Easy Greek Bean Salad with Marinated Beans Recipe
A vibrant and refreshing Easy Greek Bean Salad featuring marinated butter beans, crisp vegetables, tangy feta cheese, and a zesty lemon-oregano dressing. Perfect as a light lunch, side dish, or a healthy snack, this no-cook salad combines Mediterranean flavors with minimal prep time for a wholesome, satisfying dish.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Greek
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Dressing
- 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 3 tablespoons lemon juice (or more to taste)
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 tablespoon mustard (Dijon or yellow)
- 1 teaspoon honey (or maple syrup)
- 1½ teaspoons dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon salt (start light and adjust after mixing)
- ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
Salad
- 1 can butter beans (drained and rinsed)
- 1 small cucumber (diced)
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes (halved)
- ½ green bell pepper (finely diced)
- ½ red onion (thinly sliced)
- ½ cup olives (pitted and halved if large)
- ¾ cup feta cheese (crumbled, preferably in brine)
Instructions
- Make the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, 3 tablespoons lemon juice, 1 teaspoon lemon zest, 1 tablespoon mustard, 1 teaspoon honey, 1½ teaspoons dried oregano, ½ teaspoon salt, and ⅛ teaspoon black pepper until smooth and well combined.
- Marinate the beans: Add the drained and rinsed butter beans to the bowl with the dressing. Toss gently to ensure the beans are fully coated. Let the beans marinate in the dressing while you prepare the vegetables, allowing them to absorb the flavors.
- Prep the vegetables: Dice the cucumber and finely dice the green bell pepper. Halve the cherry tomatoes and thinly slice the red onion. Place all the prepared vegetables into a large mixing bowl along with ½ cup pitted olives and ¾ cup crumbled feta cheese.
- Toss and serve: Add the marinated beans along with the dressing to the large mixing bowl. Toss everything gently but thoroughly until the feta begins to crumble and spreads its flavor evenly throughout the salad. Transfer the salad to a serving bowl or platter and serve immediately for best freshness.
Notes
- Use brined feta cheese for a creamier, more flavorful salad.
- Adjust lemon juice and salt to taste after tossing, as feta adds saltiness.
- Letting beans marinate for at least 10 minutes improves flavor infusion.
- This salad is best served fresh but can be refrigerated for up to a day.
- For a vegan version, omit the feta or substitute with a plant-based cheese.
Keywords: Greek bean salad, butter bean salad, no-cook salad, Mediterranean salad, feta salad, healthy salad, easy summer salad
