• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • All Recipes
  • Spring
  • Work With Me
  • About
  • Subscribe

Our Love Language is Food

menu icon
go to homepage
  • All Recipes
  • Spring
  • Work With Me
  • About
  • Subscribe
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • All Recipes
  • Spring
  • Work With Me
  • About
  • Subscribe
×
Our Love Language is Food > Recipes > Soups & Sides

Published: Jul 12, 2021 · Modified: Oct 26, 2024 by Meredith · This post may contain affiliate links · 8 Comments

Green Bean and Tomato Salad

Sharing is caring!

Jump to Recipe

If you can’t decide between a side of fresh green beans or a caprese salad, this easy side dish recipe is just what you’ve been looking for! This easy Italian green bean salad is fresh, fun, and great paired with a variety of foods.

Large serving bowl filled with green bean caprese salad. The bowl is surrounded by basil, a cloth napkin, and serving spoons.

If you know me, or have been following along with me for a while, you know I love veggies. I like to incorporate them into as many meals as possible and am more likely to reach for a vegetable over a fruit for snacking. So when summer rolls around and most vegetables are at their peak, I’m in my happy place!

Along with this old-fashioned cucumber salad, this green bean caprese salad is one of my family’s favorite vegetable side dishes. It is super easy to prepare, packed with all kinds of good-for-you ingredients, and pairs nicely with a wide variety of foods. I also love this green bean recipe because it reminds me of fun with family and friends! This dish is something we’ve had countless times up north during summer weekends at the lake.

Healthy side dishes are a must in my book. Supplement your next meal with this delicious green bean caprese salad, you won’t be disappointed!

Jump to:
  • Why You’ll Love This Cold Green Bean Salad Recipe
  • Cold Green Bean Salad Recipe Ingredients
  • How To Make Green Bean and Tomato Salad
  • Cold Green Bean Salad Recipe Variations
  • Green Bean Caprese Salad Tips
  • How To Serve Green Bean Tomato Salad
  • Storing Green Bean Tomato Salad
  • More Recipes To Try
  • Love This Recipe? You May Also Enjoy
  • Green Bean Tomato Salad

Why You’ll Love This Cold Green Bean Salad Recipe

Level of difficulty: Easy. Minor chopping is required to prepare this side dish recipe. Then you need to cook your green beans, cool, and mix everything together.

Flavor: Classic caprese with a fun summer twist!

Time: It will take you about 40 minutes to make green bean caprese salad. This includes time to chop, cook, cool, and mix everything together.

Cold Green Bean Salad Recipe Ingredients

Top down view showing the ingredients needed for the summer side dish. There is a bowl of fresh green beans, cherry tomatoes, mozzarella balls, olive oil, and sprigs of basil.
  • Fresh Produce – Green Beans, Cherry Tomatoes, Basil: Using fresh veggies and herbs are keys to making the very best green bean caprese salad.
  • Fresh Mozzarella Cheese: Fresh mozzarella is a primary component to the classic caprese salad, so it is important in this dish too! I like to purchase a container of the ‘Mini Pearl’ or ‘Ciliegine’ sized mozzarella balls to use when making this healthy side dish recipe.
  • Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Olive oil adds great flavor and also creates a very light dressing for this dish.
  • Salt and Pepper: Salt is a flavor enhancer, and definitely helps to make your veggies pop in this summer side dish. Don’t forget to season to taste after you mix everything together.
  • Optional: balsamic vinegar or balsamic vinegar reduction for drizzling

See recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.

Top down view of a serving bowl filled with green bean caprese salad. The bowl is surrounded by basil, a cloth napkin, and serving spoons.

How To Make Green Bean and Tomato Salad

  1. Prep your vegetables: Wash, trim the ends, and chop the green beans into bite-sized pieces (~1” long – ish). Wash and cut your cherry tomatoes into halves or quarters. Wash and set your basil aside (you want to chiffonade, aka chop, your basil right before you serve it).
  2. Cook the green beans: In a medium sized saucepan over medium-high heat, bring your green beans to a boil and cook until just fork tender (~12-15 minutes).
  3. Rinse and cool the green beans: Drain the green beans into a colander and run under cold water to stop the cooking process. Set aside and allow to cool for at least 5-10 minutes (putting them in the fridge is also a great option).
  4. Toss all ingredients together: In a large serving bowl, toss together the cooled green beans, tomatoes, mozzarella, olive oil, basil, salt and pepper. Taste, and add additional olive oil and/or seasoning if desired.
  5. Serve and enjoy!
  6. Store Leftovers: Store leftovers in an air-tight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Close up, straight-on view of this vegetable side dish recipe in a large serving bowl.

