Dense Bean Salad with Dressing (Printable Version)

Protein-packed bean salad with crunchy veggies and a unique tart cherry vinaigrette dressing.

# What You Need:

→ Beans

01 - 1 can (15 oz) chickpeas, drained and rinsed
02 - 1 can (15 oz) cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
03 - 1 can (15 oz) kidney beans, drained and rinsed

→ Vegetables & Herbs

04 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
05 - 1 small cucumber, diced
06 - 1/2 small red onion, finely chopped
07 - 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
08 - 2 tbsp fresh dill, chopped

→ Sleepy Girl Mocktail Dressing

09 - 1/4 cup tart cherry juice (100% juice, unsweetened)
10 - 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
11 - 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
12 - 1 tsp maple syrup or honey
13 - 1 tsp Dijon mustard
14 - 1/2 tsp fine sea salt
15 - 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper

→ Optional Toppings

16 - 2 oz feta cheese, crumbled
17 - 1/4 cup toasted walnuts or pumpkin seeds

# Directions:

01 - In a large bowl, mix the chickpeas, cannellini beans, kidney beans, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, parsley, and dill until evenly distributed.
02 - In a small bowl or jar, whisk together tart cherry juice, olive oil, apple cider vinegar, maple syrup, Dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper until fully emulsified.
03 - Pour the dressing over the bean and vegetable mixture, tossing gently to coat all ingredients thoroughly.
04 - Taste the salad and adjust seasoning with additional salt or pepper as desired.
05 - Transfer the salad to a serving platter and scatter feta cheese and toasted walnuts or pumpkin seeds on top if desired.
06 - Serve immediately or refrigerate for 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld before serving.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It's ridiculously filling without feeling heavy, thanks to three kinds of beans and crunchy vegetables that keep every bite interesting.
  • The tart cherry dressing is sweet, tangy, and somehow cozy, like a hug in vinaigrette form.
  • You can make it in under 20 minutes with no cooking required, perfect for those nights when turning on the stove feels like too much.
  • It doubles as a meal prep dream because it tastes even better the next day after the flavors soak in.
02 -
  • Don't skip rinsing the beans, the canned liquid can make the salad taste metallic and throw off the dressing.
  • If you make this ahead, wait to add the feta and nuts until right before serving so they stay creamy and crunchy.
  • Use 100% tart cherry juice, not a blend or cocktail, because the pure stuff has the compounds that actually help with sleep and the flavor is sharper.
03 -
  • Toast your walnuts or pumpkin seeds in a dry skillet for two minutes before adding them, the nutty aroma will deepen the whole dish.
  • If you want extra sleep benefits, eat this salad about an hour before bed and pair it with a glass of the actual Sleepy Girl mocktail for the full effect.
  • Make a double batch of the dressing and keep it in a jar in the fridge, it lasts a week and turns any bowl of leftovers into something special.
Go Back