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Italian White Bean Salad

This Italian white bean salad is a fresh and flavorful summer dish made with creamy butter beans, cherry tomatoes, mozzarella pearls, pepperoni, and salami tossed in a simple red wine vinaigrette. It’s an easy cold white bean salad that’s perfect for picnics, potlucks, or a quick summer side.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Resting Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Yield: 14 servings

Equipment

Ingredients

  • ½ pound cooked butter beans (also known as lima beans)
  • ½ cup red onion chopped
  • ¾ cup cucumber chopped
  • ¾ cup peperoncinos chopped
  • 1 pound cherry tomatoes halved
  • 8 ounces mozzarella pearls
  • 4 ounces pepperoni chopped or sliced
  • 4 ounces salami chopped or sliced
  • 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
  • ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 garlic clove finely minced
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

  • Prepare the vegetables

    Chop the red onion, cucumber, and pepperoncini. Halve the cherry tomatoes and slice the pepperoni and salami if needed.

  • 2. Combine the salad ingredients

    In a large bowl, add the cooked butter beans, chopped red onion, cucumber, pepperoncini, cherry tomatoes, mozzarella pearls, pepperoni and salami.

  • Make the vinaigrette

    In a small bowl whisk together the red wine vinegar, extra virgin olive oil, minced garlic, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper.

  • Toss the salad

    Pour the dressing over the salad ingredients and gently toss until everything is well coated.

  • Let it marinate

    Allow the Italian white bean salad to sit for about 20–30 minutes before serving so the dressing can soak into the beans and vegetables.
    This step turns it into a delicious marinated white bean salad with deeper flavor.

Notes

Tips for the Best Cold White Bean Salad

A few simple tips will help make this recipe even better.
  • Use good olive oil - Because the dressing is simple, using a high-quality extra virgin olive oil really enhances the flavor.
  • Let it rest before serving - The longer the salad sits, the more flavorful it becomes.
  • Taste before serving - After the salad marinates, taste and adjust salt, pepper, or vinegar and oil if needed.