Italian Grinder Bean Salad

This Italian Grinder Bean Salad captures all the bold, savory flavors of a classic grinder sandwich in a protein-packed, no-lettuce-needed salad. Three types of beans—cannellini, kidney beans, and chickpeas—are tossed with fresh vegetables, kalamata olives, and mozzarella cheese, then dressed in a zesty red wine vinaigrette and finished with fresh basil. It’s the perfect make-ahead dish for meal prep, potlucks, or anytime you want a hearty salad that actually fills you up.

If you love hearty, protein-packed salads, you’ll also enjoy our Jalapeño Popper Chicken Salad for another filling option with bold flavors. For more Mediterranean-inspired dishes, try our Caprese Stuffed Avocado or Mediterranean Steak Bowl—both deliver that same fresh, vibrant taste with satisfying ingredients.

Italian Grinder Bean Salad

Recipe by Daily Disher

This Italian Grinder Bean Salad is a hearty, flavor-packed twist on the classic grinder, loaded with beans, veggies, mozzarella, and zesty dressing.

Course: MainCuisine: ItalianDifficulty: Easy

5.0 from 1 vote

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Servings

4

servings

Prep time

30

minutes

Cooking time

40

minutes

Calories

300

kcal

Total time

1

hour 

10

minutes

Ingredients

• 1 cup cannellini beans

• 1 cup kidney beans

• 1 cup chickpeas

• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved

• 1 cup cucumber, diced

• 0.25 cup red onion, finely chopped

• 0.25 cup kalamata olives, pitted and halved

• 0.5 cup mozzarella balls, halved

• 0.25 cup extra-virgin olive oil

• 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar

• 1 teaspoon dried oregano

• 1 tablespoon fresh basil, chopped

• to taste salt and pepper

Directions

• In a large mixing bowl, combine the cannellini beans, kidney beans, and chickpeas. Make sure to drain and rinse the beans thoroughly before using.
• Add in the cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, kalamata olives, and mozzarella balls to the bean mixture and gently toss to combine.
• In a small bowl, whisk together the extra-virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, and dried oregano until well combined to make the dressing.
• Pour the dressing over the salad and toss everything together to ensure all ingredients are evenly coated with the dressing.
• Season the salad with salt and pepper to taste, and then sprinkle chopped fresh basil over the top for a burst of flavor before serving.
• Serve the salad immediately or let it chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.

Nutrition Facts

• Total number of serves: 4
• Calories: 250kcal
• Cholesterol: 0mg
• Sodium: 620mg
• Potassium: 400mg
• Sugar: 8g
• Protein: 6g
• Calcium: 60mg
• Iron: 2mg

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For more fresh, vibrant salads, our Doritos Taco Salad and Avocado Salsa Shrimp Salad deliver bold flavors that are perfect for summer dining. When you’re craving Italian comfort classics, the Italian Beef Sandwich and Easy Italian Sausage Rigatoni Pasta bring authentic, satisfying flavors to your dinner table. Need more make-ahead meal prep options? Our Deviled Egg Salad and Chickpea Salad Sandwich offer that same convenient, flavorful experience you’ll love.

Browse our full collection for more kitchen inspiration that’ll have your family asking for seconds.