Fresh Green Bean and Feta Salad: A Mediterranean Delight
A light, crisp, and satisfying salad featuring blanched green beans, creamy feta, cherry tomatoes, and a zingy lemon-Dijon dressing. Ready in just 15 minutes, perfect as a side or main.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: Blanching
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Ingredients
- 1 pound fresh green beans (about 450g), trimmed
- 4 ounces feta cheese (about 115g), crumbled
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes (about 150g), halved
- ¼ small red onion, thinly sliced
- A handful fresh herbs (dill and parsley recommended), chopped
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- ½ teaspoon honey or maple syrup
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Optional: ¼ cup toasted nuts (about 30g), such as almonds or walnuts
Instructions
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and trim the ends off the green beans.
2. Add the green beans to the boiling water and cook for 3-4 minutes until bright green and just tender but still crisp.
3. Immediately drain the beans and transfer them to a bowl of ice water to stop cooking and preserve crunch.
4. After a few minutes, drain the beans well and pat dry with a clean kitchen towel or paper towels.
5. In a small bowl or jar, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, honey, salt, and pepper until emulsified and well combined.
6. In a large mixing bowl, combine the green beans, cherry tomatoes, red onion, fresh herbs, and feta cheese.
7. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently until everything is evenly coated.
8. Sprinkle toasted nuts on top if using, just before serving.
9. Serve immediately or chill for 20-30 minutes to let flavors meld, then serve cold or at room temperature.
Notes
Use fresh green beans and dry them thoroughly to prevent a watery salad.
Choose high-quality creamy feta for the best flavor.
Soak sliced red onion in cold water for 10 minutes to reduce sharpness.
Toast nuts in a dry pan for extra flavor and crunch.
Add nuts just before serving to keep them crisp.
You can prep the beans and dressing ahead and combine just before serving for best texture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (~180g)
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 300 mg
- Fat: 11 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg
Find it online: https://paulakitchen.com/fresh-green-bean-and-feta-salad/