This green bean salad combines fresh green beans, cherry tomatoes and onion with a simple ranch and thyme dressing. It’s served cold and can be prepared ahead of time, making it an easy side dish for summer dinners, BBQs and potlucks.
Fresh green beans work particularly well in this recipe, but frozen beans can also be used. If some of the garden harvest has already made its way into the freezer, there’s no need to wait until next summer to make it.
Green Bean Salad Ingredients
- 1 lb fresh green beans, trimmed
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes
- 1 very small onion
- 1/4 cup ranch dressing
- 1/2 tsp dried thyme
Frozen green beans can be substituted for fresh green beans.
How to Prepare the Green Beans
Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add the prepared green beans. Cook for approximately 3–5 minutes, depending on the size of the beans. They should be tender while still retaining some crispness.
Once the beans are cooked, transfer them immediately to an ice bath. Simply fill a large bowl with ice water and add the hot beans. This stops the cooking process and helps the beans retain their bright colour and crisp texture.
Once cooled, drain the beans thoroughly. Place the prepared green beans in the serving bowl or dish.
If using frozen green beans, cook them according to the package directions and allow them to cool before assembling the salad.
How to Make Green Bean Salad
Cut the cherry tomatoes in half and finely chop the onion.
In a separate bowl, combine the cherry tomatoes, chopped onion, ranch dressing and dried thyme. Mix gently until the tomatoes and onion are coated with the dressing.
Spoon the tomato mixture over the prepared green beans in the serving dish.
Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
Making Green Bean Salad Ahead of Time
Because this is a cold green bean salad, it can easily be prepared ahead of a meal and kept in the refrigerator until needed.
Preparing the beans only until they are tender-crisp helps them hold their texture once the salad has been assembled. The tomato mixture can be added before refrigerating, so the finished salad is ready to go directly to the table.
What to Serve With Green Bean Salad
Green bean salad can be served anywhere you might otherwise serve a cold vegetable salad. It works well alongside grilled chicken, burgers, sandwiches and other BBQ favourites, or as one of several salads served at a potluck.
Green beans and cherry tomatoes are also available at roughly the same point in the garden season, making the recipe a simple way to use both at once.
How to Store Leftover Green Bean Salad
Store leftover green bean salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
The salad is best while the green beans still have some crispness, but leftovers can be refrigerated and served cold the next day.
Green Beans not your thing? Check out our other sides and salads
