Zesty Shrimp & Green Bean Salad
Discover a vibrant and wholesome Zesty Shrimp & Green Bean Salad, perfect for a healthy lunch or light dinner. This delightful dish combines crisp green beans, succulent shrimp, juicy cherry tomatoes, and creamy feta cheese, all tossed in a tangy homemade vinaigrette. The combination of fresh ingredients and a touch of garlic creates an irresistible medley of flavors that's both refreshing and satisfying. Perfect to impress at a family gathering or for meal prepping.
4
Servings
N/A
Calories
14
Ingredients
Ingredients
Red wine vinegar
1 tablespoon
Honey Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon
Salt
1/8 teaspoon ((for vinaigrette))
Black pepper
1/8 teaspoon ((for vinaigrette))
Extra virgin olive oil
3 tablespoons ((for vinaigrette))
Fresh chives
2 tablespoons (minced)
Green beans
1 lb (trimmed)
Extra virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons ((for shrimp))
Garlic cloves
2 (finely chopped)
Raw shrimp
1 1/2 lbs (shelled and deveined)
Salt
1/4 teaspoon ((for shrimp))
Black pepper
1/4 teaspoon ((for shrimp))
Cherry tomatoes
1 cup (halved)
Feta cheese
1/2 cup (crumbled)
Instructions
1
Prepare the Vinaigrette: In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the red wine vinegar, honey Dijon mustard, 1/8 teaspoon of salt, and 1/8 teaspoon of black pepper. Gradually drizzle in 3 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil while whisking continuously until the dressing emulsifies and thickens. Stir in the minced fresh chives and set aside.
2
Cook the Green Beans: Fill a large pot with lightly salted water and bring it to a boil. Add the trimmed green beans and cook for approximately 5 minutes until they are tender but still vibrant in color. Drain the beans and transfer them to a large bowl. Pour the prepared vinaigrette over the beans, tossing to coat them well. Set aside.
3
Sauté the Shrimp: Heat 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the finely chopped garlic and sauté until fragrant, for about 1 minute. Add the shelled and deveined shrimp to the skillet, seasoning with 1/4 teaspoon of salt and 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper. Cook the shrimp for about 2 minutes on each side, until they turn pink and opaque. Remove from heat.
4
Assemble the Salad: Toss the halved cherry tomatoes with the dressed green beans. Arrange the mixture on a large serving platter. Evenly distribute the cooked shrimp over the salad along with crumbled feta cheese. Garnish with additional chopped chives if desired before serving.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Zesty Shrimp & Green Bean Salad?
It is a vibrant, wholesome dish combining crisp green beans, succulent shrimp, cherry tomatoes, and feta cheese in a tangy homemade vinaigrette.
How many servings does this recipe provide?
This recipe yields 4 servings.
What ingredients are used in the homemade vinaigrette?
The dressing is made with red wine vinegar, honey Dijon mustard, salt, black pepper, extra virgin olive oil, and minced fresh chives.
How do you prepare the salad dressing?
Whisk vinegar, mustard, salt, and pepper, then slowly drizzle in 3 tablespoons of olive oil until emulsified before stirring in chives.
How long should I cook the green beans?
Boil the trimmed green beans for approximately 5 minutes until they are tender but still vibrant in color.
What is the first step in cooking the shrimp?
Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a skillet and sauté finely chopped garlic for about 1 minute until fragrant.
How long does it take to sauté the shrimp?
The shrimp should be cooked for about 2 minutes on each side until they turn pink and opaque.
How much shrimp is required for this recipe?
The recipe calls for 1.5 lbs of raw shrimp that has been shelled and deveined.
What type of cheese is used in the salad?
The salad is topped with 1/2 cup of crumbled feta cheese.
What kind of tomatoes should I use?
Use 1 cup of cherry tomatoes, halved, for this salad.
How much garlic is needed for the shrimp?
You will need 2 finely chopped garlic cloves.
What seasoning is used for the shrimp?
The shrimp is seasoned with 1/4 teaspoon of salt and 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper.
How do I assemble the final salad?
Toss halved cherry tomatoes with dressed green beans, arrange on a platter, then distribute cooked shrimp and feta on top.
Is this recipe suitable for meal prepping?
Yes, it is an excellent choice for meal prepping due to its fresh ingredients and ease of assembly.
Can I use frozen shrimp?
Yes, as long as the shrimp is thawed, shelled, and deveined before cooking according to the instructions.
What is the texture of the green beans?
The beans should be tender-crisp, meaning they are cooked through but still have a slight bite and bright color.
What type of oil is recommended?
Extra virgin olive oil is recommended for both the vinaigrette and for sautéing the shrimp.
How many green beans do I need?
You need 1 lb of trimmed green beans for this recipe.
What kind of mustard is used?
The recipe uses 1 teaspoon of honey Dijon mustard to add flavor and help emulsify the dressing.
Is the shrimp cooked over high heat?
The shrimp should be cooked over medium-high heat for even cooking without burning the garlic.
Can I garnish the dish with more herbs?
Yes, you can garnish with additional chopped fresh chives before serving if desired.
When should I add the vinaigrette to the beans?
Pour the vinaigrette over the green beans immediately after draining them so they can absorb the flavor while warm.
What size bowl should I use for the vinaigrette?
A small mixing bowl is sufficient for whisking the dressing ingredients together.
Is this a warm or cold salad?
It can be served warm immediately after assembly or as a cold salad if chilled.
Does the recipe use red or white wine vinegar?
This recipe specifically uses 1 tablespoon of red wine vinegar.
How much salt is in the dressing?
The vinaigrette contains 1/8 teaspoon of salt.
How much black pepper is in the dressing?
The vinaigrette contains 1/8 teaspoon of black pepper.
What makes the shrimp 'succulent' in this dish?
Quickly sautéing the shrimp in olive oil and garlic helps them stay juicy and flavorful.
Is this recipe considered healthy?
Yes, it is described as a healthy and wholesome meal option featuring lean protein and fresh vegetables.
What flavor profile does this salad have?
The salad offers a zesty and tangy flavor profile due to the vinaigrette, garlic, and feta cheese.