Green Bean and Tomato Salad

Name: Green Bean and Tomato Salad
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 20 min
Ingredients: 12 ounces fresh green beans (trimmed and halved ); 1 pint Pure Flavor® Oriana® Orange Grape Tomatoes; 1 cup sliced carrots; 1 cup sliced cucumber; Garnish: Toasted Pine Nuts or Almonds and Fresh Basil (amount as desired); 1/4 cup olive oil; 1 1/2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar; 1 1/2 teaspoons lemon juice; 2 minced garlic cloves; 1 1/2 tablespoons honey dijon mustard; 2 tablespoons minced chives or green onions; 2 tablespoons minced fresh curly parsley; Salt and Black Pepper (to taste)

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Bright colors, bold flavors and full healthy nutrients, this Green Bean and Tomato Salad is a delicious summer recipe prepared in just 15 minutes! Serve as a side dish or as a main course with your favorite protein on top. It's full of incredibly fresh flavors!

A close up shot of cold green bean salad.

This Green Bean and Tomato Salad is a perfect blend of fresh veggies, tossed in a tangy and flavorful dressing. This recipe is quick to prepare and a great make ahead side dish to bring to a get-together.

Loaded with beautiful colors and healthy nutrients, it's a salad that's light, fresh and will keep you coming back for more!

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Need more fresh flavor, salad inspiration? Be sure to check out my Marinated Vegetable Salad and Caprese Panzanella Salad!

Laura Ashley's Tip: This salad is really delicious served all year round as well. Just be sure to look for the best cherry tomatoes in the produce department.

Table of Contents

Blanching Your Green Beans is the Secret to Success

Blanching your green beans is an essential first step in the recipe. It keeps them crunchy in texture and very fresh in flavor!

The blanching process is a cooking technique that involves briefly boiling fresh green beans in hot water followed by rapidly cooling them in ice water. This process helps retain the beans' vibrant green color, partially cooks them, and preserves their crunchy texture.

Why You’ll like this Recipe

Fresh and Crisp: The combination of fresh beans, juicy tomatoes, carrots, and cucumber provides a delightful crunch. It's a refreshing, delicious salad on hot summer days! Check your local farmer's market for peak summer produce!
Flavorful Dressing: The honey Dijon mustard, balsamic vinegar, and fresh garlic create a deliciously tangy and sweet dressing.
Healthy and Nutritious: This easy salad recipe is packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
Quick and Easy: Simple ingredients and minimal prep time make this cold green bean salad recipe a breeze to put together.
Versatile: This tomato and green bean salad is perfect as a side dish, a light lunch, or even a potluck contribution.

What You’ll Need

Scroll down for recipe amounts and instructions in the recipe card.

Vegetables: Fresh Green Beans, Sweet Cherry Tomatoes, Carrots and Cucumber: These provide a texture and fresh flavor. They're rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. They add a refreshing crunch and keeps the salad light and hydrating.
Fresh Basil: Infuses the salad with a sweet, aromatic flavor.
Pine Nuts: Add a rich, buttery flavor and a nice crunch, also a source of healthy fats.
Olive Oil: Provides a smooth, rich base for the dressing and adds healthy fats.
Balsamic Vinegar: Adds a tangy sweetness that complements the vegetables.
Lemon: Adds a fresh, zesty flavor to the dressing and enhances the overall brightness of the salad.
Fresh Garlic: Provides a pungent, savory depth to the dressing.
Honey Dijon Mustard: Adds sweetness and tang to the dressing, helping to emulsify it.
Chives or Green Onions: Add a mild onion flavor and a fresh green color.
Parsley: Brings a fresh, slightly peppery flavor and bright green color to the salad.

Tools You’ll Need

How to Make Green Bean and Tomato Salad

Bring a large skillet of water to a boil. Add the green beans, and cook for 2-3 minutes. Once the green beans are crisp-tender, immediately transfer to a large bowl of ice water to stop the cooking process. After 5 minutes, drain beans in a colander.

To a large mixing bowl, combine the drained beans, tomatoes, carrots and cucumber.

Mixing together a green bean tomato salad,

In a small mixing bowl, combine olive oil, vinegar, lemon juice, garlic, honey dijon mustard, chives, parsley, salt and black pepper. Whisk or shake until well emulsified.

Mixing green bean salad dressing in a bowl.

Pour the dressing over the salad ingredients. Toss until combined well. Transfer to a serving bowl. Garnish with basil and pine nuts or almonds.

Adding pine nuts to the top of green bean salad.

Expert Tips and Substitutions

Set up an ice bath in advance. When you are blanching the beans, be sure to set the ice bath up in advance. This is crucial to stopping the cooking of the green beans after boiling to achieve the perfect texture.
Make-Ahead: This is a great make-ahead dish! Simply keep the vegetables, dressing and garnishes stored separately, then toss when ready to serve.
Tomato Varieties: Fresh tomatoes give life to this dish! While we prefer halved cherry tomatoes, you can also use heirloom tomatoes cut into large segments or cubed.
Dressing Substitutions: Besides balsamic vinegar in the dressing, you can also use red wine vinegar, apple cider vinegar, or white wine vinegar.
Other Optional Additions: Some more delicious additions include, red onion, bell peppers, radishes, or blanched asparagus. It's also excellent topped with parmesan cheese or salty feta cheese.

What to Serve with Green Bean Salad

Combine this easy green bean salad with a protein and make it a substantial and satisfying meal! Grilled meat, tofu, or even hard-boiled eggs are all excellent additions!

We especially love to serve it as a side dish with Crock Pot Sloppy Joes, Slow Cooker Barbecue Chicken Legs, BBQ Chicken Sliders, and Salmon Patties.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator up to 2-3 days. The crispness of the pine nuts/almonds and vegetables will degrade the longer it's stored. This recipe is not suitable for freezing and thawing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can dried herbs be used instead of fresh herbs?

Yes! While fresh herbs ads to a texture a freshness that goes well with this salad, you can use dried instead. Simply use ⅓ less than the fresh herb you're replacing and shake it in the dressing.

Can I use frozen green beans for a green bean salad?

You can use frozen green beans for a green bean salad. However, make sure to blanch them in boiling water for a few minutes and then cool them in an ice water bath before using them in the salad.

Can I make a warm green bean salad?

Yes, you can make a warm green bean salad. Instead of blanching the green beans, you can sauté them in a pan with some olive oil and garlic until tender. Then, toss them with the other salad ingredients and dressing while they are still warm.

Is this recipe gluten-free?

Yes, green bean salad is generally gluten-free. However, always double-check the ingredients of any dressings or additional toppings you use to ensure they are gluten-free as well.

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