Classic 3-Bean Salad

Just what's to love about classic 3-Bean Salad?  How about great taste, super easy preparation, and make-ahead convenience?  Put those three things together and you've got one perfect side dish to prepare for any occasion.  There's just no wrong time to enjoy this marinated goodness!
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This classic 3-Bean Salad has been a staple recipe in our family ever since I can remember, way back to when I was just a little kid.  One of my Mom's best friends just adored this salad, and I can remember my Mom making it whenever their family came to visit. 

Of course, with its fabulous flavor and just how totally easy it is to make, what's not to love?  Oh, this classic is always a hit.

I have fond memories of this salad making its appearance at many family dinners, and especially as an easy side tagging along to all those summer cookouts with friends.  There's just no wrong time to enjoy this marinated goodness.

I have fond memories of this salad making its appearance at many family dinners, and especially as an easy side tagging along to all those summer cookouts with friends.

3-Bean Salad is one of those recipes that needs time to marinate for its flavors to develop to their fullest.  Which means, not only do you get ease of prep and great taste from this classic recipe, you also get make-ahead convenience.

And this make-ahead convenience makes it a perfect dish to prepare for just about any occasion -- you can get its prep done well in advance, leaving last-minute time clear for making other dishes.

Two days is the recommended minimum marinating time, but truly this salad gets better and better with even a little more flavor-melding time than that.  3-Bean Salad can be prepared about 4 or 5 days in advance, no problem at all.

Just exactly what 3 beans does the name 3-Bean Salad refer to?

Cut green beans, yellow wax beans, and kidney beans are the standard combination that make up classic 3-Bean Salad.  Our family always uses dark red kidney beans, rather than their lighter counterpart, because of the beautiful color contrast they bring to the salad.

Cut green beans, yellow wax beans, and kidney beans are the standard combination that make up classic 3-Bean Salad.

To whip up a batch, simply drain cans of the classic 3 beans.  Then combine them in a large bowl with plenty of chopped onion and green pepper.

Be sure to chop the onion and green pepper finely, so it readily distributes throughout the entire salad and you don't get huge bites of them in the finished dish.

Then mix up a very simple marinade of oil, vinegar, sugar, salt, and pepper.

Pour the marinade over the bean mixture, and give everything a good gentle toss to get it well combined.

Then pop the salad in the refrigerator and let the marinade do its thing.

Two days is the recommended minimum marinating time, but truly this salad gets better and better with even a little more flavor-melding time than that.

The flavors meld as the beans marinate and the salad's flavor develops more and more as time goes on.

I recommended a minimum of 2 days marinating time, but truly this salad gets better and better with even more time than that.  The salad will taste great after 2 days, and even better with more developed flavor after 3 or 4 days.

So don't be afraid to prep this salad well in advance of when you'd like to serve it.

If you have any reservations about using canned beans in this salad, don't.

I know canned beans, especially green and yellow wax beans, can have a bit of a "tinny" taste sometimes.  The vinegar and sugar-based marinade in this recipe completely takes away any trace of that "tinny" taste.

Concerned the canned beans will get mushy?  Again, don't be.

The texture of the beans holds up just fine, even after days of marinating.  There's no changing of the beans into a mushy mess.

So if you're looking for a super easy, super flavorful classic salad to enjoy, give this 3-Bean Salad recipe a try.

With its great taste, how easy it is to make, and make-ahead convenience, it's a perfect salad to prepare for just about any occasion.

Check out these other tasty salad favorites:

• Marinated 9-Bean Salad
• Marinated Many Bean Salad with Corn
• Marinated Vidalia Onion Salad
• Sweet & Sour Slaw
• Broccoli Salad
• Lemony White Bean Salad
• Marinated Summer Vegetable Salad
• Carolina Caviar
• More salad recipes

Thank you for stopping by The Kitchen is My Playground. We'd love to have you back soon!

3 bean salad recipe, marinated beans recipe, salads with no mayonnaise

Salads

American

Yield: about 12-16 servings

Author: Tracey | The Kitchen is My Playground

Classic 3-Bean Salad

Just what's to love about classic 3-Bean Salad? How about great taste, super easy preparation, and make-ahead convenience? Put those three things together and you've got one perfect side dish to prepare for any occasion. There's just no wrong time to enjoy this marinated goodness!

prep time: 20 Mcook time: total time: 20 M

ingredients:

Bean Mixture:

• 1 (14.5 oz.) can cut green beans
• 1 (14 .5 oz.) can cut yellow wax beans
• 1 (15.5 oz.) can dark red kidney beans
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 1 green pepper, finely chopped

Marinade:

• 3/4 c. white vinegar
• 3/4 c. granulated sugar
• 1/2 c. canola or vegetable oil
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1/4 tsp. pepper

instructions:

How to cook Classic 3-Bean Salad

1. Drain green and yellow beans well.  Drain and rinse kidney beans.  Place beans in a large bowl; add finely chopped onion and green pepper.   Toss gently to combine, taking care to not break the beans.
2. In a small bowl, combine vinegar, sugar, oil, salt, and pepper.  Whisk until well combined and sugar is dissolved.
3. Pour vinegar mixture over beans.  Stir gently to combine.
4. Place in refrigerator and marinate beans for at least 2 days to allow flavors to meld, stirring once a day.

TRACEY'S NOTES:

1. Prep time noted does not include 2 days of marinating time in the refrigerator.
2. Two days is the recommended minimum marinating time, but truly this salad gets better and better with even a little more flavor-melding time than that.  This 3-Bean Salad can be prepared about 4 or 5 days in advance, no problem at all.

https://www.thekitchenismyplayground.com/2020/03/classic-3-bean-salad.html

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You might also like these other tasty salad recipes:

Marinated Summer Vegetable Salad

Ma's Picnic Pasta Salad

Pesto Tortellini Salad with Asparagus

Summer Vegetable Tortellini Salad

Shredded Brussels Sprouts Salad

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