Dense Bean Salad Tart Cherry (Print Version)

Protein-packed bean and veggie salad with a unique tart cherry vinaigrette dressing.

# Components:

→ Beans

01 - 1 can (15 fl oz) chickpeas, drained and rinsed
02 - 1 can (15 fl oz) cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
03 - 1 can (15 fl oz) kidney beans, drained and rinsed

→ Vegetables & Herbs

04 - 1 cup (5.3 fl oz) cherry tomatoes, halved
05 - 1 small cucumber, diced
06 - 1/2 small red onion, finely chopped
07 - 1/4 cup (0.3 fl oz) fresh parsley, chopped
08 - 2 tbsp (0.2 fl oz) fresh dill, chopped

→ Sleepy Girl Mocktail Dressing

09 - 1/4 cup (4 fl oz) tart cherry juice, unsweetened
10 - 2 tbsp (1 fl oz) extra virgin olive oil
11 - 1 tbsp (0.5 fl oz) apple cider vinegar
12 - 1 tsp (0.17 fl oz) maple syrup or honey
13 - 1 tsp (0.18 oz) Dijon mustard
14 - 1/2 tsp fine sea salt
15 - 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper

→ Optional Toppings

16 - 2 oz crumbled feta cheese
17 - 1/4 cup toasted walnuts or pumpkin seeds

# Preparation Steps:

01 - In a large bowl, combine chickpeas, cannellini beans, kidney beans, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, parsley, and dill.
02 - Whisk together tart cherry juice, olive oil, apple cider vinegar, maple syrup, Dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper until emulsified.
03 - Pour dressing over the bean and vegetable mixture; toss gently to coat evenly.
04 - Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
05 - Transfer to serving dish and top with feta cheese and nuts or seeds if desired.
06 - Serve immediately or chill for 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It comes together in 20 minutes flat, making it perfect for nights when you want something nourishing without the fuss.
  • The tart cherry dressing tastes nothing like typical vinaigrettes—slightly sweet, deeply complex, and genuinely relaxing.
  • Three types of beans mean serious protein and fiber, so this actually keeps you satisfied, not just full.
02 -
  • Don't skip rinsing your canned beans—it removes excess starch and sodium that would make the salad taste one-dimensional and heavy.
  • Tart cherry juice oxidizes and darkens over time, so make this salad within a day or two of opening the bottle for the brightest color and most vibrant flavor.
03 -
  • Toast your nuts or seeds in a dry skillet for two minutes before adding them—this releases their oils and deepens their flavor exponentially compared to using them raw.
  • If you can't find unsweetened tart cherry juice, look for it in the health food section of your grocery store or order it online; it's worth seeking out because the flavor is truly the heart of this dish.
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