Dense Bean Salad Sleepy Girl (Printable Version)

Protein-rich bean salad tossed with fresh vegetables and a unique tart cherry vinaigrette dressing.

# Ingredient List:

→ 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 (150 g) cherry tomatoes, halved
05 - 1 small cucumber, diced
06 - ½ small red onion, finely chopped
07 - ¼ cup (8 g) fresh parsley, chopped
08 - 2 tbsp (6 g) fresh dill, chopped

→ Sleepy Girl Mocktail Dressing

09 - ¼ cup (2 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 (5 g) Dijon mustard
14 - ½ tsp fine sea salt
15 - ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper

→ Optional Toppings

16 - 2 oz (60 g) feta cheese, crumbled
17 - ¼ cup (30 g) toasted walnuts or pumpkin seeds

# Directions:

01 - In a large bowl, combine the chickpeas, cannellini beans, kidney beans, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, parsley, and dill.
02 - In a separate small bowl or jar, whisk together tart cherry juice, olive oil, apple cider vinegar, maple syrup, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper until emulsified.
03 - Pour the Sleepy Girl Mocktail Dressing over the bean and vegetable mixture. Toss gently to coat evenly.
04 - Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
05 - Transfer to a serving dish and top with crumbled feta cheese and toasted walnuts or pumpkin seeds if using. Serve immediately or refrigerate for 30 minutes to enhance flavors.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Its filling enough to be dinner but light enough that you wont feel weighed down before bed.
  • The tart cherry dressing adds a bright fruity twist that makes plain beans feel special.
  • You can prep it in advance and it actually tastes better the next day when the flavors soak in.
  • It uses pantry staples and comes together without turning on the stove.
02 -
  • Drain and rinse your beans thoroughly or the salad will taste metallic and murky.
  • Dont skip the resting time. The beans absorb the dressing and the onion mellows out.
  • If youre meal prepping, keep the dressing separate and toss right before eating so the vegetables stay crisp.
03 -
  • Use a jar with a lid to make the dressing. It emulsifies faster and you can store any extra right in the same container.
  • Taste the cherry juice before you buy it. Some brands are much tarter than others and youll want to adjust the sweetness accordingly.
  • If youre sensitive to raw onion, swap it for thinly sliced scallions or shallots for a milder bite.
Go Back