This kidney bean salad isn't just healthy, filling, and downright delicious; it's also a breeze to whip up. No wonder it's often dubbed the "bachelor's salad." And the best part? It's easily scalable and perfect for feeding a crowd or your family at a fun gathering.
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Content:
Let's talk bean dreams.
There's one salad that keeps me coming back for more, a champion in the kidney bean recipe world. This bad boy isn't afraid to put those glorious beans front and center where they rightfully belong.
But hold up. Let's rewind a bit.
Our journey didn't start with fireworks and confetti; it was more like a slow burn.
It all started with a misunderstanding over a dinner invitation.
Me? I was starving, ready to devour a feast, and bam! The host presented me with... a bowl of beans and corn? "Is this a joke?" my stomach grumbled. "Where's the main course?!" Disappointment hit me like a ton of bricks.
Fast-forward to the plot twist! Despite that rough intro, a beautiful friendship blossomed between me and this bean-tastic salad (and the host ♡). Now, I can totally picture myself as a sassy grandma, rocking a giant bowl of this bean goodness and grinning with every bite.
Why the love affair, you ask? Ahhh, so many reasons to love about it. It's not just the flavor fiesta and the nutritional knockout punch (beans are the kings -and queens!- of filling you up, after all). This salad also comes together faster than you can say "hangry."
Seriously, how could you NOT love it?
Why Bachelor Salad?
So, why the Bachelor nickname? Well, for one, the first time I tasted this awesomeness, it was served by a bachelor. But hey, equality for all! Bachelorette salad totally works too. The point is, this is a salad for busy bees (or lazy lamas!) who want something crazy-delicious and lightning-fast.
Something that can be made with pantry staples – canned corn, kidney beans, and a red onion. No fancy kitchen acrobatics required. No fancy culinary flips or flops, just a quick onion chop, and you're golden. Easy-peasy!
Of course, you're the christening chef of your kitchen! Feel free to call it the Effortless Bean Salad or the Whipped-Up-in-a-Whirlwind Salad or even just plain Bean-Corn-Onion Fiesta. It's all good because it all leads to the same amazing, satisfying, nutritious, and filling kidney bean salad yumminess that'll have your tummy smiling in no time.
Red Beans vs. Kidney Beans? Spoiler: Not Twins!
Welcome to the wonderful world of beans – it's bean-tastic, bean-sational, and oh-so-bean-tiful! So many stunning shapes, sizes, and flavors, enough to make your head spin.
So, what's the deal with red beans and kidney beans? Are they twinsies or distant cousins? Let's spill the beans, literally!
Today, we're talking red kidney beans – those big, bold beauties that bring the 'wow' to your kidney bean salad.
But don't go mixin' them up with their smaller, smoother siblings, the red beans. They may look alike, but they've got their own flavor goin' on!
Red Beans: The Petite
They're small, smooth, and have a sweet, mild flavor that makes them super versatile. They love hanging out in Asian and Caribbean dishes, like red bean paste for desserts or that legendary red bean rice. Yum!
Red Kidney Beans: The Bold
Red kidney beans are the big kahunas of the bean world. They've got a distinct kidney shape (hence the name!), are larger than red beans, and have a deep red, glossy coat. Flavor-wise, these guys are all about the bold, earthy notes and have a slightly firmer texture.
They're the rockstars of chili, bean salads, and Indian curries.
A Rainbow of Kidney Bean Colors
The bean-tastic universe is so fascinating that we need to travel into its further depths.
Did you know kidney beans come in colors other than red? Red kidney beans might be the most popular, but there's a rainbow of kidney bean options.
Ever used those creamy white beans for an Italian dish? Those are cannellini beans, aka white kidney beans!
Then you've got your dark, mysterious kidney beans and even some speckled varieties to keep things interesting.
Told you - a whole bean-iverse out there!
So, the next time you're at the grocery store, don't get bean-foozled! Grab those red kidney beans and get ready to whip up this speedy kidney bean salad.
Swap Red Beans for Kidney Beans?
Totally.
You can usually sub in red kidney beans for red beans in a salad without causing a flavor flop! Their textures and tastes are pretty similar, so they play well together. Take this corn and kidney bean salad, for example.
But! Since red beans lean a bit sweeter than red kidney beans, tweak the balsamic vinegar and red wine vinegar ratio. Try two tablespoons of each for a flavor boost!
Key to Success for This Kidney Bean Salad
This recipe is as simple as a high-five, so no need to sweat it.
However! There are two things you gotta have for it to shine truly.
First, balsamic vinegar is a must. It adds a sweet zing. Go for the good stuff if you can swing it—organic balsamic vinegar kicks it up a notch!
Secondly, red onion - it brings a perfect mix of sweet and spicy, elevating the salad. If you can't get red, white onions are a solid backup, with yellow onions bringing up the rear.
What Goes Great With This Salad
I could munch on this salad solo any day!
But it also plays well with a slice of bread or a veggie patty on the side.
Bonus points: This kidney bean salad is the life of the party! It's like the superstar of salads – always stealing the show and disappearing first!
The best perk? You can throw this together 5 minutes before your guests arrive or prep it ahead of time – it chills out beautifully in the fridge!
🍽 Recipe
Bachelor's Kidney Bean Salad: Quick, Filling, Vegan!
Ingredients
- 450 g cooked red kidney beans drained weight, drained and rinsed
- 250 g cooked corn drained weight, drained and rinsed
- 1 Very small red onion
- 3 Tablespoons rapeseed oil or any other neutral tasting oil (NO olive oil, please)
- 3 Tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 1 Tablespoon red wine vinegar
- Salt
- Pepper
Instructions
- Peel the red onion and chop it finely. Mix it with the remaining ingredients.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Let me know: What's your favorite kidney bean salad?
Wishing you planty of bean-elicious delights,
Ramona
Psst, you will enjoy this Chinese Cabbage Salad and the Refreshing Apple Celery Salad.
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Muskaan @thetwincookingproject says
Wow! The salad looks so delicious and super healthy 🙂
Ramona says
Dear Muskaan, thanks for your lovely comment. I hope you find the time to make the salad, and that you'll like it.
Marcia says
I’ve been eating this for decades but not w onion, just scallion. Im gonna add that red onion. You should add sliced scallions to this already perfect salad to up the prettiness of it and and an extra oomph of oniony taste.
Ramona says
Hi Marcia,
What a good idea to add a pop of green and white!
I just love the sweetness of the red onion in this salad, it goes so well with the corn, the kidney beans, and the balsamic vinegar. One time I used a regular yellow onion because I ran out of red ones, and the salad just didn't have the same well-balanced taste.
Yet, I can imagine that adding some scallion while keeping the red onion will give the salad a nice taste twist.
Cheers,
Ramona
Emily Thomas says
Lovely! Thanks so much for the idea and story.
Ramona says
You're very welcome. Happy you like the post and the recipe.
Mo says
Can't agree more. I used to eat the Salad back during college times. Like maybe 3 to 4 times a week, if not more. My version was a bit more bachelor in nature, I just put corn with red beans and add some 1000 island sauce. That's it, no onion to cut, no salt, no peppers. It could not be done faster.
Ramona says
Haha, I like your 'even more bachelor style' version of the bachelor's salad. 🙂 Need to try it with the 1000 island sauce (it's not well known in Germany, will look out for it at the grocery store). Thanks for the inspiration.