Cold Green Bean Salad Recipe Variations

Amp up the seasonings. If desired, add a sprinkle of Italian Seasoning or Dried Oregano along with the salt and pepper to add a bolder flavor to this recipe.

Try a different dressing. If you want to kick things up a notch, replace the simple olive oil, salt, and pepper with a different vinaigrette dressing like an Italian Dressing or a Balsamic Vinaigrette.

Use a different cheese. Try using a shaved parmesan or crumbled feta cheese for a different flavor profile.

Add in onions or shallots. If preferred, add in some thinly slice raw onion or finely chopped shallots to your salad.

Green Bean Caprese Salad Tips

Use fresh produce. Italian green bean salad is best made with fresh vegetables, herbs, and mozzarella.

Time saving tip: prep the rest of your items while the green beans cook! Multi-task by washing and chopping your tomatoes, basil, and mozzarella while the green beans are on the stove. This is a great way to save time while you prepare this easy side dish.

How To Serve Green Bean Tomato Salad

Green bean caprese salad is an excellent side dish for salmon! It is also one of our favorite side dishes for chicken. If you’re using fresh produce from your local farmers market or grocery store during the summertime, pair this green bean recipe with your favorite grilled protein and you will have yourself a fantastic summer dinner!

Storing Green Bean Tomato Salad

Store cold green bean salad in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. For best taste and texture, I recommend eating leftovers within 1-2 days.

More Recipes To Try

  • Zucchini Bread Recipe With Chocolate Chips
  • Monkey Bread No Brown Sugar
  • Fall Red Sangria Recipe
  • Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew Starbucks
  • Oreo Cookie Balls (3 Ingredients)
  • Lazy Day Lasagna With Cheese Ravioli Crockpot
  • 3 Ingredient Ranch Dip
  • Protein Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough
  • Candy Cookies Recipe
  • Sugar Cookie Starbucks Syrup
  • Chocolate Protein Pancakes Without Banana
  • Vodka Press Drink Recipe
  • Cold Mediterranean Pasta Salad
  • 3 Bean Vegetarian Chili
  • Tuna Salad Recipe without Mayo

Love This Recipe? You May Also Enjoy

  • Mediterranean Cucumber Salad
  • Cauliflower and Potato Mash
  • Mediterranean Pasta Salad
  • Summer Tortellini Salad

Did you make this recipe? Leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating & comment below! You can also tag @ourlovelanguageisfood on Instagram & Facebook. Be sure to subscribe to our weekly newsletter to get free recipes sent directly to your inbox!

Top-down shot of a green bean caprese salad in a serving bowl.

Green Bean Tomato Salad

Meredith
Green bean caprese salad is a twist on a classic caprese salad. This summer side dish recipe pairs well with a variety of foods and proteins, and is a fun and flavorful way to add vegetables to your meal.
5 from 5 votes
Prevent your screen from going dark
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes mins
Cook Time 15 minutes mins
Inactive Time 10 minutes mins
Total Time 40 minutes mins
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 4 Servings
Calories 258 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound fresh green beans, ends trimmed and cut into bite sized pieces
  • 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved or quartered
  • ¼ C fresh basil, finely chopped
  • 8 oz fresh mozzarella (I recommend 'mini pearl' mozzarella balls)
  • 1-2 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
  • ¼ teaspoon salt + more to taste
  • Optional: pepper to taste
  • Optional: balsamic vinegar or balsamic reduction for topping

Instructions
 

  • Prepare the green beans by rinsing, trimming the ends, and chopping into bite-sized pieces. In a medium sized saucepan over medium-high heat, bring your green beans to a boil and cook until just fork tender (~12-15 minutes).
  • While the green beans cook, wash and cut your cherry tomatoes into halves or quarters. Wash and set your basil aside (chiffonade, aka chop, your basil right before you serve it).
  • When cooked, drain the green beans into a colander and run under cold water to stop the cooking process. Set aside and allow to cool for at least 5-10 minutes (putting them in the fridge is also a great option).
  • In a large serving bowl, toss together the cooled green beans, tomatoes, mozzarella, olive oil, basil, salt and pepper. Taste, and add additional olive oil and/or seasoning if desired.
  • Serve and enjoy!
  • Store leftovers in an air-tight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Notes

*Note: use fresh produce. Green bean caprese salad is best made with fresh vegetables, herbs, and mozzarella.
 
*Time saving tip: prep the rest of your items while the green beans cook. Multi-task by washing and chopping your tomatoes, basil, and mozzarella while the green beans are on the stove. This is a great way to save time while you prepare this easy side dish.

