Why Green Bean and Feta Salad Is a Fresh Favorite

When the sun’s out and the produce is crisp, Green Bean and Feta Salad is the kind of dish that feels just right. It’s light, vibrant, and full of texture, with tender-crisp green beans, tangy feta, and a bright vinaigrette that ties everything together.

Perfect for summer meals, potlucks, or light lunches, this salad is easy to prepare and endlessly customizable. Whether you serve it chilled or at room temperature, it’s a refreshing side that pairs beautifully with grilled meats, sandwiches, or grain bowls.

With just a handful of ingredients and a quick blanch, you’ll have a dish that’s as elegant as it is effortless. Let’s dive into this Mediterranean-inspired favorite.

What Is Green Bean and Feta Salad?

Green Bean and Feta Salad is a simple, flavorful dish made by tossing blanched or sautéed green beans with crumbled feta cheese and a zesty vinaigrette. It’s inspired by Mediterranean and Greek flavors, where fresh vegetables, tangy cheeses, and olive oil-based dressings shine.

The salad is often enhanced with toasted nuts, cherry tomatoes, and fresh herbs, making it both colorful and satisfying. It’s a great way to showcase seasonal produce and add a crisp, refreshing element to any meal.

Whether served as a side dish or a light main, this salad delivers a balance of savory, tangy, and crunchy that’s hard to resist. It’s also easy to prep ahead, making it ideal for gatherings or weekday lunches.

Ingredient Breakdown: What You’ll Need

Here’s what you’ll need to make this fresh and flavorful salad:

Green Beans

1 lb fresh green beans, trimmed
Blanched or sautéed until tender-crisp

Feta Cheese

½ cup crumbled feta, preferably Greek-style for tang and creaminess

Dressing

3 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp lemon juice or white wine vinegar
1 tsp Dijon mustard
1 garlic clove, minced
Salt and pepper to taste

Add-ins

¼ cup thinly sliced red onion
½ cup halved cherry tomatoes
¼ cup toasted almonds or walnuts
2 tbsp chopped fresh basil or parsley

Optional Extras

Sliced olives
Scallions
Pinch of chili flakes
Grated lemon zest

Tip: Blanch green beans for 2–3 minutes, then plunge into ice water to lock in their vibrant color and crisp texture.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Toast the Nuts In a dry skillet over medium heat, toast almonds or walnuts until golden and fragrant. Set aside to cool.
Blanch the Green Beans Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add trimmed green beans and cook for 2–3 minutes until tender-crisp. Drain and immediately transfer to an ice bath to stop cooking and preserve color. Pat dry.
Make the Dressing In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice or vinegar, Dijon mustard, garlic, salt, and pepper until emulsified.
Assemble the Salad In a large bowl, toss green beans with dressing, toasted nuts, red onion, cherry tomatoes, and half the feta.
Garnish and Serve Transfer to a serving bowl or platter. Top with remaining feta, fresh herbs, and optional lemon zest or chili flakes.

Tip: Make the dressing ahead of time and refrigerate—it allows the flavors to meld and deepen.

Taste & Texture Profile

Green Bean and Feta Salad is a celebration of contrast and freshness:

Green beans offer a crisp, clean bite that’s both refreshing and satisfying.
Feta cheese adds creamy richness and a salty tang that complements the vegetables.
The vinaigrette brings brightness and savory depth, with hints of garlic and mustard.
Toasted nuts add crunch and warmth, while herbs and tomatoes provide bursts of freshness.

The result is a salad that’s balanced, vibrant, and deeply flavorful—perfect for warm-weather meals or anytime you want something light yet satisfying.