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!
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:
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Freshness and juiciness – nice contrast to the beans;
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Acts as a sort of “sponge” so the dressing soaks into it then slowly drips down over the beans;
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Colour!
What you need
Here’s what you need:
Not the tossing sort of salad!
And here’s how to make this Green Bean Salad
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Shake dressing in jar – the best way to bring a salad dressing together!
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Trim beans
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Cook beans to your taste – I like mine JUST cooked!
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Pat dry– otherwise the dressing won’t cling to the beans!
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Sprinkle tomato and onion over the beans, then drizzle dressing all over
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
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.
Originally published May 2015. Updated November 2019 with brand new photos, new writing and new video! No change to recipe.
Life of Dozer
He’s such a user – he only loves me when there’s food around!!
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!!
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!
Beautiful dish sprinkled crumbled danish feta over it. Thank you Nagi
My favourite green bean salad. Iv made this so often and cannot stop eating it! Its so so good! And looks festive!
Served to guests Saturday evening, it was a huge hit. Wonderful flavors, thank you.
A hit with the family. Fast, fresh and delicious!
Pairs well with Kangaroo fillet. 🙂
Absolutely lovedit
Love this green bean salad. It’s tasty and so quick and easy 😊
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!!
Can I serve this warm?
Yes 100% Anna! N x
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 …
Oh stop 😍 Thanks so much Char!!!
Very easy and what is great can be prepared ahead and only put together in the last minute.
Yes exactly Barbara! ❤️
For the dressing, should the garlic glove be diced?
Hi Betsy, just minced – thanks for picking that up!
I love this salad! It’s made me love green beans again! It’s the only way I’ll eat them now! Thank you!
That’s so great to hear Joanne!
For a Thanksgiving Theme, I was hoping to see your version of
a celebration favorite. The classic green bean casserole.
Next year Pat! Couldn’t get my head around the fried onion topping this year 🙂 N x
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.
That’s terrific to hear Steven, thanks for leaving a review! N x
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!!
Oooh yummy! This is such a staple side dish for me, I’m so glad you approve of it Josie!! N xx
I love a good quick recipe! This one is healthy and colourful too 🙂
Thanks Chelsey!!!
Great salad… Had for dinner tonight… Stayed with the lemon juice… :O)
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! Nice and simple, isn’t it? And green beans are so cheap at the moment!