Are you craving a light, nutritious, and incredibly delicious summer dish that'll transport your taste buds straight to the Mediterranean coastline? Look no further! This White Bean Tomato Cucumber Salad is not just a recipe—it's a culinary adventure that combines fresh ingredients, vibrant flavors, and healthy nutrition in just 10 minutes. Imagine a salad so simple yet so transformative that it'll become your go-to recipe for every gathering, picnic, or quick meal prep.
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: -
Total Time: 10 mins
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 can white beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cucumber, diced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Drain and rinse the canned white beans thoroughly under cold running water to remove excess sodium and starch. Allow beans to drain completely in a colander.
- Wash the cucumber and cherry tomatoes carefully under cool water. Pat dry with clean kitchen towel or paper towels.
- Dice the cucumber into uniform small cubes, approximately 1/2 inch in size to ensure consistent texture throughout the salad.
- Halve the cherry tomatoes, cutting them from stem to bottom to create even, bite-sized pieces.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the drained white beans, diced cucumber, and halved cherry tomatoes.
- In a separate small bowl, whisk together olive oil, fresh lemon juice, salt, and freshly ground black pepper to create the dressing.
- Pour the prepared dressing over the bean and vegetable mixture, gently tossing to ensure all ingredients are evenly coated.
- Let the salad rest for 5-10 minutes at room temperature to allow flavors to meld together before serving.
- Optional: Garnish with fresh herbs like chopped parsley or basil for added freshness and visual appeal.
- Serve chilled or at room temperature as a light, refreshing side dish or light lunch.
Tips
- Bean Preparation: Always rinse canned beans thoroughly to reduce sodium and remove excess starch, ensuring a cleaner taste and better texture.
- Cutting Technique: Aim for uniform, bite-sized cuts of cucumber and tomatoes to create a visually appealing and consistently textured salad.
- Dressing Secrets: Whisk your olive oil and lemon juice separately to create a well-emulsified dressing that coats every ingredient perfectly.
- Flavor Enhancement: Let the salad rest for 5-10 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld and intensify.
- Optional Upgrades: Experiment with fresh herbs like parsley or basil, or add crumbled feta cheese for an extra flavor dimension.
- Temperature Tip: This salad tastes great both chilled and at room temperature, making it versatile for any occasion.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 180kcal
Carbohydrates: 25g
Protein: 9g
Fat: 7g
Saturated Fat: 1g
Cholesterol: 0mg
