Name: Italian Cannellini Bean Salad
Prep time: 20 min
Total time: 20 min
Yield: 4 Servings
Cuisine: Italian

Balancing Bowls Verified

January 26, 2026

This Italian Cannellini Bean Salad is a simple yet flavorful dish that has become a staple in my kitchen. It's the perfect side salad for lunch or dinner, packed with fresh vegetables, herbs, and creamy cannellini beans. Whether you're meal-prepping for the week or whipping up a quick side for a get-together, this salad checks all the boxes. The best part? It tastes even better the next day after all the ingredients have had time to mingle.

From the Cook

1/6

Italian Cannellini Bean Salad

Balancing Bowls Verified

Ingredients

WarningMilk and 4 other allergens identified

Instructions

This recipe also lives on Balancing Bowls.Show them some love by checking it out! 😊

Check out original post! 😊

Original PostView

Instructions

Prepare the salad ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine 2 cans of cannellini beans, ¼ cup of chopped red onion, ½ cup of chopped fresh parsley, 1 tablespoon of chopped fresh oregano, 1 diced red bell pepper, ½ cup of chopped sun-dried tomatoes, and ⅓ cup of Castelvetrano olives.

Make the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together ¼ cup of red wine vinegar, ¼ cup of oil from the sun-dried tomatoes jar, 2 tablespoons of lemon juice, the zest of 1 lemon, ½ teaspoon of salt, ¼ teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper, and ¼ teaspoon of red pepper flakes.

Combine and toss: Pour the dressing over the bean mixture and gently toss to coat everything evenly.

Let it marinate: For the best results, let the salad sit for at least 30 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.

Serve: Just before serving, top with 2 oz of fresh shaved Parmesan cheese and optional fresh chopped basil.

Smart Nutrition

My Calorie Intake

0
Review & Earn

Be the first to review this recipe and earn a 20% Bonus

Level up & unlock free Premium by reviewing recipes!

My Notes

Your kitchen notebook is waiting.

Whether it's a recipe tweak or an inspiration burst — jot it down here.

Tips & Tricks (5)

Bean Marination Magic 💦
Let your cannellini beans sit in the vinaigrette for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow maximum flavor absorption and create a more complex taste profile.
Olive Oil Infusion Technique 🫒
Use the oil from the sun-dried tomato jar as a flavor booster in your vinaigrette, which adds depth and complexity to the overall dressing.
Red Onion Mellowing Hack 🧅
Soak sliced red onions in cold water for 10 minutes before adding to the salad to reduce their sharp bite and make them more palatable.
Fresh Herb Chopping Pro Tip 🌿
Chop fresh parsley and oregano just before adding to the salad to preserve their essential oils and maximize their aromatic qualities.
Make-Ahead Flavor Enhancement 🕰️
Prepare the salad a day in advance and store in the refrigerator, allowing the flavors to meld and intensify overnight for an even more delicious result.

Intelligent Tags

About the Cook

Balancing Bowls

I'm Nora! Balancing Bowls is the product of a slightly chaotic life, a need to make and grow things, and a love of creative cooking. If you're here because you're trying to feed your family well without losing your mind, you're in the right place.