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Italian Cold Green Bean Salad

5.0 from 50 votes

Italian cold marinated green bean salad is a delicious dish that can be enjoyed as a side dish or a main course. This salad is perfect for summer cookouts or any time you want a refreshing side dish. The marinated green beans are tender and flavorful, and the dressing adds a tangy and slightly sweet taste.

This easy recipe for a perfect green bean salad is quick and simple: fresh green beans, a flavorful dressing, and some additional ingredients to add texture and flavor. The key to making a great green bean salad is to cook the beans until they are tender but still crisp, and then marinate them in a tangy dressing for a few hours to let the flavors meld together.

Ingredients

  • fresh green beans, ends trimmed (canned green beans can be used as a substitute for fresh green beans, but they may not have the same crisp texture or vibrant color)
  • cherry tomatoes, halved
  • red onion, thinly sliced
  • extra-virgin olive oil
  • Dijon mustard
  • red wine vinegar
  • lemon
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • freshly grated Parmesan cheese

How to Make Italian Green Bean Salad

Blanch the Green Beans: To give your green beans that vibrant color and tender crunch, start by bringing a big pot of salted water to a boil. Once it’s bubbling away, add your trimmed green beans and let them cook for a quick 2-3 minutes until they’re beautifully bright and just a tad tender. To keep that perfect crunch, swiftly move them into a bowl of ice water. Once they’ve cooled down, give them a drain and a gentle pat dry with a paper towel.

Prepare the Dressing: For the zesty dressing, grab a small bowl. Whisk together the extra-virgin olive oil, Dijon mustard, red wine vinegar, lemon juice, and a sprinkle of salt and pepper. Taste as you go, adjusting the seasoning to your liking.

Combine Vegetables: In a spacious mixing bowl, bring together your blanched green beans, those juicy halved cherry tomatoes, and the thinly sliced red onion. They’re about to become a colorful and delicious team!

Dress the Salad: Drizzle that prepared dressing all over your veggies, and give them a gentle toss until everything is wonderfully coated. It’s a dressing that brings the whole dish to life!

Chill the Salad: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap, pop it in the fridge, and let the salad chill out for at least 1-2 hours. This time in the fridge lets all the flavors mingle and the salad get that perfect, refreshing temperature.

Serve and Garnish: When you’re ready to dazzle your taste buds, sprinkle a generous amount of freshly grated Parmesan cheese over the salad. Give it a light toss and finish off with a handful of fresh basil leaves. Your taste buds are in for a treat!

Serve this Italian Cold Green Bean Salad as a delightful side dish for Easter dinner, picnics or barbecues, alongside your favorite Italian meal. It’s a burst of flavors you’ll savor with every bite.

Serving Suggestions

Pairing with Main Dishes

Marinated green bean salad is a versatile dish that can be served as a side dish or a light main course. It pairs well with a variety of main dishes, making it a great addition to any summer cookout or potluck. Here are some main dishes that would complement the flavors of this salad:

  • Grilled chicken or fish: The smoky flavor of grilled chicken or fish pairs well with the fresh, tangy flavor of the salad. It’s a perfect main meal for a hot summer day.
  • Steak: The rich flavor of steak is balanced by the lightness of the salad. It’s a new way to enjoy your favorite cut of meat.
  • Potato salad: Marinated green bean salad and potato salad are a match made in heaven. Serve them together for a perfect side dish combination.

When serving this salad as a side dish, consider the serving size and the serving bowl. A large bowl is perfect for a potluck, while a smaller bowl is more appropriate for a family dinner. If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The salad will keep well for the next day.

Alternative Recipes

Variations of Green Bean Salad

When it comes to green bean salad, the possibilities are endless. Here are a few variations that you may want to try:

  • Greek Green Bean Salad: Add feta cheese, Kalamata olives, red onion, and a lemon vinaigrette for a Mediterranean twist.
  • Asian Green Bean Salad: Toss green beans with sliced bell peppers, red onion, and a sesame soy dressing for an Asian-inspired dish.
  • Mexican Green Bean Salad: Mix green beans with black beans, corn, diced tomatoes, and a cilantro lime dressing for a fresh and flavorful salad.

Green bean salad is also a great dish to customize based on your preferences. Here are a few ideas:

  • Add Raw Vegetables: Chop up some raw vegetables like carrots, celery, or cucumber and mix them in for added crunch and nutrition.
  • Mix Up the Texture: Add some croutons or toasted nuts for a crunchy texture, or mix in some cooked quinoa or farro for a heartier salad.
  • Serve as a Side or Main Dish: Green bean salad makes a great side dish for a summer meal, but you can also add some protein like grilled chicken or shrimp to make it a main dish.
  • Swap Out the Dressing: If you’re not a fan of the classic vinaigrette, try mixing things up with a creamy dressing like ranch or Caesar, or a tangy mustard dressing.

Green bean salad is a versatile dish that can be served at any occasion, from backyard barbecues to holiday dinners. Whether you prefer a classic vinaigrette or a more creative twist, there’s a green bean salad out there for everyone.

Italian Cold Green Bean Salad Recipe

Italian Cold Green Bean Salad Recipe

Recipe by Adore Foods
5.0 from 50 votes

Easy Italian cold marinated green beans salad, perfect side dish for any occasion: backyard barbecue, Holiday dinner (Easter included too) or potlucks. Can be customized based on your preferences.

Course: SidesCuisine: ItalianDifficulty: Easy
Servings

4

servings
Prep time

15

minutes
Cooking time

5

minutes
Chlling Time

2

hours
Cook Mode

Keep the screen of your device on

Ingredients

  • 1 pound 1 fresh green beans, ends trimmed

  • 1 pint 1 cherry tomatoes, halved

  • 1/2 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced

  • 1/4 cup 1/4 extra-virgin olive oil

  • 2 tbsp 2 Dijon mustard

  • 2 tbsp 2 red wine vinegar

  • Juice of 1 lemon

  • Salt and pepper, to taste

  • 1/2 cup 1/2 freshly grated Parmesan cheese

  • Fresh basil leaves for garnish (optional)

Directions

  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
  • Add the trimmed green beans to the boiling water and cook for 2-3 minutes until they are bright green and slightly tender.
  • Quickly transfer the green beans to a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking process. Once cooled, drain and pat dry with a paper towel.
  • In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, Dijon mustard, red wine vinegar, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Adjust the seasoning to taste.
  • In a large mixing bowl, combine the blanched green beans, halved cherry tomatoes, and sliced red onion.
  • Pour the prepared dressing over the vegetables and gently toss until all ingredients are well coated.
  • Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate the salad for at least 1-2 hours, allowing the flavors to meld and the salad to chill.
  • Before serving, sprinkle freshly grated Parmesan cheese over the salad and toss lightly.
  • Garnish with fresh basil leaves for an extra burst of flavor and color.
  • Serve the Italian Cold Green Bean Salad as a refreshing side dish for picnics, barbecues, or alongside your favorite Italian meal.

Notes

  • Canned green beans can be used as a substitute for fresh green beans, but they may not have the same crisp texture or vibrant color