Sautéed Green Bean Salad with Goat Cheese and Toasted Almonds

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Green bean salad with toasted almonds and goat cheese is a delicious and healthy dish that is perfect for any occasion. This salad is packed with flavor and nutrients, making it a great addition to any meal. Whether you’re looking for an easy lunch or a light side dish to serve at your next dinner party, this salad is sure to impress.

This simple green bean salad recipe has been a ‘go-to’ for our family for a long time. It’s fast and simple and has huge flavour! Although it is best made with garden fresh beans, it is the perfect side dish in any season! Pair it with this delicious smoked roast chicken recipe or perhaps as a side for a delicious round roast for a fresh, healthy taste! I hope you love this as much as we do!

Green Bean And Goat Cheese Salad

The combination of fresh green beans, crunchy almonds, and tangy goat cheese creates a unique and satisfying flavor profile that is sure to please even the pickiest eaters. This salad is easy to make and can be customized to suit your personal taste preferences. Whether you prefer a sweeter or more savory flavor, you can always tailor this delicious salad to suit your needs.

This salad is not only delicious but also incredibly nutritious. Green beans are a great source of fiber, vitamins, and minerals, while almonds are packed with healthy fats and protein. Goat cheese is also a great source of protein and calcium, making this salad a well-rounded and healthy meal option.

Why It Works

Green bean salad with toasted almonds and goat cheese combines the fresh, tender crisp taste of green beans with the rich, nutty flavor of toasted almonds and the tanginess of goat cheese. The different flavors and textures come together to create a delicious and satisfying dish.

One of the key reasons why this salad works is because it is so easy to make. All you need to do is sautéed the green beans, toast the almonds, and crumble the goat cheese. Then, you can toss everything together and the result is a salad that is both elegant and effortless.

Another reason why this salad works is that it is so versatile. You can serve it as a side dish with grilled chicken or fish, or you can make it the star of the show by adding some protein like grilled shrimp or tofu. You can also customize the salad to your liking by adding other ingredients like cherry tomatoes, red onion, or fire smoked tomatoes.

Choosing The Best Green Beans To Cook With

Green beans are a versatile vegetable that can be cooked in many ways. When choosing green beans for your salad, it’s important to select fresh, crisp beans that are a bright vibrant green color. Whether you get them at a farmer’s market or find them at your local grocery store, here are some tips to help you choose the best green beans:

• Look for beans that are firm and straight and that have vibrant color, without any wrinkles or spots.
• Find beans with a crisp texture and avoid beans that are limp or have brown spots, as they may be past their prime.
• Choose beans that are similar in size, so they will cook evenly.
• If possible, choose organic green beans to avoid exposure to pesticides.

Once you have selected your green beans, it’s important to prepare them properly. Rinse them thoroughly under cold water and trim the ends off each bean. You can leave the beans whole or cut them into bite-sized pieces, depending on your preference.

When cooking green beans, it’s important not to overcook them. Overcooked beans can become mushy or dry and lose their bright green color and fresh flavors.

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How To Make Green Bean Salad With Goat Cheese And Toasted Almonds

Green bean salad with toasted almonds and goat cheese is a healthy and delicious dish that is perfect for summer cookouts, a holiday potluck or really any occasion. The green beans are the star of the salad and provide a crisp tender, fresh crunch that is perfectly complemented by the creamy goat cheese and the nutty taste of the almonds. Add a bit of parsley or basil to add a fresh, herbaceous flavor to the dish that rounds out the flavors perfectly.

Ingredients

Here are the simple ingredients that you will need to make this easy green bean salad:

• 2 pounds green beans, trimmed
• 1/2 cup sliced almonds, toasted
• 1/4 cup or 4 ounces of crumbled goat cheese
• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
• 2 large shallots sliced thin
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon fresh ground pepper

Optional

• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil

Instructions

Preparing the Salad

1. Begin by washing and trimming the ends of 2 pounds of fresh green beans.
2. Next, in a large saucepan on medium, heat olive oil, shallots and red pepper flakes. Sautéed until the shallots are a translucent colour.

3. Toast 1/2 cup of sliced almonds in a dry skillet over medium heat until they are golden brown and fragrant. Remove from heat and set aside to cool.
4. Cut 4 ounces of goat cheese into small pieces and set aside.
5. Add green beans and stir in garlic powder, salt and black pepper until desired tenderness is reached, about 5 to 10 minutes. 

Assembling the Salad

6. Transfer the green beans to a large mixing bowl. Toss the beans with goat cheese and sprinkle the toasted almonds over the salad. Serve immediately.

This green bean salad with toasted almonds and goat cheese is a delicious and healthy side dish that is perfect for any occasion. The combination of flavors and textures makes it a crowd-pleaser that is sure to impress your guests. It is easy to make and can be prepared in advance, making it a great option for potlucks, picnics, and other gatherings. Enjoy!

How To Store Green Bean Salad

Green bean salad can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. However, it is important to store it properly to maintain its freshness and flavor. Here are some tips:

• Transfer the salad to an airtight container or cover it tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil. This will prevent air from getting in and drying out the salad.
• Do not dress the salad until just before serving. If the salad is dressed too far in advance, the vegetables may become soggy and the flavors may blend together too much.
• When you are ready to serve the salad, give it a good stir to redistribute the dressing and flavors. You may need to add a little more dressing if the salad seems dry.

By following these simple tips, you can enjoy your green bean salad with toasted almonds and goat cheese for several days after making it. In fact, our family would argue it tastes better the next day! Just be sure to store it properly to maintain its delicious flavor and texture.

Tips and Variations

Fresh green bean salad with toasted almonds and goat cheese is a versatile dish that can be customized to suit your taste preferences. Here are some tips and variations to help you create the perfect salad:

• Always choose fresh ingredients for this simple recipe whenever possible.
• Experiment with different types of nuts. Instead of almonds, try using pecans, pine nuts, walnuts, or pistachios.
• For a sweeter flavor, add dried cranberries or raisins to the salad. Or add a splash of fresh lemon juice for a citrus twist.
• Try using different types of cheese. Feta cheese or blue cheese can be used instead of goat cheese.
• For added crunch, add some sliced red onions or diced celery.
• Sub this recipe also is very good for fresh asparagus.
• If you make leftovers, try having this as a cold green bean salad! It tastes just as good if not better the next day!
• Lastly, for a slight flavor variation, try adding basil or parsley into the salad too.

When toasting the almonds, be sure to keep an eye on them as they can burn quickly. Toast them in a dry pan over medium heat, stirring frequently, until they are golden brown and fragrant.

Finally, when assembling the salad, be sure to toss the ingredients gently to avoid crushing the delicate goat cheese. Serve the salad immediately for the best flavor and texture.

Frequently Asked

Here are some common questions about green bean salad with toasted almonds and goat cheese:

More Delicious Sides

Looking for more delicious salad options? Try this oh-so-easy pesto potato salad or any of the yummy recipes below:

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