Ina Garten’s Crisp French String Bean Delight: Garden-Fresh Recipe

Tender green beans tossed with a tangy French string bean salad recipe dancing with vibrant flavors make summer dining a delightful experience.

Classic ingredients blend seamlessly in this elegant side dish.

Crisp beans snap with each refreshing bite.

Garten’s culinary expertise shines through every carefully crafted element of this simple yet sophisticated salad.

Fresh herbs and a light vinaigrette bring brightness to the plate.

The dish comes together quickly, promising maximum flavor with minimal effort.

You’ll want to serve this at every gathering.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 15 minutes

Calories: 200 kcal

Servings: 6

Ingredient List for Ina Garten French String Bean Salad

• French String Beans: Select slender, bright green beans without blemishes for the freshest crunch and sweetest flavor. Choose beans that snap cleanly when bent.

• Dijon Mustard, White Wine Vinegar: Dijon adds tangy depth and helps emulsify the dressing, while white wine vinegar provides bright, clean acidity that complements the beans.
• Olive Oil: Select extra virgin olive oil for a rich, fruity undertone that enhances the overall salad profile.
• Salt, Black Pepper: High-quality sea salt and freshly ground black pepper elevate the dressing's complexity and season the beans perfectly.

• Fresh Dill: Choose vibrant, feathery dill with a strong, green aroma that adds a delicate, slightly tangy note to the salad and provides beautiful visual appeal.

Tools to Toss Ina Garten French String Bean Salad

• Large pot: Essential for boiling string beans with plenty of water.
• Large bowl: Used for creating ice bath to stop cooking and preserve color.
• Small bowl: Perfect for whisking together vinaigrette ingredients.
• Paper towels: Needed to dry beans after cooling in ice water.
• Whisk: Critical for blending dressing ingredients smoothly.
• Mixing bowl: Where beans get dressed and tossed with dill.
• Colander: Helpful for draining beans after boiling and cooling.

Ina Garten French String Bean Salad – Instructions

• Bean Preparation

Boil water in a large pot and create an icy water bath to preserve the vibrant green color and crisp texture of the string beans.

• Cooking Technique

Quickly blanch beans for a precise 60 seconds, ensuring they remain tender yet crunchy, then immediately transfer to the cold water to halt the cooking process.

• Dressing Creation

Blend tangy Dijon mustard with white wine vinegar, creating a smooth vinaigrette that will enhance the bean’s natural flavors with a zesty punch.

• Seasoning Blend

Gently toss the cooled beans with the prepared vinaigrette, incorporating fresh dill for an aromatic and herbaceous dimension to the salad.

• Serving Recommendation

Allow the salad to rest at room temperature, letting the flavors meld together and develop a harmonious taste profile that will delight your palate.

Flavor Tips for Ina Garten French String Bean Salad

• Precisely time your bean cooking to maintain that crisp-tender texture. One minute is the magic number for achieving the ideal crunch and vibrant green color.
• Experiment with different vinegars like champagne or red wine vinegar to create unique flavor profiles. Swap Dijon for whole grain mustard for added texture and depth.
• Transform this side dish into a complete meal by adding crumbled goat cheese, sliced almonds, or grilled chicken for extra protein and substance.
• Replace fresh dill with other herbs like tarragon, chervil, or basil to give the salad a completely different taste profile. Fresh herbs elevate the entire dish's brightness and aroma.
• Prepare the vinaigrette and blanch beans a day in advance. Store separately in the refrigerator and combine just before serving to maintain maximum freshness and crispness.

Presenting Ina Garten French String Bean Salad Gracefully

• Elevate with Garnish: Sprinkle toasted sliced almonds or crumbled feta cheese on top for added crunch and flavor complexity.
• Perfect Pairing: Serve alongside grilled chicken, roasted salmon, or as a refreshing side to a summer barbecue spread.
• Chill and Enhance: Let the salad sit for 30 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld together, creating a more harmonious taste profile.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the salad up to a day in advance, storing it in an airtight container in the refrigerator to develop deeper, more integrated flavors.

Storage Ideas for Ina Garten French String Bean Salad

• Maximize Freshness Storage
• Refrigerate the salad in an airtight container for up to 3 days, keeping the crisp texture and vibrant flavors intact.
• Prevent Sogginess
• Separate the dressing from the beans when storing to maintain the beans' crispness and prevent wilting.
• Quick Meal Prep Tip
• Chop fresh dill and prepare vinaigrette in advance, storing separately to streamline last-minute salad assembly.
• Temperature Perfect Serving
• Allow chilled salad to rest at room temperature for 15 minutes before serving to enhance the dressing's flavor and bean texture.

Quick French String Bean Salad Recipe

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4.6 from 16 reviews

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

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Description

Ina Garten’s classic French string bean salad delivers crisp elegance with tender green beans and zesty vinaigrette. Mediterranean flavors shine through simple, fresh ingredients that complement any summer meal or elegant dinner party.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1.5 lbs (680 g) French string beans, both ends trimmed
• 2 tbsps Dijon mustard
• 2 tbsps white wine vinegar
• 0.5 cups (120 ml) good olive oil
• 0.25 tsp freshly ground black pepper
• 2 tbsps minced fresh dill

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Instructions

1. Blanching Prep: Create an ice water bath in a large container to instantly cool and preserve the vibrant green beans’ color and texture.
2. Boiling Process: Bring salted water to a vigorous boil, then immerse string beans for precisely one minute to achieve crisp-tender perfection while maintaining their emerald brilliance.
3. Cooling Technique: Immediately transfer beans from boiling water into the ice bath, halting the cooking process and locking in their fresh, verdant characteristics. Drain thoroughly and pat completely dry with clean kitchen towels.
4. Vinaigrette Creation: Whisk Dijon mustard, white wine vinegar, salt, and black pepper in a bowl. Gradually stream olive oil while continuously whisking to form a silky, well-emulsified dressing.
5. Salad Assembly: Gently toss the dried beans in a serving bowl with the prepared vinaigrette, ensuring each bean is elegantly coated. Sprinkle freshly chopped dill throughout, delicately folding to distribute herbs evenly.
6. Flavor Development: Allow the salad to rest at room temperature, permitting the flavors to harmonize. For advanced preparation, refrigerate and revive with an additional drizzle of vinaigrette just before serving.

Notes

• Chill Beans Instantly: Use an ice bath to stop cooking, lock in bright green color, and maintain crisp texture immediately after blanching.
• Precise Blanching Matters: Cook green beans exactly 60 seconds to achieve perfect tenderness without losing vibrant color or nutritional value.
• Emulsify Dressing Carefully: Slowly stream olive oil while whisking to create a smooth, well-combined vinaigrette that coats beans evenly.
• Flavor Develop Technique: Let salad rest at room temperature to allow herbs and dressing to meld, enhancing overall taste profile.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 200
• Sugar: 0 g
• Sodium: 300 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 19 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 6 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 1 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg