Green Bean Salad with Olives and Feta

Give your green bean salad a Greek-style twist with a zippy lemon and garlic dressing, briny olives, and creamy feta cheese! 

I took a page from yiayia’s playbook for this green bean salad recipe, borrowing a double-boiling method that’s so typical of Greek green bean dishes.

Greeks, like many of us in the Mediterranean, tend to like their green beans on the tender, well-done side–but never mushy! To keep their bright color and fresh flavor, the beans are blanched for about five minutes, then plunged into an ice bath.

This is when most people in the States would consider them ready. But returning them to the pot for a second simmer transforms the beans into something richer, silkier, and deeply flavorful. If you’ve ever had Fasolakia, the famous Greek dish that inspired this green bean salad recipe, you’ll know exactly what I’m talking about!

The best part? Unlike your typical delicate salad, this easy salad tastes even better the next day. Make ahead for healthy lunches, or have your dinner party sides all prepped! 

Table of Contents

1. What You’ll Need for this Green Bean Salad Recipe
1. For the Green Bean Salad
2. For the Dressing 
2. How to Make a Greek-Style Green Bean Salad
3. What to Serve with this Green Bean Salad Recipe
4. More Green Bean Recipes
5. Green Bean Salad Recipe

What You’ll Need for this Green Bean Salad Recipe

You don’t a long list of ingredients to bring bold Mediterranean flavor! This green bean salad keeps it simple in the best way. 

For the Green Bean Salad

• Green beans: Use sturdy fresh green beans for the best texture.
• Red pepper flakes: Add a layer of heat for a more complex flavor. Aleppo pepper is another great option, which would bring a milder spice and fruity element. 
• Feta: Go for high quality whole feta and crumble it yourself, as this typically has a better flavor than the pre-crumbled stuff. The feta is really a bonus, though. Simply leave it off if you avoid dairy. 
• Olives: I love rich and briny Greek Kalamata olives with this recipe. Or you can swap with capers, pickled red onions, or sun-dried tomatoes. 
• Kosher salt and black pepper make everything more lively. If a recipe ever tastes flat or dull, try stirring in a good pinch of salt and taste again!

For the Dressing 

• Extra virgin olive oil: A rich and fruity Greek olive oil, like our Early Harvest from Christianoupolis, complements the grassy green beans exceptionally well. That said, any high quality extra virgin variety you have on hand will work.
• Lemon: Fresh is best to add a zippy kick to the savory green beans. Lime juice is a solid substitute. 
• Garlic: Fresh garlic adds an assertive peppery flavor, or substitute with minced shallot for a milder option. 
• Dill: Fresh dill lifts the richness of the green beans. I wouldn’t skip it! If you’re not a fan of dill, though, parsley will work well in its place.
• Paprika: Sweet Spanish paprika brings a subtle chili flavor.

How to Make a Greek-Style Green Bean Salad

The beautiful thing about this green bean salad is that it keeps well, making it the rare salad that you can make ahead! Simply take it out of the fridge to bring it to room temperature before serving for the most vibrant flavor. 

• Get ready. Bring a large pot of water to a boil over high heat. Set a large bowl with ice water near your stove. Trim 1 pound of green beans. Chop 1/4 cup of pitted olives (Quick tip: If you have olives with pits, simply smash them on your cutting board with the side of your knife and remove the pit, then chop). 
• Meanwhile, prepare the dressing. In a small bowl, whisk together 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, 1 to 2 minced garlic cloves, and 2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill. Season with 1/2 teaspoon sweet Spanish paprika and a pinch of salt and pepper. Set aside for now.
• Double-boil the green beans. Add the green beans to the boiling water and cook for 5 minutes, then use tongs to transfer to the ice bath. Let the green beans chill for 5 minutes, keeping the pot of boiling water going. Return the beans to boiling water to finish cooking until tender, about 10 more minutes or so. Drain and pat dry with a clean kitchen towel.
• Dress. Transfer the warm beans to a mixing bowl and toss with a little salt and pepper. Give the dressing a quick whisk to combine well, then pour over the green beans. Toss again to coat. 
• Finish and serve. Transfer to a serving platter. At this point, you can wrap up the green bean salad and store it for up to 3 days in your refrigerator. Serve at room temperature, sprinkling with with red pepper flakes, crumbled feta, and chopped olives just before serving.

What to Serve with this Green Bean Salad Recipe

I love, love, love this green bean salad for a summery Mediterranean dinner with grilled fish and lemony rice. Perfection! That said, this recipe is the definition of versatile. Serve as part of a mezze spread, as a side to lemon garlic chicken, or even as a vegetarian main with pita bread and hummus.

More Green Bean Recipes

Italian

Italian Potato Salad

Soups and Stews

Greek Green Beans (Fasolakia)

Sides and Small Plates

Sautéed Green Beans

Sides and Small Plates

Roasted Green Beans

*This post has recently been updated with new information for the readers’ benefit.