By Becky Hardin
Updated Jul 16, 2025
I love cold, refreshing salads, and this three bean salad recipe is no exception. It’s so easy to make—just toss everything together and voilà! I like to make it a day ahead of time to let the zingy and sweet vinaigrette really penetrate every last bit for maximum flavor, but it’s still delicious thrown together at the last minute, too. No one ever guesses this salad takes just 5 minutes to make!
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Easy Three Bean Salad Recipe
The first time I made this three bean salad, I was dubbed the BBQ hero, and I’ve been tasked with making it for every cookout since. Using canned beans saves precious time and effort without sacrificing taste. It’s such a good beginner recipe, and it’s totally saved my butt at many potlucks and parties throughout the years!
I always reach for Del Monte since they make this blend all ready to go. When it’s not available, I buy one can of green beans and wax beans instead. I prefer to drain but not rinse to keep some of the briny flavor intact.
Ingredients1x2x3x
- ▢ 29 oz. Cut Green and Wax Bean Blend drained (2 cans)
- ▢ 14.5 oz. red beans rinsed & drained (1 can)
- ▢ ½ small red onion finely chopped
- ▢ 3 tbsp red wine vinegar
- ▢ 3 tbsp white vinegar
- ▢ ½ tsp fresh orange zest
- ▢ 3 tbsp canola oil
- ▢ 3 tbsp granulated sugar
- ▢ 3 tbsp honey
- ▢ 1 tsp kosher salt
- ▢ ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper
- ▢ 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro or parsley
Video
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a medium bowl and mix well. 29 oz. Cut Green and Wax Bean Blend, 14.5 oz. red beans, ½ small red onion, 3 tbsp red wine vinegar, 3 tbsp white vinegar, ½ tsp fresh orange zest, 3 tbsp canola oil, 3 tbsp granulated sugar, 3 tbsp honey, 1 tsp kosher salt, ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper, 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro or parsley
- Transfer to an airtight container and store in the fridge.
Becky’s Tips
- I prefer to let the salad sit for at least 8 hours before serving to let the flavors develop.
- Try different beans for a different flavor profile, cannellini or garbanzo work great.
- To mellow out the flavor of the onion , soak cut pieces in ice water for 10 minutes before adding to the salad.
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
How to make Three Bean Salad Step by Step
Combine the ingredients: Combine 29 oz. Cut Green and Wax Bean Blend, 14.5 oz. red beans, ½ small red onion, 3 tbsp red wine vinegar, 3 tbsp white vinegar, ½ tsp fresh orange zest, 3 tbsp canola oil, 3 tbsp granulated sugar, 3 tbsp honey, 1 tsp kosher salt, ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper, and 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro or parsley.
Store: Refrigerate until ready to serve and enjoy.
How to Store
One of the reasons I always make this three bean salad recipe is because it has a great shelf life. It will keep for up to a week when stored covered in the fridge. I like to stir the salad each day to help the flavors blend and develop.
Serving Suggestions
This simple three bean salad pairs beautifully with cookout favorites, like grilled burgers and kid-favorite chili dogs . I love the contrast of the zippy dressing against some sweet cornbread , too!
more salad recipes to try
Asian Cucumber Salad
Peruvian Chopped Salad Recipe
Marshmallow Salad
Caprese Salad Recipe
Three Bean Salad Recipe
Ingredients
- 29 oz. Cut Green and Wax Bean Blend drained (2 cans)
- 14.5 oz. red beans rinsed & drained (1 can)
- ½ small red onion finely chopped
- 3 tbsp red wine vinegar
- 3 tbsp white vinegar
- ½ tsp fresh orange zest
- 3 tbsp canola oil
- 3 tbsp granulated sugar
- 3 tbsp honey
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro or parsley
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a medium bowl and mix well. 29 oz. Cut Green and Wax Bean Blend, 14.5 oz. red beans, ½ small red onion, 3 tbsp red wine vinegar, 3 tbsp white vinegar, ½ tsp fresh orange zest, 3 tbsp canola oil, 3 tbsp granulated sugar, 3 tbsp honey, 1 tsp kosher salt, ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper, 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro or parsley
- Transfer to an airtight container and store in the fridge.
Video
Notes
- I prefer to let the salad sit for at least 8 hours before serving to let the flavors develop.
- Try different beans for a different flavor profile, cannellini or garbanzo work great.
- To mellow out the flavor of the onion , soak cut pieces in ice water for 10 minutes before adding to the salad.
