Rainbow Bean Salad

Do you love colorful meals? If so, you’ll absolutely adore this Rainbow Bean Salad with a Honey Dijon Lemon vinaigrette. After all, we know veggies are good for us and we know that the vast majority of us are not getting enough, right? In fact, only 28.6% of Canadians aged 12 and older (roughly 8.3 million people) reported that they had consumed fruits and vegetables five or more times per day (Statistics Canada). Nevertheless, it is obvious that including a variety can be challenging. So why not try a fun way to get more?

Here’s a fun veggie-boosting idea: Try having TWO or THREE different colours on your plate. Focusing on consuming more COLOURS at each meal is a fun, tangible way to get more in your diet.

Check out the colourful array for this Rainbow Bean Salad

If you are looking to make more colourful, veggie-packed meals, I invite you to join me for a 1 week “colourful meal challenge!” Tag @DieteticDirections on social media with your colourful meals and I’ll share mine on Instagram posts and stories too! Also, be sure to nominate a friend for this colourful meal challenge!

Here’s all the ingredients ready for the Rainbow Bean Salad!

• Serves: 4-6
• Prep Time: 12 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 can (540mL) black beans
• 1 can (540mL) white beans
• ½ cup coloured bell peppers, chopped
• ½ cup tomatoes, chopped
• ½ cup carrots, matchstick
• ½ lemon, zested
• ¼ cup sunflower seeds, unsalted
• ¼ cup pumpkin seeds, unsalted

Garnish: Green onions or Italian Parsley

Honey, Dijon Lemon vinaigrette:

• ¼ cup canola oil
• Half lemon, juiced or ¼ cup of lemon juice
• 4 tsp honey
• 2 tsp Dijon mustard
• ¼ tsp Kosher salt

Directions for Rainbow Bean Salad:

1. In a large bowl combine rinsed and drained black and white beans.
2. Add fresh cut veggies and lemon zest to the bean mixture.
3. Drizzle vinaigrette over beans and veggies.
4. Garnish with fresh herbs like green onions or Italian parsley.
5. Toss to combine all ingredients.

Now it’s your turn! How do you increase your veggie intake? Lastly, any favourite rainbow meals you’re inspired to make this week?

Having lots of veggies on hand helps you eat more! Find out top items to Stock your Kitchen.

Rainbow Bean Salad

Yield: 6

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 10 minutes

Get more veggies in your diet with this colourful Rainbow Bean Salad with a Lemony Honey, Dijon Vinagrette!

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Ingredients

• 1 can (540mL) black beans
• 1 can (540mL) white beans
• ½ cup coloured bell peppers, chopped
• ½ cup tomatoes, chopped
• ½ cup carrots, matchstick
• ½ lemon, zested and then juiced
• ¼ cup sunflower seeds, unsalted
• ¼ cup pumpkin seeds, unsalted
• Garnish: Green onions or Italian Parsley
• Dressing:
• ¼ cup canola oil
• ¼ cup lemon juice (or half lemon juiced)
• 4 tsp honey
• 2 tsp Dijon mustard
• ¼ tsp Kosher salt

Instructions

1. In a large bowl combine rinsed and drained black and white beans.
2. Add fresh cut veggies and lemon zest to the bean mixture.
3. Drizzle vinaigrette over beans and veggies.
4. Garnish with fresh herbs like green onions or Italian parsley.
5. Toss to combine all ingredients.