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Green Bean Salad with Toasted Almonds & Feta

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5 from 120 reviews

This green bean salad is the best! Perfectly cooked green beans are tossed in a lemony dressing with toasted almonds, feta and basil. Recipe yields 4 side servings.

The best green bean salad recipe—who knew green beans could be so good?! This healthy side dish is perfect for summertime. cookieandkate.com
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Start with a large skillet over medium heat. Add the almonds and cook, stirring frequently (careful, they burn quickly). After 3 minutes, reduce the heat to medium-low, and continue stirring until they are fragrant and turning golden on the edges, about 1 to 3 more minutes. Transfer the almonds to a bowl to cool.
  2. Make sure the heat is set to medium-low and place the skillet back on the heat. Immediately add the green beans, water and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Cover and cook, stirring occasionally, until the beans are nearly tender, about 7 to 10 minutes. Remove the lid, raise heat to medium-high, and cook until the liquid evaporates, 2 to 5 minutes. Remove the skillet from the heat and set aside.
  3. Meanwhile, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, mustard, garlic, black pepper, red pepper flakes and remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt. Set aside.
  4. Once the green beans are done cooking, whisk the olive oil mixture once more, then pour it into the skillet. Pour the almonds back into the skillet, and add about half of the feta, reserving the other half for garnish. Toss to combine, then taste and add more lemon juice or black pepper if necessary.
  5. Transfer the green beans to a serving bowl or platter. Sprinkle the remaining feta and the torn basil leaves on top. Lightly grate some lemon zest on top, and serve promptly.

Notes

Green bean cooking technique adapted from The Complete America’s Test Kitchen TV Show Cookbook.

Make it dairy free/vegan: Omit the feta cheese, and replace it with an equivalent amount of Kalamata olives (pitted and thinly sliced) and/or sun-dried tomatoes (the oil-packed variety, rinsed and drained).

Make it nut free: I haven’t tried, but I think this recipe would be good with toasted sunflower seeds instead of the almonds.

▸ Nutrition Information

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