When I first heard the term Dense Bean Salad, or DBS for short, I was skeptical. The name doesn’t scream out “delicious!” But after making it, I can truly say that it’s one of those dishes you should keep in your recipe book. I fist heard about Dense Bean Salad from my friend, Heather Martin, who did a fantastic write-up about the trend for Today, here.
So, what exactly is a Dense Bean Salad? Unlike traditional salads loaded with leafy greens, this one is all about the beans! Think of it as a hearty, protein-packed medley featuring various beans, cheese, deli meats, and a zesty vinaigrette that brings it all together. Violet Witchel, who Heather credits in her article for popularizing this salad, says she meal preps her version weekly, claiming that it only gets better as it sits.
Now, I’ll be honest: I’m not typically a meal prepper. I enjoy the thrill of cooking and experimenting with new flavors daily. But I’m intrigued by the idea of a dish that can simplify lunch prep while still being delicious. With its beautiful presentation and customizable components, this salad might just convince me to start prepping!
Today, I’ll be whipping up a sundried tomato version using ingredients I already have on hand. Feel free to tailor this salad to your taste—no tomatoes? No problem! Just swap in your favorite veggies. And remember, food safety is key, so make sure all cooked ingredients are completely cool before mixing.
Ready to dive in? Let’s get started! Here’s my simple yet delicious version of the viral dense bean salad.
Sundried Tomato Dense Bean Salad
Equipment
- large bowl
- knife
- cutting board
Ingredients
Dressing
- 1 shallot minced
- 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
- 1/2 cup olive oil or oil from marinated mozzarella
- 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
- 1/2 tsp Kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Salad
- 14 oz garbanzo beans drained
- 1 red bell pepper diced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
- 12 oz marinated mozzarella balls drained
- 6 sundried tomatoes chopped
- 4 marinated artichoke hearts drained and chopped
- 4 oz smoked turkey chopped
- 4 oz pepperoni chopped
- 1/2 cup flat leaf parsley chopped
- 4-6 leaves basil finely sliced
Instructions
Dressing
- In a medium bowl whisk together dressing ingredients.
Salad
- In a large bowl, add beans, red bell pepper, tomatoes, mozzarella balls, sun dried tomatoes, artichokes, turkey, pepperoni, parsley, and basil.
- Add dressing and stir to combine.