Name: Green Bean Salad with Lemon and Dill Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 4 min
Total time: 19 min
Yield: 6
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Ingredients: 1½ lb Fresh Green Beans; 3 tbsp fresh dill; 3 tbsp red onion; 1½ tbsp dijon mustard; 1½ tbsp olive oil; 1 lemon; 1½ tbsp lemon juice; 1 tbsp kosher salt; 1 tsp freshly ground pepper

If you're looking for a fresh and vibrant side dish, this green bean salad with lemon and dill is a perfect choice. It's light, zesty, and incredibly easy to prepare, making it a great companion for any main course. The combination of crunchy green beans with a tangy lemon dressing and aromatic dill is sure to please your taste buds. Perfect for a summer meal or a holiday feast, this salad is both healthy and flavorful.

Photos of Green Bean Salad with Lemon and Dill Recipe

While most of the ingredients for this recipe are common pantry staples, you may need to grab fresh dill and red onion from the supermarket. Fresh dill adds a unique, aromatic flavor that's different from dried dill, and its bright green fronds make the salad visually appealing. Red onion offers a mild, slightly sweet taste that complements the tangy lemon juice and zesty dijon mustard in the dressing.

Ingredients for Green Bean Salad with Lemon and Dill

Green beans: Fresh and crisp, these form the base of the salad.

Dill: Provides a fresh and aromatic flavor; use fresh dill for best results.

Red onion: Adds a mild, slightly sweet taste and a bit of crunch.

Dijon mustard: Brings a tangy and slightly spicy note to the dressing.

Olive oil: A healthy fat that helps to emulsify the dressing.

Lemon: Both the zest and juice offer a bright, tangy flavor.

Kosher salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the salad.

Freshly ground pepper: Adds a touch of heat and complexity to the dish.

One reader, Aguie Batchelor says:

This green bean salad with lemon and dill is a refreshing delight! The crisp beans paired with the zesty lemon and fresh dill create a perfect balance. Easy to make and bursting with flavor, it's a fantastic side dish for any meal. Highly recommend!

Aguie Batchelor

Techniques for Making Green Bean Salad with Lemon and Dill

How to trim green beans: Wash the green beans thoroughly and use a knife or kitchen scissors to cut off the stem ends. How to blanch green beans: Boil the green beans for 3 to 4 minutes until they are bright in color and firm-tender, then strain and run them under cold water to stop the cooking process. How to zest a lemon: Use a microplane or a fine grater to remove the outer yellow layer of the lemon peel, avoiding the white pith. How to mince an onion: Peel the onion, cut it in half, and finely chop it into small pieces. How to whisk a dressing: Combine ingredients such as dill, minced onion, dijon mustard, olive oil, lemon zest, lemon juice, salt, and pepper in a bowl and whisk until well blended.

How To Make Green Bean Salad with Lemon and Dill

Put together a quick, satisfying dish this green bean salad tossed in a refreshing Dijon and lemon juice dressing. Ready to serve in 20 minutes!

Preparation: 15 minutes

Cooking: 4 minutes

Total: 19 minutes

Serves:

Ingredients

1½lbfresh green beans
3tbspfresh dill,minced
3tbspred onion,minced
1½tbspDijon mustard
1½tbspolive oil
1lemon,zested
1½tbsplemon juice,(from ½ lemon)
1tbspkosher salt,divided
1tspfreshly ground pepper

Instructions

In a large saucepan, bring water to a boil and add 1 tablespoon kosher salt. While the water is coming to a boil, wash and trim the stem ends of the green beans.
Add trimmed beans to water. Let boil for about 3 to 4 minutes. The color of the beans should be bright and the texture cooked but firm tender. Taste a bean to make sure it has the right texture.
Strain the beans and run under cold water to slow the cooking process. Shake off excess water, and pat them dry with a towel.
In the bottom of the serving bowl, whisk together dill, minced onion, Dijon mustard, olive oil, lemon zest, lemon juice, and ½ teaspoon salt, and pepper.
Add beans. Toss to coat.
Serve at room temperature alongside the main meal.

