This 5 Bean Salad recipe is a classic and its so easy to mix together. It’s quick to make and no cooking is involved. A perfect summertime cold bean salad and is great for potlucks too!.
There are 5 kinds of beans in this bean salad recipe. They are black beans, garbanzo beans, dark red kidney beans, and yellow wax beans.
Canned beans are used which makes this recipe even simpler to make! And a classic. Make a batch of this cold bean salad in advance to bring to your next potluck.
One of my favorite things about this five-bean salad recipe is that it mostly uses pantry staples and only a few fresh fruits and vegetables. See the simple ingredients needed below:
Its so simple to make this vegan bean salad. No cooking is involved! Just mix up the ingredients and in just minutes your hearty salad is done.
Bean salads are a staple of many summer menus. Bursting with fresh flavors, crunchy textures, and protein-packed beans they’re the perfect light meal or BBQ side. But leftovers inevitably happen. So can you freeze bean salad to enjoy later?
The short answer is yes! Many bean salads freeze remarkably well. I’ll walk through everything you need to know about freezing bean salad, from storage times to thawing. With a few simple tips, you can enjoy tasty, flavorful bean salads for months after making them.
Why Freeze Bean Salad?
Freezing is one of the best ways to make your freshly prepared bean salads last longer Here are some key benefits
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Preserve Fresh Flavors: Unlike refrigerating, freezing locks in just-prepared taste and texture.
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Reduce Food Waste: Freezing helps you get the most out of large batches of bean salad.
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Save Time: Frozen bean salads thaw quickly for instant meals and sides on busy nights.
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Stock Up: Take advantage of seasonal or sale prices on bean salad ingredients.
What Bean Salads Freeze Best?
While most bean salads freeze well, some ingredients hold up better than others during freezing and thawing. For best results, go for these combinations:
Hearty Beans
Sturdy beans like chickpeas, black beans, and kidney beans maintain their shape nicely when frozen in salads. Avoid more delicate beans like lentils and peas.
Firm Vegetables
Hardy veggies including bell peppers, carrots, celery, and onions do well when frozen. Leafy greens like spinach or lettuce will get soggy.
Thick Dressings
Salads with thick, creamy dressings retain more flavor than those with light vinaigrettes, which can separate. Try ranch, tahini, or hummus-based dressings.
Strong Flavors
Ingredients with assertive flavors aren’t diluted as much after freezing, so opt for garlic, chili powder, citrus juice, Parmesan cheese, and fresh herbs.
Prep Steps for Freezing Bean Salad
Follow these tips when preparing bean salads to freeze:
- Make sure all vegetables, beans, and pasta are fully cooked.
- Allow salad to cool completely before freezing.
- Drain off any excess liquid to prevent a watery salad when thawed.
- Season on the robust side since flavors weaken slightly in the freezer.
- Store salad in an airtight container, squeezing out air pockets.
How Long Does Bean Salad Last in the Freezer?
Most bean salads stay frozen for:
- 2-3 months in a regular freezer
- 4-6 months in a deep freezer
Blanching vegetables before adding to salads can extend freezer life by a few months. Always label containers with freeze dates.
For best quality, freeze bean salad within 2-3 days of making it. Don’t refreeze thawed bean salad.
Thawing & Serving Frozen Bean Salad
Thaw bean salad in the fridge overnight or for at least 5-6 hours. Let it come to room temperature before serving for the ideal texture.
For a quicker thaw, place the sealed container under cold running water for 30-60 minutes, changing the water every 15 minutes.
Fluff and stir the thawed salad gently with a fork. Taste and adjust seasonings if needed. Add fresh garnishes like chopped herbs right before serving.
My Favorite Freeze-Friendly Bean Salad Recipes
Here are some of my go-to bean salad recipes that freeze perfectly:
Southwestern Black Bean Salad
With black beans, corn, bell pepper, and a bold lime-cilantro dressing, this bean salad only gets better after freezing. The lime juice keeps things fresh.
Chickpea Tabbouleh Salad
Traditional tabbouleh texture holds up remarkably well when frozen. The chickpeas add extra nutrition.
