This easy and vibrant French bean salad by Jamie Oliver is the perfect side dish for any meal. With a tangy mustard dressing and fresh beans, it’s simple to make and packed with flavor. You can easily add capers or fresh herbs for a customizable, nutritious dish everyone will love!
Ingredients Needed
- 4 handfuls of French beans (about 300g / 10.5 oz), stalk ends removed
- 2–3 heaped teaspoons of good French mustard (approx. 10–15g / 0.35–0.5 oz), to taste
- 2 tablespoons good-quality white wine vinegar (approx. 30ml / 1 fl oz)
- 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil (approx. 60ml / 2 fl oz)
- Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 1 medium shallot, peeled and finely chopped
- Optional: 1 tablespoon capers (approx. 15g / 0.5 oz)
- ½ a clove of garlic, finely grated
- Optional: A small handful of fresh chervil
How To Make French Bean Salad
- Boil the Beans: Bring a pan of water to a fast boil. Add the beans and cook for 4-5 minutes with the lid on to retain nutrients.
- Make the Dressing: While the beans cook, mix the mustard and vinegar in a jar or bowl. Slowly whisk in the olive oil to make the dressing. Season with salt and pepper. Add the chopped shallot, capers (if using), and grated garlic.
- Check the Beans: Remove one bean to check if it’s cooked – it should hold its shape but be soft to the bite. Drain in a colander.
- Dress the Beans: While the beans are still hot, toss them in the dressing. The heat helps the beans absorb more of the flavors.
- Serve: Serve the beans warm, sprinkled with fresh chervil (if using). This can be served as a salad or as a side dish to a main meal.
Recipe Tips
- Cook the beans quickly: Boil the beans fast for 4-5 minutes to keep them crisp and full of nutrients. Don’t overcook them!
- Dress the beans while hot: Hot beans soak up the dressing better than cold ones, making them more flavorful.
- Season carefully: Taste the dressing and adjust the salt and pepper to suit your liking before tossing the beans in.
- Add extra herbs: Fresh herbs like chervil add a lovely, delicate crunch that enhances the beans. Don’t skip it!
How To Store Leftovers?
Let the leftover French bean salad cool to room temperature. Then, store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.
Nutrition Facts
Serving Size: 1 cup (149g)
- Calories: 148
- Total Fat: 14.4g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Total Carbohydrate: 2.1g
- Sugars: 1.5g
- Protein: 1.4g
Try More Jamie Oliver Recipes:
- Jamie Oliver Waldorf Salad
- Jamie Oliver Angry Bean Salad
- Jamie Oliver Butternut Squash Salad
- Jamie Oliver Chicken Tikka Salad
Jamie Oliver French Bean Salad
Description
This easy and vibrant French bean salad by Jamie Oliver is the perfect side dish for any meal. With a tangy mustard dressing and fresh beans, it’s simple to make and packed with flavor. You can easily add capers or fresh herbs for a customizable, nutritious dish everyone will love!
Ingredients
Instructions
- Boil the Beans: Bring a pan of water to a fast boil. Add the beans and cook for 4-5 minutes with the lid on to retain nutrients.
- Make the Dressing: While the beans cook, mix the mustard and vinegar in a jar or bowl. Slowly whisk in the olive oil to make the dressing. Season with salt and pepper. Add the chopped shallot, capers (if using), and grated garlic.
- Check the Beans: Remove one bean to check if it’s cooked – it should hold its shape but be soft to the bite. Drain in a colander.
- Dress the Beans: While the beans are still hot, toss them in the dressing. The heat helps the beans absorb more of the flavors.
- Serve: Serve the beans warm, sprinkled with fresh chervil (if using). This can be served as a salad or as a side dish to a main meal.
Notes
- Cook the beans quickly: Boil the beans fast for 4-5 minutes to keep them crisp and full of nutrients. Don’t overcook them!
- Dress the beans while hot: Hot beans soak up the dressing better than cold ones, making them more flavorful.
- Season carefully: Taste the dressing and adjust the salt and pepper to suit your liking before tossing the beans in.
- Add extra herbs: Fresh herbs like chervil add a lovely, delicate crunch that enhances the beans. Don’t skip it!
Jamie Oliver French Bean Salad