Green Bean Salad with Fresno Chili, Herbs & Goat Cheese

This green bean salad is the answer to tired veggie sides. It's zippy, herb-packed, and full of texture thanks to pistachios, shallots, and goat cheese. Whether you're making it for a summer cookout or just trying to liven up a weeknight dinner, this crisp green bean salad delivers bright and bold flavors.

Author: Balancing Bowls

Meal Type: Eggs Free

Cuisine: American

Difficulty: EASY

Prep. Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 15 minutes

Servings: 6 Servings

Calories: 103 kcal per serving

Ingredients

2 pounds - green beans
1 - shallot
1 - Fresno chili
2 - lemons
¼ cup - pistachios
⅓ cup - fresh dill
8 - fresh mint leaves
1 oz - goat cheese
5 tablespoons - reserved lemon juice from pickling
¼ cup - extra virgin olive oil
½ tbsp - fresh lemon juice
1 tbsp - honey
½ tbsp - Dijon mustard
1 tsp - garlic
1 tsp - salt
½ tsp - black pepper
¼ tsp - red pepper flakes

Instructions

Prepare an ice bath with two trays of ice and cold water in a large bowl or pot. Place in the freezer while prepping the vegetables.
Zest and juice 2 lemons. Add 1 thinly sliced shallot and 1 thinly sliced Fresno chili to the lemon juice (about 6 tablespoons total juice). Set aside to quick pickle.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Trim 2 to 2.5 pounds of green beans. Blanch by size: large for 3 minutes, medium for 2 minutes, small for 1.5 minutes. Transfer immediately to the ice bath to chill for at least 5 minutes.
In a small bowl or jar, whisk together the reserved lemon juice (about 5 tablespoons), ¼ cup olive oil, ½ tablespoon fresh lemon juice, 1 tablespoon honey, ½ tablespoon Dijon mustard, 1 teaspoon garlic, 1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper, and ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes.
In a large bowl or serving dish, toss the chilled green beans with the pickled shallots and chili slices. Top with ¼ cup chopped pistachios, ⅓ cup chopped dill, and 8 to 10 chopped mint leaves. Drizzle with dressing and toss gently. Sprinkle with 1 ounce crumbled goat cheese just before serving.

Nutrition