Tahinli Fasulye Piyazı: Turkish White Bean Salad with Tahini Dressing

This Turkish salad recipe is not only delicious but also light and healthy, featuring a creamy, nutty tahini dressing, tender white beans, spicy onions, hard-boiled eggs, and fresh tomatoes. It’s budget-friendly, easy to make, and incredibly flavorful!

Originating from the southern Turkish region of Antalya, this salad combines white beans, eggs, and vegetables into a rich yet simple dish. The dressing is a blend of tahini, garlic, vinegar, olive oil, lemon juice, and cumin, making it both tangy and creamy. The diverse range of salads in Turkey reflects the vibrant offerings found in local markets, especially the bustling bazaars in Istanbul, which are a sensory delight. The colorful displays of vegetables, fruits, olives, beans, nuts, and cheeses provide endless inspiration for creating nutritious recipes like this one.

This tahini-based bean salad is one of my favorite go-to dishes for its simplicity, hearty portion, and rich flavor. The word “piyaz” comes from the Persian “pidaz,” meaning “onion,” as onions are a key ingredient in this salad.

What’s in the Antalya-Style Tahini Bean Salad?

This is a plant-based salad rich in eggs, beans, and fresh vegetables, offering a substantial dose of protein. It’s not only healthy but also bursting with flavor. Here’s what you’ll need:

Salad Ingredients:

White Beans: For convenience, I use high-quality, pre-cooked canned white beans. Although white beans are the traditional choice, you can substitute with other beans if preferred.
Onions: Onions are a critical component of this salad. I traditionally use white or yellow onions, though red onions work well too. Be sure to slice them thinly to avoid overpowering the salad with too strong a flavor.
Tomatoes: Fresh tomatoes are a must in our salad, adding juiciness and flavor. Use ripe tomatoes for the best taste.
Parsley: Parsley, or “maydanoz” in Turkish, is one of the most common herbs in Turkish cuisine. I prefer flat-leaf parsley (often called Italian parsley), which adds a fresh, almost citrusy flavor. It’s used generously in salads, appetizers, soups, and stews.
Olives: Turkey is an olive-loving country, and you’ll find a vast array of olive varieties in our markets. I prefer buying pitted olives, as they are easier to eat and offer a better texture and taste.

For the Dressing:

Garlic: I love garlic, not only for its health benefits but also for its ability to enhance the flavor of the salad dressing. It pairs perfectly with the earthy tahini.
Cumin Powder: Known as “kimyon” in Turkish, cumin is a spice widely used in Turkish cooking. I love its warm, spicy aroma, and it complements vegetables and beans beautifully. It’s an essential component of the tahini dressing for this salad.
Lemon: Lemon adds a zesty, refreshing citrus flavor that pairs wonderfully with extra virgin olive oil and tahini in the dressing.
Tahini: Tahini, made from ground toasted sesame seeds, is a rich and creamy paste commonly used in Turkish, Mediterranean, and Middle Eastern cuisine. It’s the star of this dressing, giving the salad its signature creamy texture.
Vinegar: Vinegar adds a touch of acidity to balance the richness of the tahini. While grape vinegar is the traditional choice in Turkey, apple cider vinegar works well as an alternative.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Olive oil is a staple in my kitchen, and it’s an essential ingredient in Turkish cooking. Ensure you use high-quality extra virgin olive oil for the best flavor and nutritional benefits.
Sea Salt: I typically opt for fine sea salt, but coarse salt also works well to season the salad.
Eggs: Hard-boiled eggs provide protein and texture, and they’re often sliced and arranged on top of the salad for garnish.

The Secret Ingredient: Tahini

Tahini is a thick paste made from roasted and ground sesame seeds. It’s used in a variety of Turkish, Mediterranean, and Middle Eastern dishes as a dip, dressing, and spread. Before using, be sure to stir the tahini well, as it can separate into oil and solids in the jar.

How to Serve the Salad

This tahini bean salad is typically served as a main dish in Antalya, but it can also be enjoyed as a side dish. It’s perfect for lunch or dinner and pairs wonderfully with grilled meats, meatballs, pickles, and flatbreads like pita or lavash.

This Turkish white bean salad with tahini dressing is not only nourishing but also a great way to introduce the vibrant flavors of Mediterranean cuisine into your meals. Whether you’re enjoying it on its own or serving it as part of a larger meal, it’s sure to be a crowd-pleaser!

Why You’ll Love This Salad

Nutritious and Filling: Packed with protein from beans and eggs.
Flavorful and Creamy: The tahini dressing gives it a rich, earthy flavor.
Easy and Quick: Simple ingredients and minimal preparation time.
Customizable: Add your favorite herbs or change up the beans for variety.

Next time you’re craving something healthy, satisfying, and bursting with flavors, this Turkish Tahini White Bean Salad is the perfect choice!