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15 Delicious Dense Bean Salad Recipes
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:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/Loaded-Bean-Salad-Beauty--203_preview-38bd1d56fb544755b56da87ec2ec52ce.jpg "Recipe image of Loaded Bean Salad")
Photographer Victor Protasio, Food Stylist Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist Hannah Grennwood.
Dense bean salads are hearty dishes that contain beans tossed with other delicious ingredients like veggies, meats and cheeses. These recipes are perfect for prepping in a large batch and letting the flavors marinate, only getting more flavorful throughout the week. Try options like our High-Protein Loaded Bean Salad or our White Bean Salad with Feta & Lemon-Garlic Vinaigrette as part of a healthy and satisfying meal.
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High-Protein Loaded Bean Salad
Photographer Victor Protasio, Food Stylist Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist Hannah Grennwood.
This loaded bean salad is a simple yet satisfying dish that’s full of creamy texture and all the classic fixings. The navy beans serve as a neutral base, allowing ingredients like bacon, scallions and Cheddar cheese to shine. A creamy dressing made with mayonnaise and sour cream ties everything together. This salad is rich in fiber and plant-based protein, making it the perfect easy side dish.
White Bean Salad with Feta & Lemon-Garlic Vinaigrette
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen
This white bean salad with feta and lemon-garlic vinaigrette is quick and requires no stove time. White beans bring plant-based protein and fiber to help keep you full. Creamy feta cheese provides a tangy, salty contrast to the bright vinaigrette. Tossed with fresh herbs and toasted walnuts, this salad is perfect for a light lunch.
Honey-Mustard Bean Salad
Photographer: Stacy Allen, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley
This honey-mustard bean salad is the perfect combination of sweet, tangy and downright delicious flavors. Creamy cannellini beans and hearty chickpeas create the perfect base to soak up the zesty honey-mustard dressing. If you don’t have cannellini beans or chickpeas on hand, black beans, kidney beans or even pinto beans work well, offering flexibility to suit your pantry. Serve this salad as a light main course with crusty bread or alongside grilled chicken, salmon or tofu for a heartier meal.
Anti-Inflammatory Farro & White Bean Salad
Heami Lee, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Christine Keeley
This Mason jar grain salad is the perfect grab-and-go lunch. Building a salad in a Mason jar makes it easy to prepare and take along, keeping the ingredients fresh and crisp until you’re ready to enjoy it. This colorful salad layers together farro, bell pepper, beets and arugula, all of which offer fiber and antioxidants that can help lower inflammation in your body. White beans add some plant-based protein to help you stay satisfied throughout the afternoon.
Three Bean Salad
Photographer: Brie Goldman, Food Stylist: Annie Probst, Prop Stylist: Joseph Wanek
This three-bean salad is a wonderful addition to any meal. Rich in fiber, folate, iron and potassium, beans complement a heart-healthy diet and are also a great source of plant-based protein and iron for anyone following a vegetarian diet. Bring this colorful, healthy dish to a barbecue, serve it as an appetizer salad or side dish, and even pack it for lunch.
Crunchy Chopped Salad
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Christina Brockman
This chickpea-cabbage salad features carrots and cucumbers, giving it a quartet of ingredients that all begin with the letter “C”! This chopped salad is loaded with fiber and prebiotic chickpeas, promoting a healthy gut. Green cabbage keeps the color vibrant and fresh, though red cabbage works just as well.
No-Cook White Bean & Spinach Caprese Salad
This easy white bean and spinach caprese salad features the classic combination of juicy tomatoes, creamy mozzarella, fragrant basil and tangy balsamic vinegar, but adds tender white beans and fresh baby spinach to the mix. If you can’t find mozzarella pearls, cut or tear a fresh ball of mozzarella into bite-size pieces instead. If you like your salad with a little kick, try swapping out the spinach for arugula.
Cucumber Chickpea Salad with Feta & Lemon
Photographer: Rachel Marek, Food Stylist: Annie Probst
This cucumber chickpea salad with feta and lemon is tangy and refreshing. You can enjoy it on its own or toss it with greens for an easy lunch or dinner.
Spicy Black-Eyed Pea & Collard Green Salad
Photographer: Rachel Marek, Food Stylist: Holly Dreesman
This black-eyed pea and collard green salad recipe can be served warm or at room temperature, either as a side dish or as a vegetarian main course along with rice or crusty bread. Harissa and peri-peri sauce provide gentle heat, and preserved lemon gives it briny tang.
