Dense Bean Salad Sleepy Girl (Printable)

Protein-packed bean salad tossed with fresh vegetables and a vibrant tart cherry vinaigrette.

# What You'll Need:

→ Beans

01 - 1 can (15 fl oz) chickpeas, drained and rinsed
02 - 1 can (15 fl oz) cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
03 - 1 can (15 fl oz) kidney beans, drained and rinsed

→ Vegetables & Herbs

04 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
05 - 1 small cucumber, diced
06 - 1/2 small red onion, finely chopped
07 - 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
08 - 2 tbsp fresh dill, chopped

→ Sleepy Girl Mocktail Dressing

09 - 1/4 cup tart cherry juice, unsweetened
10 - 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
11 - 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
12 - 1 tsp maple syrup or honey
13 - 1 tsp Dijon mustard
14 - 1/2 tsp fine sea salt
15 - 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper

→ Optional Toppings

16 - 2 oz feta cheese, crumbled
17 - 1/4 cup toasted walnuts or pumpkin seeds

# Directions:

01 - In a large bowl, mix chickpeas, cannellini beans, kidney beans, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, parsley, and dill until evenly distributed.
02 - Whisk tart cherry juice, olive oil, apple cider vinegar, maple syrup, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper in a small bowl or jar until emulsified.
03 - Pour the dressing over the bean and vegetable mixture. Toss gently to coat all ingredients evenly.
04 - Taste the salad and adjust salt or pepper as desired.
05 - Transfer to a serving dish and sprinkle with feta cheese and toasted nuts or seeds, if using.
06 - Serve immediately or refrigerate for 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It's a protein powerhouse that keeps you satisfied without that heavy, sluggish feeling before bed.
  • The tart cherry dressing tastes bright and unexpected—nothing like typical salad fare—and it actually has science behind it.
  • You can throw it together in twenty minutes, which means no stress when you're already tired.
02 -
  • Don't skip rinsing your canned beans—it removes excess sodium and starch, making the final salad taste fresher and less heavy.
  • The Dijon mustard isn't about flavor; it's about creating an emulsion that keeps the oil and vinegar from separating, so the dressing stays silky.
  • Tart cherry juice is the real MVP here—regular cherry juice or other substitutes won't give you the same wellness benefits or that sophisticated, slightly tart finish.
03 -
  • Make the dressing in a mason jar in the morning and shake it up before dinner—it's foolproof and requires zero whisking cleanup.
  • If you can find fresh tart cherry juice in the refrigerated section rather than the shelf-stable kind, use it; the flavor is noticeably brighter and more complex.
Return