Nutrition

Calories: 74.30kcal
Fat: 3.82g
Saturated Fat: 0.55g
Trans Fat: 0.00g
Monounsaturated Fat: 2.57g
Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.53g
Carbohydrates: 10.09g
Fiber: 3.71g
Sugar: 4.29g
Protein: 2.46g
Sodium: 325.34mg
Calcium: 51.22mg
Potassium: 278.32mg
Iron: 1.39mg
Vitamin A: 41.18µg
Vitamin C: 21.05mg

Pro Tip for Perfecting Your Green Bean Salad

To ensure your green beans maintain their vibrant color and crisp texture, immediately plunge them into an ice bath after boiling. This halts the cooking process and helps preserve their bright green hue.

Time-Saving Tips for Preparing This Salad

Prep ingredients in advance: Wash and trim the green beans the night before to save time on the day of cooking.

Use a mandoline: Slice the red onion quickly and evenly with a mandoline.

Blanch and chill: Blanch the green beans and immediately transfer them to an ice bath to stop cooking, ensuring they stay crisp.

Make the dressing ahead: Whisk together the dill, dijon mustard, olive oil, lemon zest, and lemon juice and store in the fridge.

Use pre-minced ingredients: Buy pre-minced dill and onion to cut down on prep time.

Substitute Ingredients For Green Bean Salad with Lemon and Dill Recipe

fresh green beans - Substitute with asparagus: Asparagus has a similar texture and can be blanched to maintain a crisp-tender bite, making it a good alternative for green beans in salads.
fresh dill - Substitute with fresh parsley: Fresh parsley provides a bright, fresh flavor that can complement the lemon and other ingredients, though it has a different taste profile than dill.
red onion - Substitute with shallots: Shallots offer a milder, sweeter flavor compared to red onions, making them a suitable substitute in salads.
dijon mustard - Substitute with whole grain mustard: Whole grain mustard has a similar tangy flavor and texture, adding a bit of crunch to the salad.
olive oil - Substitute with avocado oil: Avocado oil has a mild flavor and similar health benefits, making it a good alternative to olive oil.
lemon - Substitute with lime: Lime provides a similar acidic and citrusy flavor, which can brighten up the salad just like lemon.
lemon juice - Substitute with white wine vinegar: White wine vinegar offers a comparable acidity and can enhance the flavors in the salad.
kosher salt - Substitute with sea salt: Sea salt has a similar texture and salinity, making it an appropriate replacement for kosher salt.
freshly ground pepper - Substitute with crushed red pepper flakes: Crushed red pepper flakes add a bit of heat and a different kind of spiciness, offering a new dimension to the salad.

Presentation Tips for a Stunning Green Bean Salad

Blanch the green beans perfectly: Ensure the green beans are blanched to a bright green color and firm-tender texture. This will maintain their vibrant color and crispness.
Create a lemon-dill vinaigrette: Whisk together fresh dill, minced red onion, dijon mustard, olive oil, lemon zest, lemon juice, and a pinch of kosher salt and freshly ground pepper to create a fragrant and tangy dressing.
Arrange the green beans artistically: Lay the green beans in a neat, overlapping pattern on a pristine white plate to highlight their vibrant color and fresh appearance.
Drizzle the vinaigrette elegantly: Use a small spoon or squeeze bottle to drizzle the lemon-dill vinaigrette over the green beans, ensuring even coverage without overwhelming the dish.
Garnish with fresh herbs: Sprinkle additional fresh dill and a few finely minced pieces of red onion on top for a pop of color and added flavor.
Add a touch of zest: Grate a small amount of lemon zest over the finished dish to enhance the citrus aroma and add a touch of brightness.
Serve at room temperature: Present the salad at room temperature to allow the flavors to meld and the textures to remain perfect.

