Ingredients
Making a 3 Bean Salad is a simple and tasty way to incorporate some extra nutrition into your diet. It can be made in minutes and with just a few key ingredients.
For this recipe, you will need 3 cans of beans such as black, kidney, and garbanzo beans. Other ingredients you will need include a red onion, garlic, olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. With these simple ingredients, you can create a delicious and nutritious three bean salad.
Three types of beans
Three bean salad, also known as Taylor Salad or Texas Caviar, is a simple side dish made of three types of beans mixed in a vinaigrette dressing. White kidney beans, black beans and chickpeas are usually mixed together, but you can use any types of canned or cooked beans. Along with the beans, several vegetables such as celery, onions, bell pepper and scallions can be added for texture and flavor.
Ingredients:
- 1 (15ounce) can white kidney beans
- 1 (15 ounce) can black beans
- 1 (15 ounce) can chickpeas
- 1/4 cup celery diced
- 1/4 cup red onion diced
- 2 tablespoons bell pepper diced
- 2 tablespoons scallion minced
- 3 cloves garlic minced
For the vinaigrette dressing:
- 3/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 3 tablespoons white wine vinegar
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon honey or agave syrup
- Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Onion
Onion is a popular ingredient in three-bean salad and adds a distinctive flavor to both the dish and the accompaniments. It can be used raw or cooked and is generally added to taste. Raw onion will give a sharper, more pungent flavor to the salad, while adding cooked onion will enhance the sweetness of the dish.
To prepare raw onion for use in three-bean salad, finely dice it and add it to taste before combining all ingredients together. In addition, sautéing onion will bring out its natural sweetness and can also be used as an alternate cooking method before adding the other ingredients.
Garlic
Garlic is a key ingredient in many recipes, adding a subtle depth of flavor to enhance the other ingredients. For this 3 bean salad recipe, you’ll need 1 clove of garlic.
Crush the garlic clove with the side of a knife and remove the skin. Mince the garlic finely or press it through a garlic press to produce smaller pieces. If you prefer, you can grate it using a cheese grater as well, which will give it an even more subtle flavor. Make sure to evenly distribute the minced garlic throughout your salad.
Olive oil
To make the dressing for this 3 bean salad, you will need ¼ cup of high quality cold pressed extra virgin olive oil. Extra virgin olive oil is the highest quality oil and among the healthiest fats that can be added to a dish. It has a distinctive flavor which makes it an excellent choice for dressings and marinades. Since extra virgin olive oil is unrefined, it contains more vitamins and minerals than other types of olive oil.
Additionally, it is rich in antioxidants which helps protect against free radical damage. When purchasing extra virgin olive oil, look for a bottle that has been kept away from light to protect any beneficial compounds from breaking down due to exposure to UV rays. Use high quality extra virgin olive oil for this salad to ensure the most delicious flavor possible!
Salt and pepper
Adding salt and pepper is one of the simplest ways to enhance the flavor of a dish – but it’s not always as obvious as it seems. There are different types of salt and pepper available, including Kosher salt, sea salt, table salt, black pepper, white pepper and more. Each type of seasoning will provide a unique flavor profile.
When adding salt and pepper to your three bean salad recipe, start with a pinch or two of salt in combination with a turn or two of freshly ground black pepper. Depending on personal preference, more seasoning can be added incrementally until the desired flavor is achieved. When using dried beans in your recipe, additional seasonings may need to be included because they tend to absorb more seasoning than fresh beans do. The recommended practice is to add a little at a time until you reach the desired taste. Enjoy!
Preparation
Preparing a 3 bean salad is easy and straightforward. You’ll need to start by gathering your ingredients. You will need canned black, red, and garbanzo beans as well as any extra add-ins you may want to include. Additionally, you will need to decide which type of dressing you will be using. With all of your ingredients gathered, you can begin prepping your salad:
- Drain and rinse all canned beans.
- Combine beans in a large bowl.
- Add any extra add-ins.
- Mix in dressing of your choice.
- Chill for at least 1 hour before serving.
Rinse and drain the beans
Once you’ve found the perfect roast, it’s important to prepare your beans properly before using them in your coffee-making process. Before starting, preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and spread the beans evenly on a large baking sheet.
The first step in prepping your beans is to rinse and drain them. This will help get rid of any dirt or debris that may have been mixed in with the beans during their journey from farm to roaster. Gently pour the beans into a fine mesh strainer and give them a quick rinse before shaking off excess water and draining them thoroughly.
Chop the onion and garlic
Before you start cooking anything, you need to prepare the ingredients. Chopping onions and garlic is a key step to many recipes because it adds flavor to the dish.
Start by selecting an onion that is firm and heavy for its size. Cut off the ends of your onion and begin slicing it into uniform pieces – try to keep the size similar so that the onion cooks evenly. You don’t have to be a chef to acceptably chop an onion – just use precision in your cut size, as if you’re counting and measuring dollar bills.
Once you have diced your onion, it’s time for garlic! Garlic can be chopped on its own or combined with your chopped onion before being added to your dish. To prepare fresh garlic, remove any paper-like skin that wraps around each clove before chopping. Place one clove onto a cutting board and hold down firmly with the blade flat against it with one hand while using other hand’s flat edge to press down firmly on top of knife’s blade (this steak knife grip prevents injury). Keeping a steady up-and-down motion on top of kitchen knife, continuously chop until reached desired consistency – minced or diced?
When cutting both onions and garlic together in one batch, finely chop onions first then incorporate garlic after desired consistency achieved – this helps prevent oils from overpowering flavors of garlic which can occasionally over-brown or burn during cooking process if not already minced small enough. Once all prepping completed: store ingredients separately in airtight container(s) or glass jars fitted snugly with their individual lids for future use!