Nutrition
By Becky Hardin
Published Jul 12, 2017
This Essential Grocery List is an absolute life saver for my family on the busy weeks. When I started this journey to learn how to cook, I quickly realized that the first step in cooking is having staple ingredients on hand. I want to avoid having to run out to the grocery store every single time I prepare a new recipe. Having a well-stocked pantry has made my life in the kitchen so much simpler, because when it’s time to cook, I have what I need.
Essential Grocery List
It’s so helpful to have a basic grocery list to help me remember which foods to buy at the store. This food shopping list is my go-to!
It’s better to stock up on things like grains, seasonings and spices, baking essentials, oils, condiments, canned and frozen foods, etc. so I can just grab them when I need them. These things have a long shelf life , so I keep them in my kitchen for convenience.
However, I do have to go to the supermarket sometimes, and there’s a way to make that trip easy and hassle-free: I keep a grocery list! If I go in blindly, I’ll leave with things I don’t need, and nothing that actually helps me prepare a good meal.
In the list below, I’ve compiled everything I always have on my stock-up grocery list.
I’ve got you covered! I created an easy grocery list filled with all of the essentials. Plus there’s a free printable version that you can take with you to the grocery store. It has everything you need to stock your pantry, your freezer, and your refrigerator.
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List
What to Buy at the Grocery Store
This is the perfect grocery list filled with all the basics and essentials. It should help get you going if you’re new to cooking, or if you’re just left staring helplessly at an empty pantry and don’t know how to fill it.
When I first started cooking, things could seem overwhelming. I quickly realized that they more prepared I could be, the more confident I felt. If you already have the basics in your kitchen, then you can shop stress-free.
So print out our easy grocery list, stock up your pantry and fridge, and you’ll be cooking in no time!
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Fresh Produce
- Apples
- Bananas
- Strawberries
- Avocados
- Bell Peppers
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Garlic
- Lemons/Limes
- Onion
- Parsley
- Cilantro
- Basil
- Potatoes
- Spinach
- Tomatoes
GRAINS
- Breadcrumbs
- Pasta
- Quinoa
- Rice
- Sandwich Bread
- Tortillas
MEAT/PROTEIN
- Chicken
- Eggs
- Ground Beef
- Sliced Turkey
- Lunch Meat
DAIRY
- Butter
- Sliced Cheese
- Shredded Cheese
- Milk
- Sour Cream
- Greek Yogurt
BAKING GOODS
- Baking powder
- Baking Soda
- Granulated Sugar
- Brown Sugar
- Flour
- Honey
- Vanilla Extract
- Dry Yeast
- Chocolate Chips
- Cocoa Powder
- Powdered Sugar
FREEZER
- Fruit and Berries
- Frozen Veggies (Corn, Peas, Broccoli, etc)
- Juice Concentrate
- Pizza or Other Convenience Meals
- Pie Crust
- Cookie Dough
CANNED/DRIED GOODS
- Chicken stock/broth
- Salsa
- Diced Tomatoes
- Jam/Jelly
- Peanut Butter
- Pasta Sauce
- Beans (Black Beans, Chickpeas, Baked Beans, etc)
- Soups
- Tuna
- Green Chiles
- Canned Veggies
- Coffee or Tea
Get more details on the best non-perishable and pantry foods
CONDIMENTS/SPICES
- Black Pepper
- Chili Powder
- Cinnamon
- Crushed Red Pepper
- Cumin
- Garlic Powder
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Mayo
- Nutmeg
- Paprika
- Salt (Course Sea Salt and Kosher Salt)
- Soy Sauce
- Steak Sauce
- Hot Sauce/ Buffalo Sauce
- Salad Dressings
OILS/VINEGARS
- Apple cider vinegar
- Balsamic vinegar
- Coconut Oil
- Olive Oil
- Vegetable/Canola Oil
- Red Wine Vinegar
- White Vinegar
- Cooking Wine
- White Wine Vinegar
SNACKS
- Crackers
- Nuts
- Quick Oats
- Popcorn
- Tortilla Chips
- Cereal
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Click ☝🏻 for my FREE Grocery List Printable!
I hope this essential grocery list can help you buy what you need and make your home cooking so much easier!
Stock Your Kitchen
Find more ideas for your grocery list, stock up your kitchen, and print more cooking guides and charts to keep handy!
Non-Perishable Foods to Stock Up On
Frozen Vegetables to Stock Up On (and Recipes to Make)
Ultimate List of Cooking Herbs for Your Kitchen
Ultimate List of Cooking Spices for Your Kitchen
Cooking Oil 101: Types of Cooking Oils to Use
26 Types of Pasta and When to Use Them
What Fruits and Vegetables are in Season?
Meat Temperature Chart (Free Printable)
How to Meal Prep (Guide for Beginners)
Basic Cooking Measurements & Kitchen Conversion Chart
