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.
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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!
Recipe
Italian Potato Salad
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Ingredients
- 2 pounds small potatoes new or red potatoes
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 pound string green beans trimmed
- ½ 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
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Thomasa Fiato
Magnificent!
Maria
Thanks so much Thomasa! And thanks for stopping by, appreciate it!
Emh
This recipe brings me right back to my Nana’s kitchen in New York! We would pick green beans and basil ( instead of parsley) from my Pop’s garden and make this salad. I have shared it at many pot-lucks and it’s always a hit!
Maria
Childhood memories are the best! Thanks so much for sharing Emh, appreciate it!
Joan Reilly
The best potato salad I’ve ever made – I’ve given this recipe to many friends and they love it!!!
Maria
Thanks so much Joan! Such a simple potato salad but the flavors just work so well together. Thanks so much for sharing, appreciate it.
Rosemary Tambasco
My mother-in-law (Marie Tambasco) made this recipe also. She sliced the potatoes and layered everything including capers in a large pasta dish. She was a fantastic cook and baker. Thanks for the memories just in time for summer potato salad Italian style.
Maria
My pleasure Rosemary. Food memories are just wonderful. Thanks for taking the time to share, appreciate it.
Dina
Thank you for posting this! I remember this salad very well. Went to the market today and was wondering what to do with my potatoes. Added a hard boiled egg.
Maria
My pleasure Dina. This green bean salad is truly a family favorite. Love your variation. Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to comment.
Dax B.
Made this tonight, but really went all out with the add-ins to make it more of a vegetarian main dish. I added red onion, cucumber, yellow bell pepper, kalamata olives & feta cheese. With the leftovers for lunch tomorrow, I’m also topping with a sliced boiled egg. Awesome recipe & definitely a go-to year round.
Maria
That sounds absolutely delicious Dax! Thanks so much for sharing 🙂 It’s winter right now where I’m at but this green bean salad is something that happens at least once a week as soon as I am able to pick my backyard green beans. Appreciate you taking the time to comment. Have a great day!
Louise
Fantastic. Delicious.
And, Dax, I was about to add the same ingredients as yours (egg included) but decided to go with the original recipe and add all that to the leftovers.
Maria, there were no leftovers. Thank you again!
Maria
My pleasure Louise! So happy to hear you enjoyed this Italian potato salad. Thanks so much for taking the time to share your experience with this recipe, appreciate it.
Mo
Oh my, what a flash back, when growing up on a farm in Calabria, me & my grandma, used to pick fresh string beans & tomatoes, as well as the potatoes & garlic. And we would pick, sort & clean the fresh veggies and my grandma would show me how to make the most amazing veggie recipes. Your recipe bought me back to the farm picking the veggies. It bought tears and a very warm, loving feeling in my heart & soul, Thank you for sharing your recipes.
I will definitely be looking at some of your great looking recipes, and making them. GRAZIE!!!
Maria
Thank you so much for sharing Mo ♥♥♥ Food has such a magical ability to trigger all kinds of wonderful memories. There really is nothing more special than the love of a nonna…
Hope you have a wonderful weekend 🙂
patrick olivo
Brought me back to my grandma. My niece just made it for me. Grazie
Maria
It never seizes to amaze me how food can trigger so many memories. Thanks for sharing Patrick. I also have some fond memories with this Italian Potato Salad. Thanks for taking the time to comment.
Diane Galambos
Maria, I love anything with those wee new potatoes. Just pressed print and looking forward to trying this. Lately I have had to be careful consuming things that are acidic, so a dressing with only 2 TB of vinegar – has my vote!!
Maria
In order to maximize the flavors, dress the potatoes when they are warm. Even without the vinegar, this is a great summer potato salad. Thanks for stopping by Diane 🙂
Vicky Howard
I make this salad all through summer. However, I don’t like parsley. Instead, we use oregano. Tastes so fresh. This is one thing about summer I love.
Maria
That’s the beauty with these simple Italian recipes, they can easily be adapted to personal preferences. Appreciate your comment, thanks so much for stopping by 🙂
Ciao Chow Linda
That salad is similar to what I grew up with – no mayo – although my mom never added the green beans and tomatoes. I love those additions however and will try it. Your photos are mouth-watering.
Maria
Thanks so much Linda ♥ So many variations and they all taste great! Thanks so much for stopping by 🙂