11 Five-Star Green Bean Side Dish Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What can I add to green beans for flavor? ›

I added some sliced onion sautéed along with the green beans, added some garlic paste from the tube (Gourmet Garden®), some freshly-ground black pepper, and a healthy sprinkle of lemon pepper. Wow, so simple and yet soooo delicious.

Flavor green beans with spices

Za'atar is a Middle Eastern blend of oregano, thyme, and sesame seeds that adds an earthy, nutty flavor to green beans. Chili powder is another great option if you want your dish to have a bit of heat. It also comes with the advantage of having no added salt.

Although there's no hard-and-fast rule to predict exactly how hungry your guests will be, this formula should get you through the farmer's market or grocery store with confidence that you've got it right: Assume that one serving of green beans is about one cup, or 5 oz, with about 12 to 13 green beans per cup, ...

Add Aromatics (and Some Salt)

We're talking onions, shallots, garlic, and chiles. Or maybe some fresh herbs like rosemary, sage, bay leaves, and thyme. This is where the flavor really starts to build. Salt the liquid again (lightly) after about an hour of simmering.

Blanch Them

Blanching your greens is key to getting that bitterness level down. Because glucosinolates are water-soluble compounds, a lot of them are leached out into the water, allowing for a less bitter green.

Unless the recipe tells you to keep the canned beans in their liquid, you should drain your can and give the beans a good rinse before using. This will improve the flavor and texture of your finished dish. Open your cans of beans using a can opener. There may be sharp edges from opening the can.

Adding baking soda to boiling water before adding the green beans prevents the beans from turning brown as they cook. The baking soda also helps soften the beans so they are not stringy.

French Cut Green Beans vs.

"Because they're harvested earlier, haricot verts also tend to be more tender, earthier in flavor and more expensive than traditional green beans."

Add olive oil and other herbs and spices such as oregano or cumin to help make beans more appealing.

Drain and rinse under cold water 1 to 2 minutes to stop cooking process. Drain well. Refrigerate green beans between layers of paper towels in an airtight container or resealable food storage bag for up to 1 day. To serve, melt 2 tablespoons butter over medium heat in large skillet.

Is eating green beans every day good for you? ›

“Green beans contain folate and potassium, two nutrients that may boost your heart health,” says Whitson. “These nutrients can help regulate your blood pressure when combined with other healthy lifestyle choices like diet and exercise.”

Canned green beans are a convenient and nutritious option, but they can sometimes lack flavor. By enhancing them with a few simple ingredients and techniques, you can elevate their taste and texture, making them a delightful addition to your meals. Green beans are packed with vitamins, minerals, and fiber.

Link Between Cravings and Nutrient Deficiencies

This can result in cravings for foods that are rich in the lacking nutrients. For example, a craving for green beans could indicate a need for vitamins A, C, or K, or for dietary fiber.

Pour the green beans and the reserved half of the canning liquid into a skillet. Add butter, onion powder, salt and pepper. Simmer, uncovered and stirring occasionally, until almost all of the cooking liquid has evaporated. Taste and adjust seasonings if necessary.

Toss drained/rinsed/dried beans with a bit of olive oil (or avocado oil) and your favorite seasonings. You can add crushed whole seeds (coriander, cumin, fennel, mustard, etc.), woodsy herbs (thyme, oregano, rosemary, sage), red pepper flakes, crushed garlic cloves, and of course salt and pepper.

Prep – Rinse and trim the green beans. Melt butter in a large skillet, and add the green beans and seasoning. Toss to coat over medium high heat. Sauté until they achieve the desired tenderness and salt to taste.

Let beans sit in ice bath for 5 minutes. Drain green beans and spread out on a large baking sheet. Use a paper towel to blot the extra water off the beans. Place in the freezer and let the beans freeze for 4-6 hours on the baking sheet.