A fresh, filling Mediterranean-inspired salad combining three kinds of beans, flaky tuna, crisp vegetables, fresh herbs, and a bright lemon-herb dressing. Similar tuna-and-three-bean salads commonly use cannellini/butter beans, kidney beans, chickpeas or green beans, plus lemon and olive oil.

Yield: 4–6 servings
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: None
Total time: 15–25 minutes
Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients

For the Three-Bean Salad

1 can (15 oz / 425 g) chickpeas, drained and rinsed
1 can (15 oz / 425 g) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1 can (15 oz / 425 g) cannellini or butter beans, drained and rinsed
2 cans (5 oz / 142 g each) tuna, drained and flaked
½ small red onion, finely diced
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
½ cucumber, diced
½ cup fresh parsley, chopped
2 tbsp fresh dill, chopped
2 tbsp fresh mint, chopped, optional
2 tbsp capers, optional
¼ cup Kalamata olives, sliced, optional

Lemon Herb Dressing

4 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
3 tbsp fresh lemon juice
1 tsp lemon zest
1 tbsp Dijon mustard
1 small garlic clove, finely minced
1 tsp dried oregano
½ tsp honey or maple syrup, optional
½ tsp salt
¼ tsp black pepper

The combination of lemon, olive oil, mustard, garlic, and fresh herbs is a common flavor profile for tuna-and-bean salads.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Drain and rinse the beans

Pour the chickpeas, kidney beans, and cannellini beans into a colander.

Rinse thoroughly under cool running water and drain well.

Tip: Pat them gently with a clean towel if they’re very wet. Excess water can dilute the dressing.

2. Prepare the tuna

Drain the tuna thoroughly and place it in a large bowl.

Use a fork to gently break it into medium-sized flakes. Don’t mash it into a paste.

3. Prepare the vegetables

Add the diced red onion, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, parsley, and dill to the bowl.

Add the optional mint, capers, and olives.

4. Make the lemon-herb dressing

Add olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, Dijon mustard, garlic, oregano, honey, salt, and pepper to a small jar or bowl.

Whisk vigorously until combined.

5. Combine

Add all three beans to the bowl with the tuna and vegetables.

Pour over about ¾ of the dressing and gently toss.

Add the remaining dressing gradually until the salad reaches your preferred level of seasoning.

6. Rest

Let the salad sit for 5–10 minutes before serving. This gives the beans time to absorb some of the lemon-herb dressing.

7. Serve

Serve chilled or at cool room temperature with extra lemon wedges and fresh herbs.

Nut Information

Is this recipe nut-free?

Yes, as written, this recipe contains no peanuts or tree nuts.

There are also no nuts required to create the crunch in this salad—the beans, cucumber, onion, and vegetables provide plenty of texture.

Optional nuts

If you want additional crunch, you can add:

2 tbsp toasted pine nuts
2 tbsp chopped walnuts
2 tbsp sliced almonds

These are optional additions and would make the recipe contain tree nuts.

Allergy note

If you’re preparing this for someone with a nut allergy, check packaged ingredients such as tuna, mustard, olives, capers, and seasonings for allergen/cross-contact information.

Easy Substitutions

No chickpeas?

Use extra cannellini beans or butter beans.

No kidney beans?

Try black beans.

No cannellini beans?

Great Northern beans work well.

No fresh dill?

Use about 1 tsp dried dill.

No fresh parsley?

Use about 1½ tsp dried parsley, although fresh gives a better flavor.

No Dijon mustard?

Use a small amount of yellow mustard.

Want it vegetarian?

Simply leave out the tuna and add extra chickpeas or another bean.

Tips for the Best Salad

Rinse canned beans well to remove excess packing liquid.
Drain tuna thoroughly so the salad doesn’t become watery.
Use fresh lemon juice for the brightest flavor.
Don’t overmix—the beans can become mushy.
Letting the salad rest for a few minutes helps the beans absorb the dressing.
If making it ahead, keep some dressing separate and add it shortly before serving.

Recipe Q&A

Can I use fresh green beans as the third bean?

Yes. Blanch fresh green beans for about 3–4 minutes, cool them quickly, and cut them into bite-size pieces. Three-bean salads commonly use green beans alongside canned beans.

Can I use tuna packed in oil?

Absolutely. Drain it well. Oil-packed tuna can give the salad a richer flavor.

Can I use tuna packed in water?

Yes. It’s an excellent choice and works especially well with the olive-oil-and-lemon dressing.

Can I make this salad ahead?

Yes. Prepare it several hours ahead and refrigerate it. If possible, reserve a little dressing to refresh the salad before serving.

How long does it keep?

Store covered in the refrigerator and use within 3 days for best quality.

Can I freeze it?

Freezing isn’t recommended. The vegetables and beans can become soft and watery after thawing.

Why is my salad watery?

The beans, vegetables, and tuna may not have been drained thoroughly. Drain everything well before combining.

Can I add avocado?

Yes. Add diced avocado immediately before serving because it can soften and brown over time.

Can I add feta?

Yes. Crumbled feta makes a delicious Mediterranean-style addition.

Can I make it spicy?

Yes. Add a pinch of red-pepper flakes or a little finely chopped chili.

Is it gluten-free?

The basic ingredients are naturally gluten-free, but check packaged products such as mustard, canned tuna, olives, and seasonings if you need strict gluten avoidance.

Is it dairy-free?

Yes, the basic recipe is dairy-free. If you add feta or another cheese, it will no longer be dairy-free.

Approximate Nutrition

Per serving, assuming 6 servings and using tuna packed in water:

Calories: ~330–370 kcal
Protein: ~25–30 g
Carbohydrates: ~35–40 g
Fat: ~10–13 g
Fiber: ~9–11 g
Sodium: varies considerably depending on canned beans, tuna, olives, and added salt

Nutrition is an estimate and will vary with brands and exact portions.

🍽️ Serving Ideas

Serve this salad:

Over mixed greens
With whole-grain bread
In a pita
Alongside grilled vegetables
With cucumber and tomato
As a cold lunch
As a picnic or potluck dish

Social Media Caption

EASY THREE-BEAN SALAD WITH TUNA 🐟🍋

Three hearty beans + flaky tuna + crisp veggies + fresh herbs + bright lemon dressing = one seriously delicious salad! 💚

Fresh, colorful, easy to prepare, and perfect for lunch or a light dinner.