This red 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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Let’s talk bean salad.
Specifically, a salad that’s quietly earned its place in my heart—and my kitchen. It’s simple, it’s satisfying, and yes, it puts those glorious kidney beans right where they belong: front and center.
But, confession time: it wasn’t love at first sight.
The first time I encountered this salad, I wasn’t exactly thrilled. I was sitting at a dinner table, starving, and the host handed me… a bowl of beans and corn? My inner monologue: 'Wait, is this it? Where’s the rest of the meal?' Let’s just say I was not impressed.
Fast forward a little, and here I am—a full-on bean salad devotee. Somehow, over time, this humble little dish wormed its way into my life.
Oh, there are so many reasons I love this salad dearly. It’s fresh and flavorful, packs a nutritional punch (hellooo, plant protein!), and comes together in NO. TIME. AT. ALL. Like: You can literally throw this together 5 minutes before your guests arrive (or even prep it ahead of time – it chills out beautifully in the fridge!).
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, red kidney beans (not to be confused with red beans!), and a red onion. 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 Orgy. 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 happy and smiling.
Key to Success for This Kidney Bean Salad
This recipe is really so simple, 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 afford it—organic balsamic vinegar is what I prefer using!
Secondly, red onion - it brings a perfect mix of sweet and spicy. If you can't get red, white onions or shallots are a good backup.
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.
So, if you’re ready for your own bean love story, let me introduce you to the salad that started it all.
🍽 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-ilicious delights,
Ramona
More Bean-ilicious Recipes
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.