Mediterranean White Bean Tomato Salad (Printable)
Creamy white beans, tomatoes, cucumber, and fresh basil tossed in zesty lemon vinaigrette.
# List of ingredients:
→ Salad
01 - 1 (15 oz) can white beans (cannellini or Great Northern), drained and rinsed
02 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
03 - 1 medium cucumber, diced
04 - 1/4 small red onion, thinly sliced
05 - 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, torn
06 - 1/4 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and sliced (optional)
→ Dressing
07 - 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
08 - 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
09 - 1 tsp Dijon mustard
10 - 1 small garlic clove, finely minced
11 - 1/2 tsp dried oregano
12 - 1/2 tsp sea salt (or to taste)
13 - 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
# Steps:
01 - In a large mixing bowl, combine the drained white beans, halved cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber, thinly sliced red onion, torn basil leaves, and sliced Kalamata olives if using.
02 - In a small bowl or mason jar, whisk together the extra-virgin olive oil, fresh lemon juice, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, dried oregano, sea salt, and black pepper until the dressing is fully emulsified and smooth.
03 - Pour the vinaigrette over the salad ingredients and gently toss to combine, ensuring all components are evenly coated with the dressing.
04 - Taste the salad and adjust the salt and pepper as needed. Serve immediately at room temperature, or refrigerate for 20 to 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together before serving.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- Zero cooking required, which means your kitchen stays cool and you stay sane on hot days.
- The lemon mustard dressing clings to every bean and tomato like it was made specifically for them.
02 -
- Do not dress the salad more than an hour ahead or the cucumbers will weep and dilute the vinaigrette into a puddle.
- Rinsing canned beans under cold running water removes the starchy liquid that otherwise makes the dressing gummy.
03 -
- Let the salad sit at room temperature for fifteen minutes before serving because cold mutes the flavor of olive oil and lemon.
- A tiny drizzle of honey in the dressing rounds out any bitterness from the mustard or garlic without adding noticeable sweetness.