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Carrots and Greens with Dilly Bean Vinaigrette

This vibrant vegetarian dish of carrots and greens with dilly bean vinaigrette offers a sophisticated blend of earthy sweetness and sharp, tangy flavours. The small carrots are pan-fried until tender and caramelised, providing a beautiful contrast to the peppery mustard greens. It is the dilly bean pickling liquid, reduced and whisked with butter, that truly elevates this recipe into something special, creating a silky and punchy dressing that binds the components together.

As a versatile side dish, these warm vegetables pair excellently with roasted proteins or can be enjoyed as a light lunch alongside crusty sourdough. The use of mustard greens adds a wonderful savoury depth, while the dilly beans provide a satisfying crunch. This is a brilliant way to make the most of larder staples like pickles to create a restaurant-quality finish at home.

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Ingredients for Carrots and Greens with Dilly Bean Vinaigrette

  • 1/4 cup thinly sliced dilly beans plus 1 cup pickling liquid

  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into pieces

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

  • 675g small carrots, unpeeled, halved lengthwise if thick

  • 1 large shallot, sliced into 1/2"-thick rings

  • 3 bunches mustard greens (about 450g ), centre ribs and stems removed, leaves coarsely torn

  • Kosher salt, freshly ground pepper

Bring pickling liquid to a boil in a small saucepan, reduce heat, and simmer until reduced by half, 15–20 minutes. Let cool slightly, then gradually whisk in butter. Mix in dilly beans; keep vinaigrette warm.

Meanwhile, heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add carrots and shallot and cook, tossing often, until browned in spots and tender, 10–15 minutes.

Remove skillet from heat and, working in batches, add mustard greens, tossing until slightly wilted between additions; cook slightly longer.

Transfer vegetables to a platter and drizzle with warm vinaigrette; season with salt and pepper.

Disclaimer

While every effort has been made to ensure the information is accurate and up to date, individual needs may vary and dietary requirements can differ based on personal health conditions. Always check food labels and allergen information before preparing or consuming any recipe. If you have specific health concerns, allergies, intolerances, or are following a medically prescribed diet, seek advice from your GP, pharmacist, or a registered dietitian before making significant changes to your diet or lifestyle.

Article history

The information on this page is peer reviewed by qualified clinicians.

  • 28 Jan 2026 | Originally published

    Authored by:

    UK recipe editors

    Peer reviewed by

    UK recipe editors
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