9 Simple Green Beans Recipes

Truthfully, we all run out of ideas of what to cook in the kitchen, and those pesky side dishes can leave you drawing a real blank. With luck, there’s a healthy vegetable out there we know as green beans that provide a variety of flavorful side dish options to choose from.

From Asian-inspired green beans to the classics like a green bean salad, there’s something in this list of green bean recipes for everyone!

This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, we may earn a small commission, at no additional cost to you. You can read our Privacy Policy here.

Are Green Beans Good For You?

Green beans are exceptionally good for you as they are packed with vital nutrients like vitamins A, C, and K, as well as iron, calcium, fiber, folate, potassium, and more.

That’s why green beans are an easy way for pregnant and nursing mothers to help in their folate intake, a B vitamin that’s crucial for the proper growth and development of the baby.

These beautiful and tasty green veggies are also low in calories, carbs, and sodium, rendering them amongst the appropriate side dishes for numerous diets.

Green Bean Recipes

Most of these recipes begin with two base ingredients: fresh green beans and olive oil. Let’s dive in to see which green bean recipe you’ll make next!

Up next: The Best Homemade French Fries In Air Fryer Recipe

Classic Green Bean Casserole

Out of all of the most delicious green bean recipes, one of the most well-known and well-received remains to be the classic green bean casserole. Here in the United States, a traditional green bean casserole has become a staple at Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner gatherings during the holiday season, always sure to garner a 5 star rating across the board.

Considering that it is such an easy recipe, it also is a great starting point for new cooks in the kitchen.

Recommended read: Gluten-Free Au Gratin Potatoes Recipe

Here’s what you’ll need:

• 8×8-inch baking dish
• 1 can cream of mushroom soup
• ¾ cup milk
• 2 cups of partially cooked, fresh green beans (or 2 cans of canned green beans)
• 1 ⅓ cups French’s crispy fried onions
• ⅛ teaspoon of black pepper

Mix into an 8×8-inch baking dish and bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 30 minutes, then top with ⅔ cup of remaining dried onions and cook the homemade green bean casserole for 5 minutes more.

Roasted Pork Loin Over Orange Cranberry Sauce With Green Beans

Another perfect way to make a simple recipe using fresh green beans as a healthy side would be this roasted pork loin and orange cranberry sauce meal. Although I eat 100% plant-based, my husband always doesn’t. He enjoys lots of simple, home cooked meals.

The entire cooking process is relatively simple and makes healthy eating feel like a treat due to its tangy flavor. After searing the tenderloin in olive oil over a hot, large skillet on all sides, place the meat in the center of a sheet pan.

Directions:

Stir together 4 ounces of sweet orange marmalade, ¼ cup of orange juice, 4 ounces of whole cranberry sauce, and 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar and pour half of the mixture over the pork tenderloin and cook in a preheated oven at 400 degrees F for 35 minutes.

At 10 minutes into the roast, remove to add your olive oil coated and seasoned produce for crisp-tender green beans, and return to the oven until done; rest pork in aluminum foil for 10 minutes and boil reserved orange cranberry sauce for a gorgeous, savory glaze to drizzle on top.

Parmesan Roasted Green Beans

The first time roasted green bean recipes came to mind once I started my journey in the kitchen, there were almost unlimited ideas out there, but I always found that the best green bean recipes kept it light and simple, like parmesan roasted green beans.

Additionally, any green beans recipe that compliments a protein or starch and is a delicious way to add that vibrant green to make a plate look more appealing is automatically going to stand out!

Instructions:

On a baking sheet, spin french green beans (haricot verts) in olive oil, 1 teaspoon of garlic paste, season with sea salt and pepper, and cover with ⅓ cup panko breadcrumbs, ⅓ cup of parmesan cheese and another drizzle of olive oil.

Then, roast for 15 minutes or broil for 9 minutes, and serve with roast chicken or whatever you’d like!

Green Bean Salad

Ever since I was little, variations of the green bean salad have been one of my favorite green bean recipes to make and enjoy at the dinner table.

Side dishes like the green bean salad call for a handful of ingredients you already have at home.

Ingredients:

• ⅓ cup almonds
• 1 pound of Italian green beans
• 1 tablespoon of lemon juice
• 2 teaspoons of dijon mustard
• 1 garlic clove
• ¼ cup feta cheese
• 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• 1 teaspoon pepper

Directions:

Utilizing simple skillet steamed green beans and toasted almonds, you’ll mix together all other ingredients, reserving half of the feta, and then cook everything with a wooden spoon on the skillet over a medium high heat setting until heated through.

Garnish with the remaining feta and lemon juice or fresh herbs (if desired) for a green bean salad that’s worth cooking all year round.

