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 classic summertime favorite. Bright, fresh and packed with protein they make perfect potluck or barbecue sides. But leftovers happen and you may wonder – can you freeze bean salad?
The short answer is yes, you can absolutely freeze bean salad to enjoy later. However, proper preparation is key to preserving texture and flavor when thawed.
In this complete guide. we’ll cover
- Benefits of freezing bean salad
- What types of bean salads work best
- Pre-freezing blanching tips
- Suitable dressings and mix-in ingredients
- Storage containers and times
- Thawing and reviving methods
- Food safety considerations
Let’s dive into the ins and outs of successfully freezing bean salad to keep it fresh for months ahead.
Benefits of Freezing Bean Salad
Freezing leftover bean salad offers several advantages:
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Preserves Freshness – Locks in just-prepared texture and flavor.
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Saves Money – Reduces food waste by storing surplus salad
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** Adds Convenience** – Ready-to-go side dish with no prep needed.
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Easy Entertaining – Always have a tasty crowd-pleasing salad on hand.
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Makes Meal Planning Easier – Grab and thaw for an instant healthy side.
With proper prep and handling, freezing gives your bean salad extended life. Let’s look at techniques for delicious results after freezing.
Choosing the Best Salads for Freezing
Not all bean salads are equally suited to freezing. Heartier types stand up best:
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Chickpea salads hold up well, retaining a nice bite.
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Black bean salads maintain a creamy, hearty texture.
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Kidney beans stay firm with a pleasant chew.
Meanwhile, more delicate beans like lentils, green beans or peas tend to get mushy when frozen and thawed. Avoid those varieties if possible.
Blanching Beans for Freezing
Though not strictly necessary, blanching the beans before making and freezing the salad can help retain vibrancy.
Here’s a quick blanching method:
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Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
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Add drained canned beans or cooked dried beans.
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Boil for 3 minutes, then drain and immediately dunk in ice water to stop cooking.
Blanching sets the texture and locks in color. For best results, freeze beans within 1-2 days after blanching.
Choosing the Right Dressings
Oil and vinegar-based dressings freeze best, maintaining flavor with no separation. Vinaigrettes are a great choice.
Thick, creamy dressings like ranch can curdle or separate when frozen. Add them fresh after thawing the salad instead.
As for mayo-based dressings, go light on the mayo, which can turn gloopy. Or stir in mayo after thawing.
Mix-In Ingredients That Play Well Frozen
Beans aren’t the only component of salads. Which mix-ins handle freezing well?
DO freeze:
- Chopped onions
- Cherry tomatoes
- Olives
- Fresh herbs
- Citrus zest or juice
- Corn
- Salsa
DON’T freeze:
- Lettuce or fresh greens
- Avocado
- Cheddar or crumbled cheeses
Simply fold in avocado, lettuce, and other delicate items after thawing the frozen salad base.
Picking the Right Storage Containers
To avoid freezer burn, use containers specially designed for freezing:
- Rigid plastic freezer-safe containers
- Heavy duty resealable plastic bags
- Mason jars with elbow room for expansion
Glass jars are prone to breaking and metals may lead to off-flavors. Avoid those.
Fill containers nearly full, leaving 1-inch headspace for food safety. Seal tightly.
Recommended Bean Salad Freezer Time
How long does homemade bean salad last in the freezer?
Most sources recommend consuming frozen bean salads within:
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2 months for best quality
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3-4 months for good quality
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6 months absolute max for safety and flavor
Label bags or containers with dates for easy reference. First in, first out!
Thawing Bean Salad
There are two easy ways to safely thaw frozen bean salad:
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Refrigerator Thawing – Place frozen salad in the fridge 8-12 hours before serving.
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Cold Water Bath – Submerge pouch or container in cold water, changing water every 30 mins until thawed.
After thawing, give the salad a gentle toss and taste. Add any fresh ingredients like greens, cheese or dressing right before serving.
Food Safety Tips
To keep frozen bean salad safe:
- Blanch beans properly beforehand
- Use freshly made salads, don’t freeze old ones
- Freeze in airtight packaging within 1 day of making
- Label packages with dates and contents
- Don’t overfill containers
- Freeze and thaw safely
- Refreeze only once; don’t re-freeze after second thaw
Follow these guidelines and frozen bean salad can be a healthy, time-saving staple in your home. No more waste – freeze the surplus!
Freezing Bean Salad FAQs
Here are answers to some common questions about freezing bean salad:
Can you freeze bean salad with mayonnaise?
Yes, but limit the mayo or the texture may change when thawed. Add fresh mayo after thawing instead.
Should you blanch beans first?
It’s recommended but not required. Blanching helps retain color and texture.
What’s the best freezer container?
Rigid plastic or heavy zipper bags designed for the freezer. Glass can break.
How long does bean salad last in the freezer?
2-3 months for best quality. Up to 6 months maximum.
Can I freeze bean salad with tomatoes?
Yes, but the tomatoes will be mushier when thawed. Add fresh ones before serving.
What’s the best way to thaw frozen bean salad?
Overnight in the fridge or submerged in a cold water bath works well.
Can I refreeze thawed bean salad?
Refreeze thawed salad only once. Don’t keep re-freezing after the second thaw.
The Verdict on Freezing Bean Salads
With the right preparation and handling, freezing bean salad is absolutely possible for later enjoyment. Select hearty beans varieties, blanch if desired, use freezer-friendly dressings, and store in airtight containers.
Thaw in the refrigerator or with a cold water method. Add any fresh garnishes after thawing, give it a stir, and your bean salad will be revived and ready to enjoy!
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.
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.