Looking for a vibrant, fresh salad that's quick, easy, and packed with bold Mediterranean flavors? This Mediterranean Green Bean Salad is the perfect solution!
1 lb fresh green beans, trimmed and cut into 3-inch pieces
1 tsp kosher salt
2 tbsp olive oil (divided)
2 shallots, thinly sliced
1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1/2 cup walnuts, roughly chopped
1 cup pitted Kalamata olives
1/2 cup fresh mint, chopped
2 green onions, chopped
For the Dijon Dressing:
2 tbsp olive oil
1 1/2 tsp Dijon mustard
1/4 tsp kosher salt
1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
Juice of 1 lemon
1 clove garlic, minced
Instructions:
Prepare the Dressing:
In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, Dijon mustard, salt, pepper, lemon juice, and minced garlic. Set aside.
Fry the Shallots:
Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
Add the shallots and fry until golden and crispy.
Transfer them to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
Blanch the Green Beans:
Bring a pot of water to a boil, adding 1 tsp of salt.
Add the green beans and cook for 8 minutes (blanching).
Cool the Green Beans:
While the beans cook, fill a large bowl with ice water.
Once the green beans are done, use a slotted spoon to transfer them to the ice water for 5 minutes to halt the cooking process.
Drain and pat dry.
Assemble the Salad:
Arrange the cooled green beans on a platter or in a shallow bowl.
Top with fried shallots, feta, cherry tomatoes, walnuts, Kalamata olives, mint, and green onions.
Dress the Salad:
Drizzle the Dijon dressing over the salad, toss gently to combine, and serve immediately.
Notes:
If the green beans remain undercooked after the ice bath, return them to the boiling water for an additional 2-4 minutes.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
This salad pairs wonderfully with dishes like za’atar chicken, Greek grilled chicken, Instant Pot chicken breast, or pan-seared salmon.
For best results, use fresh green beans, but canned beans can also be used in a pinch.
To prepare the salad ahead of time, prep the dressing, cook the beans, and assemble the salad. Keep it in the fridge and drizzle with the dressing just before serving.