Green beans—those humble, crunchy wonders—are like the unexpected guest who steals the show at a dinner party. Whether steamed, sautéed, or tossed in a vibrant salad, they bring a burst of color and a satisfying snap to any meal. And let’s be honest, who doesn’t love a veggie that’s as versatile as a Swiss Army knife?
Steps
- Garlicky Roasted Green Beans with Ginger and Mint: Preheat your oven and toss green beans with fresh ginger, garlic, and chiles. Roast until charred, then garnish with mint before serving.
- Linguine with Frenched Green Beans and Parsley Pesto: Cook linguine and add thinly sliced green beans for a crisp texture. Mix in a pesto sauce made with starchy pasta water to ensure it coats the pasta thoroughly.
- Salmon Niçoise Salad: Combine crisp-tender green beans, salmon, olives, and potatoes over mixed greens. Drizzle with lemon-mustard dressing and top with anchovy fillets for a flavorful finish.
- Green Bean, Butter Bean, and Tomato Salad: Layer green beans and butter beans over a romesco made with cashews and sun-dried tomatoes. Serve as a quick, refreshing dish.
- Speck-Wrapped Haricots Verts with Date Molasses: Wrap bundles of haricots verts in speck, glaze with date molasses, and sprinkle with fried shallots for an elegant presentation.
- Green Bean Casserole with Almost-Burnt Almonds: Prepare a classic casserole with green beans and a vegetarian sauce. Top with nearly burnt almonds for an added crunchy, nutty layer.
- Stir-Fried Green Beans with Shrimp and Garlic: Quickly stir-fry green beans with shrimp and garlic, adding fish sauce towards the end for depth. Serve this Vietnamese-inspired dish hot.
- Garlicky Green Beans with Ham: Simmer green beans in homemade ham hock stock with two heads of garlic for a Southern twist. The stock gives the beans a savory pork flavor.
- Green Bean Slaw: Toss haricots verts with carrot, red pepper, and parsnip strips for a crunchy slaw. Enjoy this twist on traditional coleslaw.
- Loobyeh (Braised Green Beans with Tomatoes and Garlic): Braise green beans with canned tomatoes, paprika, and cayenne. Customize the garlic to suit your taste preferences.
- Roasted Beets and Charred Green Beans: Roast beets and char haricots verts, then combine with hazelnuts and fried shallots. This vibrant dish is a colorful addition to any table.
- Green Beans Two Ways: Sauté green beans in butter and garlic, then simmer in chicken broth. Finish with a citrusy herb gremolata for extra flavor.
- Green Bean Casserole with Goat Cheese, Almonds, and Smoked Paprika: Toss blanched green beans in goat cheese sauce, sprinkle with almonds and smoked paprika, then bake for a twist on the classic casserole.
- Bloody Mary–Pickled Green Beans: Pickle green beans in a Bloody Mary brine made with tomato juice, vinegar, and spices. Perfect for snacking or as a cocktail garnish.
- Garlicky Haricots Verts with Hazelnuts: Sear haricots verts in beef fat and toss with toasted hazelnuts and lemon juice. A simple yet satisfying side dish.
- Potato Salad with Green Beans and Salsa Verde: Mix boiled potatoes and green beans with a parsley and chive salsa verde. This salad combines contrasting textures and fresh flavors.
- Sautéed Green Beans with Toasted Benne Seeds: Sauté green beans and finish with toasted sesame seeds for a nutty flavor. This simple dish is quick to prepare.
- Green Beans with Cremini Mushroom Sauce: Top green beans with a creamy mushroom sauce and fried shallots. Prepare in advance and bake when ready to serve.
- Garlicky Potatoes, Green Beans, and Cauliflower: Boil potatoes, cauliflower, and green beans, then drizzle with smoky garlic-infused olive oil. Add a splash of sherry vinegar for brightness.
- Sautéed Haricots Verts and Morels with Scallions: Sauté haricots verts and morels in butter and olive oil, and perfume with chervil for an aromatic dish.
