Finally Found Four Bean Salad

"I lost this recipe and I found it just this morning, while going through a bunch of old papers. I'm so HAPPY! I'm posting it immediately so it won't get lost again! I got this from a former co-worker, who had it at a potluck and liked it so much she got the recipe, and brought me a copy since she knew how much I loved to cook. I changed it up a bit, making big changes to the dressing and adding a bit to the actual salad components. This is a little on the sweet side, admittedly, but the sugar can be cut back to suit tastes. This is my favourite and I'm so glad I found it!"
 
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Ready In:
25mins
Ingredients:
15
Serves:
10
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ingredients

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directions

  • Drain a 19-oz tin of chick peas (garbanzo beans), rinse well, then drain again; place in a large mixing bowl.
  • Drain a 14-oz tin of green beans and a 14-oz tin of wax beans well and then add to bowl.
  • Drain a 19-oz tin of red kidney beans, rinse well then drain again; add to bowl.
  • Dice up a coloured bell pepper (red, orange or yellow, I don't use green as I don't like them much) and add to beans.
  • Peel a small red onion and slice into very thin strips and add to bowl.
  • Lastly, add about 1/2 cup of chopped fresh flatleaf parsley.
  • Now make dressing: in a separate bowl, whisk together the vinegars, oil, sugar (I use a scant 1/2 cup), minced fresh garlic, worcestershire, and salt and pepper.
  • Pour dressing over salad ingredients and toss.
  • Cover and refrigerate overnight, stirring occasionally (before serving, taste, as it may need more salt).
  • When ready, spoon bean salad into a serving bowl using a slotted spoon, to drain off most of the dressing before serving.

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Reviews

  1. This dressing is the "ultimate". Not only does it do wonders for the four bean salad listed, but try cooking a bowl of tri colored rotini, or any curly pasta you enjoy, and add this dressing along with the onions, red pepper, and garlic. Refrigerate over night before serving. It really makes a great side dish with the dressing recipe Lennie provided.
     
  2. I made quite a few changes, but I feel it is fair to rate this 5 stars because it made an excellent base recipe. I used cans of mixed beans, used honey instead of sugar (and half the amount - it was still a bit too sweet, I think), green onions instead of the onion, added some extra chopped veggies, herbs and feta cheese. I will definitely make again!
     
  3. this is a great salad! the only thing i did different was decrease the sugar to 1 1/2 T. it was still sweet from the balsamic.
     
  4. What a wonderful Bean salad. I have been looking for a good Bean Salad recipe but will look no more. This is a keeper.The different vinigars( rather than just plain) do add to the wonderful flavor. It sat in the fridge for about 10 hours but it still had exellent flavor. I couldn't quit picking at it. My DH said it is the best he has ever eaten. I made no changes. Thank-you for this wonderful recipe.
     
  5. Love the flavor and mix of beans in this--used half the amount of sugar, and found that to be just enough sweetness. These type salads are godsends for plan-ahead gatherings. This is the best bean salad I've ever eaten, and it's so easy to make.
     
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Tweaks

  1. Oh yes! Definitely use the vinegars as stated - A wonderful blend of flavours. I followed your preference suggestion re sugar and probably used about 2/3 of the amount which was sweet enough for my taste. I also subbed olive oil infused with basil in place of the canola oil but otherwise stuck to your recipe and this is definitely a keeper - thank you :)
     
  2. I made quite a few changes, but I feel it is fair to rate this 5 stars because it made an excellent base recipe. I used cans of mixed beans, used honey instead of sugar (and half the amount - it was still a bit too sweet, I think), green onions instead of the onion, added some extra chopped veggies, herbs and feta cheese. I will definitely make again!
     
  3. Great recipe. I also cut back on the sugar a little. Used about a 1/4 cup of cilantro instead of parsley and added more fresh garlic. Replaced the wax beans with black beans. Nice contrast. Made this for a family gathering the night before and thought I was going to have to add more beans. Couldn't keep the husband out of the frig "taste testing." Will definitely be making this recipe again on a variety of veggie combinations. Excellent. Glad you found it.
     
  4. Myself and my BF absolutely loved this (he even sipped at the extra dressing!) I made the dressing in the blender and added a tomato, apple cider vinegar instead of balsamic, and extra garlic. I also used only a small amount of sugar. To the salad, I added black beans instead of wax beans; omitted the onions, and used fresh coriander instead of parsley. Thanks so much - it'll be my "go-to" bean salad recipe!
     

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I have been sharing recipes here at Recipezaar since October 2001. You won't see me around anymore, although if you're an old-school Zaarite you'll remember that in the past, you couldn't shut me up!
 
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