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    YOU ARE HERE: Home » Recipes » Side Dishes - Salads » Tuscan Cherry Tomato and White Bean Salad

    By Carol · Published: Apr 23, 2022 · Modified: Aug 13, 2021 · This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure.

    Tuscan Cherry Tomato and White Bean Salad

    Jump to Recipe
    4.55 from 11 votes
    1 hour 20 minutes

    Here’s a salad to enjoy all summer long! Tuscan Cherry Tomato and White Bean Salad is perfect as a light lunch or on the side with almost any grilled protein for a light and healthy dinner. Best of all, it’s super versatile!

    Tuscan Cherry Tomato and White Bean Salad in serving bowl garnished with fresh basil.

    Why This Recipe is a Keeper!

    If you grow cherry tomatoes, then you know how prolific they can be. Tuscan Cherry Tomato and White Bean Salad is an easy salad to enjoy all summer long–especially when the cherry tomatoes hit the fan!

    This salad comes together easily with fresh seasonal and pantry ingredients and best of all, it’s versatile!

    • Enjoy it as a light, healthy no-cook warm-weather lunch.
    • Add canned tuna or grilled chicken for additional protein or serve it over grilled fish or chicken.
    • Add bread cubes for a rustic Tuscan-inspired bread salad.
    • Serve over grilled bread for an amazing bruschetta-style appetizer!

    Let’s make it!

    Tuscan Cherry Tomato and White Bean Salad in serving bowl with serving spoon.

    How to Make Tuscan Cherry Tomato and White Bean Salad:

    Recipe Ingredients:

    Here’s everything you’ll need to make this tomato and white bean salad recipe along with how to prep. See the recipe card below for the exact quantities.

    Ingredients for Tuscan Cherry Tomato and White Bean Salad in glass bowls.

    Ingredient Notes:

    • Cherry Tomatoes: Use cherry or grape tomatoes but you can also cut up large tomatoes if you have those to use.
    • Red Wine Vinegar: Red wine vinegar is a staple ingredient in Mediterranean cooking. It has a distinctive tangy flavor and is a good choice for vinaigrettes, marinades and pickling solutions.  It’s made by fermenting red wine, strained, often aged then bottled.
    • Olive Oil: Use a good extra-virgin olive oil. I like California Olive Ranch for most recipes.
    • Cannellini Beans: Cannellini beans are white kidney beans. You can also use Great Northern beans. Be sure to drain and rinse canned beans as the liquid they’re canned in can be quite salty.
    • Parmesan Cheese: I used Parmesan, but Romano or Asiago cheese will also work.

    Step-By-Step Instructions:

    • Gather and prep all the ingredients.
    • Place the tomatoes and red onion in a bowl then add the sugar and salt.
    • Toss and let sit at room temperature for 30 minutes to an hour.
    Cherry tomatoes and red onion in glass bowl.
    • Strain the tomatoes and red onion in a sieve, reserving the liquid.
    Cherry tomatoes and red onion in sieve and juices from in glass bowl.
    • Add the red wine vinegar, olive oil, garlic and crushed red pepper flakes to the juices.
    Salad dressing in glass bowl.
    • Stir in the drained and rinsed beans…
    Salad being stirred in glass bowl with white spoon.
    • Then add fresh basil and Parmesan cheese and you have a great, easy summer salad!
    • Adjust salt and vinegar to taste.
    Salad in glass bowl being stirred with white spoon.
    • Transfer to a serving bowl, garnish with fresh basil leaves and enjoy!!
    Tuscan Cherry Tomato and White Bean Salad in serving bowl with serving spoon.

    Frequently Asked Questions:

    Can you refrigerate cherry tomatoes?

    All tomatoes contain an enzyme that reacts to cold temperatures which means the cold zaps flavor and texture. Cold temperatures cause the cell membrane to break down which results in a piece of fruit that’s mushy and mealy. To get the best tomato flavor and texture, always store tomatoes at room temperature.

    Can I make this tomato and white bean salad ahead of time?

    Tuscan Cherry Tomato and White Bean Salad is best when made right before enjoying so you don’t have to refrigerate the tomatoes and onions. You can drain the beans and shave the cheese ahead of time. Refrigerate until needed. DO refrigerate any leftovers.

    Why do you drain the tomatoes first?

    Because tomatoes can become watery when combined with an acid, I drain them first for this salad. However, those lovely, flavorful juices become part of the dressing for a no-waste solution.