- Summer Bulgur and Green Bean Salad: Combine green beans and cherry tomatoes with bulgur, mint, and toasted almonds. Dress with olive oil and lemon juice for a light summer salad.
- Haricots Verts and White Beans with Shallot Vinaigrette: Toss haricots verts and white beans with a shallot vinaigrette. This dish offers a satisfying combination of textures and flavors.
- Blistered Green Beans with XO Sauce: Stir-fry green beans with a spicy, garlicky XO sauce made from dried seafood and ham. This dish is rich in umami flavors.
- Gingered Green Beans: Sauté green beans with ground ginger for an easy, flavorful dish ready in under 30 minutes. Use asparagus beans or Chinese long beans for variety.
- Curried Cauliflower and Green Bean Salad with Lemon Yogurt: Roast cauliflower and green beans with curry powder, then serve with a tangy lemon yogurt sauce. This salad is aromatic and refreshing.
Ingredients
- Fresh green beans
- Fresh ginger
- Garlic
- Chiles
- Fresh mint
FAQ
- Can I prepare green beans in advance for these recipes?
- Yes, many of these recipes allow for preparation in advance. For instance, you can blanch green beans and store them in the refrigerator until you’re ready to incorporate them into your dish. Some recipes, like casseroles or salads, can be fully or partially prepared ahead of time and assembled just before serving.
- What is the best way to maintain the crispness of green beans in salads?
- To keep green beans crisp in salads, blanch them in boiling water for a few minutes and then immediately transfer them to an ice bath. This process stops the cooking and helps preserve their vibrant color and crunchy texture.
- Are there alternatives to using fresh green beans in these recipes?
- While fresh green beans are preferred for their taste and texture, you can substitute frozen green beans if necessary. Thaw them before use, and keep in mind that they may have a slightly softer texture compared to fresh beans.
- How can I enhance the flavor of green beans without overpowering them?
- Simple additions such as garlic, lemon juice, or toasted nuts can enhance the flavor of green beans. You can also experiment with herbs and spices like mint, parsley, or ginger for added depth without overwhelming their natural taste.
- What protein options pair well with green bean dishes?
- Green beans are versatile and pair well with proteins such as salmon, chicken, shrimp, or ham. For a vegetarian option, consider adding beans like butter beans or chickpeas to create a more filling dish.
Tips
- When making Garlicky Roasted Green Beans with Ginger and Mint, consider serving them either hot from the oven or at room temperature for versatility in your meal planning.
- For Linguine with Frenched Green Beans and Parsley Pesto, use reserved starchy pasta water to thicken the pesto sauce, ensuring it clings well to the pasta for optimal flavor distribution.
- In the Salmon Niçoise Salad, don’t skip the anchovy fillets; they add a salty umami kick that elevates the overall flavor profile of the dish.
- If preparing the Green Bean Casserole with Almost-Burnt Almonds, take care to toast the almonds until they’re nearly burnt, as this will provide an intense nutty crunch that complements the creamy casserole.
Equipment
- Mandoline Slicer – For thinly slicing vegetables like green beans or carrots.
- Food Processor – Useful for making pesto, romesco sauce, or chopping ingredients.
- Spiralizer – If you want to create vegetable noodles or spirals.
- Mortar and Pestle – For grinding spices or making pesto by hand.
- Blender – Helpful for making smooth sauces or dressings.
- Cast Iron Skillet – For roasting or searing vegetables to achieve a nice char.
- Dutch Oven – Useful for making stews or braising dishes like Loobyeh.
- Salad Spinner – For drying lettuce and other greens efficiently.
- Fine-Mesh Sieve – Useful for straining sauces or rinsing small grains like bulgur.
- Microplane Zester – For zesting citrus fruits or grating ginger and garlic finely.
- Grill Pan – If you want to achieve grill marks on vegetables indoors.
- Immersion Blender – For blending sauces or soups directly in the pot.
