Green Bean Recipes ♥ Alphabet of Vegetables
Tired of the same old green beans? Your veggie evangelist is here to help! Find new inspiration in this collection of seasonal green bean recipes from simple sides to special suppers, from salads and soups to holiday specialties. (Ever hear tell of the
World's Best Green Bean Casserole or the "Best Ever" New Potatoes & Green Beans? Now you have!) Explore, have fun, get inspired! In a Rush?
Skip Straight to the
Green Bean Recipes
~ or ~
Switch to
Falling in Love with Green Beans:
My Favorite Green Bean Recipes
Prefer Another Vegetable?
Switch to A-Z of Vegetables.
Skip Straight to the
Green Bean Recipes
~ or ~
Switch to
Falling in Love with Green Beans:
My Favorite Green Bean Recipes
Prefer Another Vegetable?
Switch to A-Z of Vegetables.
GREEN BEANS 101: THE BASICS
What are the different names for green beans? They're also called Bush Beans, Common Beans, Runner Beans, Snap Beans, String Beans and often, y'know, just "beans". This page also includes special recipes expressly for "Romano Beans" and "Yellow Beans".QUICK POLL Shall we do a quick poll? What do A Veggie Venture readers call beans? Is there one name from your childhood and another from today? This could be fun!
Are green beans always green? No. I settled on the term "green beans" to distinguish fresh beans from "dried beans" like chickpeas, kidney beans, etc. The language is imprecise: they're nothing alike but at least in American English, we call both "beans" and rely on context or a modifier (like, say, "baked" beans) for understanding.
Ready for proof that beans aren't always green? Here it is! A neighbor once delivered a sack of beautiful beans fresh from her garden, some green, some yellow and some purple.
Why are green beans some times called "string" beans? Only heirloom varieties of green beans still contain "strings", those are the long fibers that connect the two halves of the bean at the seams. For commercial production, the strings have been bred out. But the language hasn't forgotten the old-style beans!
When does green bean season begin? The growing season for green beans is "mid to late summer". Funny thing, though. At least in the U.S., fresh green beans are at their prettiest with the most availability in, get this, November. That's because of American Thanksgiving, where green beans are one of the traditional favorites, especially green bean casserole, especially the famous World's Best Green Bean Casserole.
How long do fresh beans stay fresh? Word to the wise: eat fresh green beans asap! Beans are so ubiquitous, it's easy to forget that beans are surprisingly fragile, sending the sugars from the pod walls to their interior seeds as soon as they're off the plant. If ever offered the chance to try just-picked green beans within minutes of the field, say "yes"!
What can be done to save woody green beans? Sorry, nothing. For the record, there's just no saving green beans that have turned "woody" because they're really not longer fresh.
When the fresh green beans are woody, go for frozen whole green beans. In fact, frozen green beans may well be "fresher" than fresh green beans because beans lose sweetness very quickly, even in cold storage.
Are frozen green beans any good? Yes! Frozen green beans are often excellent, I nearly always keep a bag on hand for a quick, healthy side vegetable. I especially like the frozen thin beans from Trader Joe's. Frozen beans all by themselves are pretty plain, you might want to notch up a little, see Quick Ways to Doctor a Bag of Frozen Green Beans.
And what about canned green beans, are they any good? Well, yes. No haters, please! Canned green beans have their place too! When I did Weight Watchers the first time, a can of green beans was my go-to snack when I was "really hungry" but had no points left. I bought cans by the case at Sam's Club! I could even make a Satisfying Lunch in One Point (Old Points).
Are there any special kinds of green beans? Absolutely. A few special varieties can appear in farmers markets and CSA share boxes.
- One special variety is Haricots verts [French for "green beans", pronounced har-ee-coat VER], longer and thinner; they are also called French Beans, French Green Beans, French Filet Beans and Fine Beans.
- An Italian variety is called Romano Beans, flatter, wider and sweeter; if you find these at a farmers market, snap 'em up!
- And who's seen a Long Bean? They're just that, long, two or three feet long!
