This Bean Salad with Fried Kalamata Olives recipe is a little different than your usual party food. It’s not fatty, loaded up with cheese, dripping with grease…sure, we all love those things, but I am doing Weight Watchers right now and I need healthier options!
So I have a tiny confession to make. I don’t give a flying pig about football. Or any sport, if I am being completely honest. I have gone so far as to actually host Super Bowl® parties in the past, but I just do it for the food and the friends – the same motive behind ANY party!
I don’t really need a reason to invite friends and family over, pop open a few beers and kick back and have fun. The football is inconsequential; if my guests enjoy it, great. If they just came for the commercials and conversation, it’s all good too!
Bean Salad w/ Fried Kalamata Olives

Bean Salad with Fried Kalamata Olives Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 Cup Pinto Beans dried
- 1 teas. Garlic Powder
- 1 ½ teas. Oregano
- 1 teas. Ground Cumin
- 1 Bay Leaf
- 1/3 Cup Olive Oil
- ½ Cup Pitted Kalamata Olives sliced lengthwise into quarters
- 2 Medium Carrots grated
- 6-8 Sprigs worth of Cilantro Leaves chopped
- 4 Green Onion thinly sliced
- 1 Lemon juiced (2 ½ Tbsp.)
- ½ teas. Salt
- ½ teas. Pepper
Instructions
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Soak the beans overnight in water, rinse and put in small pot over medium heat barely covered with water. Add 1 teas. Oregano, ½ teas. Garlic Powder, ½ teas. Cumin and Bay leaf, bring to a boil then simmer covered until the beans are tender not mushy, approximately 30 minutes. Drain and toss with Salt and let excess water continue to drain.
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In a pan over medium high heat add the Oil and heat until it shimmers, add the olives and cook until blistered, about 5 minutes.
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Add the beans and the Olives with the Oil to a bowl.
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Add the Carrots, Cilantro, Onion, Lemon juice, Pepper and remaining Garlic Powder, Oregano and Cumin and toss to coat.
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Refrigerate at least an hour, stir before serving.
You can make this Bean Salad with Fried Kalamata Olives Recipe the day before your big party and save yourself a little prep work the day of. Of course, this is a great party appetizer to make year-round, don’t just save it for the football games!
I agree on this one! I love the combination of flavors in this salad. This would make a great dish to bring to a summer picnic too.
The ingredients in this recipe look really good. Although I wouldn’t do it for game day, I see in the summer for cookouts often!
This looks so incredibly tasty. I’m Puerto Rican so naturally I love any recipe that has beans in it. I can’t wait to try this.
The only reason I do any kind of Super Bowl party or even watch the game is for the food, commercials, half-time show, and the fellowship. 🙂 This bean salad sounds amazing and I can’t wait to try it!
this dish to me has family gathering all over it think I will add this recipe to my recipe box and serve at the next get together
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Fried kalamata? I have to try that! Genius… I found your recipe over at the Inspire Me Tuesday link party. I host Tickle My Tastebuds Tuesday and would love it if you would come over and share this recipe. I’m sure our party goers would love it!
Have a wonderful day!
I love the ingredients in your salad. Olives are not something I have ever fried, but I think that needs to change!
This looks great! I found it on a link party. I’m a new food blogger and love meeting others. I’ve followed your social networks and hope we can connect on those. I’m excited to read more of your blog because I, too, love nachos (saw that on your Twitter). Becky
This salad looks so yummy. I’ve never fried olives before but it sounds like a fun addition.
It looks really good and I am very intrigued about the fried kalamata olives…the kids and I are pretty much addicted to those here! I’m pinning this to try it! Thanks for sharing it with us at #FoodieFriDIY…hope to see you at the party again tonight!
I could care less about football too! But yummy party food? I’m all over that!
Thanks so much for the recipe and for sharing on Show Me Saturday. I can’t wait to see what you bring to the party this weekend!
~ Ashley
I am so loving all these tasty ingredients that go into making this, perfect side dish!
Nice to see a healthier recipe option. It looks like this is full of flavor.