This feta green bean salad recipe is made with tender green beans, juicy cherry tomatoes, and feta cheese and drizzled with honey mustard vinaigrette. Enjoy an easy and satisfying cold side dish that's ready in 15 minutes!
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Vibrant salads don't have to be just made of lettuce. Unique vegetable forward salads make great side dishes for summer cookouts and even busy weeknights all year round.
Some of my go-to recipes are this lemon orzo salad with asparagus, strawberry cucumber salad and my carrot salad.
📖Why My Recipe Works
- Sweet and Salty- The combination of salty feta and the subtle sweetness of honey mustard vinaigrette gives the salad a sweet and salty type of flavor.
- Great Make Ahead Dish- It's super easy to prep all the ingredients in advance and throw them together when you're ready to serve it.
🧾Ingredient Notes
- Green Beans- Use fresh green beans for a better texture and flavor, but you can use frozen ones if you're in a pinch. You can leave them whole or cut them in half.
- Feta Cheese- Adds a salty flavor. Crumble it just before serving. Substitute with goat cheese or ricotta salata.
- Cherry Tomatoes- I prefer using cherry tomatoes, but you can use any type of fresh tomatoes of your preference. You'll need 10 to 12 ounces in total.
- Shallot- Green onions are the best substitute. You can also use red onions.
- Fresh Herbs- I used fresh basil, but you can change it up and use fresh chives, oregano, or dill.
Honey Mustard Vinaigrette:
- Olive Oil- Use good quality extra virgin olive oil for the best flavor.
- Apple Cider Vinegar- If you don't have apple cider, you can also use rice vinegar or white balsamic vinegar.
- Honey- Adds a hint of sweetness. If you want to make it vegan, use maple syrup or agave nectar.
- Dijon Mustard- Helps emulsify the dressing.
How to Blanch Green Beans
Blanching the green beans is a crucial step to achieving tender, crisp green beans and maintaining their vibrant, bright green color. It also helps clean the beans and remove dirt.
Step 1: Wash the green beans by submerging them in a bowl of cold water. Then, trim the stems with a knife.
Step 2: In a large pot, add kosher salt and bring to a rolling boil. Add green beans and cook for 2-3 minutes until bright green and slightly tender.
Step 3: While the water is boiling, prepare an ice bath by adding 4 cups of ice to a bowl of cold water.
Step 4: After blanching, transfer the green beans to the ice water immediately to stop the cooking process. This helps maintain their crisp texture and bright green color.
Drain the water thoroughly in a colander to avoid a watery salad.
⏲️How to Make Feta Green Bean Salad
Assemble the Salad: You can make this salad ahead of time by prepping the ingredients and storing them in separate containers.
Toss all the ingredients together on a serving plate or salad bowl just before serving to keep them fresh.
Make the Dressing: Blend all the ingredients ahead of time to let the flavors meld together. Salt and pepper to taste before you add the dressing to the salad.
Always add the dressing just before serving to keep the salad fresh and crisp.
🥗What to Serve with Green Bean Salad
This Greek green bean salad goes well with many dishes. I love serving it as a side dish with my grilled chicken thighs, grilled flank steak, trout almondine, and baked salmon.
Tips for Making Green Bean Salad with Feta
- Don't overcook the green beans. Boil them for just 2-3 minutes, until they are just tender but still crisp. Overcooking will make them mushy and cause them to lose their vibrant color.
- For an extra crunch, add toasted almonds, pine nuts, or sunflower seeds.
- You can try serving it with a different dressing, like my house salad dressing or basil balsamic vinaigrette.
More Green Bean Recipes
🌡️Storing Leftovers
To store leftovers, place the green beans, tomatoes, and shallots in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days.
Store the salad dressing in a jar and refrigerate it for up to a week. You'll also want to place the feta cheese in a small container and refrigerate it.
Did you enjoy making this recipe? Show it some love with ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ and leave a comment! Hungry for more FLAVORFUL recipes?
📖 Recipe Card
Feta Green Bean Salad
Ingredients
- 1 pound green beans trimmed
- 1 Tablespoon kosher salt
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes cut in half
- 1 small shallot very thinly sliced
- ½ cup crumbled feta cheese
- 2 Tablespoons minced fresh basil
Honey Mustard Vinaigrette
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 2 Tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 2 Tablespoons honey
- 1 Tablespoon Dijon mustard
- ⅛ teaspoon kosher salt
- ⅛ teaspoon coarse ground black pepper
Instructions
- Add salt and 4 quarts of water to a large pot. Bring to a rolling boil. While the water is coming to a boil, add ice and water to a large mixing bowl.1 pound green beans trimmed, 1 Tablespoon kosher salt
- Add the green beans to the boiling water and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until they are tender but still crisp. Immediately remove the beans and plunge into the ice water long enough to cool completely, 15 to 30 seconds. Drain the green beans in a colander.
- Blend all the vinaigrette ingredients to make the dressing. Add the beans, tomatoes, and shallot to a serving dish. Pour over the dressing and toss to combine.2 cups cherry tomatoes, 1 small shallot, ½ cup crumbled feta cheese, 2 Tablespoons minced fresh basil, ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil, 2 Tablespoons apple cider vinegar, 2 Tablespoons honey, 1 Tablespoon Dijon mustard, ⅛ teaspoon coarse ground black pepper, ⅛ teaspoon kosher salt
- Right before serving sprinkle on the cheese and basil.
Equipment
- Large stockpot
Sarah G says
Directions were easy to follow.