Grilled Artichoke Heart and White Bean Salad Recipe
My family and I love a comforting stick-to-your-ribs meal, but we also love a good salad. You can find more of my salad recipes here, by the way. I grew up eating salad at every meal—my mom always used to say that we needed some roughage. She taught me that healthy food doesn’t have to be boring!
This grilled artichoke heart and white bean salad recipe is a perfect example. You’ll combine grilled artichokes with fresh greens and a homemade garlic vinaigrette for a refreshing and flavorful salad you’ll want to make again and again. It’s great as a light lunch option, or served alongside a hearty dinner like my St. Joseph’s Day Bucatini pasta recipe. Or perhaps my favorite St. Joseph’s Day soup recipe with some crispy homemade olive oil croutons?
What flavors pair well with arugula?
The combination of artichokes, white beans, and arugula in this salad is absolutely delicious without being overstated. The grilled artichokes lend a tangy, smoky note to peppery arugula, while the beans balance everything out. The texture is super satisfying, too.
Do I have to grate my own Parmesan cheese?
I highly recommend (or do I insist?) that you get a high-quality block of real Parmesan cheese and hand shave it over your salad just before serving. The flavor is just so much more dramatic than pre-grated or powdered Parmesan.
You can grate it with the thin side of a cheese grater, but if you want to get fancy, here’s a little trick I learned from my family: Use a vegetable peeler to shave cheese from the block. It’ll make long curls of cheese that add an element of beauty and a savory pop to every bite!
Where to Find Grilled Artichokes
Grilled artichokes are the star of the show in this easy gourmet salad recipe. If you’re wondering, “But Mary, where can I find grilled artichokes?” Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered. Grilled artichokes are available in jars—just like the marinated artichokes you’ve probably enjoyed before—in most grocery stores or Italian markets. If you can’t find grilled artichokes, feel free to use regular canned artichokes. It’ll still be good!
The combination of artichokes, white beans, and arugula in this salad is absolutely delicious without being overstated. The grilled artichokes lend a tangy, smoky note to peppery arugula, while the beans balance everything out. The texture is super satisfying, too.
Grilled Artichoke Heart and White Bean Salad Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (about ½ a medium lemon)
- 1 garlic clove, finely minced
- A pinch of salt
- A grind of black pepper
- 6 ounces grilled artichoke hearts
- ½ a red bell pepper, very thinly julienne sliced
- 1 (15-ounce) can of cannellini beans or Great Northern beans, drained
- 4 ounces baby arugula
- ¼ cup loosely packed shaved Parmesan
- A few additional very thinly julienne sliced red bell pepper strips (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the dressing. In a small jar, combine the olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, salt, and black pepper. Shake to combine. Set aside.
- Drain the artichoke hearts. If they are not already sliced, cut them into halves or quarters. Place the artichoke hearts in a mixing bowl. Add the red pepper strips, drained beans, and half of the dressing. Toss lightly to combine.
- Add the arugula, half of the shaved Parmesan, and the remaining dressing. Toss to combine.
- Transfer the salad to a serving platter and garnish with the remaining shaved Parmesan and red pepper strips, if using. Enjoy!