Nutrition

Calories: 258kcalCarbohydrates: 14gProtein: 16gFat: 17gSaturated Fat: 8gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 45mgSodium: 521mgPotassium: 545mgFiber: 4gSugar: 7gVitamin A: 1823IUVitamin C: 41mgCalcium: 344mgIron: 2mg
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

More Soups & Sides

  • Close up of a slice of cornbread sitting on server on top of the pan of cornbread.
    Whole Wheat Cornbread
  • Close up of a plate with zucchini fritters on it, with one of the fritters pulled through a dollop of sour cream.
    Zucchini Fritter Recipe
  • Close up of a serving spoon scooping up the homemade green bean casserole.
    Green Bean Casserole Recipe from Scratch
  • A white serving bowl filled with red pozole soup and garnished with radishes and cilantro.
    How to Make Pozole with Ground Chicken

Reader Interactions

Comments

    5 from 5 votes (2 ratings without comment)

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    How many stars would you give this recipe?




  1. Bruce M. says

    August 26, 2022 at 9:38 am

    5 stars
    What a great an innovative way to use summer produce! Love it!

    Reply
    • ourlovelanguageisfood says

      August 26, 2022 at 1:19 pm

      I’m so glad you enjoyed it, thanks Bruce!

      Reply
  2. Candy says

    July 26, 2022 at 3:50 pm

    Wonderful! In another version I added Kalamata olives & substituted the Mozzarella w/ Feta. Yet another version, substituted the Mozzarella w/ Havarti. Almost ANY cheese would be yummy (well, maybe skip the Swiss!!)

    Reply
    • ourlovelanguageisfood says

      July 26, 2022 at 10:28 pm

      I’m so happy to hear that you enjoyed this! And I love the creative variations you’re making too!

      Reply
  3. Luci says

    May 12, 2022 at 6:41 pm

    5 stars
    What a great idea! Plain old caprese salad gets a whole new look with the addition of green beans. I can hardly wait for the Farmer’s Markets to have the garden fresh green beans to make this again.

    Reply
    • ourlovelanguageisfood says

      May 12, 2022 at 10:00 pm

      So glad you enjoyed this recipe, thank you for giving it a try!

      Reply
  4. Maren says

    April 18, 2022 at 2:44 pm

    5 stars
    This is one of my favorite side dishes! So fresh and delicious!

    Reply
    • ourlovelanguageisfood says

      April 18, 2022 at 2:45 pm

      I’m so glad that you love this one too! thank you for making my recipe

      Reply

Primary Sidebar

Photo of Meredith, creator of Our Love Language is Food, with a cookie sheet filled with dough balls ready to bake next to a stand mixer with more cookie dough.

Hi, I'm Meredith!

I am a Midwest-based foodie and mom working full time by day and sharing my passion for all things food by night. Follow along for great recipes to share with your family and friends. I've got you covered for breakfast, dinner, snack-time, parties, desserts, drinks, and more!

About Meredith →

Cozy Recipes

  • A serving bowl filled with tuscan chicken meatballs and gnocchi topped with parmesan.
    Slow Cooker Tuscan Chicken Meatballs with Gnocchi
  • A serving plate with a hearty scoop of tuna casserole topped with parsley.
    Stovetop Tuna Casserole
  • a stoneware bowl filled with healthy turkey chili topped with cheese, frito chips, sour cream, and diced red bell peppers. Another bowl of chili sits in the background, along with a small bowl of cheese and bowl of fritos on a wooden board. a white linen and spoons sit in frame too.
    Easy Ground Turkey Chili
  • close up of a white bowl filled with tuscan vegetable soup. The bowl is sitting on a plate with a spoon, and slices of french bread and grated cheese is shown in the background.
    Hearty Tuscan White Bean and Lentil Soup with Kale

Reader Favorites

  • Highball glass filled with this mojito mocktail recipe. The glass has a sprig of mint for garnish and a straw, and is sitting on a cutting board covered in additional mint and lime wedges.
    Mocktail Mojito
  • A full wheat germ muffin and a muffin that's cut in half with butter on a white serving plate
    Wheat Germ Muffins (Nutritious & Delicious Muffins)
  • a bowl of white chicken chili with a hand taking a spoonful of chili to eat.
    White Chicken Chili with Bacon
  • Cocoa pebbles treats cut into squares sitting in a 9x13 pan.
    Chocolate Krispie Treats (with Cocoa Pebbles or Krispies)

Let's Be Social!

Footer

↑ back to top

Explore

  • Recipe Index
  • About Me
  • Work With Me

About

  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions

At no cost to you, as an Amazon Associate I may earn from qualifying purchases from affiliate links on my website.

Copyright © 2021-2025 Our Love Language is Food LLC

Please Rate & Comment!

Your vote:




A rating is required
A name is required
An email is required

Recipe Ratings without Comment

Something went wrong. Please try again.