Fresh Green Bean and Tomato Salad with Tangy Vinaigrette
Fresh green bean and tomato salad with tangy vinaigrette is a crisp, refreshing side dish that’s perfect for summer cookouts. After making this many times, I’ve discovered the trick to keeping the beans crisp is to blanch them just right. The fresh tomatoes and crisp green beans create a light, juicy combination that’s irresistible. Try it with my Easy Chipotle Corn Salsa for a complete summer meal. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Easy Chipotle Corn Salsa Recipe for Summer Snacks and Easy Smoked Baby Potatoes with Beer Mustard and BBQ Rub.
Why This Fresh Green Bean and Tomato Salad with Tangy Vinaigrette Is Pure Comfort
- Light and refreshing
- Crisp green beans and juicy tomatoes
- Easy to make ahead
- Perfect for summer cookouts
What You'll Need for Fresh Green Bean and Tomato Salad with Tangy Vinaigrette
Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.
- 1 lb fresh green beans
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 tbsp red wine vinegar
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tbsp honey
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Optional: 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
- Optional: 2 tbsp chopped fresh basil
📝 Ingredient Notes
- green beans: Trim the ends and remove any strings.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- KitchenAid Food Chopper — Saves time and effort in chopping vegetables → See on Amazon
- OXO Good Grips Vegetable Peeler — Makes quick work of peeling vegetables → See on Amazon
How to Make Fresh Green Bean and Tomato Salad with Tangy Vinaigrette
- Blanch the green beans: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the green beans and cook until tender-crisp, about 2 minutes. Drain and transfer to a bowl of ice water to cool. Drain and pat dry.
- Make the vinaigrette: In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey, salt, and pepper.
- Assemble the salad: In a large bowl, combine the green beans, tomatoes, and red onion. Pour the vinaigrette over the salad and toss to combine. Add the feta cheese and basil (if using) and toss gently to combine.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Fresh Green Bean and Tomato Salad with Tangy Vinaigrette
- Common mistake and fix: Don't overcook the green beans. They should be tender-crisp, not mushy.
- Pro tip: Make the salad up to a day ahead and store in the refrigerator. The flavors will meld together and the salad will still be crisp.
- Pro tip: For a heartier salad, add grilled chicken or tofu.
Storing & Reheating Fresh Green Bean and Tomato Salad with Tangy Vinaigrette
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Make-ahead tip: Yes, up to a day ahead.
Freezing Fresh Green Bean and Tomato Salad with Tangy Vinaigrette
Not recommended for freezing.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Not necessary. Microwave: Not necessary.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a spicy version, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the vinaigrette.
- Best substitution: Substitute the red wine vinegar with white wine vinegar or lemon juice.
- Make-ahead: The salad can be made up to a day ahead. The flavors will meld together and the salad will still be crisp.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled for larger gatherings.
- Troubleshooting: If the salad is too dry, add a little more olive oil to the vinaigrette.
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Fresh Green Bean and Tomato Salad with Tangy Vinaigrette
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb fresh green beans
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced
Seasonings
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 tbsp red wine vinegar
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tbsp honey
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Optional Toppings
- 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh basil
Instructions
- Blanch the green beans: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the green beans and cook until tender-crisp, about 2 minutes. Drain and transfer to a bowl of ice water to cool. Drain and pat dry.
- Make the vinaigrette: In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey, salt, and pepper.
- Assemble the salad: In a large bowl, combine the green beans, tomatoes, and red onion. Pour the vinaigrette over the salad and toss to combine. Add the feta cheese and basil (if using) and toss gently to combine.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a spicy version, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the vinaigrette.
- Best substitution: Substitute the red wine vinegar with white wine vinegar or lemon juice.
- Make-ahead: The salad can be made up to a day ahead. The flavors will meld together and the salad will still be crisp.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled for larger gatherings.
- Troubleshooting: If the salad is too dry, add a little more olive oil to the vinaigrette.
Storage
- Fridge: Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Not recommended for freezing.
- Oven reheat: Not necessary.
- Microwave reheat: Not necessary.
- Make ahead: Yes, up to a day ahead.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 120
- Protein: 3g
- Fat: 8g
- Carbs: 10g
- Fiber: 3g
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Cholesterol: 5mg
- Sat. Fat: 1.5g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Fresh Green Bean and Tomato Salad with Tangy Vinaigrette FAQs
Yes, the salad can be made up to a day ahead. The flavors will meld together and the salad will still be crisp.
Overcooking is the most common reason for mushy green beans. Be sure to cook them until tender-crisp, not mushy.
Yes, but the texture will not be as crisp. Drain and rinse the beans before using.
Yes, but it's best with fresh, in-season green beans and tomatoes. In the winter, you can use frozen green beans and canned tomatoes.
This salad pairs well with grilled meats, fish, or pasta dishes. Try it with my Easy Smoked Baby Potatoes with Beer Mustard and BBQ Rub.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Fresh Green Bean and Tomato Salad with Tangy Vinaigrette and see how effortlessly it comes together. When you make it, pop back here and leave a rating or share how it turned out — I love hearing from you!
