Marinated Orange & White Bean Salad Recipe
A refreshing and vibrant Marinated Orange & White Bean Salad that combines the creaminess of white beans with the bright, citrusy flavors of fresh oranges, crisp fennel, cucumber, and a delicate olive oil dressing. Perfect for a light lunch or a colorful side dish, this salad is easy to prepare and full of fresh, zesty goodness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Salad Ingredients
- 1 can (15.5 ounces) white beans, drained and rinsed
- 3 oranges (such as Cara Cara)
- 1/4 red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/2 English cucumber, thinly sliced
- 1 bulb fennel, thinly sliced
Dressing Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons light olive oil (or extra virgin olive oil)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper (or to taste)
- Juice and peel from 1 orange (plus additional orange juice from half an orange)
Instructions
- Prepare the Orange: Take one orange and use a sharp knife to carefully cut away the peel, removing as little fruit as possible. Save these peels with some of the fruit to add to the dressing. Slice and chop the peeled orange. Cut another orange in half for the dressing. The third orange is optional; you can slice it thinly with the peel left on for garnish – be sure to wash it thoroughly if you choose this option.
- Make the Dressing: In a jar, combine the juice from the peeled orange and half orange, along with the saved orange peels, olive oil, salt, and black pepper. Shake well to mix and taste to adjust seasoning.
- Combine Salad Ingredients: In a large bowl, toss together the white beans, thinly sliced fennel, chopped orange, red onion, and cucumber.
- Add Dressing and Marinate: Pour the dressing over the salad mixture and gently mix to coat. You can let the salad sit for 15 minutes to allow flavors to meld, or refrigerate it for up to 6 hours. If marinating longer than 45 minutes, keep it in the fridge.
- Serve: Transfer the salad to a large serving platter or bowl.
- Garnish: Add optional thin orange slices and the feathery tops of the fennel for a decorative and fresh finish. Sprinkle additional salt and black pepper to taste.
Notes
- Using Cara Cara oranges adds a unique sweetness and color, but any sweet orange variety will work well.
- For best flavor, marinate the salad for at least 15 minutes before serving.
- If marinating for more than 45 minutes, always refrigerate to keep the salad fresh.
- You can substitute light olive oil with extra virgin olive oil for a more robust flavor.
- Wash all fresh produce thoroughly, especially if you use orange slices with peel for garnish.