2 days, and add the dressing only when you are ready to serve it.

If something seems off in the flavor or texture of the Spanish white bean salad after storing it, then it is better to avoid consuming it and simply prepare a fresh batch instead.

Most traditional Spanish salads can’t be stored in the freezer, but we have some Andalusian recipes that you can prepare for that: the classic Spanish bean soup, the hearty oxtail and butter beans, and the fantastic Spanish white bean soup.

Recipe Card: Spanish White Bean Salad

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