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Tired of boring salads? This dense bean salad with a quick everything bagel vinaigrette is packed with fiber-rich legumes, creamy mozzarella pearls, and a zesty vinaigrette. Bonus: it comes together in just 15 minutes and is perfect for meal prep!
save this recipe!Beans are having a serious moment, thanks to TikTok creator Violet Witchel (a.k.a. Dense Bean Salad Girl). And honestly? We’re here for it. Toss them with fresh veggies and a homemade dressing, and just like that, you’ve got a quick vegetarian lunch idea that’s insanely easy to make and so satisfying!
Today, we’re giving the dense bean salad trend an upgrade with a game-changing ingredient: everything bagel seasoning. It’s a whole new level of deliciousness, friends.
A Salad Worth the Hype
- Super Customizable: The great thing about this marinated bean salad is that it’s ridiculously easy to swap ingredients (try feta, sun-dried tomatoes, or plant-based chicken pieces!).
- Almost Zero Effort Required: With no cooking and mostly chopping, this recipe is perfect for busy days or when you’re feeling lazy.
- Endless Ways To Serve: Try it as a standalone meal, a side dish, a dip, or even stuffed into a pita. You’ve got options!
Grab These Ingredients
This everything bagel salad recipe keeps it simple with easy-to-find ingredients, most of which are pantry staples you likely have on hand. Jump down to the recipe card for exact measurements.
- Beans: We’re using chickpeas and white beans for a hearty, protein-packed base. (Make sure to rinse them well to remove excess sodium!)
- Veggies: Celery, green bell pepper, English cucumber, and chives give this salad fresh, crisp textures and Mediterranean-inspired flavors.
- Cheese: We love mozzarella pearls to add an indulgent note. For a lighter or vegan option, swap in dairy-free feta or omit it entirely.
- Seasonings: Everything bagel seasoning is our secret weapon here! We’re using a homemade version (poppy/sesame seeds, garlic/onion powder, and salt), but you can find pre-mixed options at any grocery store. We’ll also add dill and ground black pepper for a herbaceous kick!
- Vinaigrette Base: Extra virgin olive oil will provide lots of healthy fats, while red wine vinegar and Dijon mustard add the perfect spicy tang.
Marinate The Mozzarella
If you want to boost the flavor even more, try marinating the mozzarella cheese pearls in olive oil, garlic, and Italian herbs (like basil, oregano, and thyme) for a few hours or overnight before adding them to the salad.
Let’s Make A Dense Bean Salad
Since there’s no cooking involved, the hardest part about this chickpea and white bean salad is chopping the veggies. This is an overview of the recipe. Jump to the recipe card for the full printable recipe.
- Whisk all vinaigrette ingredients until combined.
- Prep the salad mix-ins (beans, veggies, and cheese).
- Assemble the salad with the vinaigrette and serve!
Tossing Tip
When tossing your mozzarella bean salad, use a large mixing bowl and gently fold the ingredients together to avoid breaking the beans or squishing the mozzarella pearls. We’re going for lightly tossed, not mushy!
Batch It!
Because this bean salad holds up so well in the fridge, it’s a great one to prep in big batches to enjoy as a component in meals all week! Stir it into pasta salad, spoon it over a bagel, or add it to romaine or butterhead lettuce leaves for crunchy wraps.
Bring On the Beans
Mexican Dense Bean Salad
10 minutes
Creamy Caesar Beans On Toast
5 minutes
Mexican Street Corn Salad | Elote Salad
25 minutes
Everything Bagel Bean Salad
Ingredients
Vinaigrette
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil, 60 mL
- 2 Tbsp red wine vinegar, white wine vinegar can be used in a pinch, 30 mL
- 2 tsp Dijon mustard
- 2 tsp each poppy seeds, sesame seeds
- 1 tsp each garlic powder, onion powder, dill
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp ground black pepper
Salad
- 1 15-oz can chickpeas, drained and rinsed, 425-g can
- 1 15-oz can white beans, drained and rinsed, 425-g can
- 1 cup finely diced celery, about 3 stalks
- 1 green bell pepper, finely diced
- 1 English cucumber, finely diced
- 4 Tbsp finely chopped chives
- 1 8-oz package fresh mozzarella pearls, 226 g
Instructions
- Vinaigrette: Whisk together all Vinaigrette ingredients.
- Salad: Prep all Salad ingredients according to notes.
- Assemble: Toss Salad with the Vinaigrette and serve! Can be served fresh or chilled.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information calculated by Sarah Bond, degreed nutritionist.
did you make this?Leave a comment below and tag @liveeatlearn on social media! I love seeing what you’ve made!
Great and simple
I’m so happy you loved it!
I don’t see everything bagel seasoning, even in your list?
Hi Ann! We’re making our own everything bagel flavor with poppy seeds, garlic powder, onion powder, etc 🙂
If I use premade everything bagel seasoning how much would you suggest I add?
About 1 to 2 teaspoons!
I added the amounts of the individual seasonings and seeds and came up with 6 tsp. So I replaced them with 2 tbsp of everything bagel seasoning and omitted the salt.
My daughter (28) who still avoids veggies like when she was a toddler had a bite of mine and asked if there was more for her lunch tomorrow! That has to rate 5 stars
I’m so happy to hear it was a hit, Karen!!
This was a huge hit at a gathering of friends! Easy to make and so fresh tasting. It is going in my standard rotation.
Happy you all enjoyed it Sara, thanks for cooking with us!