Quick & Fresh: Ina Garten’s White Bean Salad Recipe Magic

Summers call for light, refreshing dishes that sparkle with flavor, and this Ina Garten white bean salad recipe delivers precisely that kind of delightful simplicity.

Mediterranean influences dance through each vibrant bite, creating a harmonious blend of textures and tastes.

Crisp herbs and creamy beans mingle with zesty vinaigrette, promising a lunch that feels both elegant and effortless.

Fresh ingredients elevate this salad from ordinary to extraordinary, making it perfect for relaxed gatherings or quick weekday meals.

Tangy and substantial, these white beans absorb every nuanced flavor, turning a basic side into something memorable.

Each forkful offers a delectable combination of wholesome ingredients that sing with brightness and depth.

Get ready to fall in love with a salad that makes healthy eating feel like a gourmet indulgence.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour

Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes

Calories: 300 kcal

Servings: 6

Instructions for Building Ina Garten White Bean Salad

• Bean Preparation

Soak dried white beans overnight in cold water, ensuring they’re fully submerged in the refrigerator.

• Cooking Foundations

Drain and rinse beans, then cook with onions in a heavy pot until tender and soft.

• Flavor Awakening

Create a vibrant infusion by heating olive oil with sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, herbs, and prosciutto to release complex aromas.

• Seasoning Harmony

While beans are still warm, introduce bright citrus notes through lemon zest and juice, incorporating salt and pepper to enhance natural flavors.

• Elegant Presentation

Gently fold baby arugula into the salad, transferring to a beautiful serving dish that showcases the colorful ingredients and inviting textures.

Ideas to Refresh Ina Garten White Bean Salad

• Soak dried beans overnight to ensure even cooking and reduce overall cooking time. For a quicker method, use quick-soak techniques or substitute with canned white beans for instant preparation.
• Swap prosciutto with crispy bacon, pancetta, or plant-based alternatives like smoked tofu for different flavor profiles. Vegetarian friends can skip the meat entirely and add extra herbs for depth.
• Replace dried rosemary with fresh chopped rosemary for a more vibrant, aromatic experience. Experiment with other herbs like thyme or oregano to create unique regional twists on the classic recipe.
• Serve the salad slightly warm or at room temperature to enhance the blend of flavors. Let the beans absorb the olive oil and aromatics for maximum taste integration before serving.
• Store the white bean salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Gently reheat or enjoy cold as a delicious meal prep option for quick lunches or side dishes.

How to Plate Ina Garten White Bean Salad Beautifully

• Elevate Serving Experience: Place the salad on a rustic wooden board for a charming, farmhouse-style presentation that highlights the dish's earthy ingredients.
• Pair with Crusty Bread: Serve alongside warm, toasted sourdough or ciabatta slices to soak up the flavorful olive oil and catch those delicious sun-dried tomato bits.
• Create a Mediterranean Spread: Accompany the white bean salad with olives, feta cheese, and grilled vegetables for a complete Mediterranean-inspired meal that celebrates fresh, vibrant flavors.
• Wine Companion: Pour a crisp, light white wine like pinot grigio or sauvignon blanc to complement the salad's bright lemon and herb notes, enhancing the overall dining experience.

Store Ina Garten White Bean Salad Without Hassle

• Refrigerate Right: Store the white bean salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The flavors will continue to develop and become more intense over time.
• Prep Ahead: Make this salad a day before serving to allow the beans and aromatics to meld together, creating a more robust and deeper taste profile.
• Freeze with Caution: While possible to freeze, the texture of beans and arugula might change. If freezing, store without the greens and add fresh arugula after thawing.
• Serving Temperature Tips: Enjoy the salad warm or at room temperature within 2 hours of preparation to maintain optimal flavor and food safety. Gently reheat if desired, but avoid overcooking the beans.

What’s Needed for Ina Garten White Bean Salad

• Dried White Beans: Hearty protein powerhouse that creates the salad's foundation, choose fresh beans without cracks or discoloration for best texture.
• Red Onion: Adds sharp, sweet undertones and vibrant color, select firm onions with smooth, papery skin for maximum flavor.

