This Green Bean and Orange Salad is a bright and refreshing dish that balances crisp green beans with juicy oranges, toasted nuts, and a light citrus dressing. It’s the kind of salad that feels both elegant and easy — perfect for holidays, dinner parties, or as a fresh side to roasted meats and poultry.
Ingredients
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1 lb fresh green beans, trimmed
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2 large oranges (navel or blood oranges work well)
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¼ small red onion, thinly sliced
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¼ cup toasted almonds or pistachios, roughly chopped
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2 tablespoons olive oil
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1 tablespoon fresh orange juice
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1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
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1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
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1 teaspoon honey
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Salt and black pepper, to taste
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Optional garnish: fresh mint leaves or orange zest
Cooking Time
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Prep time: 15 minutes
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Cook time: 5 minutes
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Total time: 20 minutes
Serving
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Serves 4
Instructions
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Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add green beans and cook for 3–4 minutes until tender-crisp.
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Drain and immediately plunge the beans into a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking and keep their color bright. Drain again and pat dry.
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Peel the oranges and cut them into segments, catching any juice in a small bowl.
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In another small bowl, whisk together olive oil, orange juice, vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey, salt, and black pepper until smooth.
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In a large serving bowl, combine green beans, orange segments, and sliced red onion. Pour over the dressing and toss gently to coat.
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Sprinkle toasted almonds or pistachios over the top and garnish with fresh mint or orange zest if desired.
Nutrition (per serving)
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Calories: 160
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Protein: 4g
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Fat: 10g
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Carbohydrates: 16g
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Fiber: 4g
Tips
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Blanching the beans just right is key — they should be crisp but not hard.
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For extra flavor, add crumbled feta or goat cheese before serving.
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You can prepare the dressing and oranges ahead of time; just toss everything together before serving.
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Try swapping almonds with pecans or hazelnuts for a richer taste.
This Green Bean and Orange Salad brings color, freshness, and a gentle citrus sparkle to your table — a simple yet beautiful dish that pairs with almost anything.