Essential Kitchen Tools for Making Green Bean Salad with Lemon and Dill

Large saucepan: Used to boil water and cook the green beans until they are tender.
Strainer: Essential for draining the boiled green beans and removing excess water.
Towel: Useful for patting the green beans dry after rinsing them under cold water.
Serving bowl: The bowl where you will mix and serve the green bean salad.
Whisk: Needed to mix the dill, minced onion, dijon mustard, olive oil, lemon zest, lemon juice, salt, and pepper into a dressing.
Knife: For trimming the stem ends of the green beans and mincing the red onion.
Cutting board: Provides a surface to trim the green beans and mince the red onion.
Measuring spoons: Used to measure out the dijon mustard, olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper accurately.
Zester: Handy for zesting the lemon to add a fresh citrus flavor to the salad.
Mixing spoon: For tossing the green beans with the dressing to ensure they are evenly coated.

Storage and Freezing Instructions for Green Bean Salad

To store leftover green bean salad, place it in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3-4 days. The flavors will meld together and intensify over time, making it even more delicious the next day.
If you want to prepare the salad in advance, you can blanch the green beans and store them in the refrigerator for up to 2 days before mixing them with the dill, red onion, and lemon dressing.
For longer storage, you can freeze the blanched green beans for up to 6 months. To do this, let the beans cool completely after blanching, then pat them dry with a paper towel. Place them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid, about 1-2 hours. Transfer the frozen beans to a freezer-safe bag or container, removing as much air as possible before sealing.
When ready to use the frozen green beans, thaw them in the refrigerator overnight or at room temperature for a few hours. Once thawed, pat them dry with a paper towel to remove excess moisture before mixing them with the dressing and other ingredients.
It's not recommended to freeze the fully prepared green bean salad, as the texture of the beans and other ingredients may become mushy and unappetizing upon thawing. It's best to freeze the blanched beans separately and assemble the salad just before serving.

Interesting Trivia About Green Beans and Dill

A random fact about this recipe is that dill is an herb that belongs to the same family as celery and carrots. It adds a fresh, slightly tangy flavor to the green bean salad, complementing the lemon and dijon mustard perfectly.

Is Making Green Bean Salad at Home Cost-Effective?

This green bean salad with lemon and dill is highly cost-effective. Fresh green beans are affordable, and the other ingredients like dijon mustard, olive oil, and red onion are pantry staples. The lemon juice and fresh dill add a burst of flavor without breaking the bank. For a household of 4, the approximate cost is around $8-$10. Overall Verdict: 9/10.

Is This Green Bean Salad Healthy?

This green bean salad recipe is a healthy and nutritious dish. Here's why:

Green beans are low in calories and high in fiber, vitamins (especially vitamin K), and minerals like calcium and iron
The recipe uses minimal oil, which keeps the overall fat content low
Lemon juice and zest provide vitamin C and antioxidants, which boost immunity and promote healthy skin
Dill adds flavor and contains beneficial compounds like monoterpenes, which have anti-inflammatory properties
Red onion is rich in quercetin, a potent antioxidant that may help reduce the risk of certain cancers and heart disease
Dijon mustard is low in calories and contains beneficial compounds like glucosinolates, which have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties

To make this recipe even healthier, consider the following suggestions:

Use a high-quality, extra-virgin olive oil to maximize the health benefits of monounsaturated fats
Add some chopped nuts, like almonds or walnuts, for an extra crunch and a boost of healthy fats, protein, and fiber
Include other colorful vegetables, such as cherry tomatoes or yellow bell peppers, to increase the variety of nutrients and antioxidants
Experiment with different herbs, like basil or mint, to add more flavor and potential health benefits
For a protein boost, consider adding some crumbled feta cheese or cooked quinoa to the salad

Editor's Take on This Refreshing Green Bean Salad Recipe

This green bean salad with lemon and dill is a refreshing and vibrant dish, perfect for a light side. The blanching process ensures the beans retain their crisp texture and bright color. The dressing, a harmonious blend of dill, red onion, dijon mustard, olive oil, and lemon, adds a zesty and aromatic touch. The balance of flavors is delightful, with the lemon juice providing a tangy kick and the dill offering a fresh, herbaceous note. It's a simple yet elegant salad that pairs well with a variety of main courses, making it a versatile addition to any meal.

Enhance Your Green Bean Salad with Lemon and Dill Recipe with These Unique Side Dishes:

Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes: Imagine the creamy goodness of potatoes infused with the rich, aromatic flavor of roasted garlic. This side dish will perfectly complement the crisp and tangy notes of your green bean salad, creating a harmonious balance of textures and flavors.

