This easy-to-make creamy Italian Potato Salad with green beans will quickly become your favorite summer potluck recipe. You are going to love this no mayo potato salad!
There is no better time than right now to make this summer fresh potato salad as green beans and tomatoes are now in full swing.
Without a doubt, this is the perfect potato salad! Not only is it great tasting, but it is so convenient! It can be made ahead of time and left on the counter for the flavors to develop or kept in the refrigerator and then brought to room temperature before serving.
You might be surprised to learn that there is no mayonnaise in this flavorful but light-tasting salad… here’s how to make it!
Instructions
We are going to be boiling the green beans and the potatoes in separate pots.
So, let’s start by placing whole, unpeeled new potatoes in a large pot of salted cold water. Make sure the potatoes are fully immersed in the water and try to use the same sized potatoes so that they cook evenly.
Bring the water to a boil, and then turn down the heat and gently simmer the potatoes for about 15-20 minutes or until they become tender. When you can easily insert the tip of a knife into the potatoes, they are done. Remember, we do not want mushy potatoes.
What are the best potatoes to use for potato salad? Ideally, any potato variety that has a waxy texture works really well in potato salad recipes. Red or fingerling potatoes are some great alternatives to new potatoes.
While the potatoes are simmering away, let’s bring another pot of salted water to a boil and cook the beans for about 3-4 minutes. I picked really tender green beans from my garden and so they were done in under 2 minutes. The goal is to boil (or steam) them until they become crisp-tender. You can tell when they are done when they become bright green in color. This step is basically a quick blanching of string beans.
While the potatoes continue to simmer, let’s make a simple parsley vinaigrette by shaking together some olive oil, wine vinegar, minced garlic, parsley, salt and pepper together in a jar.
By now the potatoes should be ready. Drain them and when they are cool enough to handle, slice in half or in quarters. You can peel off the skin at this point or just leave it on, your choice.
Place the warm potatoes and crispy green beans in a large bowl and toss gently together with about half of the parsley vinaigrette. Cover and allow the flavors to be absorbed for at least 5 minutes.
When you are ready to serve, add the tomatoes and the rest of the vinaigrette and drizzle with the juice of half a lemon.
I love to use cherry tomatoes as they provide an element of sweetness to this tasty potato salad. Feel free to use any type of tomatoes such as beefsteak, heirloom, vine, etc… These are all great options.
Another reason I used cherry tomatoes is that they are plentiful in my backyard. I just can’t keep up (side note: I am not complaining 🙂 ) I’ve already made two batches of these sun dried cherry tomatoes and I have a funny feeling I need to make a few more!
As with all recipes, you can easily adapt this recipe to your own personal taste. Red or green onions, celery or peppers are just some of the vegetables that you can easily incorporate in this perfect potato salad that can be enjoyed at room temperature.
The same goes for the herbs. Italian flat-leaf parsley provides just the right amount of bitterness and totally brightens the overall appearance of this wonderful salad. But this salad is equally delicious with fresh basil.
Tips
- season your water properly with salt;
- use the ratio of 2:1 potatoes to green beans (for example, 2 pounds potatoes to 1 pound green beans);
- start cooking your potatoes from a pot of cold water to prevent the exterior from becoming mealy;
- check the vegetables for doneness, use the cooking signals and respect the cooking times;
- properly strain the vegetables to remove extra moisture;
- dress the potatoes when they are warm;
- allow the flavors to marinate together for at least 5 minutes before serving.
More green beans recipes
Recipe origins
My mom would refer to this green bean potato salad as “Insalata di fagiolini e patate” and it would be made religiously, a few times a week as soon as those delicate green beans and sun-kissed tomatoes were ready to be picked from our backyard garden.
As was mentioned, there are so many variations of this healthy summer salad recipe as every family puts their own spin on it. The one common element is that this was definitely a no mayo potato salad.
This tasty parsley potato salad makes a wonderful side dish or a nice light dinner. It’s great for potlucks and for serving a large crowd as the recipe can easily be doubled or even tripled.
Fall in love all over again with garden-fresh produce and make this simple Italian salad!
THANKS SO MUCH for following and being part of the She Loves Biscotti community where you will find Simple & Tasty Family-Friendly Recipes with an Italian Twist.
If this is your first time visiting, welcome! I would love to offer you my FREE weekly e-mail newsletter delivered straight to your inbox. When you subscribe, you will also receive a FREE DOWNLOAD that summarizes my top 10 tips on How to Cook Pasta. You can unsubscribe any time you want.
Ciao for now,
Maria
★★★★★ If you have made this Italian Potato Salad recipe, I would love to hear about it in the comments below and be sure to rate the recipe!
Italian Potato Salad
Ingredients
- 2 pounds small potatoes new or red potatoes
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 pound string green beans trimmed
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes cut in half
Parsley Vinaigrette:
- 6 tablespoons olive oil extra virgin
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1 clove garlic fresh, minced
- 1 cup parsley fresh Italian flat-leaf, chopped
- salt and pepper to taste
- fresh lemon juice from ½ lemon OPTIONAL
Instructions
- In a large pot of cold water, add the potatoes and a teaspoon of salt.
- Bring to a boil and then reduce heat to a simmer for about 15-20 minutes or until the potatoes become tender. When a knife can easily pierce the potato, they are done.
- While the potatoes are simmering, bring another pot of water to boil. Add the salt.
- Add the string beans and blanch for about 2-3 minutes or until crisp tender and bright green in color.
- Drain the green beans and run under cold water to stop the cooking.
- While the potatoes continue to simmer, combine the ingredients to make the parsley vinaigrette in a small mason jar. Place the screw-top cap and shake together.
- Drain the potatoes and when cool enough to handle, slice them in half or in quarters.
- Place the warm potatoes and crispy green beans in a large bowl and toss together with about half of the parsley vinaigrette. Allow the flavors to be absorbed for at least 5 minutes.
- When ready to serve, add the tomatoes and the rest of the vinaigrette and drizzle with the juice of half a lemon.
Notes
Nutrition
Barb Consolo
Hello Maria … So happy to see this recipe ! My Mother used to make this salad as one of the many foods she served for holiday’s & picnics. Never knew the exact recipe, however I remember the taste. Your recipe sounds just like my Mom’s , I will be making this. Thank you for bringing back fond memories. Love your recipes , takes me back home again !
Maria
My pleasure Barb! Thank you so much for sharing ♥
Ann Reut
Pay attention to the vegetables. Cooking them correctly makes the difference. A fabulous dish!!
Maria
So true Ann! Thanks so much for taking the time to comment, truly appreciate it.
Diane K
Received so many compliments on this salad as a recent party. This is such a great alternative to a heavy mayo based potato salad, so fresh and tasty.
Maria
So thrilled to read this Diane! Thanks so much for sharing.
Tara Piazza
This is so delicious, I add red onion slivers and will use basil if I have no parsley. Thank you!
Maria
Great Tara! Thanks so much for sharing!