Fresh green beans tossed in a bright, lemony dressing with tomatoes, onions, and feta cheese make an irresistible Green Bean Salad! This clean and simple recipe is ideal served as a side dish for a weeknight meal and is always welcome on a holiday buffet.
And if you’re looking for more easy sides, try my Crock Pot Creamed Corn, Southern Candied Yams, or these Easy Scalloped Potatoes.
Featured Comment
I made this for a family dinner, was looking for something different than tossed salad. This is my new favorite, love it! Not just for summer.
Beth
It’s summer and that means fresh veggies! I couldn’t be happier. On weekends, I love taking a lazy walk through the farmers market to pick out all my favorite fruits and vegetables. One of the goodies that are always on my must-grab list is green beans.
Why You’ll Love This Green Bean Salad
- Fresh and Healthy: Made with wholesome, fresh ingredients, this salad offers a healthy and colorful addition to any meal.
- Quick to Prepare: With just a few steps, you’ll have a vibrant salad ready to serve in under 20 minutes.
- Zesty Flavor: The lemon Dijon dressing brings a tangy, bold flavor that perfectly complements the sweetness of the tomatoes and the mild feta.
Green Bean Salad Ingredients
- Green Beans: Crisp and tender, these are the star of the salad. Blanching keeps them vibrant and fresh.
- Grape Tomatoes: Adds a pop of color and juicy sweetness.
- Vidalia Onion: Thinly sliced for a mild, slightly sweet onion flavor.
- Feta Cheese: Creamy and salty, it balances the tang of the dressing beautifully.
- Lemon Juice: Freshly squeezed lemon juice brightens up the salad and enhances the flavors.
- Olive Oil: Adds a rich, smooth texture to the dressing.
- Dijon Mustard: The perfect touch of tang and depth.
- Garlic: A small but essential ingredient for that savory flavor.
- Salt and Pepper: For seasoning and balancing flavors.
Recipe Swaps And Variations
This salad ecipe is already incredible as-is, but if you want to mix it up, here are a few ideas:
- Add Nuts: Try adding toasted almonds, walnuts, or pine nuts for a crunch and nutty flavor.
- Try a Different Cheese: Goat cheese crumbles make a nice, creamy substitute for feta.
- Add Fresh Herbs: Chopped basil or parsley can add a fresh, herbaceous twist.
- Roasted Vegetables: Roasted red peppers or zucchini would be excellent additions to this salad.
Step-By-Sep Directions
- Blanch the Green Beans: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add green beans and cook for 2 minutes until just tender but still crisp. Drain and pat dry with a towel.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large bowl, add the blanched green beans, halved grape tomatoes, thinly sliced Vidalia onion, and crumbled feta cheese.
- Make the Dressing: In a small bowl or a jar with a lid, add lemon juice, olive oil, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, salt, and pepper. Whisk or shake until the dressing is well combined.
- Dress the Salad: Pour the dressing over the vegetables and gently toss to combine. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
- Marinate and Serve: Let the salad sit for 15 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together. Serve at room temperature or chilled.
How to Make This Recipe Ahead Of Time
You can also make it ahead of time for covered dish suppers or potlucks. Here’s how I do it:
- Blanch the green beans for 2 minutes, then drain. Slice the tomatoes and onions. Crumble the feta cheese and toss everything together.
- Mix the dressing in a mason jar.
- Place the salad in a container or salad bowl. Nestle the dressing in the container and wrap everything with plastic wrap. Chill in the fridge until you’re ready to head to the party. When you arrive, drizzle on the dressing, toss and serve.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, frozen green beans can work if fresh ones aren’t available. Just thaw and blanch them as you would with fresh beans, though the texture will be softer.
This Green Bean Salad can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. It’s best enjoyed fresh, as the vegetables retain their crispness and the dressing stays bright. However, if you make it ahead, be sure to give it a good toss before serving to redistribute the dressing.
No problem! Substitute feta with goat cheese for a similar creamy texture, or leave the cheese out if you prefer a dairy-free version.
Serving Ideas
Not only is this green bean salad SO GOOD, but it also has lots of other fringe benefits. It’s great served either cold or room temperature. You can add in all kinds of other ingredients like pasta, CopyKat Honey Baked Ham, Easy Air Fryer Salmon, Crock Pot Chicken Thighs, or Oven Baked BBQ Chicken Breasts.
Love Fresh Veggie Dishes? Try These Recipes
If you tried this Easy Green Bean Salad Recipe or any other recipe, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the comments below. Thanks!
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 pound fresh washed and trimmed green beans
- 12 ounces grape tomatoes, cut in half
- 1 cup Vidalia onion, thinly sliced
- ½ cup feta cheese crumbles
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 1 ½ teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- To a large pot of boiling, salted water, add green beans, and cook for 2 minutes. Drain beans, pat dry, and place in a large bowl. Add tomatoes, onions, and feta cheese.
- In a small bowl or jar with a lid, add lemon juice, olive oil, dijon mustard, garlic, salt, and pepper. Whisk or mix together. Pour dressing over vegetables and toss. Taste and adjust seasoning. Let marinate 15 minutes and serve.
Notes
- Add Nuts: Try adding toasted almonds, walnuts, or pine nuts for a crunch and nutty flavor.
- Try a Different Cheese: Goat cheese crumbles make a nice, creamy substitute for feta.
- Add Fresh Herbs: Chopped basil or parsley can add a fresh, herbaceous twist.
- Roasted Vegetables: Roasted red peppers or zucchini would be excellent additions to this salad.
Nutrition
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This recipe is so easy and the result superb! I love fresh green beans yearround!
I made this for a family dinner, was looking for something different than tossed salad. This is my new favorite, love it! Not just for summer.
Thank you, Beth! You’ve made my day. I so appreciate the outstanding rating as well.
~Donya
Can I use frozen steamed green beans? if so, how should I prepare them?
Thanks!
I would thaw them then make sure they are dry. Let me know how the recipe turns out.
~Donya
I’m not a fan of feta cheese…..would crumbled blue cheese work do you think?
Sure – use what ever kind of cheese you like.
~Donya
This salad was amazing after I drizzled on balsamic glaze. It improved it immensely
Hey there Luann!
Thank you so much for your kind words, I am so happy to hear that you enjoyed this recipe! If you liked this salad, you should check out my Fresh Tomato Salad recipe, it’s just as easy to make and it tastes like a burst of summer with every bite. If you ever have any questions about a recipe, please don’t hesitate to reach out, I’m always happy to help!
~Donya
This recipe is amazing! We make it all summer.
Hey there Margot!
Thank you so much for your fantastic rating and your kind words, I am so happy to hear y’all have been enjoying this recipe! If you like this salad, you should check out my Tomato Cucumber Salad recipe, it’s just as easy to make and it has bright, delicious flavors that are perfect for summer time!
~Donya
Can’t wait to make this salad looks delicious Thanks
Hey there Shawna!
I am so happy to hear you’re giving this recipe a try, if you’re a green bean fan then you’ll love this easy to make salad! This is one of those dishes that can be enjoyed anytime of year, whether it’s July or served at New Years, the bright flavors unbeatable. Thank you so much for your kind words and your fantastic rating, I really hope you enjoy the recipe, let me know how everything turns out!
~Donya
Yummm! This one is right up my alley, thank you!
Hey there Mary!
Thank you so much for your rating, I appreciate it. I hope you enjoy this recipe, let me know how it turns out! Thanks for your support!
~Donya
Wow, I just look for easy and simple recipe. This is so easy and tasty. I
100%GOOD JOB WELL DONE