38 Green Bean Recipes Even Veggie-Haters Will Love (2024)

The Thanksgiving staple has legs for the rest of the year too.

By Mackenzie Filson
38 Green Bean Recipes Even Veggie-Haters Will Love (1)

If you're only busting out green beans around Thanksgiving, you're missing out. These recipes dress up the crisp, fresh beans with savory, spicy, and sweet punches of flavor that will have everyone (even those who swear they don't like any green vegetables) asking for seconds. Make these versatile green bean recipes for the holidays, or even just to spice up a weeknight meal.

First things first: Green beans might just be the easiest vegetable to cook up as a healthy side dish for your favorite proteins, especially pork, tofu, and steak. Did you know you can air-fry, steam, roast, blanch, and even grill green beans? Now you do! Personally, we're pretty partial to air-frying green beans since it often results in these crispy, crunchy air-fryer tempura-inspired green beans that are very ideal for dipping in an herby sauce. Even if you go a more simple route by stir-frying green beans with bacon, you're guaranteed to have a side dish that's bound to upstage the main event.

And don't worry, we've also got plenty of clever spins on green bean casserole, whether you're a purist or craving something a bit non-traditional for Thanksgiving or Christmas. Looking for a lighter spin on the classic casserole? Try our healthy, from-scratch version of green bean casserole, or even our easy vegan green bean casserole. Looking for a version that's more potluck-friendly? Look no further than our recipes for and our green bean casserole bundles. Everyone at your party will flip.

1

Green Bean Casserole

38 Green Bean Recipes Even Veggie-Haters Will Love (3)

For this recipe, we ditched the canned cream of mushroom soup and went for fresh instead. By sautéing mushrooms with thinly sliced onion in butter, you're building a base with some serious depth of flavor. Trust us, it's SO worth it.

Get the Green Bean Casserole recipe.

2

Air Fryer Tempura-Inspired Green Beans

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We set out to make crispy delicious tempura green beans, minus the deep frying. Boy, did we succeed, thanks to panko breadcrumbs! They give all the crunch you love, without the need for a pot of hot, spattering oil.

Get the Air Fryer Tempura-Inspired Green Beans recipe.

3

Parmesan Roasted Green Beans

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This side is like if green beans dressed up as cheesy garlic bread. 😍 Tossed in garlic and black pepper and showered with cheese, this simple, yet irresistible side will steal the spotlight at every holiday table.

Get the Parmesan Roasted Green Beans recipe.

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4

Crockpot Green Bean Casserole

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Is it even Thanksgiving without this cozy side? This recipe makes green bean casserole even simpler; instead of using an oven, it can be mixed and cooked in your slow cooker. Save all that oven space for the turkey!

Get the Crockpot Green Bean Casserole recipe.

5

Brie & Green Bean Bundles recipe

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If you're looking for the easiest last-minute appetizer, look no further than these cheesy brie & green bean bundles. Perfect for a Thanksgiving potluck or holiday party appetizer, these bundles of joy turn the classic green bean casserole into a handheld delight, all wrapped in flaky crescent dough.

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6

Green Beans Almondine

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Sautéed with shallots and garlic, tossed with buttery, toasted almonds, and finished with lemon, these French green beans are quick enough to serve for a weeknight dinner while also being fancy enough for holiday meals and dinner parties.

Get the Green Beans Almondine recipe.

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7

Cheesy Green Bean & Mushroom Tart

38 Green Bean Recipes Even Veggie-Haters Will Love (9)

These flavors are a classic combo we never tire of, and that goes double for this shareable tart. Fresh blanched green beans are layered onto a creamy blend of ricotta and goat cheese, topped with garlicky mushrooms and cheddar cheese, then baked on a puff pastry crust until perfectly melty.

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8

Niçoise Salad

38 Green Bean Recipes Even Veggie-Haters Will Love (10)

Since no two Niçoise salads are exactly alike, we figured we’d we follow our stomachs and gather some of our favorite ingredients. Drizzled with a mustard-spiked vinaigrette, this salad features a pleasant balance of flavors and textures that makes for a satisfying lunch or dinner.

Get the Niçoise Salad recipe.

9

Roasted Green Beans

38 Green Bean Recipes Even Veggie-Haters Will Love (11)

For a vegetable side to reach the regular weeknight rotation, it has to be delicious and a no-brainer—just like these shallot-y roasted green beans. Simply toss fresh beans in olive oil and season with some salt and pepper before roasting on high heat, then finish under the broiler.

