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Home Christmas Christmas Sides: Light & Fresh

Green Bean Salad

By:Nagi
Published:9 Nov '19Updated:13 Nov '20
30 Comments
Recipe v Video v Dozer v

This is a lovely green bean salad with a lemon dressing that presents nicely and is fairly quick to make. It can largely be made ahead making it ideal for meal planning, or getting ahead for dinner parties and festive holiday gatherings!

Pouring lemon dressing over green bean salad

Green Bean Salad

This is a salad I like to make when I’m planning a large menu ahead because I can prepare most of it in advance then there is very little prep on the day. The beans can be cooked a day or two ahead, the dressing made and onion chopped. Then the only thing that needs to be done on the day is chopping a tomato which is best done fresh (it goes soggy if done ahead).

And – it looks great and tastes fab! Zingy lemon dressing that’s been thickened with mustard so it clings to the beans nicely. The chopped tomato and onion serves 3 purposes:

  1. Freshness and juiciness – nice contrast to the beans;

  2. Acts as a sort of “sponge” so the dressing soaks into it then slowly drips down over the beans;

  3. Colour!

What you need

Here’s what you need:

What goes in Green Bean Salad

Not the tossing sort of salad!

And here’s how to make this Green Bean Salad

  • Shake dressing in jar – the best way to bring a salad dressing together!

  • Trim beans

  • Cook beans to your taste – I like mine JUST cooked!

  • Pat dry– otherwise the dressing won’t cling to the beans!

  • Sprinkle tomato and onion over the beans, then drizzle dressing all over

How to make Green Bean Salad

Close up of forkful of green bean salad

What goes with green bean salad

This is the sort of salad that will literally go with “anything”. And I really mean it – it will go with any Western food  but will also pair really well with Asian food, Mexican, Middle Eastern and Mediterranean foods, to name a few. Even Indian food – lovely fresh flavours to cut through the heavily spiced curries!

Try it on the side of Steak, or simple crispy pan seared Garlic Chicken Thighs. Serve it with Meatloaf, Bolognese, Roast Chicken, crispy Pan Fried Fish or some sticky baked country Pork Chops.

I could go on and on…I really can’t think of anything this wouldn’t go with!

Also, I know I said that I usually make this for large gatherings, but I also think it presents elegantly enough to appear on a dinner party table too! Not that I’m known for elegant dinner parties. I’m more of a rustic-food-large-platters sort of girl. 😂 – Nagi x


Watch how to make it

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Green Bean Salad - Super easy salad that can be largely made ahead

Green Bean Salad

Author: Nagi | RecipeTin Eats
Prep: 10 mins
Cook: 3 mins
Total: 13 mins
Salad
5 from 13 votes
Servings5
Tap or hover to scale
Print
  • 10
A very easy green bean salad that I like to make when I'm entertaining because it can be largely prepared ahead.

Ingredients

  • 1 lb / 500g green beans , trimmed
  • 1 tomato , diced
  • 1/4 red onion , finely diced

Dressing

  • 1 1/2 tbsp lemon juice (or white wine vinegar)
  • 3 - 4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil (adjust to taste)
  • 1 tsp dijon mustard
  • 1 garlic clove
  • Salt and pepper

Garnish

  • Finely chopped parsley (optional)

Instructions

  • Combine the Dressing ingredients in a jar and shake well. Set aside - or refrigerate up to 2 days. Bring to room temperature before using.
  • Bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Add the beans, bring it back up to a boil and boil beans for 60 seconds - no more!
  • Drain and plunge in ice cold water (or run under cold tap water) to stop them from cooking.
  • If making ahead, leave in the colander to dry before transferring to the fridge.
  • To serve, pile the beans on a plate, top with tomato and red onion, drizzled over dressing. Sprinkle with parsley if using.
Did you make this recipe?I love hearing how you went with my recipes! Tag me on Instagram at @RecipeTinEats.

Originally published May 2015. Updated November 2019 with brand new photos, new writing and new video! No change to recipe.

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30 Comments

  1. Tara says

    October 19, 2022 at 2:43 pm

    5 stars
    I have have this salad so many times this year- Its crunchy, tangy, super quick and easy to make. It has been my 2022 go to salad!!

    Reply
  2. Megan says

    February 22, 2022 at 2:02 pm

    Made this last night and had some for lunch today with some poached chicken tossed through it, and a little feta on the top. (your method of toasting!!). Absolutely delicious and the dressing was great with teh chicken as well!