Chickpea, Beet & Feta Salad with Lemon-Garlic Vinaigrette
Photographer: Rachel Marek, Food stylist: Holly Dreesman, Prop stylist: Addelyn Evans
This chickpea, beet & feta salad is a vibrant blend of flavors and textures, marrying the earthy sweetness of beets with the creamy richness of feta cheese, all tied together with a zesty lemon-garlic dressing. If you have the time, you can roast or steam your own beets or, to keep prep fast and simple, opt for precooked beets found in the produce section of well-stocked grocery stores.
Fiber-Packed Spicy White Bean & Spinach Salad
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Melissa Gray, Prop Stylist: Shell Royster
In this light and refreshing salad, we season white beans with ras el hanout, a Moroccan spice blend which features cinnamon, cumin, turmeric, ginger, cardamom and ground black and red pepper. If you prefer a creamier texture, gently mash some of the beans as you stir everything together. The bean salad is served on a bed of lightly dressed spinach that pairs well with the beans, but could also go with grilled chicken or steak kebabs on another night.
3-Ingredient White Bean & Cherry Tomato Salad
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle
This three-ingredient lunch takes a packaged salad kit to the next level with the addition of two pantry staples: cherry tomatoes and white beans. The Mediterranean flavor profile works well here, but another mix would be just as simple and satisfying.
Herb Marinated Beans
If you're an avid meal prepper, consider adding these marinated beans to your weekly routine. They're very versatile: try a spoonful on a salad, tuck some into a wrap or warm them up to spoon over a grain bowl. It's worth letting the beans marinate for at least 24 hours to infuse them with deeper flavor. The olive oil will solidify in the refrigerator—just let the beans stand at room temp for an hour and stir before serving.
Composed Bean Salad with Basil Vinaigrette
Channel your inner food stylist while arranging the beans and vegetables for this show-stopping composed bean salad recipe. Serve at a potluck or for a beautiful salad at brunch alongside grilled chicken, scallops or fish.
Bean Salad with Lemon-Cumin Dressing
The bold flavors of the lemon-cumin dressing in this healthy bean salad recipe make it a wonderful side dish to grilled beef and lamb, yet it's also a stellar meatless main when served with whole-wheat couscous.
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Our 18 Best Chia Seed Recipes to Help you Poop
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:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/high-protein-blueberry-and-peanut-butter-chia-pudding-beauty-064_preview_maxWidth_4000_maxHeight_4000_ppi_300_quality_100-17848f90303b48c680b1326ce464aceb.jpg "Recipe image of High-Protein Blueberry & Peanut Butter Chia Pudding")
Photographer: Jen Causey; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen.
Chia seeds are a powerhouse ingredient, bringing a multitude of benefits including supporting a healthy gut and preventing constipation. These recipes feature chia seeds as a main ingredient and meet our parameters for high-fiber, encouraging regularity. Try highly-rated recipes like our Creamy Blueberry-Peach Chia Seed Smoothie or our High-Protein Blueberry & Peanut Butter Chia Pudding for a delicious bite that’s full of benefits.
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Creamy Blueberry-Peach Chia Seed Smoothie
Photographer: Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Hannah Grennwood.
This fruit smoothie is a nutrient-packed drink that’s perfect for your next breakfast. It blends frozen peaches and sweet frozen blueberries with a splash of almond milk and yogurt for a creamy, fruity base. Chia seeds add fiber, omega-3s and a slight thickness to the smoothie as they soak up the liquid.
High-Protein Blueberry & Peanut Butter Chia Pudding
Photographer: Jen Causey; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen.
This high-protein blueberry and peanut butter chia pudding is a perfect make-ahead breakfast packed with fiber and protein to keep you energized throughout the day. Chia seeds soak up the blended almond milk and blueberries overnight, creating a creamy pudding that’s layered for a peanut butter-and-jelly effect.
Raspberry-Peach-Chia Seed Smoothie
Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Prop Stylist: Abby Armstrong, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey
This creamy raspberry-peach chia seed smoothie is the best way to start your day or recharge in the afternoon. Chia seeds add fiber to keep you full and satisfied. The natural sweetness of frozen peaches combined with dates and the tangy brightness of raspberries make every sip refreshing and satisfying.