- Botanically speaking, green beans are immature but edible pods.
- Beans and peas are both members of the "legume" family, the second-most important family in the human diet after the grasses. Legumes have two to three times the protein of wheat and rice.
- Mostly, the "strings" that gave string beans their name, the fibrous thread that joins the two walls of the bean pod, have been bred out of existence although you'll still find strings in some heirloom beans.
- Beans originated in Central and South America.
Per 1/4 pound, raw: 35 Calories; 0g Tot Fat; 0g Sat Fat; 0mg Cholesterol; 6mg Sodium; 8g Carb; 4g Fiber; 2g Sugar; 2g Protein. WEIGHT WATCHERS POINTS: WW Old Points 0 & PointsPlus 0 & SmartPoints 0 & Freestyle 0 & myWW green 0 & blue 0 & purple 0 & future WW points More Vegetable Nutrition
WEIGHT WATCHERS POINTS: WW Old Points 0 & PointsPlus 0 & SmartPoints 0 & Freestyle 0 & myWW green 0 & blue 0 & purple 0 & future WW points More Vegetable NutritionSources Personal knowledge, also the most-wonderful On Food and Cooking: The Science and Lore of the Kitchen by Harold McGee (affiliate link).
How to Turn Green Beans from Good to Great with Two "Secret" Ingredients
Great beans may start with the beans – fresh, snappy, fragrant – but it takes two more things to draw out the most flavor. Once I learned these two "secret" ingredients, wow, there was no not falling in love with green beans.
#1 LOTS OF WATER Cook green beans in what will seem like a lot of water – that means eight full cups for every pound of beans. In fact, Harold McGee goes even further and says that beans, like potatoes, should be started in cold water, that this preserves their cell structure, keeping them firm. I haven't done a side-by-side comparison yet but this sounds promising! Anyone have experience here?
#2 PLENTY OF SALT What does "well-salted water" mean? Salt the water with a full tablespoon of table salt (or two tablespoons of kosher salt).
BUT WAIT. AREN'T WE SUPPOSED TO AVOID SALT? Yeah, yeah, I know, salt is supposed to be bad for us and we're told to avoid it. But that advice is directed at the "average" eater who often eats salt-laden processed food and fast food. When we cook at home, when we use whole ingredients, we leave room in our diets for salt – especially when it makes us go crazy for green beans!
MORE INFO According to Salt-Reduction Efforts May Need Different Approach from the Wall Street Journal, 75% of our salt consumption comes from packaged food and restaurants.
So what's your favorite way to cook green beans? or what green bean recipe did you hope to find here? I'm always looking for new ones, especially healthy green bean recipes. Leave me a quick note in the comments! ~Alanna
HEY, GREEN BEAN FANS!
WHAT SOUNDS GOOD?
~ A Few Highlights ~
SIMPLE WAYS TO COOK GREEN BEANS
Boil in Well-Salted Water This is a three-step technique learned with World's Best Green Bean Casserole but definitely belongs in a good cook's repertoire for green beans that need to be cooked before going into another dish. Here's how to cook green beans in well-salted water with step-by-step photos.
Stir-Fried Green Beans, a weeknight favorite, you don't even need a wok! Here's how to stir-fry beans right in a skillet.
Microwave Green Beans, definitely another weeknight favorite, how to cook grean beans in the microwave.
Slow Cooker Green Beans, these are amazing, see Slooow Country Green Beans.
Frozen Green Beans save your
Steamed Green Beans It just takes a few minutes to cook a few beans over boiling water. So healthy!
Roasted Green Beans It took me a long while to warm up to roasted green beans, then I discovered the real trick with Roasted Green Beans with Rosemary & Walnuts.
Raw Green Beans Lest we forget, we can skip the cooking entirely. Yes, you can safely eat raw, uncooked green beans. Snack on a few while you're trimming the beans for cooking.
