Quick answer
What makes this recipe work
This recipe keeps the appeal of dense bean salad but rebuilds it for a gluten-free kitchen: clear label checks, simple supermarket ingredients, realistic timings, and a practical cost per serving.
Research signal
Rebuilt from a popular recipe idea
This is an original basilly version of the dense bean salad idea researched from Better Homes & Gardens. It uses our own gluten-free method, safety checks, cost model, and swaps.
Source researchCook mode
Prep bench
Scaled cost
£4.04
Checked
0/5
Set up safely
Clean the board, pan, and utensils before starting Dense Bean Sun-Dried Tomato Salad. Check labels on mixed beans, sun-dried tomatoes, feta, plus any sauces, stock, spice blends, and toppings.
This is the step that prevents most accidental gluten exposure.
- - Check sauces, stocks, spice mixes, sausages, cornflakes, oats, baking powder, and specialist free-from products every time because labels change.
- - Use clean boards, pans, colanders, toaster bags, and utensils if the kitchen also handles wheat.
- - Avoid shared fryers, open bakery bins, and bulk scoop ingredients for coeliac cooking.
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp Olive oil
- 1 pinch Salt and black pepper
- 320 g mixed beans
- 180 g sun-dried tomatoes
- 120 g feta
Equipment
- Large bowl
- Knife
- Small dressing jar
Method
- 1
Set up safely
3 minClean the board, pan, and utensils before starting Dense Bean Sun-Dried Tomato Salad. Check labels on mixed beans, sun-dried tomatoes, feta, plus any sauces, stock, spice blends, and toppings.
This is the step that prevents most accidental gluten exposure.
- 2
Prep
8 minSlice mixed beans, sun-dried tomatoes, and feta into bite-sized pieces.
- 3
Dress
4 minWhisk a sharp dressing, then toss just before serving so the salad stays lively.
- 4
Finish
3 minAdd crunchy toppings last and taste for salt, acid, and heat.
Budget swaps
- Use own-brand tins, frozen vegetables, and larger gluten-free staple packs where available.
- Stretch the meal with rice, potatoes, beans, lentils, or salad rather than expensive free-from extras.
- Batch-cook the core filling and add fresh toppings only when serving.
Substitutions
- Use a certified gluten-free equivalent for any specialist bread, pasta, wrapper, stock, or sauce.
- Swap the main protein for beans, tofu, chicken, or tinned fish based on budget and dietary needs.
- Use dairy-free yogurt, cheese, or cream where needed; re-check labels on every swap.
Serve with
- Jacket potatoes
- Corn tortillas
- Soup
Storage
- Store dressed leftovers in a sealed container for up to two days.
- Not recommended for freezing.
- Serve cold or bring back to room temperature before eating.
FAQs
Is this the same as the dense bean salad recipe from Better Homes & Gardens?
No. It is an original basilly version inspired by the popular recipe idea, rewritten with different ingredients, method, gluten-free safety notes, and budget handling.
What is the main gluten risk?
The base ingredients are naturally gluten-free, but sauces, spice mixes, stock, toppings, and shared kitchen equipment can still introduce gluten.
Can I meal prep it?
Yes, but keep crunchy toppings and dressings separate until serving.
