This Turkish-style bean salad is really easy to make, and you may have most of the ingredients in your pantry already. It is a real crowd pleaser and makes a great addition to any summer BBQ. With a rich creaminess, this salad is a fabulous protein-packed alternative to the more traditional potato salad, and it is perfect for vegan guests.

8 servings

10 ingredients

20 min prep

Ingredients
  • 2 cans cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
  • 2 medium shallots, thinly sliced in half moons
  • ½ cup chopped flat leaf parsley divided
  • 3 tablespoons tahini
  • 1 lemon, juiced
  • 1 teaspoons Aleppo pepper flakes (see Chef Tips)
  • 2 tablespoons good extra virgin olive oil
  • 3 tablespoons cider vinegar (see Chef Tips)
  • 2 tablespoons water or as needed
  • Sea salt

Directions
  1. Mix the cannellini beans, shallots and 6 tablespoons of the parsley together in a bowl. Set aside while you make the dressing.
  2. In a separate bowl, mix the tahini, lemon juice, Aleppo pepper, olive oil and water together until well blended. Gradually stir in the cider vinegar and beat until smooth. If it seems too thick, add the remaining water as needed to make the dressing smooth and creamy. Taste for salt.
  3. Pour the dressing over the beans and toss together until the beans are well coated. Let the salad sit in a cool place for 30 minutes to let the flavors develop. Sprinkle with the remaining parsley and serve.

Chef Tips

Spicy Aleppo pepper is finely flaked and has a distinctive citrusy flavor. If you can’t find it, you can use red pepper flakes but halve the quantity and try to sift out some of the seeds first.

You can use red or white wine vinegar instead of cider vinegar.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

Calories: 218; Fat: 7g; Saturated Fat: 1g; Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g; Monounsaturated Fat: 4g; Carbohydrates: 31g; Sugar: 2g; Fiber: 7g; Protein: 10g; Sodium: 381mg

Registered Dietitian Approved

Your recipes, articles, videos, and more content are reviewed by our Registered Dietitian Kate Ueland, MS, RD, CSO, a board-certified specialist in oncology nutrition, to ensure that each is backed with scientific evidence and follows the guidelines set by the Oncology Nutrition for Clinical Practice, 2nd Ed., published by the Oncology Nutrition Dietetic Practice Group, a professional interest group of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, and the American Institute for Cancer Research and the American Cancer Society.

This recipe was originally published on Cook for Your Life. It is used by permission.

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