Dense Bean Salad Sleepy (Print View)

Protein-packed bean salad tossed with fresh veggies and a tart cherry vinaigrette for a wholesome meal.

# What You'll Need:

→ Beans

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

# Step-by-Step Directions:

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

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • It's a salad that actually fills you up—three beans mean serious staying power, not just rabbit food.
  • The tart cherry dressing tastes unexpectedly sophisticated, tying together something wellness-focused with genuine flavor.
  • It comes together in under 20 minutes but tastes like you fussed over it all afternoon.
  • You get to feel good about eating it, which somehow makes it taste even better.
02 -
  • Don't skip rinsing the canned beans—the sodium-heavy liquid will overpower the delicate dressing and make the whole thing taste tinny.
  • Tart cherry juice is the non-negotiable star here; regular cherry juice or juice cocktails will make this taste sweet and generic instead of complex and calming.
  • If you make this more than a few hours ahead, the vegetables will start releasing water and diluting your dressing—plan accordingly or add the dressing fresh if you're prepping components.
03 -
  • Buy pre-diced vegetables if you're short on time or motivation—the result is identical, and some days that permission matters more than kitchen pride.
  • Toast your walnuts or pumpkin seeds in a dry pan for two minutes before adding them; this amplifies their flavor and makes the whole salad taste intentional and restaurant-quality.
Go Back