RECIPE COLLECTIONS
A Veggie Venture & Kitchen Parade recipes
Falling In Love with Green Beans: Favorite Recipes ♥
EVERYBODY LOVES the WORLD's BEST Green Bean CASSEROLE!
A Veggie Venture recipes
World's Best Green Bean Casserole ♥
(A Veggie Venture's #1 recipe since 2006)
For Green Bean Casserole, Just Say NO! to Canned Green Beans & Mushroom Soup ♥ (how to make World's Best Green Bean Casserole, step-by-step photos)
Happy Thanksgiving from the Green Bean Casserole Lady: A Love Story ♥♥♥
MORE GREEN BEAN CASSEROLES
Kitchen Parade recipes
Make-Ahead Fresh Green Bean Casserole ♥
A Veggie Venture recipes
Pioneer Woman's Green Bean Casserole ♥
NEW to GREEN BEANS? TRY THESE RECIPES FIRST
A Veggie Venture recipes
"Best Ever" New Potatoes & Green Beans ♥
Green Beans with Lemon & Pine Nuts ♥
Simple Skillet Green Beans ♥
READER FAVORITES!
Kitchen Parade recipes
Make-Ahead Fresh Green Bean Casserole ♥
A Veggie Venture recipes
"Best Ever" New Potatoes & Green Beans ♥
Chilled Green Bean Salad with Rosemary & Garlic Oil ♥
Fresh Three-Bean Salad ♥
Fresh Green Bean Salad with Asian Dressing ♥
Microwave Green Beans with Easy Tomatillo Salsa ♥
Roasted Green Beans with Rosemary & Walnuts ♥
Simple Skillet Green Beans ♥
Slow Cooker Green Beans & Tomatoes ♥
Summer Vegetable Stew ♥
PERSONAL FAVORITES
Kitchen Parade recipes
Eggplant & Bean Thai Curry Bowl ♥
Green Bean Garden Salad ♥
Tourlou Tourlou (Greek Baked Vegetables) ♥
A Veggie Venture recipes
Chilled Green Bean Salad with Rosemary & Garlic Oil ♥
Fresh Green Bean Salad with Asian Dressing ♥
Garlicky Romano Beans ♥
Green Beans with Lemon & Pine Nuts ♥
Succotash Salad with Green Beans, Lima Beans, Corn & Tomatoes ♥
Whole-Grain Salad with Beets, Beans & Corn ♥
BEST Green Bean Recipes for WEIGHT WATCHERS
Kitchen Parade recipes
Eggplant & Bean Thai Curry Bowl ♥
A Veggie Venture recipes
Green Beans with Mayo-Soy Sauce ♥
Weight Watchers Zero Points Garden Vegetable Soup ♥
Green Bean PRODUCT REVIEWS
Trader Joe's Flat Green Beans (Product Review) ♥
JUST GREEN BEANS, NO MORE
A Veggie Venture recipes
GREEN BEAN SALADS
Chilled Green Bean Salad with Rosemary & Garlic Oil 10min/45min–ww1–pp2–sp2–fs1–green1–blue1–purple1–carb5 ♥
GREEN BEAN SIDE DISHES
Garlicky Romano Beans 10min/15min–ww1–pp2–sp2–fs1–green1–blue1–purple1–carb4 ♥
Green Beans with Basil 20min/30min – WW1 ♥
Green Beans with Browned Butter & Pine Nuts 20min/30min–ww5–pp6–sp8–fs7–green7–blue7–purple7–carb6 ♥
Green Beans with Jalapeño Lime Butter 5min/15min–ww1–pp1–sp2–fs1–green1–blue1–purple1–carb4 ♥
Green Beans with Lemon & Pine Nuts 5min/25min–ww2–pp3–sp4–fs3–green3–blue3–purple3–carb5 ♥
Green Beans with Mayo-Soy Sauce 7min/30min–ww0–pp1–sp1–fs1–green1–blue1–purple1–carb5 ♥
Green Beans with Onion & Almonds 5min/15min–ww2–pp3–sp4–fs3–green3–blue3–purple3–carb6 ♥
OOO Zesty Green Beans 15min/30min–ww1–pp1–sp2–fs1–green1–blue1–purple1–carb4 ♥
Roasted Green Beans with Rosemary & Walnuts 10min/30min–ww3–pp4–sp4–fs3–green3–blue3–purple3–carb4 ♥
Romano Beans in Butter-Braised Garlic 20min/40min–ww1–pp2–sp2–fs1–green1–blue1–purple1–carb5 ♥
Simple Skillet Green Beans 10min/15min–ww1–pp2–sp2–fs1–green1–blue1–purple1–carb5 ♥
PICKLED Green Bean Recipes
No recipes yet, this is my reminder!
