Fresh Green Bean Salad with Balsamic Dressing
User Reviews
4.8
Fresh Green Bean Salad with Balsamic Dressing
Description
The Fresh Green Bean Salad with Balsamic Dressing combines blanched green beans that retain a firm, bright green color with juicy halved tomatoes. The dressing blends olive oil, lemon juice, balsamic vinegar, salt, garlic powder, and pepper for a balanced tart and savory flavor. Chilling the salad allows the flavors to meld and the beans to stay crisp yet tender. Crumbled feta cheese and cooked bacon strips mixed in just before serving add creamy, salty, and smoky notes, enhancing the salad's overall texture and taste.
This salad pairs well with grilled meats or as a refreshing side to many meals. It can be served chilled or at room temperature, adapting to different serving preferences.
Careful attention to bean tenderness during cooking prevents overcooking. The salad holds well as leftovers but may soften over time due to dressing absorption.
Ingredients
- 2 pounds Green bean ends trimmed if desired, fresh
- 1 pint tomatoes halved, cherry or grape
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 3 tablespoons lemon juice from about 2-3 lemons, freshly squeezed
- 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
- 4 ounces feta cheese
- 6-8 Bacon cooked and crumbled, strips
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add 1 teaspoon salt. Cook green beans until tender, 5-10 minutes. While they cook, prepare a large bowl with an ice water bath. Immediately drain the beans into a colander (or scoop them out with a slotted spoon) and place the drained beans in the ice water for a few minutes to stop the cooking. This will keep them bright green and perfectly tender.
- Drain the beans and pat them dry. Toss them in a bowl with the tomatoes.
- For the dressing, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, vinegar, salt, garlic powder, and pepper. Pour the mixture over the green beans and toss to coat. Cover the bowl and chill for at least an hour or up to 3 hours before ready to serve.
- Stir in the feta cheese and bacon right before serving. Serve chilled or at room temperature.
Notes
- Test green bean tenderness during cooking to avoid overcooking or undercooking.
- Leftover salad softens as dressing is absorbed but remains a flavorful option for lunch.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 6Servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1 Serving | |
| Calories | 291kcal | 15% |
| Carbohydrates | 17g | 6% |
| Protein | 9g | 18% |
| Fat | 22g | 34% |
| Saturated Fat | 7g | 35% |
| Cholesterol | 31mg | 10% |
| Sodium | 473mg | 20% |
| Fiber | 5g | 20% |
| Sugar | 9g | 18% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.8
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