Ultimately, any white bean works in this recipe (you could substitute great northern beans, navy beans, or even garbanzo), but we found that silky, creamy cannellini beans taste best. The white kidney beans have a nutty flavor and a smooth but al dente texture, and, as a bonus, they hold their shape well, so our bean salad with bacon and chives looks as good as it tastes. Weve also eliminated a few steps; rather than whisking a dressing, then coating the beans, we toss it all together at once, and you can store that mixture in the refrigerator for a mostly make-ahead meal.