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    Home » Recipes » Salads

    Easy Green Bean Salad with Mustard and Garlic Dressing

    Published: Aug 15, 2019, Last updated: Aug 16, 2019 by Emily This post may contain affiliate links.

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    A fresh, vibrant and Delicious Easy Green Bean Salad tossed with a simple mustard and garlic dressing. This salad is perfect as a side dish or light lunch and is ready in only 10 minutes!

    An overhead shot of a green bean salad in a rustic serving bowl

    If there's one kind of salad I love it's this easy green bean salad.

    Not only is it incredibly simple, quick and easy but it is super versatile like my Italian Farro Salad which can be easily adapted with any veggies you like.

    I've been making this easy salad for a few years now and there's no better time to make it than when all the veggies are in season, it makes a huge difference.

    The dressing is so simple and takes two minutes to whip up plus it'll go with whatever veggies you choose.

    Here are my favourite ingredients for keeping this simple and easy...

    What You Need to Make it

    • French green beans
    • Fresh tomatoes
    • Radicchio
    • Radishes
    • Fresh basil
    • Dijon mustard
    • Garlic
    • Lemon juice

    Along with olive oil, salt, and pepper, all these ingredients are simple, fresh and full of flavour. Yup, you don't need any fancy ingredients to make an incredible salad.

    The Best Green Beans to Use

    Only use fresh French green beans and never use canned, they're mushy, tasteless and just won't work at all. 

    I also don't recommend using frozen green beans as they will be lacking in texture and flavour.

    How to Make this Green Bean Salad - Step By Step

    First, bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Meanwhile make the dressing, put all ingredients in a bowl and whisk until combined (photo 1 & 2).

    Trim the green beans then boil in salted water for 3-4 minutes until they are tender but still have a bite (photo 3 & 4).

    Step by step photos for making a mustard dressing for a green bean salad

    Prepare all the rest of the veggies (photo 5).

    Once the beans are cooked, drain them and place in a bowl. Add the dressing and toss to combine whilst still warm (photo 6).

    Add the rest of the veggies and toss to combine then serve (photos 7 & 8).

    Step by step photos for making a green bean salad

    Variations to Try and Serving Suggestions

    You can easily adapt this green bean salad recipe with all different kinds of veggies, cheeses, and nuts. Why not try tossing them with gorgonzola and walnuts while the beans are still warm (so delicious).

    You could also add raw or grilled peppers, burrata, mozzarella, and pine nuts, the ideas are endless!

    This green bean salad SO delicious served as a side dish with grilled meats such as steak or chicken and works great with fish.

    It's also great as a light lunch, you can prep it in advance, store it in the fridge and take it on the go for a work lunch, picnic or quick bite to eat.

    A side shot of a green bean salad in a large serving bowl

    Top Tips for Making this Easy Green Bean Salad:

    • Use the freshest and highest quality vegetables you can get
    • Toss the green beans in the dressing when they are still warm so they absorb the flavours better
    • You can make everything in advance and store it at room temperature for a few hours or in the fridge for a couple of days
    • Leftovers will store well in the fridge for a few days but I don't recommend freezing.

    More Delicious and Easy Salads You Might Like:

    • Grilled Zucchini Salad with Melon & Prosciutto
    • Italian Farro Salad
    • Tuna Panzanella – Italian Bread Salad
    • Classic Caprese Salad – Easy, Fresh & Delicious
    • Tuna White Bean Salad with Basil and Lemon

    If you've tried this Green Bean Salad or any other recipe on the blog please let me know how you got on in the comments below, I love hearing from you! You can also FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOK, TWITTER, INSTAGRAM and PINTEREST to see more delicious food and what I'm getting up to.

