Easy Mixed Bean Salad Recipe: Mary Berry’s Fresh Summer Favorite

Mixed bean salad bursts with vibrant textures and nutritional power that transform ordinary meals into extraordinary experiences.

Legumes provide a remarkable protein-packed foundation for this delightful dish, offering incredible versatility and endless customization.

Crisp vegetables and zesty dressing elevate the humble beans into a culinary masterpiece that sings with freshness.

Colorful ingredients blend seamlessly, creating a symphony of flavors that dance across your palate with each forkful.

Nutritionists adore this salad for its balanced macronutrient profile and incredible health benefits.

Lightweight yet satisfying, mixed bean salad stands as a champion of quick, wholesome eating that never compromises on taste.

Mediterranean-inspired techniques bring sophistication to this simple yet elegant recipe that will revolutionize your meal planning: prepare to fall in love.

What Makes Mary Berry’s Mixed Bean Salad Worth Trying

• Flavor-Packed Bean Medley: Discover a zesty salad that bursts with tangy vinegar, sharp mustard, and fresh herbs, creating a symphony of tastes that dance on your palate.
• Quick and Easy Prep: Transform simple ingredients into a delightful dish in just minutes, with minimal cooking required and a simple chilling technique that lets flavors meld perfectly.
• Smart Onion Technique: The clever soaking method removes the harsh bite from raw onions, ensuring a milder, more pleasant crunch that complements the beans without overwhelming the salad.
• Healthy Summer Sidekick: Packed with protein-rich beans and low in calories, this versatile salad offers a nutritious and refreshing option for picnics, barbecues, or quick lunch accompaniments.

Ingredients Breakdown for Mary Berry’s Mixed Bean Salad

• Vinegar: Sharp and tangy base for the salad dressing, balances the other flavors.
• Olive Oil: Smooth and rich component that helps blend the dressing together.
• Mustard: Adds a zesty kick and helps emulsify the dressing.
• Salt and Pepper: Essential seasonings for enhancing overall taste.
• Honey or Maple Syrup: Optional sweetener to balance the dressing's acidity.

• Mixed Beans: Protein-rich and hearty base of the salad, choose fresh or well-drained canned beans.
• Onions: Sharp flavor that gets mellowed by soaking, adds crisp texture.
• Cucumber: Fresh and crunchy vegetable that provides a cool element.

• Parsley: Fresh herb that adds brightness and color to the salad.
• Capers: Briny and tangy ingredient that provides a salty punch.
• Oregano: Aromatic herb that gives a Mediterranean-style flavor profile.

Steps to Prepare Mary Berry’s Mixed Bean Salad Easily

Step 1: Soften Onion Flavor

Slice onions and submerge in cold water for 5 minutes. Drain thoroughly and rinse to mellow their sharp taste.

Step 2: Craft Zesty Dressing

• Vinegar
• Olive oil
• Mustard
• Salt and pepper to taste

Tip: If dressing seems too tangy, add honey or maple syrup for balance.

Step 3: Combine Salad Ingredients

• Mixed beans (kidney, cannellini, black beans)
• Rinsed onions
• Diced cucumber
• Chopped fresh parsley
• Capers
• Dried oregano

Stir ingredients until evenly coated with dressing.

Step 4: Chill and Serve

Refrigerate salad for 1 hour to allow flavors to meld. Serve chilled as a refreshing side dish or light lunch. Best enjoyed within 24 hours of preparation.

Handy Tips for Mary Berry’s Mixed Bean Salad

• Revive Flavor Slowly: Let the salad sit at room temperature before serving, allowing ingredients to awaken and taste more vibrant.
• Prep Ahead Wisely: Create a more complex dish by making the salad a day in advance, giving flavors time to mingle and deepen.
• Rinse Capers Gently: Quick cold water rinse removes excess salt, helping capers blend seamlessly into the bean mix.
• Preserve Herb Brilliance: Chop parsley moments before adding to maintain its bright green color and intense aroma.
• Soften Onion Intensity: Cold water soak transforms sharp onion chunks into mild, pleasant salad companions.