    Reply
  3. Dianne says

    January 26, 2022 at 6:57 am

    5 stars
    Beautiful dish sprinkled crumbled danish feta over it. Thank you Nagi

    Reply
  4. Arpana says

    January 1, 2022 at 2:44 am

    5 stars
    My favourite green bean salad. Iv made this so often and cannot stop eating it! Its so so good! And looks festive!

    Reply
  5. Dar says

    August 31, 2021 at 4:05 am

    5 stars
    Served to guests Saturday evening, it was a huge hit. Wonderful flavors, thank you.

    Reply
  6. Di says

    December 22, 2020 at 9:53 pm

    5 stars
    A hit with the family. Fast, fresh and delicious!

    Reply
  7. Deb says

    December 19, 2020 at 4:51 pm

    5 stars
    Pairs well with Kangaroo fillet. 🙂

    Reply
  8. Robyn says

    September 14, 2020 at 3:26 pm

    Absolutely lovedit

    Reply
  9. Helen says

    August 31, 2020 at 9:20 pm

    5 stars
    Love this green bean salad. It’s tasty and so quick and easy 😊

    Reply
  10. Greta B Bergan says

    August 13, 2020 at 6:33 am

    Nagi, you have incredible recipes, all delicious. You are my first go-to site for ideas when I need one. I also just love looking at all of them. Thank you!!

    Reply
  11. Anna says

    May 10, 2020 at 4:16 am

    Can I serve this warm?

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      May 11, 2020 at 11:54 am

      Yes 100% Anna! N x

      Reply
  12. char says

    January 21, 2020 at 11:03 pm

    5 stars
    Nagi I just have to tell you that I feel like I have won the lottery with your recipe web site !!
    I love everything I have tried and I also love the videos you have with the recipes.
    Thanks so much for all you do …

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      January 22, 2020 at 1:58 pm

      Oh stop 😍 Thanks so much Char!!!

      Reply
  13. Barbara Chepul says

    November 19, 2019 at 11:35 am

    5 stars
    Very easy and what is great can be prepared ahead and only put together in the last minute.

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      November 19, 2019 at 7:43 pm

      Yes exactly Barbara! ❤️

      Reply
  14. Betsy says

    September 3, 2019 at 12:57 am

    For the dressing, should the garlic glove be diced?

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      September 3, 2019 at 5:58 pm

      Hi Betsy, just minced – thanks for picking that up!

      Reply
  15. Joanne says

    June 26, 2019 at 4:43 pm

    5 stars
    I love this salad! It’s made me love green beans again! It’s the only way I’ll eat them now! Thank you!

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      June 26, 2019 at 8:27 pm

      That’s so great to hear Joanne!

      Reply
  16. Pat says

    November 20, 2018 at 11:53 pm

    For a Thanksgiving Theme, I was hoping to see your version of
    a celebration favorite. The classic green bean casserole.

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      November 21, 2018 at 6:26 am

      Next year Pat! Couldn’t get my head around the fried onion topping this year 🙂 N x

      Reply
  17. Steven says

    August 30, 2017 at 8:24 am

    5 stars
    That dressing!! Yum. I could put that on everything. I threw a whole bunch of other things on the green beans as well. Toasted pine nuts, feta…everything is betta with feta :-)….done sautéed mushrooms & onions. It was so good. I served this with your marinated pork chops. Love you Nagi.

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      August 30, 2017 at 7:07 pm

      That’s terrific to hear Steven, thanks for leaving a review! N x

      Reply
  18. Josie Halbach says

    September 2, 2016 at 1:40 pm

    5 stars
    Nagi, I bought some garlic from the Hutterites at the Farmer’s Market. I cannot tell you how delicious this recipe was with the garlic!!! Words fail. GREAT RECIPE!! What a GREAT recipe!!

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      September 2, 2016 at 7:40 pm

      Oooh yummy! This is such a staple side dish for me, I’m so glad you approve of it Josie!! N xx

      Reply
  19. Chelsey says

    March 9, 2016 at 3:37 pm

    I love a good quick recipe! This one is healthy and colourful too 🙂

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      March 9, 2016 at 4:38 pm

      Thanks Chelsey!!!

      Reply
  20. RossC says

    November 26, 2015 at 11:14 am

    5 stars
    Great salad… Had for dinner tonight… Stayed with the lemon juice… :O)

    Reply
    • Nagi | RecipeTin says

      November 27, 2015 at 7:39 am

      I’m so glad you enjoyed it! Nice and simple, isn’t it? And green beans are so cheap at the moment!

      Reply

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Hi, I'm Nagi!

I believe you can make great food with everyday ingredients even if you’re short on time and cost conscious. You just need to cook clever and get creative! Read More

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