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    5 from 5 votes

    Easy Green Bean Salad with Mustard and Garlic Dressing

    A fresh, vibrant and Delicious Easy Green Bean Salad tossed with a simple mustard and garlic dressing. This salad is perfect as a side dish or light lunch and is ready in only 10 minutes!
    Course Salad
    Cuisine Italian
    Prep Time 6 minutes
    Cook Time 4 minutes
    Total Time 10 minutes
    Servings 4 people
    Calories 137kcal
    Author Emily Kemp

    Ingredients

    • 14 oz fresh French green beans (400g)
    • 4 radishes , finely sliced
    • 1 cup radicchio or red chicory chopped (140g)
    • 10 cherry tomatoes , cut in half
    • 1 small handful fresh basil , chopped

    For the dressing

    • 2 teaspoon djion mustard
    • zest and juice of half a lemon
    • 1 clove garlic , crushed
    • 3 tablespoon olive oil
    • salt and pepper , to season

    Instructions

    • Fill a large bowl with cold/icy water then bring a large salted pot of water to the boil. Trim the ends of the green beans then boil for 1-2 minutes, drain then plunge into the bowl of cold water. This will stop the green beans from cooking and keep their vibrant green colour.
    • Pat dry and place in a large bowl along with the tomatoes, radicchio and radishes. Tear in some basil reserving some for garnish.
    • To make the dressing, put the mustard, garlic, lemon juice and zest and olive oil in a bowl and mix together. Add a pinch of salt and pepper.
    • pour the dressing over the green bean salad and toss together until it's evenly coated. Add and extra pinch of salt and pepper if needed.
    • Serve in one large serving plate or individual plates, garnish with remaining basil. Enjoy.

    Notes

    • Use the freshest and highest quality vegetables you can get
    • Toss the green beans in the dressing when they are still warm so they absorb the flavours better
    • You can make everything in advance and store it at room temperature for a few hours or in the fridge for a couple of days
    • Leftovers will store well in the fridge for a few days but I don't recommend freezing.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 137kcal | Carbohydrates: 10g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Sodium: 43mg | Potassium: 342mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 919IU | Vitamin C: 23mg | Calcium: 41mg | Iron: 1mg
    Helpful Info for All Recipes
    • I always use extra virgin olive oil in all of my recipes unless stated otherwise
    • When I use canned or jarred tomatoes of any kind I always use Cirio or Mutti brands for the best results and flavour.
    • All vegetables are medium sized unless stated otherwise
    • All recipes are tested and developed using a fan (convection) oven
    • Find out more about how nutrition is calculated.
    • Check out our must have Italian Pantry Staples.
    • You can also find all our Essential Kitchen Tools for Italian Cooking.
    Did you try this recipe?Mention @insidetherustickitchen or tag #insidetherustickitchen! We'd love you see what you're getting up to in the kitchen!

     

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Jo Thrasher • Jo Eats

      August 21, 2019 at 10:38 pm

      What a beautifully colorful salad!5 stars

      Reply
      • Inside the rustic kitchen

        August 22, 2019 at 9:28 am

        Thanks so much, Jo!

        Reply
    2. Kelly Anthony

      August 16, 2019 at 1:05 pm

      This green bean salad is so bright and colorful perfect for a hot summer day. The mustard vinaigrette really takes this salad to the next level.5 stars

      Reply
      • Inside the rustic kitchen

        August 16, 2019 at 7:44 pm

        Thanks so much, Kelly, it's perfect for summer and I love how easy it is!

        Reply
    3. kim

      August 16, 2019 at 11:47 am

      Such a wonderful, healthy side! Will be making this again and again!5 stars

      Reply
      • Inside the rustic kitchen

        August 16, 2019 at 7:45 pm

        Thanks so much, Kim I'm so happy to hear that!

        Reply
    4. Mary Bostow

      August 16, 2019 at 11:15 am

      I love all the different colors of the beans and the salad is awesome each day you have it gets better each time you eat it

      Reply
    5. Tisha

      August 16, 2019 at 11:08 am

      Gorgeous salad! Very beautifully put together and the mustard vinaigrette sounds so delicious5 stars

      Reply
      • Inside the rustic kitchen

        August 16, 2019 at 7:52 pm

        Aw thank you so much, Tisha, that's so nice of you"

        Reply
    6. Lizzy

      August 16, 2019 at 10:50 am

      This is beautiful! I love the use of radicchio, it looks great with those green beans.

      Reply
      • Inside the rustic kitchen

        August 16, 2019 at 7:52 pm

        Thanks so much Lizzy!

        Reply
    7. Lorraine

      August 29, 2017 at 6:59 pm

      Lovely side dish, very good!5 stars

      Reply

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