Keep Mary Berry’s Mixed Bean Salad Fresh With These Tips

• Vacuum-Seal Strategy: Lock in freshness by transferring the bean salad to a vacuum-sealed bag. Remove excess air completely to prevent moisture buildup and preserve the salad's crisp texture for up to 5 days.
• Glass Container Method: Choose a clear glass container with a tight-fitting lid for optimal storage. Layer ingredients strategically to maintain individual vegetable crispness, preventing premature wilting and keeping dressing from making everything soggy.
• Herb Preservation Technique: Separate fresh herbs from the main salad mixture when storing. Place herbs in a small sealed container with a damp paper towel to maintain moisture and prevent wilting, then add them just before serving to ensure maximum flavor and visual appeal.

Different Versions of Mary Berry’s Mixed Bean Salad

• Herb Garden Mix: Swap parsley for fresh basil, dill, or chives to create a vibrant, aromatic bean salad with a garden-fresh profile.
• Mediterranean Fusion: Replace cucumber with roasted red peppers, add crumbled feta cheese, and use lemon juice instead of vinegar for a Greek-inspired version.
• Spicy Southwest Kick: Incorporate diced jalapeños, replace capers with chopped cilantro, and add a dash of cumin and smoked paprika for a zesty, warm flavor sensation.
• Protein Power Boost: Blend in grilled chicken, canned tuna, or crumbled hard-boiled eggs to transform the salad into a hearty, protein-packed meal that satisfies hunger and provides extra nutrition.

What You’ll Take Away from Mary’s Bean Salad

Culinary magic blooms with Mary Berry’s mixed bean salad, transforming humble ingredients into a symphony of flavors.

Mediterranean influences dance through each colorful bite, promising refreshment and zest.

Crisp cucumber and tangy capers create a delightful contrast against creamy beans.

Chilled and marinated, this salad whispers summer’s elegant simplicity.

Herb-infused dressing connects each ingredient with graceful harmony.

Recipe masters and kitchen adventurers alike: spread this delectable discovery across social channels, spark conversations with passionate comments, and invite friends to savor this extraordinary dish.

Mary Berry Mixed Bean Salad Recipe

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4.6 from 19 reviews

• Total Time: 10 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Mary Berry’s mixed bean salad delivers a refreshing Mediterranean-inspired dish packed with protein and zesty flavors. Crisp vegetables and hearty beans combine in this simple yet elegant recipe that promises delightful freshness on your plate.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Beans:

• 3 (15-ounce) cans beans, drained and rinsed, or 4 ½ cups cooked beans

Fresh Vegetables and Herbs:

• ½ medium onion, finely chopped (about ¾ cup)
• 1 medium cucumber, finely chopped (about 2 cups)
• ½ cup (60 grams) finely chopped fresh parsley

Dressing and Seasonings:

• 3 tablespoons drained capers
• ¾ teaspoon dried oregano
• ¼ cup (60 ml) red wine vinegar
• ¼ cup (60 ml) extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1 to 2 teaspoons honey or maple syrup (optional)
• ¾ teaspoon fine sea salt, plus more to taste
• ¼ teaspoon fresh ground black pepper

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Instructions

1. Neutralize the pungent bite of chopped onions by submerging them in chilled water for 5 minutes, then thoroughly drain and rinse to mellow their intense flavor profile.
2. Create a vibrant vinaigrette in a spacious mixing bowl by whisking together tangy vinegar, fruity extra virgin olive oil, robust Dijon mustard, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper. To balance any sharp edges, incorporate a subtle touch of golden honey or rich maple syrup.
3. Gently fold the rinsed white beans, softened onions, crisp cucumber chunks, freshly chopped flat-leaf parsley, briny capers, and aromatic dried oregano into the prepared dressing, ensuring each ingredient is evenly coated and distributed.
4. Allow the salad to marinate and develop its complex flavors by refrigerating for a minimum of 60 minutes, which will help the ingredients harmonize and intensify their taste characteristics. Serve chilled as a refreshing side dish or light Mediterranean-inspired appetizer.

Notes

• Meal-prep magic happens when this salad sits overnight, letting flavors deeply mingle and intensify.
• Gentle folding prevents delicate cucumber and bean pieces from breaking apart, maintaining their beautiful shape.
• Pantry flexibility means swapping beans or herbs becomes an easy culinary adventure.
• Capers bring unexpected saltiness that transforms an ordinary bean salad into something memorable.
• Chilling the mixture for an hour allows ingredients to soak up dressing, creating a harmonious taste experience.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 0 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: None
• Cuisine: UK

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 245 kcal
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 290 mg
• Fat: 14 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 27 g
• Fiber: 8 g
• Protein: 9 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg