30 Easy Green Bean Recipes That Prove It's the Ultimate Veggie
It's a good-for-you ingredient every which way!
Quick poll: Are they green beans or string beans? Whatever you call them, this vegetable is dadgum delicious! Now, we're certainly not knocking steamed vegetables but there are so many more delectable ways to enjoy green beans. "I love preparing the crisp little babies in a skillet with delicious ingredients, allowing them to cook down and become both colorful and slightly caramelized," Ree Drummond says. You can turn them into a show-stopping side dish for steak, a hearty casserole recipe, or a fresh salad idea. Either way, these easy green bean recipes will come in handy all year-round.
Green beans may just be one of the most versatile vegetables of all time. You can cook them in so many different ways: saute 'em, fry 'em, grill 'em, roast 'em, air fry 'em, or boil 'em. Drop some in big pots of vegetable soup or toss them into a salad for a Thanksgiving side dish that is bound to have everyone asking for seconds. Ree's own personal favorite green beans with tomatoes are not only incredibly easy, they're topped with a handful of crisp, crunchy bacon. Pick them up at your local farmers' market or harvest from your own vegetable garden from May through October (although they're available at most grocery stores year-round). And don't worry: Once the season is over, you can freeze green beans!
Slow Cooker Green Beans
These easy Crock-Pot green beans make the best (and easiest!) side dish. Lots of crispy bacon sprinkled over top is essential! Be sure to start with fresh or frozen green beans; canned won't hold up well.
Get the Slow Cooker Green Beans recipe.
Vegetable Soup
Is there anything more comforting than a steaming bowl of vegetable soup? This one is chock full of green beans, white beans, zucchini corn, and so much more.
Get the Vegetable Soup recipe.
Garlic Green Beans
Olive oil, garlic, and salt may sound simple, but they bring the perfect amount of flavor to this easy side dish. These green beans go with everything, from a fancy holiday feast to a casual weeknight meal.
Get the Garlic Green Beans recipe.
Green Bean Salad
This is everything you want in a salad: salty, crunchy, tangy, and refreshing! Green beans are the star of the show, but the addition of red onion, tomatoes, olives, goat cheese, and chopped roasted almonds transform it.
Get the Green Bean Salad recipe.
Leftover Turkey Soup
Tossing green beans into a soup is an easy (and delicious!) way to eat more vegetables. This soul-warming soup uses leftover Thanksgiving turkey, but it can also be made with cooked chicken if you get a craving for it any other time of year!
Get the Leftover Turkey Soup recipe.
Air Fryer Green Beans
When you need to make a quick vegetable side for a holiday meal but your oven and stove are preoccupied with other dishes, crank up your air fryer! This countertop kitchen gadget cooks simply seasoned green beans in just 15 minutes.
Get the Air Fryer Green Beans recipe.
Skirt Steak with Blistered Green Beans
The secret to perfectly blistered green beans is to toss them into a hot pan and let them cook undisturbed. That's right! With this hands-off approach, you'll get tender, caramelized green beans that make a delicious side to steak, or any protein.
Classic Three-Bean Salad
Make this quick-fix salad on Sunday and enjoy it for lunch all week long! It uses canned white beans and kidney beans, but you'll want to use fresh green beans for the best flavor and texture.
Get the Classic Three-Bean Salad recipe.
Peanut Chicken with Green Beans
This Asian-inspired meal is perfect for weeknights because it comes together in under an hour! You'll love the crunch that green beans add to the dish. They pair especially well with the fragrant, peanut-y sauce.
Get Ree's Peanut Chicken with Green Beans recipe.
Green Bean-Mushroom Casserole with Candied Bacon
You've never had a green bean casserole like this one before! Instead of canned soup, a homemade mushroom sauce makes this dish so creamy and delicious. Plus, it's topped with crispy, candied bacon.
Get Ree's Green Bean-Mushroom Casserole with Candied Bacon recipe.
Italian Chicken Sheet Pan Supper
Put everything together on one sheet pan for this easy weeknight dinner. The tomatoes will get juicy and the green beans will be so tender, they're perfect for serving alongside chicken.
Get Ree's Italian Chicken Sheet Pan Supper recipe.
Green Bean Casserole
This from-scratch casserole is a Southern comfort food favorite. It's loaded with sliced pimentos, bacon, and plenty of cheese.
Get Ree's Green Bean Casserole recipe.
Green Beans with Tomatoes
This side dish is simple, flavorful, and so easy to whip up. As Ree says, "Sometimes, it's the most simple ingredients that, when combined, make the most delightful dishes."
Get Ree's Green Beans with Tomatoes recipe.
Green Bean Casserole with Bacon and Fried Shallots
Whether it's Thanksgiving dinner or a family gathering, you can't go wrong with this classic casserole. The crispy fried shallots really take it over the top.
Get the Green Bean Casserole with Bacon and Fried Shallots recipe.
Green Beans Almondine
Butter, shallots, and toasted almonds give these green beans a ton of flavor and texture. They're perfect alongside chicken, fish, or steak.
Skillet Bourbon Bacon Green Beans
There are hints of sweet, spicy, and savory in this delicious side dish. It's perfect for the holidays or to accompany a weeknight meal.
Get the Skillet Bourbon Bacon Green Beans recipe at The Cookie Rookie.
Green Beans with Caramelized Onions and Almonds
Caramelized onions are always a welcome addition—especially in this green bean side. The crunchy toasted almonds are the perfect topping!
Get the Green Beans with Caramelized Onions and Almonds recipe at Marisa Moore.
Sichuan Dry Fried Green Beans
The key to making this dish correctly is cooking the green beans in a dry skillet or wok. Then comes the hot peppers, ground pork, and other flavorful ingredients.
Get the Sichuan Dry Fried Green Beans recipe at The Woks of Life.
Saucy Stovetop Thai Green Beans
Make a rich peanut sauce to mix in with a handful of crisp green beans. You can serve them with chicken, beef, or just about any main!
Get the Saucy Stovetop Thai Green Beans recipe at Ambitious Kitchen.
Crispy Parmesan Green Beans
Roast these guys in the oven for a simple side that packs a lot of flavor. The Panko breadcrumbs give it a nice little crunch.
Get the Crispy Parmesan Green Beans recipe at Creme de la Crumb.
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