Italian Antipasto Bean Salad (Printer-Friendly)

A vibrant salad with cannellini beans, salami, provolone, cherry tomatoes, and a zesty dressing.

# What You Need:

→ Beans

01 - 1 can (15 oz) cannellini beans, drained and rinsed

→ Meats & Cheese

02 - 3.5 oz Italian salami, sliced into thin strips
03 - 3.5 oz provolone cheese, cut into small cubes

→ Vegetables

04 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
05 - 1/2 cup roasted red bell pepper, sliced
06 - 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
07 - 1/2 cup cucumber, diced
08 - 1/4 cup pitted black olives, halved
09 - 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

→ Dressing

10 - 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
11 - 2 tbsp red wine vinegar
12 - 1 tsp dried oregano
13 - 1/2 tsp garlic powder
14 - 1/2 tsp salt
15 - 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper

# Steps:

01 - In a large bowl, combine the cannellini beans, salami, provolone, cherry tomatoes, roasted red bell pepper, red onion, cucumber, black olives, and parsley.
02 - In a small bowl or jar, whisk together the olive oil, red wine vinegar, oregano, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper until fully emulsified.
03 - Pour the dressing over the salad ingredients and toss gently to evenly coat all components.
04 - Taste and adjust seasoning as desired. Refrigerate for 10 minutes if preferred before serving.
05 - Plate the salad garnished with additional parsley or a drizzle of olive oil.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • It's ready faster than takeout and tastes like you've been planning it all week.
  • The contrasts of creamy beans, salty salami, and bright vinegar make it addictively good.
  • You can throw it together on nights when the kitchen feels like too much effort.
02 -
  • Don't skip rinsing the beans—that cloudy starch water will make your salad look sad and taste dull.
  • If you make this ahead, store the dressing separately and toss it in just before serving; otherwise the acid softens everything.
  • The red onion mellows significantly once it hits the vinegar, so don't be afraid of its sharpness.
03 -
  • Make the dressing in a jar with a tight lid and shake it vigorously—you'll get better emulsion and the oil and vinegar stay mixed longer.
  • If your salami is thick-cut and chewy, slice it even thinner or let it soften in the dressing for a few minutes before serving.
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