Gateaux1

I love this three bean salad recipe because it combines so many flavors into one simple dish that’s great any time of year. It’s a perfect side dish for a potluck picnic in the summer because there’s no mayonnaise, so it keeps well. It’s also great with any grilled or roasted meats.

My grandmother made this old-fashioned three bean salad every year for Thanksgiving and Christmas. I’ve kept her recipe mostly the same, with the exception of adding chopped green pepper. No need to change a classic family favorite!

Why you’ll love this recipe

EASY: Our old-fashioned three-bean salad is so easy to make. You just mix a little vinegar with sugar and oil and pour it over beans, green pepper, and onion. Then let it marinate overnight or even just a few hours, and it’s good to go.

VERSATILE: You can use pretty much any type of bean: garbanzo, cannellini, or even black beans. Use sweet onion for milder flavor or red onion if you want more bite. Change up the vinegar if you like. There are multiple ways to adapt this bean salad to suit your taste or to go with whatever you’re serving.

MAKE-AHEAD: This is a perfect make-ahead recipe because the three bean salad gets better the longer it sits in the dressing. You can make this salad 2-3 days before you want to serve it.

What to serve with three bean salad

You can really serve almost anything with this salad. I don’t know why it’s always been a staple on our holiday tables in my family but we love it with ham and turkey. I think the beans would also be great with burgers or grilled chicken.

I hope you’ll try this three bean salad. I think you’ll love it and you’ll want to add it to a regular menu rotation!

Lucy