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Italian White Bean Salad Recipe for a Quick Healthy Meal

Italian White Bean Salad with tomatoes, olives, and herbs
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This Italian White Bean Salad is a vibrant, no-cook dish tossed in a fresh and zesty salsa verde dressing. Made with creamy cannellini beans, juicy tomatoes, briny olives, and parmesan shavings, it’s light, flavorful, and perfect for lunch, dinner, or a picnic spread.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 can (14 oz / ~400 g) cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, quartered (about 6–8 tomatoes)
  • 1/4 cup Nocellara del Belice or Castelvetrano olives, torn
  • 1/4 cup red onion, sliced in quarter moons
  • 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 2 tablespoons parmesan shavings

For the Salsa Verde:

  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil
  • 1 tablespoon chopped capers
  • 1 garlic clove, finely chopped
  • 1/4 teaspoon anchovy paste (or substitute with 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt)
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

Optional:

  • 225 g albacore tuna in olive oil, drained
  • Crusty bread, for serving

Instructions

1. Prepare the salsa verde by combining the parsley, basil, capers, garlic, anchovy paste (or salt), red pepper flakes, black pepper, olive oil in a small bowl. Stir well to blend.

2. In a medium bowl, add the cannellini beans, cherry tomatoes, torn olives, and red onion. Sprinkle with kosher salt and toss gently to combine.

3. Drizzle the salsa verde over the salad and toss carefully to coat without mashing the beans.

4. Add the parmesan shavings and mix lightly.

5. Top with tuna if using, and serve with crusty bread.

Notes

For a vegan version, omit the parmesan and anchovy paste, or replace anchovy with a pinch of salt or a small amount of miso paste.

This salad becomes even more flavorful after chilling for 30 minutes before serving.

Use high-quality olive oil and ripe cherry tomatoes for the best flavor.

If making ahead, add the parmesan and tuna just before serving for optimal freshness.

Find it online: https://cookingwithramsay.com/italian-white-bean-salad/