Grilled Lemon Herb Chicken: Picture succulent chicken breasts marinated in a zesty blend of lemon, herbs, and a touch of olive oil. Grilled to perfection, this dish adds a protein-packed punch to your meal, enhancing the fresh and vibrant taste of the green bean salad.

Butternut Squash Soup: Envision a velvety soup made from roasted butternut squash, subtly spiced with a hint of nutmeg and cinnamon. This warm and comforting dish provides a delightful contrast to the crisp and refreshing green bean salad, making for a well-rounded dining experience.

Cranberry Walnut Quinoa: Think of fluffy quinoa mixed with tart cranberries and crunchy walnuts. This side dish offers a delightful mix of textures and flavors, adding a nutty and slightly sweet element that pairs beautifully with the lemon and dill in your green bean salad.

Apple Cider Glazed Carrots: Visualize tender carrots glazed with a sweet and tangy apple cider reduction. This side dish brings a burst of autumnal flavor to your table, perfectly complementing the fresh and zesty notes of the green bean salad.

Similar Salad Recipes to Try

Roasted Asparagus With Lemon And Parmesan: Roasted asparagus is a delightful side dish that pairs perfectly with any main course. Toss fresh asparagus in olive oil, sprinkle with kosher salt, and roast until tender. Finish with a squeeze of lemon juice and a generous dusting of grated Parmesan cheese for a burst of flavor.

Cucumber And Tomato Salad With Feta: This refreshing salad combines crisp cucumbers, juicy tomatoes, and tangy feta cheese. Drizzle with olive oil, a splash of red wine vinegar, and season with salt and pepper. Garnish with fresh basil or oregano for an extra touch of herbaceous goodness.

Lemon Herb Quinoa Salad: A nutritious and vibrant dish featuring fluffy quinoa mixed with chopped parsley, mint, and scallions. Toss with a zesty lemon vinaigrette and add diced cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, and crumbled feta cheese for a satisfying and wholesome salad.

Garlic Lemon Broccoli: Transform simple broccoli into a flavorful side dish by sautéing it with minced garlic and a splash of lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper, and finish with a sprinkle of red pepper flakes for a hint of heat. This dish is quick, easy, and packed with nutrients.

Mediterranean Chickpea Salad: A hearty and colorful salad featuring protein-packed chickpeas, diced bell peppers, cucumbers, red onions, and kalamata olives. Toss with a lemony olive oil dressing and garnish with fresh parsley and crumbled feta cheese for a taste of the Mediterranean.

Why trust this Green Bean Salad with Lemon and Dill Recipe:

This green bean salad with lemon and dill is a refreshing and flavorful dish that is perfect for any meal. The fresh green beans are cooked to a perfect tender-crisp texture, while the lemon zest and lemon juice add a bright, citrusy note. The dijon mustard and olive oil create a tangy and smooth dressing that complements the red onion and fresh dill beautifully. This recipe is simple, quick, and uses fresh ingredients, ensuring a delicious and healthy side dish that you can trust.

Share your thoughts on this Green Bean Salad with Lemon and Dill Recipe in the Recipe Sharing forum section. Let us know if you've tried it and how it turned out!

FAQ:

How do I know when the green beans are cooked just right?

I usually look for a bright green color and a firm-tender texture. Boil them for about 3 to 4 minutes, then taste one to make sure it’s cooked but still has a bit of crunch.

Can I use dried dill instead of fresh dill?

Yes, you can use dried dill if you don’t have fresh dill on hand. Just remember that dried herbs are more concentrated, so use about 1 tablespoon of dried dill instead of 3 tablespoons of fresh dill.

What can I use instead of red onion?

If you’re not a fan of red onion, you can substitute it with shallots or green onions. Both will give a nice flavor without overpowering the dish.

Can I make this salad ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can prepare the salad a few hours ahead and keep it in the fridge. Just let it come to room temperature before serving for the best flavor.

What main dishes go well with this green bean salad?

This salad pairs wonderfully with grilled chicken, fish, or steak. It’s also a great side for a summer barbecue or a light lunch with some crusty bread.