What to put in a dense bean salad?

A dense bean salad is all about hearty ingredients. Start with a mix of beans like chickpeas, kidney beans, black beans, and cannellini for varied texture. Add chopped red onions, bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, fresh herbs, and a bold dressing like chimichurri. For extra depth, toss in olives, capers, or even diced avocado. The key is combining high-fiber, high-protein elements with crunchy, colorful veggies for balance.

What is beef chimichurri?

Beef chimichurri refers to grilled or pan-seared beef (often skirt or flank steak) served with chimichurri sauce. Chimichurri is a vibrant herb sauce made with parsley, garlic, vinegar, olive oil, and chili flakes. In the context of our chimichurri dense bean salad , the sauce takes center stage, but it’s commonly paired with beef in Argentine cuisine as a marinade and finishing drizzle.

Why is it called chimichurri?

The origin of the name “chimichurri” is debated. Some believe it stems from Basque or Spanish influence, while others attribute it to British or Irish soldiers in Argentina in the 19th century, mispronouncing words like "give me curry." Regardless of the true story, chimichurri now refers to a tangy, uncooked sauce of herbs and garlic that’s become iconic in South American cuisine—and a flavor bomb in dishes like chimichurri dense bean salad .

What is similar to chimichurri?

Similar condiments include salsa verde (Italy and Mexico), gremolata, and pesto. Salsa verde uses capers and anchovy, gremolata is a dry parsley-lemon-garlic topping, and pesto incorporates nuts and cheese. What sets chimichurri apart—and makes it perfect for chimichurri dense bean salad —is its bold acidity, raw garlic, and oil-based consistency, ideal for marinating dense ingredients.

Chimichurri Dense Bean Salad – Ultimate 5-Min Flavor Upgrade

Description

This chimichurri dense bean salad blends bold Argentine herbs with hearty beans for a fresh, protein-packed meal.

Ingredients

Scale

1 can chickpeas (rinsed)

1 can kidney beans

1 can black beans

1/4 cup red onion, diced

1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved

1/3 cup chopped parsley

2 tbsp chopped cilantro (optional)

3 cloves garlic, minced

1/4 cup olive oil

2 tbsp red wine vinegar

1 tsp red pepper flakes

Salt to taste

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

1. Combine all beans in a large bowl.

2. In a separate bowl, whisk parsley, cilantro, garlic, olive oil, vinegar, red pepper, and salt.

3. Pour chimichurri over the beans and mix well.

4. Add red onion and cherry tomatoes.

5. Let marinate in the fridge for 30 minutes or overnight.

6. Stir before serving and adjust seasoning if needed.

Notes

Let the salad sit longer for deeper flavor. Serve at room temperature for best taste. Great for meal prep or potlucks.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Category: Salad
Method: No-cook
Cuisine: Argentine-Inspired

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cup
Calories: 280
Sugar: 2g
Sodium: 370mg
Fat: 14g
Saturated Fat: 2g
Unsaturated Fat: 11g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 29g
Fiber: 9g
Protein: 10g
Cholesterol: 0mg