Ina Garten’s Refreshing French String Bean Salad Recipe

French string bean salad transforms ordinary green vegetables into a vibrant culinary experience that sparks excitement at any dining table.

Crisp, slender legumes dance with bright, tangy flavors, creating a refreshing side dish that feels both elegant and approachable.

Mediterranean-inspired ingredients elevate this simple preparation beyond standard vegetable fare.

Delicate herbs and sharp vinaigrette whisper sophistication without overwhelming the natural bean essence.

Fresh ingredients serve as the backbone of this light, nutritious recipe that appeals to health-conscious food lovers.

Balanced textures and harmonious seasonings make this salad a delightful complement to grilled proteins or standalone lunch option.

Minimal preparation time ensures you can craft a restaurant-quality dish with minimal kitchen effort: gather your ingredients and let culinary magic unfold.

Why French String Bean Salad Is Light but Packed With Flavor

• Quick Blanching Magic: Master the art of perfectly crisp-tender green beans with a lightning-fast 1-minute boil and instant ice bath technique that locks in vibrant color and maintains ideal texture.
• Foolproof Vinaigrette Technique: Create a restaurant-quality dressing by slowly whisking olive oil into mustard and vinegar, resulting in a silky-smooth emulsion that clings beautifully to each bean.
• Flexible Flavor Performer: This salad shines as a versatile side dish that works equally well at casual backyard gatherings or elegant dinner parties, with an easy make-ahead option that actually improves its flavor over time.
• Herb-Infused Freshness Boost: The addition of fresh dill adds a bright, aromatic dimension that elevates the simple green beans from ordinary to extraordinary, bringing a light, summery feel to the entire dish.

Ingredients That Make French String Bean Salad Shine

• String Beans: Crisp and tender green beans that form the base of the salad, best when young and slender.
• Fresh Dill: Delicate herb that adds a bright, tangy flavor and fresh green accent to the dish.

• Dijon Mustard, White Wine Vinegar: Tangy combination that creates the base of the vinaigrette, with mustard providing depth and emulsification.
• Olive Oil: Smooth, rich oil that helps bind the dressing and adds a subtle fruity undertone.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasoning that enhances and balances the overall flavor profile.

• Ice, Paper Towels: Ice for quickly stopping bean cooking and preserving color, paper towels for drying beans to ensure dressing adheres properly.

How to Toss a French String Bean Salad the Ina Way

Step 1: Prepare Ice Bath

Fill a large bowl with cold water and ice cubes to create a chilling station for the green beans.

Step 2: Blanch Green Beans

Boil a large pot of water and add salt. Drop green beans into the boiling water and cook for one minute until they’re bright green and slightly tender. Quickly transfer beans to the ice bath to stop the cooking process.

Step 3: Dry Green Beans

Drain the beans completely using a colander. Pat beans dry with clean kitchen towels or paper towels. Transfer to a spacious mixing bowl.

Step 4: Create Tangy Vinaigrette

• Dijon mustard
• White wine vinegar
• Salt
• Black pepper

Slowly stream olive oil while whisking to create a smooth, creamy mixture.

Step 5: Combine and Season

• Chopped dill

Gently toss to ensure even coating.

Step 6: Serve and Store

Allow salad to rest at room temperature before serving. If preparing ahead, refrigerate and refresh with extra vinaigrette before presenting. Sprinkle additional salt to enhance flavors.

Tips for Blanching Beans Just Right

• Blanch with Precision: Time your bean boiling to exactly 60 seconds for that perfect crisp-tender texture without losing vibrant green color.
• Shock and Preserve: Plunge hot beans into ice water immediately to halt cooking and lock in their bright, fresh appearance and crunch.
• Eliminate Moisture Completely: Use clean kitchen towels or paper towels to thoroughly dry beans, ensuring the dressing coats every surface without becoming watery.
• Emulsify Dressing Expertly: Whisk olive oil into vinegar slowly and steadily, creating a silky, well-blended vinaigrette that will beautifully coat each bean.
• Dress Just Before Serving: Keep salad components separate until the last moment, then toss with fresh dressing to maintain maximum flavor and texture.

Storage Tips That Keep French Bean Salad Fresh

• Vacuum Seal Method: Lock in freshness by using a vacuum sealer with clean, dry beans. Press out all air before sealing to prevent moisture and bacterial growth, extending the salad's life to 5-7 days. Perfect for meal preppers and busy home cooks.
• Glass Container Storage: Choose a clear, wide-mouth glass container with a tight-fitting lid. Layer beans carefully to prevent crushing, and place a paper towel on top to absorb excess moisture. Keeps salad crisp and flavorful for up to 4 days in the refrigerator.
• Portion Control Approach: Divide salad into individual serving-sized containers before storing. This strategy prevents repeated exposure to air and potential contamination, maintaining optimal taste and texture. Grab-and-go convenience meets smart food preservation.

