Easy Marinated White Beans

Name: Easy Marinated White Beans
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 15 min
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Ingredients: 2 cloves garlic, minced; 2 tablespoons red onion, minced; 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice; 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil; 2 tablespoons sherry vinegar (aged, if possible); 1 teaspoon agave (or honey, or maple syrup); 1/4 teaspoon fine salt; 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano; Dash of black pepper; 2 14-ounce cans cannellini beans, drained and rinsed; 1/2 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped

Modified: Jun 18, 2026 · Published: Mar 26, 2022 by Tera Gigot · This post may contain affiliate links · 2 Comments

Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe·5 from 1 review

These easy marinated white beans are an incredibly simple plant-based appetizer, snack, or meal. Marinated in extra virgin olive oil, salt, and herbs, they become extra flavorful, and are the perfect topping for toast, crostini, pita chips, salad, or your favorite crackers!

Marinated white beans in beige stoneware serving dish with golden spoon on beige and white surface, next to golden-yellow matte linen

If you eat vegetarian to any extent, whether part-time or full, you probably get very excited about a dense beany salad. And these marinated white beans are exactly that!

Soaked in extra virgin, vinegar, lemon, and a bunch of Mediterranean herbs and spices, just two basic cans of cannellini beans becomes the most satisfying snack or appetizer. And honestly, you could totally make these into a meal by piling them onto toast or putting large scoops into a salad (I'm obsessed with them in this Italian chopped Brussels sprouts salad)... yum!

If you're into vegetarian meal prep or just getting a variety of plants, these are definitely one hearty, nourishing way to do it.

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Key Ingredients
Substitutions & Variations
Step-by-Step Visual Overview
Expert Tip
Marinated White Beans FAQs
More Bean Recipes to Love...
📖 Recipe

Key Ingredients

Ingredients for marinated white beans, measured out into bowls sitting on light beige surface. The ingredients include cannellini beans, olive oil, sherry vinegar, agave, lemon, salt, pepper, dried oregano, garlic cloves, fresh finely chopped parsley, and diced red onion.

Cannellini beans - These make up the main ingredient: white beans!
Red onions - For a zesty, crunchy flavor.
Garlic - Garlic will add flavor and a slight bite, though we'll let it sit in some lemon juice for a few minutes to mellow it out.
Fresh parsley - Parsley adds a light and fresh flavor and complements the lemon.
Extra virgin olive oil - For a smooth and classic Mediterranean flavor... plus we'll get our dose of healthy fats!
Sherry vinegar - Aged, if possible, for a naturally sweeter vinegar; we're going for any light, mild vinegar here.
Agave or honey - A little sweetness to balance out the vinegar.
Lemons - For brightness and acidity.
Dried oregano - Another Mediterranean herb, which kinda reminds me of pizza when I eat these marinated white beans.

Substitutions & Variations

Beans - Any white bean will work in this recipe! Try Great Northern beans, garbanzo beans, navy beans, or a mix. If you're cooking from dried, lima beans or Royal Corona beans cook up so thick and creamy.
Herbs - Add in fresh basil, fresh oregano, or other fresh Mediterranean herbs, especially when they are in season.
Sun-dried tomatoes - Dice up some sun-dried tomatoes for a delicious flavor addition.
Roasted red peppers - Add in some small-diced roasted red peppers (the kind from the jar work just fine!) for a delicious smoky flavor. Roasted red peppers and sun-dried tomatoes would be EPIC.
Slightly spicy - A pinch of red pepper flakes will add a little bit of heat.

If you love a briny, Mediterranean-inspired flavor profile, you'll love my marinated Royal Corona Beans! Large, thick, creamy beans in all the briny goodness.

Step-by-Step Visual Overview

Onions and garlic macerating in lemon juice in clear glass bowl, on beige and white surface

Step 1

Add finely minced garlic and red onions to some lemon juice in a bowl. Since garlic and onions can taste a bit sharp, this helps take the edge off.

White bean marinade whisked together in a bowl.

Step 2

In with the sherry vinegar, agave, extra virgin olive oil, salt, pepper, and oregano! Whisk it all together vigorously to combine.

Step 3

Add in the beans and fresh parsley, then stir together all ingredients until the beans are evenly coated. Allow everything to marinate for a couple hours, then serve!

And that's it! Marinated white beans can be served with crostini, toasted sourdough, pita chips, homemade avocado toast, or even scooped into salads (one of my favorite ways to eat them!).

Expert Tip

After olive oil sits in the fridge for more than a day, it starts to solidify. To get back to a liquid state, let the beans sit at room temperature for 15 minutes and stir well before serving.

Marinated white beans in beige stoneware serving dish with golden spoon on beige and white surface

Marinated White Beans FAQs

Can you freeze marinated beans?

I don't recommend freezing marinated beans, as this will compromise the texture.

How do I serve marinated white beans?

Marinated beans are particularly delicious on crostini, toasted bread (such as sourdough), or other crispy crackers (such as pita chips, or your favorite crackers). You can also enjoy these beans scooped onto a salad with fresh greens and other veggies, as the bean marinade works like a salad dressing itself.

How do I store these marinated beans?

Store the marinated white beans in an airtight container for up to five days. Once the olive oil starts to solidify a little bit, allow the beans to come to room temperature before serving.

More Bean Recipes to Love...

Did you make these simple marinated white beans? Don't forget to leave a star rating 🌟 and comment below, and tag me on Instagram and Pinterest so I can see what you made!