    Serving spoon scooping up Tuscan Cherry Tomato and White Bean Salad.

    Serve with:

    • Grilled Marinated Skirt Steak with Peperonata
    • Chicken Zucchini Feta Burgers with Jalapeño Tzatziki
    • Baked Tilapia with Spinach Pecan Pesto
    • Mediterranean Fish en Papillote
    • Zucchini Ricotta Fritters

    For more lovely summer salads, be sure to check out my:

    • Middle Eastern Vegetable Salad
    • Greek Vegetable Salad with Marinated Feta Cheese
    • Cucumber Red Onion Feta Cheese Salad
    • Quinoa Tabbouleh with Grilled Vegetables

    Get all my delicious salad recipes at: Side Dish Salad Recipes – From A Chef’s Kitchen

    Join the From A Chef’s Kitchen mailing list to get all the latest posts and more!

    Tuscan Cherry Tomato and White Bean Salad in serving bowl with serving spoon.

    Tuscan Cherry Tomato and White Bean Salad

    4.55 from 11 votes
    By: Carol | From A Chef’s Kitchen
    Tuscan Cherry Tomato and White Bean Salad is perfect as a light lunch or on the side with almost any grilled protein for a light and healthy dinner. Best of all, it's super versatile!
    PRINT RECIPE PIN RECIPE
    Prep Time 20 mins
    Additional Time 1 hr
    Total Time 1 hr 20 mins
    Course Side Dishes – Salads
    Cuisine Italian
    Servings 4
    Calories 225 kcal

    Equipment

    • Wusthof Chef Knife
    • Cutting Board
    • Glass Mixing Bowls
    • Oxo Sieve

    Ingredients
      

    • 2 pints cherry (or grape) tomatoes - (4 cups) halved
    • ½ cup diced red onion
    • ½ teaspoon sugar
    • ¼ teaspoon salt - plus more as needed
    • 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
    • ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
    • 2 cloves garlic - minced
    • ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
    • 1 can (15-ounce) cannellini beans - drained and rinsed
    • 1 large sprig of fresh basil - thinly sliced, plus more for garnish
    • ½ cup shaved Parmesan cheese

    Instructions
     

    • Combine tomatoes, red onion, sugar and salt in a bowl. Let stand for 30 minutes to 1 hour.
    • Transfer the tomatoes and onion to a sieve set over a bowl and strain, reserving the liquid.
    • Add the vinegar, olive oil, garlic, crushed red pepper flakes and salt to taste to the tomato liquid.
    • Add the tomatoes, beans, basil and Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately.

    Notes

    Tuscan Cherry Tomato and White Bean Salad is best when made right before enjoying so you don’t have to refrigerate the tomatoes and onions. You can drain the beans and shave the cheese ahead of time. Refrigerate until needed. DO refrigerate any leftovers.
     

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1 | Calories: 225kcal | Carbohydrates: 13g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 11g | Cholesterol: 9mg | Sodium: 376mg | Potassium: 568mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 1297IU | Vitamin C: 56mg | Calcium: 183mg | Iron: 2mg

    These are estimated values generated from a nutritional database using unbranded products. Please do your own research with the products you’re using if you have a serious health issue or are following a specific diet.

    Did you make this recipe? Please leave a comment, star rating or post your photo on Instagram and tag @fromachefskitchen.
    « Bourbon-Glazed Carrots with Honey
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Kathy says

      April 24, 2022 at 3:12 pm

      5 stars
      This salad is delicious and easy to make. I happened to have leftover (Rancho Gordo) white beans, along with all of the other ingredients. I’ve come to rely on beans and lentils for good sources of protein in recent years and appreciate all of your amazing recipes.

      Thanks so much!

      Reply
      • Carol says

        April 24, 2022 at 6:47 pm

        Hi, Kathy, Thanks so very much and appreciate the kind words!! So glad you enjoyed!

        Reply
    2. Anonymous says

      February 23, 2019 at 6:05 pm

      5 stars

      Reply
    3. Karen says

      October 05, 2017 at 3:17 pm

      This looks so delicious Carol!

      I’ve been through a flood in my house, too. That’s bad enough, but adding a theft on top of it would send me over the edge! Upside is the new toy to play with 😉

      Reply
      • Carol says

        October 06, 2017 at 12:10 pm

        Hi, Karen, Thank you and great to hear from you! It rocked my world when I discovered the theft. You trust people and they mess with you. But, I’m a little wiser now for it. Please stay in touch!

        Reply

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