My mother-in-law shared her bean salad recipe with me. She’s basically famous for it in Galena, therefore, earning it the name Galena Caviar. She serves it when she hosts gatherings and often brings it as a side when attending a party. People eat it with chips or just by the spoonful.
No special occasion needed to serve a delicious bean salad recipe. Since the salad is loaded with colorful, fiber-packed ingredients, whip up a batch to munch on throughout the week. Galena Caviar will make you new friends at parties, or, take your next Taco Tuesday to another level.
BBQ season will be here before we know it. Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Easter, and many more times to get together with friends and family are around the corner. Be sure to pin this recipe, so you’re armed and ready with appetizer and side dish ideas.
Thank you to my mother-in-law for sharing her secret food weapon!
If you like to prepare food ahead of time for events, this bean salad recipe is for you. Since it’s best when refrigerated overnight, you almost have to make it the day or night before. We love make-ahead recipes, so bonus points for that.
For more appetizer and side ideas, visit these pages:
- Best potato salad recipe with eggs
- Pea salad recipe
- Broccoli salad recipe (Ruby Tuesday’s copycat)
Bean Salad Recipe "Galena Caviar"

Ingredients
- 1 can black beans
- 1 can light colored beans used Great Northern Beans
- 1 can kernel corn
- 1 cup celery chopped
- 1/4 cup onion chopped
- 1/2 cup cilantro chopped
- salt and pepper
- 1 can Rotel 10 oz, mild or hot
- 1/2 bottle Henri's Italian Dressing or more
Instructions
- Drain and rinse cans of beans well.
- Drain corn.
- Mix all ingredients together in a bowl.
- Refrigerate overnight.
- Serve with scoops.
- Do not substitute the dressing. Must be Henri's. <- her words. I realize the exact dressing is very hard to find. Use your favorite Italian dressing if you cannot find Henri's.
Nutrition
Have you ever tried a bean salad recipe?

Kari says
Yummy! This is coming with me and my husband on our next road trip. As a vegan, the Henri’s dressing isn’t going to work. (Don’t tell your mother-in-law!) But, I can’t find a suitable substitute. I’m glad she shared!
Kari says
I CAN find a substitute, not can’t. Man, I hope that’s not an omen!
Jennifer says
LOL! I am sure it’s not. 🙂 Let us know how you like it!!
Janet W. says
This looks so delicious! I love how fresh it all looks!
shelly peterson says
This recipe looks yummy! It looks so healthy, I will have to try this.