Fresh Green Bean Salad with Feta Cheese
A vibrant and refreshing salad featuring crisp green beans, creamy feta cheese, and crunchy walnuts, perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
Salad Ingredients
- 1.5 pounds green beans, trimmed Choose bright green and firm beans.
- 1 small red onion, thinly sliced Can substitute with shallots for a milder flavor.
- 0.25 cup crumbled feta cheese Use high-quality Greek feta for richer flavor.
- 0.5 cup walnuts, toasted and coarsely chopped Toasting walnuts enhances flavor.
Dressing Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice Use fresh lemon juice for best taste.
- 3 tablespoons white wine vinegar Balances richness of the dish.
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard Aids in emulsifying the dressing.
- 0.5 teaspoon sugar (optional) Balances acidity if needed.
- 0.25 teaspoon salt Adjust to taste; feta adds saltiness.
- 0.125 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
- 0.5 cup vegetable oil Can substitute with olive oil.
Instructions
Prepare Green Beans
- Rinse and trim the green beans.
- Blanch them in boiling salted water for 3-5 minutes until they are tender-crisp.
- Immediately transfer them to an ice bath for 2-3 minutes to stop the cooking process. Drain thoroughly and pat dry.
Make Lemon Vinaigrette
- In a bowl, whisk together the lemon juice, white wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, sugar (if using), salt, and pepper.
- Slowly drizzle in the vegetable oil while continuously whisking until emulsified. Taste and adjust seasoning.
Assemble Salad
- In a large bowl, combine the blanched green beans and thinly sliced red onion.
- Pour the vinaigrette over the vegetables and toss gently to coat evenly.
Add Finishing Touches & Serve
- Fold in the crumbled feta cheese and toasted walnuts.
- Serve immediately or let sit for 15-30 minutes at room temperature for flavors to meld.
- If refrigerating, take it out to bring to room temperature before serving.
Notes
Best consumed fresh but can be kept in an airtight container for up to 2 days. Preparing the dressing and chopping veggies ahead of time is recommended. Can be customized with different nuts or flavors.