Greek White Bean Salad
White beans, feta, and zesty oregano and lemon stay full of flavor when frozen. Kalamata olives add nice saltiness.
Italian Potato, Green Bean & Chickpea Salad
The combination of beans, potato, and veggies is substantial enough to last in the freezer. Toss with Italian dressing while still warm.
Curried Carrot & Lentil Salad
This is the exception to the no-lentil rule. The hearty carrots and intense curry flavors offset any texture changes with freezing.
Mexican Cowboy Caviar
This colorful combo of beans, corn, and salsa makes for a vibrant frozen salad. Mix in some Monterey Jack cheese before freezing for extra richness.
Storing Other Leftover Bean Dishes
In addition to bean salads, many other bean-based dishes also freeze well:
Chili – Freeze up to 4 months. Thaw in the fridge then reheat on the stovetop.
Burritos – Wrap individually in foil then freeze. Reheat still wrapped in the oven at 350°F for 30 minutes.
Soup – Cool completely then freeze in portion-sized containers up to 4 months. Thaw in fridge then reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave.
Dip – Freeze hummus, bean dips, and bean purees in freezer-safe containers up to 3 months. Thaw in fridge before serving.
Baked Beans – Freeze cooked beans in sauce or baked bean casseroles up to 2 months. Reheat thawed beans on the stovetop or in the oven.
So don’t let those leftover bean dishes go to waste! With some easy freezing tips, you can keep enjoying delicious bean salads, chili, dips, and more for months after you make them. Get creative mixing and matching your favorite beans, veggies, and spices into make-ahead freezer meals.
Is this 5 bean salad healthy
Even though there is sugar and oil in this bean salad, the beans and vegetables are very good for you.
Beans are a great source of both protein and fiber. They also help with heart health!
Beans of all kinds are an important part of a vegan diet because they are high in iron and protein. As long as you rinse the canned beans, they are also low in sodium and saturated fat.
The sodium count will be lower than what shows in the nutrition calculation below. The plugin cant calculate rinsed canned beans.
Even though this recipe is very simple, here are some of my favorite ways to get the best results.
- For the flavors to blend, don’t skip the chill time. The salad needs to sit for a couple of hours. It tastes so much better after some time to sit and season.
- Try different vinegars. For this bean salad recipe, white vinegar is the traditional choice. Tarragon vinegar is also white and absolutely delicious. You could also use apple cider vinegar or red wine vinegar for a different taste partnership.
- You can change the amount of sugar. I usually use the full amount that’s called for, but if you like recipes that aren’t as sweet, you can start with less sugar and then taste and make changes as needed.
- Rinse the beans—Doing this will not only make the texture better, but it will also get rid of extra sodium.
No, you cannot freeze the bean salad. The beans and veggies will have a very different texture after freezing and thawing. It’s best to make this salad fresh.
Yes, you can leave out the corn. You can swap out one ingredient for another and still add another can of beans, another pepper, or leave out the corn all together.
Yes, you can switch any of the beans. Just add another can of a different bean. This salad is very flexible and customizable!.
If you have extra bean salad, you can put it in the fridge in a bowl or container that won’t let air in. The salad will keep for up to 3 days.
I love how versatile this cold bean salad is and how it pairs well with so many dishes.
It’s a perfect side dish for grilling or eating outside, but it’s great year round.
Bring it to parties or potlucks because it tastes great and keeps well after being made ahead of time.
Here are some of my favorite recipes to serve this salad.
What to serve with bean salad
- Vegan pulled jackfruit BBQ sandwiches: Shredded jackfruit is the best thing to use instead of pulled pork. There is a slightly spicy BBQ sauce on these tasty sandwiches that is just too good.
- Baked Falafel Sandwich—Baked falafel is much better for you than fried falafel. You can put any of the best toppings on these falafel sandwiches now.
- This slow cooker vegan sausage hoagie sandwich recipe is very simple and great for hot summer days when you don’t want to use the stove or oven.
4 Bean Salad Using Home Canned Beans
FAQ
How long can you keep bean salad in the fridge?
Do bean dishes freeze well?
Can you freeze leftover canned beans?
Do fresh beans freeze well?