Easy & Delicious Marinated White Beans
A simple, quick, and healthy recipe for marinated white beans that bursts with fresh flavor. Perfect as a side dish, snack, or for a potluck, becoming even better as the flavors meld over time.
Equipment
- Medium bowl
- Small bowl Separate bowl for dressing
- Whisk
- Spoon For stirring
- Airtight container For storage
- Refrigerator For marinating and storage
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 cans white beans 15-ounce each, like cannellini or great northern. Make sure to drain and give them a good rinse!
- 0.25 cup extra-virgin olive oil Use a good quality one here if you can, it really makes a difference in the final flavor.
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar or fresh lemon juice Either works beautifully! The vinegar gives it a classic tang, while lemon juice adds brightness. Pick your favorite or what you have on hand.
- 1 clove garlic Minced finely. That little punch of garlic is essential!
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley Fresh herbs are key! Parsley adds a lovely freshness.
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil or oregano Choose your adventure! Basil gives a slightly sweeter, aromatic note, while oregano leans more savory and Mediterranean. Both are wonderful.
- 0.5 teaspoon salt Start with this, you can always add a pinch more later if needed.
- 0.25 teaspoon black pepper Freshly ground is always best!
- 1 pinch red pepper flakes Optional: For just a tiny hint of warmth. If you like a little heat, don't skip this!
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped red onion Optional: This adds a nice little bite and color. If you're not a fan of raw onion, feel free to skip it, or maybe give it a quick soak in ice water before adding to mellow it out.
Instructions
- First things first, get those beans ready. You've drained and rinsed them, right? Perfect! Pop those happy little beans into a medium-sized bowl.
- Now, let's make the magical dressing. In a separate, smaller bowl, whisk together the olive oil, your choice of red wine vinegar or lemon juice, the minced garlic, chopped fresh parsley, and either the basil or oregano. Add in the salt and pepper. Give it a good whisk until it looks nicely combined. If you're using red pepper flakes and red onion, stir those in now too.
- Time to unite! Pour that beautiful, fragrant marinade mixture directly over the beans in the medium bowl.
- Grab a spoon and gently stir everything together. You want every single bean to get a nice coat of that delicious dressing. Be gentle so you don't mash the beans!
- Cover the bowl – plastic wrap or a lid works great – and pop it into the fridge. This is the important part! You need to let the flavors hang out and get to know each other. At least 30 minutes is good, but honestly, if you can give it a few hours, or even make it the morning before you need it, the flavors really deepen and meld beautifully. This is where the simple ingredients turn into something truly special.
- When you're ready to serve, give the beans another gentle stir. The oil might separate a tiny bit, and that's totally fine. Just mix it all back together!
Notes
Rinse beans thoroughly before using. Fresh herbs provide the best flavor. Allow ample time for marinating (minimum 30 minutes, but longer is recommended for deeper flavor). Taste and adjust seasonings before serving. Can be served chilled or at room temperature. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days; flavors may improve over time. Cooked dried beans can be used instead of canned. This versatile dish pairs well with grilled meats/fish, salads, mezze platters, or bread. The recipe is nutritious, offering fiber, protein, and healthy fats.