Classic Five Bean Salad Recipes

BEST BEAN SALAD

Steps:

• Combine the green beans, wax beans, garbanzo beans, kidney beans, green pepper, onion, and celery in a large bowl; toss to mix.
• Whisk together the oil, vinegar, salt, pepper, and sugar in a separate bowl until the sugar is dissolved; pour over the bean mixture. Refrigerate 8 hours or overnight before serving.

5-BEAN SALAD

Steps:

• Rinse and drain beans in a colander. Transfer to a large bowl with lid.
• Stir onion and bell pepper into beans.
• Dissolve sugar in water for 1 minute in microwave safe measuring cup.
• Whisk in remaining ingredients until combined.
• Pour over beans and toss to coat evenly.
• Allow to marinate 4 or more hours.

FIVE BEAN SALAD

Steps:

• Drain all the beans and combine in a large bowl.
• Heat (but do not boil) (I do it in the microwave for about 1 minute) vegetable oil, vinegar, sugar, salt, pepper, dry mustard, and celery seed.
• Mix with bean mix and let stand overnight.
• Add onion/pepper about an hour before serving.

FIVE-BEAN SALAD

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine the first six ingredients. In another bowl, whisk the vinegar, sugar, oil, salt and pepper. Pour over bean mixture and toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate for several hours or overnight. Serve with a slotted spoon.

CLASSIC FIVE-BEAN SALAD

Steps:

• Make the salad: Coverbeans with water in separatesaucepans, and bring to aboil. Remove from heat, andlet stand for 1 hour.
• Drain, and return beans totheir saucepans. Add a bay leaf,a piece of carrot, and a pieceof celery to each pan, and coverwith water by 2 inches.
• Bring to a boil. Skim foam.Add 1/2 teaspoon salt to eachsaucepan. Reduce heat, and simmer vigorously until beans aretender, 30 minutes to 1 1/2 hours,depending on size and age ofbeans. Drain, and let cool.
• Meanwhile, bring a large potof water to a boil. Add haricotsverts and 1 tablespoon salt.Cook until tender and brightgreen, about 3 minutes. Drain,and run under cold waterto stop the cooking process.
• Make the dressing: Whisktogether vinegar and mustard.Gradually whisk in oil. Seasonwith salt and pepper.
• Mix the salad: Combine beanswith haricots verts, herbs, andtomatoes. Drizzle with dressing,and toss to coat. Let stand for30 minutes.

TRADITIONAL THREE BEAN SALAD

Steps:

• Mix green beans, yellow wax beans, kidney beans, onion, celery, green bell pepper, and pimento peppers in a bowl.
• Combine vinegar, oil, sugar, salt, and pepper in a saucepan; bring to a boil. Cook and stir until sugar is dissolved, about 5 minutes. Remove saucepan from burner and pour dressing over bean mixture; toss to coat. Refrigerate until flavors blend, 8 hours to overnight.

FIVE-BEAN SALAD

Steps:

• Make the beans: Stir together water, 2 teaspoons salt, bay leaf, cinnamon stick, peppercorns, and oregano in a saucepan. Bring to a boil. Add cranberry beans. Return to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer until tender, 15 to 20 minutes. Drain.
• Prepare an ice-water bath. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add remaining tablespoon salt. Working with one variety at a time, blanch remaining beans in boiling water until crisp-tender (about 1 1/2 minutes for haricots verts; 2 1/2 minutes for larger beans). Using a slotted spoon, transfer to ice-water bath to stop the cooking. Drain.
• Make the dressing: Whisk together mustard, sugar, salt, and pepper in a large bowl. Add vinegar, and whisk until sugar has dissolved. Add oil in a slow, steady stream, whisking until emulsified. Whisk in red-pepper flakes and herbs.
• Add beans to dressing, and toss. Let stand at room temperature for 1 1/2 hours, tossing occasionally, or marinate in the refrigerator overnight before serving.

CLASSIC BEAN SALAD

Steps:

• Mince 1 shallot and place in a large bowl. Thinly slice remaining shallot and set aside.
• Add vinegar, mustard and a pinch each salt and pepper to the bowl with minced shallot and whisk to combine. Slowly whisk in oil. Season with more salt and pepper to taste.
• Add chickpeas, cannellini beans, kidney beans, celery, herbs and sliced shallot to the bowl and toss until evenly coated. Taste and add more salt or vinegar. Drizzle with additional olive oil and top with more black pepper, if desired, and serve.

HOT FIVE BEAN SALAD

Steps:

• Fry bacon until crisp.
• Drain and reserve 1/4 cup of drippings in pan.
• Mix salt, pepper, sugar and corn starch together.
• Add to drippings.
• Mix vinegar and water together.
• Add this slowly to mixture and cook on the low heat stirring constantly until thickened.
• Stir in drained beans very carefully.
• Add fresh onions and cook 15 minutes over medium heat.
• Turn into casserole dish and crumble bacon on top.
• Bake 25 minute at 350°F or refrigerate until the next day and bake.
• This recipe is best when reheated the next day in the oven.