Green bean salad is a fresh, crunchy, bright, and delicious salad full of tomatoes, almonds, and green beans tossed in a quick fresh vinaigrette. 

It’s a perfect complement to any summer dish, from barbecue ribs to pork chops!

close up of green bean salad on a dish

Green Bean Salad Ingredients

Adjust the vinaigrette or the seasonings and make it as tangy as you like! Even on top of a bed of greens, it can be a meal all on its own!

  • Green Beans – fresh is best. Rinse and trim.
  • Tomatoes – cherry or grape tomatoes hold their shape and have a bright flavor.
  • Chopped Almonds – toast them first for the best flavor.
  • Onion – diced red onion adds great flavor
  • Feta – adds a creamy salty flavor.
  • Dressing – a simple 4 ingredient vinaigrette takes just seconds to make

This salad is simple and delicious but feel free to change it up with your own additions or alternatives:

  • slivered red onion
  • quinoa or grains
  • pine nuts, pecans, or walnuts
  • toasted bread crumbs
  • fresh herbs

green beans in a bowl with water and ice

How to Prepare Green Beans for Salad

Rinse the beans and then trim off the ends. If they’re long, cut them in half (the salad is easier to eat this way).

The green beans in this recipe are blanched with means boiled a short time and then placed in ice water to stop them from cooking. This keeps them fresh and crisp.

GREEN BEAN TIP

This is a quick tip I learned at our culinary school to keep green beans bright in color.

Add a small pinch of baking soda to the water when boiling green beans (or any other green veggie like asparagus). This won’t change the flavor but will keep the beans a vibrant green (rather than a dull color) for a beautiful dish!

ingredients for green bean salad in a bowl

We like to serve this green bean salad next to grilled meats for a fresh summer meal.

green bean salad in a glass bowl

More Fresh Veggie Sides

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green bean salad on a serving dish
5 from 12 votes↑ Click stars to rate now!
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Fresh Green Bean Salad

This easy green bean salad with tomatoes is colorful, tasty and goes with anything.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings 6 servings
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Ingredients  

  • 1 pound green beans trimmed
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • 2 cups cherry tomatoes halved
  • ¼ cup thinly sliced red onion
  • ¼ cup crumbled feta cheese
  • ¼ cup almonds chopped and toasted

Dressing

Instructions 

  • Bring water and baking soda to a rolling boil. Cook green beans 4- 5 minutes or until tender crisp. Drain beans and place in an ice bath.
  • Combine dressing ingredients in a small bowl. Add green beans, tomatoes, and red onion and allow to marinate at least 30 minutes.
  • Top with feta and almonds just before serving.

Notes

For bright green beans, add a pinch of baking soda to the water. This doesn't change the flavor but keeps the color bright and fresh.
If the beans are long, cut them in half.
To toast almonds, place them in a dry non-stick skillet and cook and stir them over medium heat for 4-6 minutes or until lightly browned and fragrant. They can also be baked at 350°F for 7-8 minutes. 
 
5 from 12 votes

Nutrition Information

Calories: 132 | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 102mg | Potassium: 310mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 765IU | Vitamin C: 22mg | Calcium: 49mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.

Course Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine American
close up of green bean salad with text
green bean salad on a dish with text
close up of green bean salad on a dish with text
green bean salad and green bean salad ingredients with text

Recipe inspired by Jamie Dean.

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About the author

Holly Nilsson is the creator of Spend With Pennies, where she creates easy, comforting recipes made for real life. With a passion for nostalgic flavors and simplified techniques, Holly helps busy home cooks create delicious meals that always work. She is also the author of “Everyday Comfort,” which promises to inspire even more hearty, home-cooked meals.
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Comments

    1. Hi Peggy, since you want this salad to have a bit of a crunch, I would say you could prep all the ingredients a day in advance and combine everything into a serving bowl just before serving. That way, everything will stay fresh and crisp!

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