Dense Bean Salad Tart Cherry (Printable)

Hearty bean salad combined with crunchy vegetables and tangy tart cherry vinaigrette dressing.

# What You Need:

→ Beans

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

→ Vegetables & Herbs

04 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
05 - 1 small cucumber, diced
06 - 1/2 small red onion, finely chopped
07 - 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
08 - 2 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped

→ Sleepy Girl Mocktail Dressing

09 - 1/4 cup tart cherry juice (100% juice, unsweetened)
10 - 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
11 - 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
12 - 1 teaspoon maple syrup or honey
13 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
14 - 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
15 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

→ Optional Toppings

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

# Steps:

01 - In a large bowl, mix chickpeas, cannellini beans, kidney beans, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, parsley, and dill until evenly distributed.
02 - Whisk tart cherry juice, olive oil, apple cider vinegar, maple syrup, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper in a small bowl or jar until fully emulsified.
03 - Pour the dressing over the bean and vegetable mixture and gently toss to coat all ingredients thoroughly.
04 - Taste and modify seasoning as desired to balance flavors.
05 - Transfer to serving dish and garnish with crumbled feta and toasted nuts or seeds if preferred.
06 - Serve immediately or refrigerate for 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld before serving.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It turns a viral wellness trend into actual dinner, so you get the benefits without just sipping juice in the dark.
  • The beans make it filling and protein-packed, while the tart cherry dressing adds a sweet-tart brightness that keeps every bite interesting.
  • You can make it in under 20 minutes with mostly pantry staples, and it tastes even better the next day when the flavors soak in.
02 -
  • Don't use sweetened cherry juice or cherry cocktail mix. It turns the dressing into candy and throws off the whole balance.
  • If the dressing separates after sitting, just give it another quick whisk or shake before tossing it with the salad again.
  • Rinsing the beans really matters. Skipping that step leaves a slimy residue that coats your mouth and dulls the bright flavors.
03 -
  • Emulsify the dressing in a jar with a tight lid and shake it for 30 seconds. It stays blended longer than whisking by hand.
  • If the salad tastes flat, add a pinch of flaky sea salt and a squeeze of lemon right before serving. It wakes everything up.
  • Make a double batch of the dressing and keep it in the fridge. It's incredible on roasted vegetables, grain bowls, or even as a marinade for chicken.
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