Get the Roasted Green Beans recipe.

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10

Green Bean Salad

38 Green Bean Recipes Even Veggie-Haters Will Love (12)

If your family cookout doesn’t feature a big bowl of this salad, you’re seriously missing out. Fresh green beans are tossed with cherry tomatoes, olives, and feta in a simple red wine vinaigrette for a Greek-inspired side that’s as light and fresh as it is seasonal.

Get the Green Bean Salad recipe.

11

Thanksgiving Crunchwrap

38 Green Bean Recipes Even Veggie-Haters Will Love (13)

Tired of the same ol' leftover Thanksgiving sandwich? This crunchwrap is the perfect way to shake things up. Don't have all the leftover ingredients? No worries! Just use what you've got. Pretty much everything short of pumpkin pie will work just fine. 😎

Get the Thanksgiving Crunchwrap recipe.

12

Ginger Beef Stir-Fry With Ramen

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This stir-fry has a ginger-garlic kick that you won't be able to resist. It's our favorite way to class up a pack of instant ramen!

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13

Air Fryer Green Beans

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Quick, easy, and made with the simplest ingredients, air fryer green beans give you tender, crispy results without having to turn on your oven. This rendition also comes with a treat: 8 cloves of creamy, buttery garlic that get air-fried alongside the green beans for bites of delicious roasted garlic.

Get the Air Fryer Green Beans recipe.

14

Green Bean Casserole Bundles

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Looking to switch up your Thanksgiving menu but don't want to upset any of traditionalists? Look no further than these green bean casserole bundles. We took our favorite green bean casserole and then wrapped individual portions in bacon. It's genius, really.

Get the Green Bean Casserole Bundles recipe.

15

How To Cook Green Beans

38 Green Bean Recipes Even Veggie-Haters Will Love (17)

Green beans are one of the most versatile and delicious summer veggies. There are so many ways to prepare them, and even more ways to serve them. (With feta! With toasted nuts! Squeezed with lemon!) Whatever mode you choose, you'll have a pretty killer side dish.

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16

Stir-Fried Green Beans

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Stir-fries are fast, easy, and simple, and this classic green bean offering is no different. We go the extra mile here and use 2 slices of bacon for some extra smoky flavor, but you can simply substitute in extra-virgin olive oil if you prefer to go the vegetarian route.

Get the Stir-Fried Green Beans recipe.

17

Healthy Green Bean Casserole

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Never fear, this lightened-up green bean casserole is here to help you save room for pumpkin pie. Forgoing canned cream of mushroom for a quick homemade mushroom gravy, we'd argue this version is healthier and more delicious than the classic.

Get the Healthy Green Bean Casserole recipe.

18

Balsamic-Glazed Roasted Cauliflower

38 Green Bean Recipes Even Veggie-Haters Will Love (20)

A whole roasted cauliflower makes for a fantastic vegetarian main dish. This one is roasted around extra veggies and has a slightly sweet balsamic glaze over it. It's easy to throw together and will leave you feeling full, not heavy. Win!

Get the Balsamic-Glazed Roasted Cauliflower recipe.

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19

Gluten-Free Green Bean Casserole

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Never has there ever been a holiday table (looking at you, Thanksgiving) without green bean casserole. We love this gluten-free version because it gets more forks involved, but even more for its rich, punchy flavors.

Get the Gluten-Free Green Bean Casserole recipe.

20

Pizza Niçoise

38 Green Bean Recipes Even Veggie-Haters Will Love (22)

Pizza Niçoise is exactly how it sounds—a mashup of classic Niçoise salad toppings piled on top of a warm, doughy crust. It’s a taste of the Mediterranean right from your kitchen table.

Get the Pizza Niçoise recipe.

38 Green Bean Recipes Even Veggie-Haters Will Love (2024)

FAQs

How to jazz up green beans? ›

11 Ways To Upgrade Your Green Beans
  1. Sauté in a skillet. From_my_point_of_view/Getty Images. ...
  2. Boil and serve cold. Margouillatphotos/Getty Images. ...
  3. Make them crispy in the air fryer. Cavan-Images/Shutterstock. ...
  4. Roast them with lemons. ...
  5. Steam in a foil pack. ...
  6. Season with multiple spices. ...
  7. Add a savory taste with bacon. ...
  8. Go nuts.
Jan 30, 2023

What can I add to green beans for flavor? ›

A little butter, minced garlic, and lemon-pepper seasoning are all you need to bring the best out of fresh green beans.

