Name: French Beans Salad with Peach Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 20 min
Cuisine: French
Ingredients: 600 g (18oz) green beans extra thin; 1 shallot finely chopped; 1 white peach sliced finely; 1 tablespoon almonds blanched, unsalted; 20 fresh basil leaves finely chopped or torn; 3 tablespoon olive oil extra virgin; ¼ teaspoon salt (fleur de sel) or Maldon flakes, Celtic sea salt

If you’re craving something light, wildly refreshing, and gloriously unique, the Unique French Beans Recipe with Peach will absolutely make your taste buds dance. This isn’t your everyday green bean side—the crisp beans, sweet juicy peaches, toasted almonds, and fragrant basil transform a simple plate of veggies into a lively celebration of color and flavor that feels just a little bit magical.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Unexpected Flavor Harmony: The sweet burst of fresh peach is divine with crisp-tender green beans and buttery almonds—you’ll find yourself craving this combo again and again.
Vibrant Colors on Your Table: It doesn’t just taste amazing—this dish lights up any meal with its emerald beans, luminous peach slices, and flecks of green basil.
Quick & Effortless: You can whip up the Unique French Beans Recipe with Peach in 20 minutes, yet it feels (and looks) restaurant-worthy.
Perfect for Every Occasion: Serve it warm or chilled, fancy or casual—it’s a delightfully flexible side that everyone will remember.

French Beans Salad with Peach Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

This is one of those magical recipes where each ingredient is simple, but together, their flavors truly sing. Every element of the Unique French Beans Recipe with Peach balances taste, texture, and color—so you get a summertime sensation in every single bite.

French (Green) Beans: Look for extra-thin, super fresh beans for the ideal snap and bright flavor.
Shallot: Adds sweet, subtle depth without overpowering the star ingredients.
White Peach: The key to this dish’s signature twist—choose a ripe, fragrant peach for sweetness and juiciness.
Blanched Almonds (Unsalted): Toasted for nutty crunch that pairs beautifully with beans and fruit.
Fresh Basil: Chopped or torn, basil delivers a burst of garden-fresh aroma and color.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Provides lush, fruity undertones and helps everything come together.
Fleur de Sel or Flaky Sea Salt: For perfect seasoning, highlighting all those summery flavors.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

There’s plenty of room to make this Unique French Beans Recipe with Peach truly your own. Don’t be afraid to riff depending on what’s in your fridge, your favorite flavors, or any dietary tweaks you need—it’s a flexible, customizable crowd-pleaser!

Add Cheese: A little fresh goat cheese or crumbled feta adds delicious creaminess and a subtle tang.
Swap the Fruit: No peaches? Try ripe nectarine, a few slices of mango, or even cherries for a playful twist.
Switch Nuts: Toasted hazelnuts, pistachios, or pine nuts can bring a different kind of crunch and flavor.
Make it Vegan: The base recipe is naturally vegan—just double-check any cheese add-ins or extra garnishes if you choose to use them.

How to Make Unique French Beans Recipe with Peach

Step 1: Blanch the French Beans

Begin by topping and tailing your green beans so they’re neat and trim. Pop them into a pot of simmering, unsalted water and cook for 5–10 minutes—the key is al dente: tender but still with a lively bite. Right before you drain them, tossing in a pinch of bicarbonate of soda helps the beans stay vibrantly green and beautifully crisp.

Step 2: Sauté Shallot and Almonds

While the beans are cooking, warm up your olive oil in a frying pan and gently sauté the chopped shallot. Let it turn beautifully golden (about 5 minutes), then toss in the blanched almonds and toast together for just a couple of minutes. This gives you sweet, nutty, aromatic flavors that set the stage for everything else.

Step 3: Combine, Season & Serve

Once the beans are cool and drained, add them to the pan with shallots and almonds. Give everything a joyful toss before folding in the basil, salt, and fresh black pepper. Transfer to your serving dish—warmed for a cozy side, or cool for a picnic salad—and arrange those delicate, juicy peach slices right on top. Serve straight away, and prepare for the delighted oohs and ahhs!

Pro Tips for Making Unique French Beans Recipe with Peach

Bean Texture Magic: Always test your beans a minute early—they should be bright green and just-tender, never soggy, for the best mouthfeel in this dish.
Peach Perfection: Use a ripe but slightly firm white peach so the slices sit prettily atop the beans without getting mushy.
Maximize Basil Aroma: Tear basil leaves by hand rather than chopping to release their oils and preserve their delicate shape for gorgeous garnish.
Almond Toasting: Keep a watchful eye—almonds go from golden to burnt in seconds, so swirl them constantly for even color.

How to Serve Unique French Beans Recipe with Peach

Garnishes

An extra sprinkle of torn basil right before serving is sheer bliss, but you can also add a scatter of toasted sliced almonds or a finishing kiss of flaky sea salt. For a little pop of color, edible flowers or microgreens look gorgeous, enhancing the fresh, summery vibe of the Unique French Beans Recipe with Peach.

Side Dishes

This recipe loves good company! Pair it with grilled chicken or fish for a lovely summer supper, serve alongside crusty sourdough for a vegetarian feast, or tuck it next to a bright pasta salad at your next picnic—it’s endlessly versatile and always welcome at the table.

Creative Ways to Present

Try serving the Unique French Beans Recipe with Peach on a big, flat platter with the peach slices artfully fanned across the top, or spoon the salad into individual glass jars for adorable make-ahead picnic portions. Little appetizer spoons or crostini topped with a spoonful of beans and a sliver of peach are perfect as finger food for gatherings, too!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you’re lucky enough to have leftovers, transfer them to an airtight container and pop them in the fridge. The beans will stay crisp and the flavors mingle for up to two days—just note that the peaches may soften a little as they sit.

Freezing

Freezing isn’t the best friend for this recipe—the beans and peaches can go watery and lose their beautiful texture. For the freshest results, it’s best to enjoy the Unique French Beans Recipe with Peach shortly after making it. If you must freeze, do so before adding the peaches and basil, and add them fresh when serving.

Reheating

This dish is just as lovely served cold as it is gently warmed. To reheat, sauté the beans and almonds in a pan over low heat until just heated through—add peach slices and basil after warming to keep everything sprightly and bright.

FAQs

Can I use another type of bean for this recipe?

Absolutely! While thin French beans are traditional and best for a tender-crisp bite, you can experiment with regular green beans, yellow wax beans, or even sugar snaps. Adjust the cooking time as needed—remember, you want them vibrant and just-cooked.
What if I can’t find white peaches?

No stress! Yellow peaches work beautifully, as do nectarines. The key is using fruit that’s ripe and fragrant for that signature touch of sweetness in the Unique French Beans Recipe with Peach.
Is it okay to make the dish in advance?

You can prep most of it a few hours ahead—cook the beans, sauté the shallots and almonds, and slice the peaches just before serving. If serving chilled, assemble everything except the peaches and basil ahead, then top and toss when you’re ready to eat for the freshest flavor.
Can I add a dressing or extra spices?

This recipe shines with its simple seasoning of good olive oil, flaky salt, and pepper—but you could absolutely experiment with a splash of balsamic reduction, a sprinkle of chili flakes, or even lemon zest for a little extra zing if you like!

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re hosting, picnicking, or just want to feel inspired at the dinner table, the Unique French Beans Recipe with Peach brings a little sunshine to your plate. I hope you give it a whirl—your senses (and your guests) will thank you. Happy cooking, and don’t forget to savor every bite!