Ingredients
- 1 pound Fresh green beans, ends trimmed
- 2 cans (15 oz each) Canned black-eyed peas, drained and rinsed
- 1 medium Red onion, diced finely
- 1 large Red bell pepper, cored and chopped into bite-sized pieces
- 1/4 cup Fresh cilantro, finely chopped
- 1/3 cup Extra virgin olive oil
- 3 tablespoons Apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Fresh lemon juice
- 2 cloves Garlic cloves, minced finely
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon Sea salt
- 1/4 teaspoon Black pepper, freshly ground
Instructions
- Trim the ends from fresh green beans using a sharp knife or bean trimmer and cut into one-inch pieces.
- Dice the red onion into quarter-inch pieces and remove the core and seeds from the red bell pepper, then chop into bite-sized pieces.
- Mince the fresh cilantro leaves, setting aside about one tablespoon for garnish.
- Fill a large pot with salted water and bring to a rolling boil over high heat.
- Add the trimmed and cut green beans to boiling water once steam rises vigorously and cook for exactly eight to ten minutes until they reach tender-crisp texture.
- Drain green beans in a colander and immediately rinse under cold water to stop cooking, then spread on a clean kitchen towel to remove excess moisture.
- Whisk together olive oil, apple cider vinegar, and fresh lemon juice in a small bowl.
- Add minced garlic and Dijon mustard to the vinegar mixture, then stir in sea salt and black pepper. Whisk vigorously for thirty seconds until dressing emulsifies and combines thoroughly.
- Drain and rinse canned black-eyed peas thoroughly under cold running water, then transfer to a large mixing bowl.
- Add cooled green beans, diced red onion, and chopped bell pepper to the bowl.
- Pour prepared dressing over the vegetables and black-eyed peas in the bowl and toss all ingredients together gently but thoroughly until evenly coated.
- Add most of the chopped cilantro, reserving the garnish amount for the top, and toss again to distribute throughout the salad.
- Taste the salad and adjust salt, pepper, or vinegar as needed for perfect balance, then transfer to a serving bowl and garnish with reserved cilantro before serving.
Notes
Stop green beans at tender-crisp: Cook for exactly eight to ten minutes, no longer. Overcooked green beans become mushy and lose their appealing crunch. Rinse beans immediately after cooking: Transfer cooked green beans to cold running water within one second of draining hot water to preserve bright color and firm texture. Use quality olive oil: Extra virgin olive oil provides complex flavor that transforms the entire dish. Balance your dressing proportions: The ratio of three parts oil to one part acid creates the perfect creamy texture and flavor balance. Let the salad rest before serving: Make this salad at least thirty minutes before serving so flavors meld and develop. Fresh herbs matter: Add cilantro at the very end, just before serving, to maintain bright flavor and visual appeal.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Boiling and Tossing
- Cuisine: Southern American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 185
- Sugar: 2 grams
- Sodium: 285 milligrams
- Fat: 12 grams
- Saturated Fat: 1.5 grams
- Unsaturated Fat: 10.5 grams
- Trans Fat: 0 grams
- Carbohydrates: 16 grams
- Fiber: 4 grams
- Protein: 7 grams
- Cholesterol: 0 mg