5-Minute Green Bean Vinaigrette Salad
Green beans get a tangy makeover with this simple recipe. It packs a punch of flavor that will liven up lunchboxes, dinner or cookouts.
Growing up, this green bean salad was often my mom’s go-to potluck dish for parties. She would use rice wine vinegar when she made it in the spring and summer but would switch to Balsamic vinegar when making it for Thanksgiving or Christmas.
When I started making it, my boys loved it and I realized it would be a great item to add to their lunchboxes.
You can quickly steam fresh green beans in a glass, microwave-safe dish (with a lid) by adding a splash of water and cooking for 4 – 5 minutes.
Nutrition Tip: Whatever your thing is – sports, music, writing, teaching – you’ll do better with extra iron in your diet. Green beans are a good source of iron which helps you do your best.
This recipe is easy to customize to your family’s taste. Here are some good substitutions:
- Make it meatless. Use sunflower seeds in place of bacon or add chickpeas for an extra boost of protein.
- Switch up the veggies or cheese. Mix and match veggies and cheeses while still using the same vinaigrette. Try the delicious combo of asparagus, prosciutto, and goat cheese or add cooked and quartered red potatoes for a quick, healthy potato salad.
- Vinegar. We love it with either rice wine vinegar or Balsamic vinegar.
How do you #PowerYourLunchbox? Show us your healthy lunchboxes on Instagram using #PowerYourLunchbox.
Looking for more lunchbox ideas? We’ve got you covered with 70+ ideas including make-ahead ideas, non-sandwich lunches, ideas for repurposing leftovers, and vegetarian, nut-free and gluten-free recipes.
Or check out all of our back-to-school content on our blog. A few of our most popular posts include:
- The Ultimate Guide to Packing Healthy Lunchboxes
- After-School Snacks that Won’t Ruin Dinner
- The Best Lunchboxes for Kids
- 20 Lunchbox-Packing Tips & Hacks from Parents
5-Minute Green Bean Vinaigrette Salad
Green beans get a tangy makeover with this simple recipe. It packs a punch of flavor that will liven up lunchboxes, dinner or cookouts.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 (12 oz.) package green beans, steamed
- 4 slices turkey bacon, cooked, chopped
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Whisk oil, vinegar and mustard in large bowl until emulsified.
- Add green beans and bacon. Mmix until well coated. Sprinkle with cheese.
- Serve cold or warm.
Notes
Other Items in this Lunch:
- 1/2 whole wheat pita with 2 Tbsp. hummus
- 1/2 apple, sliced with 1 Tbsp. peanut butter
Recommended Products
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, we may earn a commission from qualifying purchases.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4Amount Per Serving: Calories: 419Total Fat: 22.5gSodium: 598mgCarbohydrates: 39gFiber: 8gSugar: 10gProtein: 17g