Description
A vibrant, 5-ingredient summer salad featuring creamy cannellini beans, flaky tuna, and fresh herbs. It is a crowd-pleasing, make-ahead dish that looks sophisticated but is incredibly easy to prepare.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cans (15 oz / 425g each) cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
- 2 cans (5 oz / 142g each) tuna packed in olive oil, drained
- 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 cup fresh flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped
- 1/4 medium red onion, finely diced
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Rinse the canned white beans thoroughly in a colander under cold water to remove excess sodium and starch. Shake off excess water and place in a large mixing bowl.
- Drain the canned tuna, reserving 1 tablespoon of the olive oil if desired. Flake the tuna into the bowl with the beans using a fork, ensuring distinct chunks rather than a paste.
- Finely dice the red onion. For a milder flavor, soak the diced onion in ice water for 10 minutes, then drain and pat dry.
- Chop the fresh parsley finely.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the fresh lemon juice, reserved olive oil (if using), and a generous pinch of salt and black pepper until slightly emulsified.
- Pour the dressing over the bean and tuna mixture. Add the diced onion and chopped parsley.
- Gently fold everything together with a large spoon or spatula to coat the ingredients without mashing them. Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt or lemon if needed.
- Let the salad rest in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld.
Notes
For best flavor, let the salad rest in the fridge for at least 30 minutes before serving. If the salad looks dry, add a splash of water or more olive oil. You can add toasted pine nuts or almonds for crunch. This salad keeps well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days but should not be frozen.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 2
- Sodium: 350
- Fat: 12
- Saturated Fat: 2
- Carbohydrates: 22
- Fiber: 7
- Protein: 18
Keywords: Mediterranean salad, tuna salad, white bean salad, summer entertaining, easy dinner, healthy salad, meal prep, gluten-free