Heat the olive oil in a saucepan
Heat the olive oil in a saucepan placed over medium heat. Once the oil is hot enough, add the chopped garlic and stir it briefly. Then add the cooked kidney beans, cooked pinto beans, cooked garbanzo beans, diced green onion and diced red bell pepper into the pan. Cover the pan with a lid and let it cook for 10-12 minutes until everything is heated through. Stir occasionally to prevent anything from sticking to the bottom of the pan.
Once done, turn off the heat and transfer the bean mixture into a mixing bowl. Squeeze a whole lemon into it and stir everything together with a wooden spoon or spatula. Add salt to taste and stir one more time before serving your 3 bean salad warm or cold for an amazing side dish!
Add the onion and garlic and sauté
Once the vegetables are soft, add the onion and garlic to the pan and sauté until fragrant. Cook until the onion and garlic are lightly browned; this will bring out their flavor. As they cook, they will release their natural oils. Stir frequently to avoid burning or sticking to the pan. If necessary, reduce heat as needed to prevent burning or browning too quickly. Once fragrant and lightly browned, remove from heat and allow to cool before adding other ingredients.
Add the beans and season with salt and pepper
To start, add the beans to a large bowl. Add the drained red kidney beans, black-eyed peas, and chickpeas. Season with a pinch of salt for flavor, and freshly ground black pepper for heat. Stir to combine all the ingredients gently, allowing any added seasonings to be distributed evenly throughout the salad.
Cooking
Making a three bean salad is a great way to add some healthy, colourful and tasty items to your meal. It’s a simple recipe to make and can be an ideal dish for potlucks, dinner parties, picnics and other gatherings.
In this article, we’ll show you how to make a three bean salad. We’ll talk about the ingredients you’ll need, the steps involved in the cooking process and tips on how to make the best three bean salad. Read on to find out more!
Simmer for 20 minutes
Simmering is a gentle cooking method used to prepare delicious meals while retaining the nutrients in the food. To simmer, bring a pot or pan of liquid to just below boiling, keeping it hot enough so that bubbles form and slowly break the surface but not so hot that they rapidly rise.
It is commonly used as a reference point when preparing soups and stews, where items must be cooked slowly over low heat for an extended period of time. If you are simmering something for 20 minutes, you should maintain your liquid around 120-180°F (49-82°C). This will ensure that it is cooking at a consistent rate without scorching or overcooking.
When simmering proteins like chicken and fish, make sure to check them at least every 10 minutes in order to prevent overcooking and ensure your meal is cooked to perfection!
Stir occasionally
Stirring a dish occasionally whilst cooking is an important technique used in many recipes. Stirring helps to evenly distribute heat throughout the dish and keeps the ingredients from sticking to the sides of a pan or pot. Stirring sometimes accelerates the cooking process, helping it to cook faster and more evenly.
In foods such as Risotto, regular stirring ensures that all of the ingredients are cooked through evenly, especially with the starch of the rice breaking down. Additionally, stirring prevents over-concentrations of any particular flavour which can occur if certain ingredients don’t have time to blend during cooking. It also helps guard against burning and sticking on the surface as stirring pushes food off of hot spots on pans or pots.
Serving
A tasty three bean salad is a simple and healthy side dish that pairs well with many different meals. It is an easy way to add more vegetables to your diet! When served, 3 bean salad can be served either warm or cold and can be a great accompaniment to many dishes.
Let’s look at how to make and serve this delicious dish:
Place the salad in a bowl
Once all of your beans and vegetables have been cooked and cooled, it’s time to assemble the salad. Place the cooled beans in a large bowl and add the diced vegetables. Toss lightly with a light vinaigrette, or use some extra virgin olive oil and lemon juice. If using a vinaigrette, choose one that is light in flavor, such as balsamic or white wine.
Add any herbs you’d like – parsley or fresh basil would be ideal for this dish. Final touches could include crumbled soft cheese like feta, pine nuts or walnuts, poured over the top for texture and flavor. Then serve! Bon appetite!
Garnish with fresh herbs
To give your three bean salad a fresh and bright flavor, try garnishing it with fresh herbs. You can use a variety of herbs to garnish the salad, including basil, chives, cilantro, dill and mint. Fresh herbs add an extra layer of flavor to the salad as well as visual appeal. Try mixing several types together, or just choose one that stands out to you.
Adding fresh herbs to the top of your three bean salad is an easy way to make it look more attractive and professional when serving. Start by finely chopping your chosen herb or herbs into small pieces before sprinkling them over the finished salad. If you want more intense flavor from the herb, consider allowing it to steep in a little bit of vinegar overnight prior to adding it in. This will help release some of the flavors from within without overwhelming the dish with too much herbal goodness.
When served with a drizzle of oil and vinegar or other dressing on top, these freshly chopped herbs will add an extra burst of flavor and aroma that guests are sure to enjoy!
Serve warm or chilled
3 bean salad can be served warm or chilled. When serving warm, the beans should be cooked, cooled slightly and then dressed with a vinaigrette. To serve cold, allow the beans to cool completely before adding a light dressing of olive oil, sherry vinegar and herbs. (For recipes featuring 3 bean salads visit our website.)
When preparing your dish, the ratio of beans is flexible so feel free to adjust it to suit your preferences and dietary requirements. Consider using three different varieties of beans in a variety of sizes and colors for aesthetic appeal. For best results:
- Cook each type of bean separately in boiling water until tender but firm; don’t overcook them as they will become mushy if left too long in the pot.
- Once cooked, drain off the water and let them cool before adding any dressings or sauces you may wish to serve with your dish.