The Best Tomato and Green Bean Salad with Feta
Enjoy a refreshing and healthy salad with this Tomato and Green Bean Salad with Feta Cheese recipe. Made with crisp and flavorful haricots verts (green beans), cherry tomatoes, feta cheese and a tangy balsamic vinaigrette, this salad is perfect as a Christmas side salad.
This red and green salad is easy to make and packed with nutrients. It’s the perfect holiday or Christmas salad. This dish is sure to impress your guests and satisfy your taste buds. Try it today!
Is a green bean and tomato salad healthy?
Yes, a green bean and tomato salad is generally considered a healthy dish. Both green beans and tomatoes are low in calories and high in nutrients, such as fiber, vitamins, and minerals.
Green beans are a good source of vitamin C, vitamin K, and folate, while tomatoes are rich in vitamin C, vitamin A, and potassium. These nutrients are important for maintaining good health and may help reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and certain types of cancer.
In addition, green bean and tomato salad is typically dressed with a light vinaigrette, which provides healthy fats and adds flavor without adding too many calories. However, it’s important to keep portion sizes in mind and avoid adding too much dressing or high-calorie ingredients like croutons or cheese, which can increase the calorie count of the salad.
Overall, green bean and tomato salad can be a nutritious and delicious addition to a balanced diet.
Health benefits of Tomato and Green Bean Salad
This Tomato and Green Bean Salad with Feta is delicious! Here are some health benefits of the key ingredients:
- Green Beans: They are low in calories and rich in vitamins like A, C, and K. Green beans also provide important minerals like iron, manganese, and potassium.
- Tomatoes: Packed with antioxidants, tomatoes are a great source of vitamins C and K, potassium, and folate. They are known to support heart health and may have anti-cancer properties.
- Feta Cheese: While it’s important to consume it in moderation due to its calorie content, feta cheese adds a burst of flavor. It’s a good source of calcium and protein.
- Olive Oil: A staple in the Mediterranean diet, olive oil is rich in healthy monounsaturated fats and antioxidants. It’s linked to various health benefits, including heart health.
- Balsamic Vinegar: Adds a tangy flavor with potential health benefits, including improved digestion and reduced blood sugar levels.
- Garlic and Shallot: Both bring not only great flavor but also have potential health benefits, such as having anti-inflammatory and immune-boosting properties.
- Parsley: A nutrient-rich herb, parsley is high in vitamins A, C, and K. It also contains antioxidants and may have anti-inflammatory properties.
Why you’ll love this salad
Aside from its health benefits, there are many reasons why this tomato and green bean salad recipe will become your new favorite dish. First, it’s incredibly easy to make. With just a few fresh ingredients and a simple dressing, you can have a delicious and colorful salad in no time. Secondly, it’s a great dish for entertaining. The combination of bright red and green colors is eye-catching and will add a pop of color to any table. Plus, it’s a crowd-pleaser that will satisfy even the pickiest eaters. Lastly, it’s versatile. You can serve this salad as a side dish or turn it into a complete meal by adding some grilled chicken, shrimp, or tofu. With all these reasons to love it, it’s no wonder this recipe is a must-try.
RELATED: Heart Healthy Mixed Bean Salad
Ingredients for green bean salad with tomatoes
This flavorful salad is made with a few simple ingredients that work together to create a harmonious balance of flavors and textures. To make this green bean salad you’ll need:
- 1 (12 ounce) package fresh green beans, trimmed
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 medium shallot, minced
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1 (10 ounce) package grape or cherry tomatoes, sliced in half
- ¼ cup freshly chopped parsley
- ¼ cup crumbled feta cheese
Be sure to check out the full ingredient list and printable recipe in the recipe card below.
How to make this salad
To make this delicious tomato and green bean salad, follow these simple instructions.
Step 1: Fill a Dutch oven or stock pot with salted water. Bring the water to a boil over medium high heat. Add the green beans to the water and cook for 10 to 15 minutes or until crisp tender. Drain the beans well.
Step 2: In a small bowl or jar, whisk together the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, garlic, shallot, salt, and black pepper.