• Garlic, Sun-Dried Tomatoes, Rosemary, Red Pepper Flakes: Flavor-building dream team that infuses Mediterranean warmth and complexity into the dish.
• Prosciutto: Delivers luxurious saltiness and depth, opt for thinly sliced, high-quality Italian-style cured ham.

• Lemon (Zest and Juice): Bright citrus notes that lift and balance the entire dish, choose firm, heavy lemons with glossy skin.
• Baby Arugula: Peppery green that adds fresh, crisp contrast, select vibrant leaves without wilting or yellowing.
• Olive Oil: Smooth, rich base that connects all ingredients, pick extra virgin for most authentic flavor profile.
• Salt and Black Pepper: Essential seasoning that amplifies and harmonizes all other ingredients, use freshly ground for maximum impact.

Tools to Prep Ina Garten White Bean Salad

• Large bowl: For soaking beans overnight and storing.
• Heavy-bottomed pot: Perfect for cooking beans evenly and preventing burning.
• 10- to 12-inch sauté pan: Essential for preparing aromatic oil mixture.
• Wooden spoon: Great for stirring and mixing ingredients gently.
• Colander: Needed for draining and rinsing beans.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Crucial for accurate ingredient quantities.
• Cutting board: Used for chopping herbs and preparing ingredients.
• Sharp knife: Helps in precise ingredient preparation.
• Wide, shallow serving bowl: Ideal for presenting the final dish.
• Zester or grater: Necessary for creating lemon zest.

Effortless Ina Garten White Bean Salad Recipe

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4.8 from 28 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s white bean salad emerges as a Mediterranean-inspired dish blending creamy legumes with fresh herbs. Fresh ingredients and simple preparation make this salad a quick, elegant side perfect for summer gatherings you can enjoy with friends.

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Ingredients

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• ¾ lb (340 g) dried cannellini beans
• 2 oz (57 g) baby arugula
• 2 oz (57 g) sun-dried tomatoes in oil, drained and small-diced
• 2 oz (57 g) thinly sliced prosciutto, small-diced
• 1 red onion, halved lengthwise and sliced into ¼-inch-thick half-rounds
• ¼ cup (60 ml) freshly squeezed lemon juice (2 lemons)
• 2 tbsps (30 ml) plus ½ cup (120 ml) good olive oil
• 4 tsps minced garlic (4 cloves)
• 2 tsps minced fresh rosemary leaves
• 1 tsp grated lemon zest
• ¼ tsp crushed red pepper flakes
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

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Instructions

1. Bean Preparation: Submerge dried beans in cold water overnight in the refrigerator, ensuring complete hydration and softness.
2. Bean Cooking: Drain and rinse beans, then place in a heavy-bottomed pot with fresh water. Bring to a boil, remove foam, and simmer for 45-50 minutes until tender. Simultaneously, sauté chopped red onion in olive oil until translucent.
3. Flavor Infusion: In a separate skillet, toast sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, rosemary, red pepper flakes, and prosciutto for 4-5 minutes to release aromatic essences. Fold this fragrant mixture into the cooked beans and onions, allowing flavors to meld for 10 minutes.
4. Seasoning: While ingredients remain warm, incorporate lemon zest, fresh lemon juice, salt, and black pepper. Gently blend to distribute seasonings evenly throughout the mixture.
5. Serving: Transfer to a wide serving dish, adorn with delicate baby arugula leaves. Adjust seasoning if necessary, and present either warm or at room temperature for optimal flavor enjoyment.

Notes

• Soak Smart: Overnight bean soaking ensures even cooking and reduces digestive discomfort, allowing beans to absorb water uniformly.
• Flavor Layering: Sautéing onions and aromatics before adding beans develops deep, complex taste profiles that elevate the entire dish.
• Foam Management: Skimming foam during bean cooking prevents bitterness and ensures a cleaner, more refined final texture.
• Temperature Flexibility: Serve the salad warm or at room temperature for versatile meal planning, making it perfect for gatherings or quick weeknight dinners.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 300
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 400 mg
• Fat: 25 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 24 g
• Fiber: 7 g
• Protein: 9 g
• Cholesterol: 15 mg