New Flavors to Elevate French String Bean Salad

• Mediterranean Bean Boost: Add crumbled feta cheese, sliced kalamata olives, and chopped sun-dried tomatoes for a Mediterranean-inspired flavor profile that transforms the classic French string bean salad.
• Nutty Green Crunch: Sprinkle toasted sliced almonds or pine nuts over the salad for an extra layer of texture and nutty richness that complements the crisp green beans and tangy vinaigrette.
• Herb Garden Remix: Replace dill with a combination of fresh chopped parsley, chives, and tarragon to create a more complex herbal note that elevates the overall taste of the bean salad.
• Protein Power Bowl: Toss in grilled chicken strips or seared shrimp to turn this side dish into a complete, protein-packed meal that's perfect for lunch or a light dinner option.

A Chic Goodbye to a Crisp French Salad

Ina Garten’s French string bean salad emerges as pure culinary poetry—a classic side dish capturing French countryside elegance.

Mediterranean flavors dance across crisp green beans, creating symphonic harmony between delicate herbs and zesty vinaigrette.

Salt, mustard, and white wine vinegar weave together sophisticated nuances that elevate this simple recipe from ordinary to extraordinary.

Dill’s fresh whispers complement the beans’ tender crunch, promising a sensory experience that transports palates directly to Provence’s sunlit landscapes.

Meal companions will marvel at such graceful simplicity, wondering how such uncomplicated ingredients generate such profound deliciousness.

Passionate culinary explorers, share this magnificent recipe, comment with your French bean adventures, and spread gastronomic joy across your social networks.

Ina Garten French String Bean Salad Recipe

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4.8 from 22 reviews

• Total Time: 15 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s French string bean salad offers a classic French countryside charm with crisp green beans, tangy mustard vinaigrette, and delicate shallots. Guests savor each refreshing bite of this elegant side dish that brings Mediterranean simplicity to your table.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1.5 pounds (680 grams) French string beans, both ends trimmed

Vinaigrette Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
• 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
• 0.5 cups (120 milliliters) good olive oil

Seasoning Ingredients:

• 0.25 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 2 tablespoons minced fresh dill

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Instructions

1. Establish an icy plunge station by filling a spacious container with frigid water and ice cubes, creating a rapid cooling environment for the green beans.
2. Bring a generously sized pot of water to a rolling boil, incorporating / 15 grams of kosher salt. Submerge the string beans and cook precisely for 60 seconds to achieve a crisp-tender texture without losing their vibrant emerald hue.
3. Swiftly transfer the beans from boiling water directly into the prepared ice bath, ensuring an immediate temperature drop to halt the cooking process and preserve their bright color and crispness.
4. Remove the beans from the ice water, then carefully pat them dry using clean kitchen towels or paper towels to eliminate excess moisture.
5. Craft a zesty vinaigrette by whisking Dijon mustard, white wine vinegar, / 2.5 grams of salt, and freshly ground black pepper in a small mixing bowl.
6. Gradually stream olive oil into the mustard mixture while continuously whisking to create a smooth, emulsified dressing that will coat the beans evenly.
7. Transfer the dried beans to a large serving bowl and drizzle with the prepared vinaigrette, ensuring each bean is elegantly glazed with the tangy dressing.
8. Sprinkle freshly chopped dill over the beans, gently folding the herbs to distribute them uniformly throughout the salad.
9. Allow the salad to rest at ambient temperature for optimal flavor melding. If preparing in advance, refrigerate and refresh with additional vinaigrette before serving.

Notes

• Keep dressing separate until the last moment to maintain crisp bean texture and prevent soggy ingredients.
• Towel-dry green beans meticulously to ensure maximum vinaigrette absorption and vibrant flavor coating.
• Slowly stream olive oil while whisking to create a silky, well-emulsified dressing that hugs each bean perfectly.
• Quickly plunge boiled beans into ice water to halt cooking and lock in their bright emerald color and satisfying crunch.
• Monitor boiling time precisely for beans that are tender-crisp and retain their fresh, appetizing appearance.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 5 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Boiling
• Cuisine: French

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 199
• Sugar: 3g
• Sodium: 300mg
• Fat: 18g
• Saturated Fat: 2.5g
• Carbohydrates: 8g
• Fiber: 3g
• Protein: 2g
• Cholesterol: 0mg