Green Bean Salad with Shallots, Dijon and Toasted Almonds
In short: Snappy green beans tossed in a Dijon, shallot and tarragon vinaigrette with toasted almonds. Good warm, at room temperature or cold. It takes about 23 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 15 min
- Cook
- 8 min
- Total
- 23 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 210 kcal
Green beans boiled until just tender and chilled in ice water stay bright green and snappy. This version uses a sharp Dijon vinaigrette with shallot and tarragon, plus toasted almonds for crunch. It is served at room temperature or cold, so it suits picnics and make-ahead meals as well as a weeknight side.
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add the 2 teaspoons of salt. Fill a large bowl with ice and cold water.
- Toast the almonds in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3 minutes until golden. Tip them out to cool, then chop roughly.
- Cook the green beans in the boiling water for 3 to 5 minutes, until bright green and just tender but still with a bite. Lift them out with a slotted spoon and plunge them into the ice bath for 2 minutes. Drain and dry well on a towel.
- Whisk the olive oil, vinegar, mustard, shallot, tarragon, sugar, salt and pepper in a large bowl and let it stand for 5 minutes so the shallot softens.
- Add the beans to the dressing and toss until coated.
- Scatter the almonds over the beans and serve at room temperature or chilled.
Tips
- Beans of similar thickness cook at the same pace. Give any thick ones an extra minute, and take thin ones out first.
- Add halved cherry tomatoes, boiled new potatoes or drained chickpeas to turn this into a main-course salad.
Questions and answers
How do I keep green beans bright green?
Boil them in well-salted water just until tender, then cool them quickly in ice water. Acid dulls the color over time, so dress them within an hour of serving for the greenest beans.
Can I serve green bean salad warm?
Yes. Skip the ice bath, drain the beans well and toss them with the dressing while still warm. They absorb the flavor very well.
How long does green bean salad keep?
Covered, it keeps for 2 days in the fridge. The beans lose some of their brightness but still taste good. Add the almonds just before serving.
How long does it take to make Green Bean Salad with Shallots, Dijon and Toasted Almonds?
About 23 min in total: 15 min of preparation and 8 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Green Bean Salad with Shallots, Dijon and Toasted Almonds?
About 210 kcal per serving, with 5 g of protein, 13 g of carbohydrates and 16 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 210 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 5 g |
| Carbohydrates | 13 g |
| Fat | 16 g |
| Fiber | 5 g |
| Sugar | 5 g |
| Sodium | 320 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