Strawberry Chia Pudding
Heami Lee, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Christine Keeley
This strawberry chia pudding is a convenient grab-and-go breakfast with plenty of anti-inflammatory benefits. Strawberries are loaded with antioxidants, while chia seeds offer omega-3 fatty acids, fiber and protein—all key nutrients that can help lower inflammation. This chia pudding is easy to prepare the night before and can be stored in the fridge, making it perfect for busy mornings.
Mango, Passion Fruit & Coconut Chia Pudding
Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Lydia Pursell
This mango–passion fruit chia pudding is a fiber-rich, tropical delight! Chia seeds pack omega-3 fatty acids plus a punch of fiber, promoting a healthy gut, while passion fruit and mango add a naturally sweet, tangy flavor. Coconut milk builds on the tropical vibes, making it a refreshing and satisfying choice for breakfast.
York Peppermint Pattie–Inspired Overnight Oats
Photographer: Hannah Hufham, Food Stylist: Nicole Hopper, Prop Stylist: Abby Armstrong
These minty York Peppermint Pattie–inspired overnight oats come together in just minutes. It’s the perfect recipe for meal prep because you can store it in jars, giving you a grab-and-go breakfast that’s worth waking up for.
Peanut Butter–Oat Energy Cups
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Lindsey Lower
These no-bake peanut butter–oat energy cups are the perfect bite-size snack, offering a delicious balance of salty-sweet perfection. They’re packed with chunky peanut butter, fiber-rich oats and just the right touch of chocolaty sweetness for a boost of lasting energy. Make these for a quick pick-me-up during the day or an easy one-bite dessert. These snacks are easy to make and even easier to enjoy!
Overnight Oats with Chia Seeds
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle
This easy overnight oats with chia seeds recipe is naturally sweetened with peaches, but any chopped fresh or frozen fruit works well here. Chia seeds thicken the mixture as it sits, and they offer a healthy dose of fiber and omega-3 fats. Store these oats in individual airtight containers (like Mason jars) for an easy breakfast on the go.
Healthy Gut Tonic with Chia
When you're feeling backed-up, this high-fiber chia concoction can help make your bathroom routine smoother. The chia seeds form a gel-like consistency to help move digestion along easily, and the kick of cayenne pepper acts as an intestinal stimulant.
Really Green Smoothie
The combination of kale and avocado makes this healthy smoothie recipe extra green. Chia seeds lend a heart-healthy punch of fiber and omega-3 fatty acids.
Cocoa-Chia Pudding with Raspberries
Have chocolate for breakfast with this unbelievably healthy chia pudding recipe. The deep chocolaty flavor pairs perfectly with juicy raspberries for a fun switch-up from oatmeal for your morning routine.
Lemon-Blueberry Cheesecake Chia Pudding
Photographer: Fred Hardy, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Shell Royster
The sour-sweet combo of lemon and blueberry is balanced out by the creamy dairy in this cheesecake chia pudding. Graham cracker crumbles replicate the crust of a cheesecake, while chia seeds offer fiber and omega-3 fats. Portion it out into mason jars or another portable container with a secure lid, and you can bring this easy make-ahead dessert on the go.
Quinoa & Chia Oatmeal Mix
Make your own hot cereal mix with this healthy recipe. Keep it on hand and just cook up the amount you need when you're ready for a hot breakfast. One serving of the warm cereal contains six grams of fiber—almost a quarter of your daily quota.
Strawberry-Peach Chia Seed Smoothie
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle
This fiber-rich chia smoothie is sweet and tangy with a velvety texture, thanks to nutritious chia seeds that expand as they combine with liquid. Chia seeds have plenty of healthy benefits, from delivering a boost of fiber to providing a dose of heart-healthy fats. We like the combination of strawberries, peaches and cherries, but any sweet and tangy fruit combo will work.
Berry Chia Pudding
Chia seeds are a good source of healthy omega-3 fatty acids, plus they have fiber, iron and calcium. Here they're mixed with a fruity base and refrigerated until the chia seeds expand to form a thick, creamy texture similar to tapioca. Pudding for breakfast? We're in.
Overnight Matcha Oats with Berries
Blueberries and raspberries top these matcha overnight oats for a quick, meal-prep-friendly breakfast.
Tropical Overnight Oats
Loaded with coconut, pineapple and mango, this easy overnight oats recipe will transport you to the tropics. Meal-prep a big batch for ready-to-eat breakfasts throughout the week.
Peanut Butter & Chia Berry Jam English Muffin
The addition of chia seeds in the quick “jam” topping adds heart-healthy omega-3s to this healthy breakfast recipe.