Kidney Bean Salad

This kidney bean salad is simple to make, filling, and great as a side dish or more central in any meal.

Sacramento is hot! Don’t worry, I knew it was going to be, but ya know. 102 is still a shock to the ole system when you rarely see over 85 on the regular for a few years.

Needless to say, we’re still very much in the swing of summer recipes, easy dishes, and no (or little) cook situations – especially now that we have a refrigerator!!! This kidney bean salad is so light and fresh that it’s a great go to this late in the summer…

Kidney Bean Salad

In my first year of blogging, I remember that I made a two bean salad. I think it only had olive oil, salt, and pepper mixed in with the two beans. And it was DELICIOUS, let me tell ya.

BUT I hadn’t discovered the joy of fresh herbs or the wonderful nature of feta yet. So this red bean salad is really just an elevated version of that recipe, but full of way more flavor (and obnoxiously better photos).

I remember those photos were in clear pyrex bowls with a silver serving spoon that was probably 2-3x too big.

It’s so interesting to me how many recipes I make on the regular have images in my head from those early days of blogging. In my mind they’re picture perfect, but I know the pictures were far from it!

Last Minute Salad

I think that thing I love best about this dish is that it’s impossibly easy. And it’s not easy just because it has a few ingredients, but the ingredients are usually already in my cupboards and fridge.

You can make some easy swaps here and there and still have a great salad on hand. White cannellini/kidney beans would be great. Just about any fresh herb would be good (even add it to the sliced green onion). In a pinch (hah – cooking joke!), you can use dried herbs as well!

And just like last week’s watermelon arugula salad, goat cheese would be just fine here. Or if you wanted a slightly different flavor – queso fresco!

Love simple but scrumptious salads? Try this kale farro salad, swiss chard with ginger (a great side dish), and avocado chickpea salad. 

Recipes with Chickpeas

Need more uses for chickpeas? I’m always struggling to finishing the can while avoiding food waste!

This asparagus crostini appetizer is super delicious (the asparagus is easily swapped for any roasted veggie). And my family LOVES this chickpea and roasted vegetable pasta dish (thankfully it’s very easy).

This healthy spinach pasta salad also uses them for some good protein in a veggie-packed dish.