Green bean salad is always a lovely way to lift lunchtime, so consider making it the next time you’re craving an epic twist on an easy green beans recipe.

Green Bean Almondine

If you can’t get enough of the crunch that toasted almonds bring to a dish with fresh green beans, well, neither can we! So, without further adieu, here’s what you’ll need:

Ingredients:

• ½ cup of almonds
• ⅓ cups shallots
• 3 separate tablespoons of butter
• 1 pound of french green beans
• 2 tablespoons of chopped parsley
• a splash of lemon juice
• ½ teaspoon salt (or to taste)
• ½ pepper

This is one of my many favorite green bean recipes. Toast almonds with butter until crispy and set aside in a medium bowl, add shallots and more butter to the same skillet and cook until tender, then add the french green beans and a tablespoon of water.

After cooking, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes, add in the lemon juice, salt and pepper, garnishing with your reserved toasted almonds and parsley.

Spruce up this dish for other exciting flavor combinations by adding cooked bacon, panko breadcrumbs, freshly shredded parmesan cheese, or sauteed mushrooms.

Chinese-Style Green Beans

While there are many sauteed green beans recipes that belong on this list, these wonderfully fresh chinese-style green beans are some of the best green beans I’ve ever had!

The full recipe calls for the following ingredients.

Instructions:

• 1 pound of trimmed green beans
• 1 tablespoon of avocado oil (for sauteing)
• 1 teaspoon of rice vinegar
• 2 tablespoons of soy sauce (I use Bragg’s coconut aminos instead)
• 1 teaspoon of honey
• 1 teaspoon of cornstarch
• 1 teaspoon of minced garlic
• ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes

To create this popular Asian food, whisk together everything but the green beans and oil for the best blend of soy sauce ever.

In a large skillet, saute the green beans in the oil until they begin to brown slightly.

Add the soy sauce mixture to the skillet and heat for another minute or until it has thickened, serve immediately as the perfect side dish for roasted chicken or baked salmon in fish sauce.

Brown Sugar Bacon Green Beans

A Southern favorite, this recipe is easy to make and perfect for brunch, or a side dish to your main course.

Directions:

In a pot of water, take 2 pounds of green beans and boil until tender, then rinse them in a colliander under ice water to stop the cooking, kind of similar to giving hard boiled eggs an ice bath as soon as they come out of the boiling water too.

Take a large skillet and cook up to 6 slices of bacon, adding ⅔ cup brown sugar, 2 tablespoons of dijon mustard, a tablespoon of minced garlic and stir to combine.

Next, carefully add the cooked green beans and mix well, heating for 7 minutes over medium-high heat. Enjoy!

Garlic String Beans

To make these garlic string beans that go beautifully with many healthy breakfasts or as one of the healthy recipes I know of that pairs well with a dinner like roast beef, start with fresh ingredients like the following.

Ingredients:

• 6 cloves of garlic
• 1 teaspoon olive oil
• 1 pound green beans (cut in half)
• 1 ½ teaspoons white wine vinegar
• 1 teaspoon sugar

Directions:

After steaming the green beans in water for 3 minutes, combine in a large pot all other ingredients except the white wine vinegar, which will be added later once the string beans have cooked, about another 3 minutes.

The next time you don’t feel like serving brussel sprouts, branch out and try some garlic string beans, because it’s good stuff!

Lemon Pepper Sautéed Green Beans

This by far is my favorite green bean recipe of them all. Whenever I’m hungry and I want to make something quite and healthy, this is my go to recipe. With the zesty, tangy flavor of lemon and the spiciness of pepper, this dish can be served as a side dish or a main course, if you’re vegetarian like me, and want something quick and easy.

Ingredients:

• large skillet
• 1 pound trimmed green beans
• 1 teaspoon olive oil
• 1 tablespoon lemon pepper
• ½ lemon zest
• ½ teaspoon salt

Directions:

Heat skillet and add olive oil. When the skillet is hot, add the green beans and sauté for 6 minutes. Add water, tablespoon by tablespoon as needed to avoid green beans from sticking to the skillet. Cook for additional 6 minutes.

Add lemon pepper and salt, stirring green beans in the pan. After green beans have been removed from heat, add zest of lemon for added flavor. Enjoy!

During my free time, I am always researching fun and unique ways to add adventure and depth to the flavor of even my most common dishes, like plenty of these green bean recipes.

With a side like fresh green beans, you really have no shortage of ideas and inspirations to play off of to make your next family meal healthy, vibrant, and packed with yummy flavor!

You May Also Like…

• The Best Baby Roasted Potatoes Recipe
• Southern Style Candied Yams Recipe
• Air Fryer Zucchini
• The Best Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts Recipe

Like This Post? Pin It For Later!