Why do people cut the ends off green beans? ›

The only part of the bean that always needs to be removed is the tip of the stem end (this is sometimes called "topping" the bean), where the pod was once attached to the rest of the plant. There is no practical need to remove the tail end of a green bean—the choice to do so is aesthetic.

Why add baking soda to water when cooking green beans? ›

Some people (especially food service establishments relying upon your satisfaction) add an alkaline ingredient, such as baking soda, to the cooking water to help retain the color of green vegetables.

How to cook green beans Jamie Oliver? ›

Put a pan of salted water on to boil. Meanwhile, trim the the beans. Once the water is boiling, steam or boil the beans until tender. Drain well, then tip the cooked beans into the bowl with your dressing and toss everything together, making sure all the beans get coated.

How to spice up plain green beans? ›

Start with the Basics: How To Cook Green Beans
  1. Pomegranate Arils + Fresh Mint. ...
  2. Jarred Pesto. ...
  3. Tahini + Toasted Sesame Seeds. ...
  4. Lemon Zest + Nutmeg. ...
  5. Crumbled Bacon + Golden Raisins. ...
  6. Mayo + Parmesan + Panko. ...
  7. Chiles + Peanuts. ...
  8. Honey + Grainy Mustard.
Sep 2, 2016

How to get bitterness out of green beans? ›

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.

What is the best flavoring for green beans? ›

Garlic powder: We prefer using garlic powder here. Its finer consistency sticks to the green beans better than minced garlic. Onion powder: With its sharp pungency and ability to complement almost any savory flavor, onion powder is a must-have green bean seasoning.

What is the best tasting green bean? ›

Maxibel ~ If you only get one bush bean variety, make it Maxibel. This is a full-size (7-inch pods) French filet bean that has straight, dark green pods. A very gourmet-type bean, Maxibel has a flavor that can't be beat.

Can you overcook green beans? ›

Don't overcook them!

Nothing is worse than a mushy, overcooked green bean. Crisp and slightly tender beans is the goal. To achieve this, taste a bean or two during the cooking process. If it is too crispy for you, keep cooking, testing another green bean in a minute or two.

Do you wash green beans before or after snapping? ›

Preparation & Cooking Tips

Just prior to using the green beans, wash them under running water. Remove both ends of the beans by either snapping them off or cutting them with a knife. If you are snapping the ends off, pull the end down the side of the bean to remove any possible string.

Can dogs eat green beans? ›

Are Green Beans Safe for Dogs? Chopped, steamed, raw, or canned—all types of green beans are safe for dogs to eat, as long as they are plain. Green beans themselves are not only safe for dogs, but veterinarians also recommend them as a healthy treat. Best of all, dogs seem to love them.

What's the difference between green beans and French green beans? ›

Simply put, whatever you call them, the vegetable in question is just a French type of green bean. Both green beans and French green beans are technically the same species; they're cultivars of the common bean (phaseolus vulgaris), which is a member of the Fabaceae family.

How to cook fresh green beans in Gordon Ramsay? ›

To make the salad, blanch the beans by plunging them in boiling salted water for 1½ minutes until their rawness has been removed but they are still crunchy. Refresh immediately in cold water, then remove and put onto kitchen paper to absorb the moisture.

Should green beans be steamed or boiled? ›

Steaming green beans gives them the same crisp-tender texture as blanching or boiling. Yet I think it preserves their lovely green color and allows the home cook more control over their texture than with those other two methods. Steaming is easy, too—and ease is what this recipe is all about.

How are green beans supposed to be cooked? ›

The key to the best beans is to master how long to boil green beans. Cook the green beans, covered, in a small amount of boiling salted water until crisp-tender: 10 to 15 minutes for whole or cut green beans. 5 to 10 minutes for french-cut green beans.

What is the best way to cook green vegetables so they stay firm and bright? ›

They are knocked out by heat so putting vegetables into a big pot of boiling water deactivates the enzymes before they can break down the chlorophyll. Briefly steaming greens is the best way to retain their flavour and nutrients.

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