Step 3: In a large bowl, toss together the green beans, tomatoes, and dressing.
Step 4: Garnish the salad with freshly chopped parsley and top with feta cheese.
Serve immediately or allow to refrigerate.
Make this red and green salad, then check out my Mixed Green Salad with Apple and Goat Cheese, or my Pomegranate and Apple Green Christmas Salad and more of my healthy salad dressing recipes.
Tips and frequently asked questions
Read on for tips and substitution ideas on how to make this recipe, such as how to customize this salad, and how to store this salad.
How to customize this salad
While this tomato and green bean salad recipe is delicious as is, you can always switch up the ingredients to suit your tastes. For example, you could substitute cherry tomatoes for the ripe tomatoes, or use white onion instead of red onion. As for the beans, feel free to use a different type of green bean such as haricots verts or wax beans.
If you want to add some extra flavor and texture, you could toss in some crumbled feta cheese or diced avocado. And if you prefer a more tangy dressing, try using red wine vinegar instead of lemon juice.
The beauty of this recipe is that you can make it your own by experimenting with different ingredients and flavor combinations. Get creative and have fun with it!
Tips for Serving:
Once the salad has chilled in the refrigerator for an hour, it’s ready to be served. This salad pairs perfectly with grilled chicken or fish, or can be enjoyed on its own as a light and healthy meal. For an added crunch, try sprinkling some toasted almonds or pine nuts on top.
Tips for Serving green bean salad
When it comes to presentation, you can’t go wrong with a simple white serving dish. The bright colors of the vegetables and the dressing will pop against the neutral backdrop. Finally, make sure to have a serving spoon handy so guests can help themselves to seconds (and they will!).
How to store this salad
To keep this delicious salad fresh and enjoyable, it’s important to know how to store it properly. Luckily, it’s a breeze! All you need to do is cover the bowl with plastic wrap and place it in the refrigerator. This way, you can keep it fresh for up to two days.
However, before serving it again, be sure to give the salad a thorough stir to make sure the dressing is evenly distributed. This step will ensure that everyone gets a taste of that mouthwatering dressing with every bite.
Now that you know how to store this salad, you can make it ahead of time for a stress-free meal prep experience. Whether you’re serving it as a side at a gathering or enjoying it as a main dish, this tomato and green bean salad is sure to impress.
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Other red and green salad recipes to try
- Pomegranate and Apple Green Christmas Salad – This salad is crunchy, easy to make, and super festive! This salad is a perfect side dish for the winter holiday season!
- Mixed Green Salad with Apple and Goat Cheese – this salad is filled with flavor from apples, raisins, goat cheese, and toasted walnuts. It’s easy to make in under 30 minutes for an easy weeknight side dish your whole family will love.
Tomato Green Bean Salad with Feta Recipe
This Tomato and Green Bean Salad with Feta is a festive and easy option for any holiday gathering. Fresh green beans and tomatoes are tossed with a bed of seasonal greens and feta cheese, and it's the perfect way to add some seasonal color to the plate.
Ingredients
For the salad
- 1 (12 ounce) package fresh green beans, trimmed
- 1 (10 ounce) package grape or cherry tomatoes, sliced in half
- ¼ cup freshly chopped parsley
- ¼ cup crumbled feta cheese
For the dressing
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 medium shallot, minced
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Fill a Dutch oven or stock pot with salted water. Bring the water to a boil over medium high heat.
- Add the green beans to the water and cook for 10 to 15 minutes or until crisp tender. Drain the beans well.
- In a small bowl or jar, whisk together the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, garlic, shallot, salt, and black pepper.
- In a large bowl, toss together the green beans, tomatoes, and dressing.
- Garnish the salad with freshly chopped parsley and top with feta cheese.
- Serve immediately or allow to refrigerate.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 6 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 120Total Fat: 10gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 6mgSodium: 159mgCarbohydrates: 6gFiber: 1gSugar: 4gProtein: 2g
The provided nutrition information is an estimate and it does not take brands into account. I use an automatic API to calculate this information.