Patriotic Three-Bean Salad with Red Pepper and Blue Cheese
A colorful and tangy three-bean salad featuring red kidney beans, white cannellini beans, and blue corn kernels tossed with red bell pepper and crumbled blue cheese. This american-inspired salads (vegetarian) ready in about 15 minutes pairs thawed frozen blue corn kernels, diced red bell pepper, finely diced red onion into a side that holds its own next to almost any main — bright, balanced, and quick enough to slot into a weeknight plate. Each serving lands at about 240 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly next to roasted proteins, grain bowls, or weeknight mains. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 cup, rinsed and drained canned red kidney beans
- 1 cup, rinsed and drained canned cannellini beans
- 1 cup, thawed frozen blue corn kernels
- 1 cup diced red bell pepper
- 1/4 cup finely diced red onion
- 3 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/3 cup crumbled blue cheese
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large bowl, combine 1 cup rinsed and drained canned red kidney beans, 1 cup rinsed and drained cannellini beans, 1 cup thawed frozen blue corn kernels, 1 cup diced red bell pepper, and 1/4 cup finely diced red onion.
- Step 2: In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp apple cider vinegar, 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 tbsp honey, 1 tsp Dijon mustard, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper until emulsified.
- Step 3: Pour the dressing over the bean mixture and toss gently to coat all ingredients evenly.
- Step 4: Fold in 1/3 cup crumbled blue cheese, reserving a small amount for garnish.
- Step 5: Cover and refrigerate the salad for at least 1 hour before serving to allow flavors to meld and the salad to chill.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Patriotic Three-Bean Salad with Red Pepper and Blue Cheese take to make?
Total time is about 15 minutes (15 min prep + 0 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Patriotic Three-Bean Salad with Red Pepper and Blue Cheese?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep diced red bell pepper from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Patriotic Three-Bean Salad with Red Pepper and Blue Cheese?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Patriotic Three-Bean Salad with Red Pepper and Blue Cheese for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
Is Patriotic Three-Bean Salad with Red Pepper and Blue Cheese vegetarian?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
