The Bean's Bright Salad
A refreshing bean and citrus salad with a zesty lime-cilantro dressing, capturing Chicago's iconic sculpture. This mediterranean-inspired salads (vegetarian) ready in about 25 minutes pairs supremed (segmented) blood oranges, finely diced fennel bulb, thinly sliced 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 220 calories and feeds 4, 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 can (15 oz), rinsed and drained cannellini beans
- 2, supremed (segmented) blood oranges
- 1/2, finely diced fennel bulb
- 1/4 cup, thinly sliced red onion
- 3 tbsp lime juice
- 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- 3 tbsp, chopped fresh cilantro
- 1 tbsp, chopped mint leaves
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large bowl, combine 1 can (15 oz) rinsed cannellini beans, 2 supremed blood oranges, 1/2 diced fennel bulb, and 1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion.
- Step 2: Whisk 3 tbsp lime juice, 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil, and 1/4 tsp salt until fully emulsified.
- Step 3: Pour dressing over the bean mixture and toss gently until all components are evenly coated. Chill for 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does The Bean's Bright Salad take to make?
Total time is about 25 minutes (25 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 The Bean's Bright Salad?
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 finely diced fennel bulb from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in The Bean's Bright Salad?
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 The Bean's Bright Salad for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). 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 The Bean's Bright Salad 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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★☆
Nice recipe! Presentation was beautiful. Flavor was good, not great.
- ★★★★☆
Good flavors but the sauce was a bit thin. I'd reduce it longer.
- ★★★★☆
Nice recipe! Presentation was beautiful. Flavor was good, not great.
