Most people don’t mind nutrition-rich green beans, but lots green bean recipes aren’t particularly inspiring. Many of us have flashbacks of canned green beans served at Thanksgiving, limp and overcooked string beans that have been steamed out of all flavor, or beans that taste delicious because they’ve been drowned in butter.
It’s a shame, because this budget-friendly food actually comes with a ton of benefits, ranging from helping prevent and fight cancer cells to keeping bones strong. That’s where these creative ways to prepare green bean recipes come in handy.
They’re tasty, they’re easy to prepare, and they’re a step up from the normal “steam and serve” treatment green beans receive. Get ready to go green!
Green Bean Recipes
1. Baked Green Bean Fries with Balsamic Yogurt Dip
Why is it that anything served with a dip just tastes better? These green beans are coated in seasoning and then baked in the oven to transform them into crispy fries.
Served with a cool and creamy yogurt-based dip, you’ll have a hard time eating just one of these.
Photo: Dinner Mom
2. Chicken and Green Bean Stir-Fry
Green bean recipes can often mean stir-fries, as the veggie softens up during cooking without losing its natural crunch. When paired with boneless, skinless chicken breast and Asian sauces, you’ll have a dinner that goes from stovetop to table in 20 minutes.
Photo: The Lemon Bowl
3. Crispy Beef and Green Bean Stir-Fry
The ginger marinade in this recipe adds a ton of flavor to the beef and beans and, luckily, requires just 15–30 minutes to soak it all up. It’s a yummy way to add ginger to your diet, too.
4. Eggplant String Bean Stir-Fry
Vegetarians and meat eaters alike will enjoy this dish. It calls for just a handful of ingredients, like garlic, ginger and soy sauce (I suggest you try coconut aminos instead), but produces a ton of flavor.
Go for local eggplant and green beans in this one if possible — you’ll taste the difference!
5. Fresh Green Bean Salad with Balsamic Vinegar
This green bean salad is so simple to make but really packs a punch with flavors. The green beans are cooked and blanched, so they retain that beautiful green color.
Next, they are tossed with balsamic vinegar, feta cheese, fresh tomatoes and bacon. (Use turkey or omit.)
It’s best served chilled or at room temperature, making it a great choice to take to a potluck meal.
Photo: Mel’s Kitchen
6. Greek Green Bean Salad
The ingredients in this green bean salad are similar to others: tomatoes, feta and red bell pepper. But what makes this recipe worth making is the homemade Greek dressing.
Made from extra virgin olive oil, Dijon mustard, white wine vinegar and herbs, it’ll have you licking your fork and then drizzling it on everything!
7. Green Bean and Quinoa Salad with Maple Citrus Dressing
This make-ahead salad is main dish worthy, though it’s designed as a side. It combines green beans with powerful, protein-rich quinoa, roasted almonds, feta and mandarin oranges — I love the zest that the citrus fruit adds!
The homemade maple orange dressing is just the icing on this healthy green bean recipe.
Photo: Peas & Crayons
8. Ground Turkey Skillet with Green Beans
This turkey skillet is a delicious option on those busy weeknights. Lean ground turkey, green beans and a variety of veggies are tossed and cooked in a homemade tomato sauce (or canned if you’re short on time).
The meaty mix makes a great base for tacos or goes nicely with brown rice or roasted veggies.
9. Homemade Three Bean Salad
It’s a bean party! You won’t be lacking in fiber after enjoying this three-bean salad.
It combines fresh green, kidney and garbanzo beans with celery and onion and then finishes it all off with a sweet dressing. If you’re into beans, you’ll love this one.
10. Italian Green Beans
Green bean recipes can also be Italian, as the buttery green beans are a delicious way to make any meal taste better. They’re coated in garlic, Italian seasoning, breadcrumbs and Parmesan cheese, then quickly pan fried to achieve maximum tastiness.
I love that they can be prepared with frozen green beans for those times when fresh isn’t an option.
11. Mean Green Pesto Pasta
This bowl of hearty green pasta is just what the doctor ordered. It serves up three green veggies — beans, asparagus and peas — along with walnut pesto.
Really, could you get a better pasta? Serve with a brown rice, gluten-free or whole grain orecchiette variety, and enjoy.
12. One-Sheet Pan Honey Mustard Salmon with Green Beans
It’s hard not to love green bean recipes with fish. This one features one of my favorite brain foods, salmon, and it comes together in one pan.
Plus, it’s ready in 30 minutes, including a short marinating time. The honey mustard sauce will have you drooling for sure.
13. Paleo Spicy Green Bean and Mushroom Skillet
This creamy green bean skillet just might earn a spot on your holiday table this year. It’s dairy-free but gets that creamy consistency thanks to coconut milk or cream.
The ‘shrooms soak up the lovely sauce while raw walnuts add a little crunch at the end.
14. Peanut and Green Bean Curry
Sometimes, I love to make my green bean recipes spicy! A good curry is one of the best ways to warm up on cooler nights — you have to try this one.
While the ingredients list doesn’t sound particularly impressive, when you combine the green beans, home-roasted peanuts and Indian seasonings, you are rewarded with a fragrant, delicious curry that will leave you licking the spoon.
The garam masala and turmeric make a big difference here, so be sure not to skip ’em!
Photo: Quite Good Food
15. Quick Refrigerator Pickled Green Beans
You’ll have to plan ahead for these pickled green beans, but they are worth it. Pickling can take up to several weeks usually, but these green beans are ready in just two days.
They are a super side when you’re barbecuing dinner, to nibble on as a snack or to serve in weekend bloody Mary drinks!
Photo: Flavour & Savour
16. Slow Cooker Chicken with Sweet Potatoes and Green Beans
Slow cooker meals can be lifesavers during hectic times. This one combines chicken, hearty sweet potatoes and green beans in a simple, tasty meal.
The best part about this one is that nearly all of the ingredients can be combined and then frozen in a freezer-safe bag. When you’re ready to cook, just thaw and dump in the slow cooker — no prep required!
17. Summertime Caprese Green Bean Salad
Caprese gets an upgrade with this green bean version. All the usual suspects, like mozzarella, basil and tomatoes, are here, but now they get an extra veggie boost.
I don’t know if I can go back to the normal way of preparing a Caprese salad after trying this one!
18. Turkish Stewed Green Beans
This Turkish-inspired dish absolutely works as a main. It’s extremely easy to make, and you probably have the ingredients already — diced tomatoes, onions and green beans, anyone?
It’s served over basmati rice, but you could try brown basmati or even substitute quinoa instead for extra staying power without the carbs.
19. Lemon Garlic Green Beans
These lemon garlic green beans are not your grandma’s recipe. They require only a handful of ingredients and just 15 minutes, but they are a tasty complement to your favorite meals, like burgers and grilled chicken.
Kitchen novices, this is a terrific recipe to boost your cooking confidence.
20. Green Bean Casserole
No roundup of green bean recipes would be complete without green bean casserole. This healthy, homemade version is ready in less an hour and includes a slew of hearty ingredients, such as portobello mushrooms, garlic, pumpkin seeds, gluten-free crackers, goat milk, coconut oil and Paleo flour — not mention the beans, of course.
