Description
Italian Grinder Bean Salad is a vibrant, flavorful dish that brings the classic tastes of an Italian sub into a healthy salad. Bursting with zesty ingredients like chickpeas, kidney beans, and fresh veggies, it’s high in fiber and protein—making it perfect for lunch, meal prep, or a delightful side at gatherings. With its quick preparation time of just 15 minutes, this salad is not only satisfying but also versatile; you can easily customize it with your favorite proteins or vegetables. Serve it alone, with crusty bread, or as part of a grain bowl for a nutritious meal that everyone will love.
Ingredients
- ¼ cup olive oil
- ¼ cup red wine vinegar
- 2 Tbsp grated parmesan cheese
- 2 Tbsp mayonnaise
- 1 Tbsp brine from banana peppers (optional)
- ½ Tbsp dijon mustard
- 1 clove garlic (minced)
- 2 tsp Italian seasoning
- ¼ tsp crushed red pepper flakes
- ½ tsp salt (adjust to taste)
- black pepper
- 1 can chickpeas (drained and rinsed)
- 1 can red or white kidney beans (drained and rinsed)
- 2 oz sliced salami (sliced into ¼-inch strips)
- 2 oz deli turkey (sliced into ¼-inch strips)
- 1 cup mini bocconcini pearls (or cubed fresh mozzarella)
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes (quartered)
- 1 medium bell pepper (diced small)
- ¼ medium red onion (sliced thin)
- ½ cup pickled sliced banana peppers (drained and chopped)
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together olive oil, red wine vinegar, parmesan cheese, mayonnaise, banana pepper brine (if using), dijon mustard, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, crushed red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper until smooth.
- Add drained chickpeas and kidney beans to the bowl.
- Stir in sliced salami and deli turkey.
- Toss in mini bocconcini pearls or mozzarella cubes, cherry tomatoes, diced bell pepper, sliced red onion, and pickled banana peppers.
- Gently mix all ingredients until well combined. Taste and adjust seasonings as desired before serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (240g)
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 680mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fiber: 8g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 15mg