Green Beans with Cranberries

Green Beans with Cranberries is a fresh approach to serving a green bean casserole during the holiday season. A wonderful Walnut based vinaigrette dressing coats the green beans. We add layers of flavor from the sweetness of the cranberries, the earthiness of the toasted walnuts topped with the richness of crumbled bleu cheese. Now I know some people do not like bleu cheese so consider another cheese such as feta. You can definitely modify this recipe to make it your own! It is a cold salad so you can make the Walnut vinaigrette dressing ahead of time along with steaming the green beans. Assemble just before serving. And if you have company asking what can they do to help…. well let them toss together the salad!

Green Beans with Cranberries Recipe

We start with steaming and blanching the fresh green beans. Drain them, dry thoroughly, and cut into bite size pieces. Toast the walnuts with a little butter on the stove top to bring out their flavors. In a small bowl, whisk together the walnut oil, vinegar and Dijon mustard. Stir in the salt and pepper to your own taste. Add the cold green beans to a large bowl and toss in the walnuts, cranberries, shallots and drizzle in the vinaigrette. Place on a festive platter and sprinkle with the blue cheese. Just like that you have a delicious and healthy green bean salad for your holiday meal!

Making the Green Beans with Cranberries Ahead of Time

During the holidays, we rarely have enough time to assemble the final dishes for the big meal. This dish is wonderful because you can prepare the ingredients ahead of time. Personally, I believe making the Walnut vinaigrette dressing the prior day allows for the flavors to properly blend. Also toast the walnuts the prior day storing in the refrigerator since they are toasted with butter. Plus prepare the cranberries and shallots the prior day. The morning of the big meal, steam the green beans. Just before dinner assemble the salad or better yet ask a guest to toss everything together placing on a festive platter! Pour a glass of wine for yourself and enjoy all your hardwork in preparing the holiday meal!

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Green Beans with Cranberries

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Green Beans with Cranberries is a fresh approach to serving a green bean casserole during the holiday season. A wonderful Walnut based vinaigrette dressing coats the green beans. We add layers of flavors from the sweetness of the cranberries, the earthiness of the toasted walnuts topped with the richness of crumbled bleu cheese. Now I know some people do not like bleu cheese so consider another cheese such as feta.

5 from 3 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Cold Salads

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Green Beans with Cranberries

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes minutes

Servings: 8 servings

servings

Calories: 163kcal

Author: Bernice

Equipment

• Vegetable steamers
• Small and large bowl
• Cutting board and knife
• Small frying pan
• Serving dish or bowl

Ingredients

Ingredients

• 24 ounces Fresh Green Beans trimmed
• 3 tbsp Roasted Walnut Oil
• 1 tbsp Sherry Vinegar
• 2 tsp Dijon mustard
• 1 tsp Salt
• 1/4 tsp Freshly Ground Black Pepper
• 1/2 cup Toasted Walnuts chopped
• 1/3 cup Dried Cranberries
• 1 Shallot thinly sliced into half-moons
• 2 ounces Bleu Cheese crumbled

Instructions

• Steam the green beans to desired tenderness.
• Place green beans in a bowl. Blanch the green beans in cold water for a few minutes to stop them from cooking. Drain and dry well.
• Blanch the green beans in cold water for a few minutes to stop them from cooking. Drain and dry well
• Cut in half for bite-size green beans.
• Place chopped walnuts in a small frying pan with a little butter. Toast on the stove top until lightly brown.
• In a small bowl, whisk together the walnut oil, vinegar and Dijon mustard. Stir in the salt and pepper.
• Add the cool green beans to a large bowl and toss in the walnuts, cranberries and shallots and drizzle in the vinaigrette.
• Place on a platter or serving dish and sprinkle with the blue cheese.

Recipe Notes

Calories are based upon serving size. 

Make Ahead Tips

The green beans can be steamed ahead of time and kept cold in the refrigerator.

Toast the walnuts earlier in the day or the prior day keeping fresh in the refrigerator. 

Nutrition Facts

Green Beans with Cranberries

Amount Per Serving (8 servings)

Calories 163 Calories from Fat 108

% Daily Value*

Fat 12g18%

Saturated Fat 2g13%

Cholesterol 5mg2%

Sodium 410mg18%

Potassium 240mg7%

Carbohydrates 12g4%

Fiber 3g13%

Sugar 7g8%

Protein 4g8%

Vitamin A 641IU13%

Vitamin C 11mg13%

Calcium 76mg8%

Iron 1mg6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.