This Beef Carpaccio with Marinated Bean Salad is an elegant and fresh recipe, which is made with quality beef fillet and a zesty herb marinade. It’s a sophisticated starter, ready in about 30 minutes.
Beef Carpaccio with Marinated Bean Salad Ingredients
- 250g green or mixed beans, topped but not tailed
- 1 x 500g piece of beef fillet
- a few sprigs of fresh thyme
- olive oil
MARINADE
- 2 small shallots or ½ a small red onion, peeled and very finely chopped
- a handful of fresh soft herbs (chervil, parsley, yellow inner celery, tarragon), leaves picked and chopped
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1½ tablespoons white wine vinegar
- extra virgin olive oil
How To Make Beef Carpaccio with Marinated Bean Salad
- Cook the beans: Bring a large pot of salted water to the boil. Drop in the beans and cook for about 5 minutes until perfectly tender. Drain them in a colander.
- Make the marinade and dress the beans: In a bowl, mix the chopped shallot, herbs, mustard, and vinegar with 4 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil. Season with salt and pepper. Add the hot, drained beans to the marinade and toss to coat. Set aside to cool.
- Season and sear the beef: Season the beef fillet all over with salt and pepper. Roughly chop the thyme leaves and sprinkle them over the fillet, rolling the meat to coat it.
- Sear the beef: Get a heavy frying pan very hot and add a splash of olive oil. Add the beef fillet and fry for only 1 minute, turning it every few seconds to sear and encrust all sides. Remove the meat to a plate to rest for a minute.
- Slice and serve: With a very sharp knife, thinly slice the seared fillet. Lay each slice on a board and flatten it further by pressing down with the side of a large knife. Arrange two or three slices on each plate, season lightly again, and top with a pile of the marinated beans. Drizzle with any remaining marinade and a little extra olive oil.

Recipe Tips
- How to get the thinnest slices of beef? A very sharp knife is essential. For even easier slicing, you can wrap the seared and cooled beef fillet tightly in cling film and place it in the freezer for 15-20 minutes to firm up before slicing.
- What’s the best beef for carpaccio? A high-quality, very fresh beef fillet (or tenderloin) is the best choice for its tenderness and lean texture.
- Can I make the bean salad ahead of time? Yes, the marinated bean salad can be made a few hours in advance and stored at room temperature. The flavors will have even more time to meld.
- What if I don’t like raw beef? This recipe quickly sears the outside of the beef, leaving the inside rare. If you prefer it more cooked, you can sear the fillet for a little longer, about 2 minutes total, before slicing.
What To Serve With Beef Carpaccio
This elegant dish is a perfect starter or light lunch and pairs wonderfully with:
- Shavings of high-quality Parmesan cheese
- Toasted pine nuts
- Crusty bread or crostini
- A glass of crisp white wine, like Sauvignon Blanc
How To Store Beef Carpaccio
- Refrigerate: This dish is best enjoyed immediately after it’s prepared. Store leftover components separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
Beef Carpaccio Nutrition Facts
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 380 kcal
- Fat: 28g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Protein: 25g
Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.
FAQs
Is beef carpaccio safe to eat?
When made with a high-quality, fresh piece of beef fillet from a reputable butcher, it is generally considered safe. The quick searing on all sides also helps to kill any surface bacteria.
Can I use a different cut of beef?
While beef fillet is traditional and best for its tenderness, you could also use a very lean, high-quality sirloin.
What other herbs can I use in the marinade?
The recipe is flexible. If you can’t find chervil or tarragon, using all fresh parsley with a little fresh mint would also be delicious.
Try More Recipes:
Beef Carpaccio with Marinated Bean Salad Recipe
Course: AppetizersCuisine: ItalianDifficulty: Easy6
servings20
10
minutes380
kcalAn elegant and rustic Italian-style starter of quickly seared and thinly sliced beef fillet, served with a fresh, zesty marinated green bean salad.
Ingredients
250g green beans
1 x 500g piece of beef fillet
Fresh thyme, olive oil, salt, pepper
Marinade: 2 small shallots, handful of fresh soft herbs (parsley, tarragon, etc.), 1 tsp Dijon mustard, 1½ tbsp white wine vinegar, 4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
Directions
- Boil the green beans for 5 minutes until tender; drain.
- Whisk together all marinade ingredients. Toss with the hot beans and set aside to cool.
- Season the beef fillet with salt, pepper, and chopped thyme.
- Sear the fillet in a very hot pan with a splash of oil for 1 minute, turning constantly.
- Remove the beef from the pan and let it rest for a minute.
- Slice the beef as thinly as possible. Flatten each slice further with the side of a knife.
- Arrange a few slices of beef on each plate and top with the marinated bean salad.
Notes
- Using a high-quality piece of beef fillet is key to the success of this dish.
- Tossing the beans in the marinade while they are still hot helps them absorb more flavor.
- For the thinnest slices, make sure your knife is very sharp.
- This dish is all about fresh, quality ingredients, so use the best you can find.