RAW Green Bean Recipes
No recipes yet, this is my reminder!
ROASTED Green Bean Recipes
Roasted Green Beans with Rosemary & Walnuts 10min/30min–ww3–pp4–sp4–fs3–green3–blue3–purple3–carb4 ♥
ESPECIALLY for MIXED COLORS (YELLOW BEANS, PURPLE BEANS, etc)
A Veggie Venture recipes
OOO Zesty Green Beans 15min/30min–ww1–pp1–sp2–fs1–green1–blue1–purple1–carb4 ♥
ESPECIALLY for ROMANO GREEN BEANS
A Veggie Venture recipes
Garlicky Romano Beans 10min/15min–ww1–pp2–sp2–fs1–green1–blue1–purple1–carb4 ♥
Romano Beans in Butter-Braised Garlic 20min/40min–ww1–pp2–sp2–fs1–green1–blue1–purple1–carb5 ♥
GREEN BEANS in EVERY COURSE
Green Beans for BREAKFAST
No recipes yet, this is my reminder!
Green Beans in APPETIZERS
A Veggie Venture recipes Spinach Dip with Standing Veggies 15min/1day – WW1 – PP1 – NetCarb1 ♥
Green Beans in SALADS
Kitchen Parade recipes
Green Bean Garden Salad ♥
A Veggie Venture recipes
Chilled Green Bean Salad with Rosemary & Garlic Oil 10min/45min–ww1–pp2–sp2–fs1–green1–blue1–purple1–carb5 ♥
Fresh Green Bean Salad with Asian Dressing 35min/35min–ww1–pp2–sp2–fs1–green1–blue1–purple1–carb6 ♥
Fresh Three-Bean Salad 30min/50min–ww1–pp2–sp3–fs0–green2–blue0–purple0–carb9 ♥
Green Bean & Radish Salad 20min/30min–ww1–pp2–sp3–fs2–green2–blue2–purple2–carb10
Healthy Red & Green Green-Bean Salad 25min/25min–ww1–pp1–sp2–fs1–green1–blue1–purple1–carb6 ♥
Succotash Salad with Green Beans, Lima Beans, Corn & Tomatoes 45min/45min–ww1–pp2–sp2–fs0–green2–blue0–purple0–carb11 ♥
Summer Green Bean Salad with Corn & Pickled Onion 20min/20min–ww1–pp2–sp3–fs1–green2–blue1–purple1–carb9 ♥
Whole-Grain Salad with Beets, Beans & Corn 30min/4hrs–ww1–pp1–sp2–fs1–green1–blue1–purple0–carb8 ♥
Green Beans in SIDE DISHES (HOT)
Kitchen Parade recipes
Make-Ahead Fresh Green Bean Casserole ♥
Tourlou Tourlou (Greek Baked Vegetables) ♥
A Veggie Venture recipes
"Best Ever" New Potatoes & Green Beans 20min/45min–ww1–pp2–sp3–fs3–green3–blue3–purple1–carb12 ♥
French Green Beans with Lemon-Garlic Sauce 10min/20min–ww2–pp2–sp3–fs2–green2–blue2–purple2–carb6 ♥
Garlicky Romano Beans 10min/15min–ww1–pp2–sp2–fs1–green1–blue1–purple1–carb4 ♥
Green Bean, Carrot & Apple Medley 15min/15min–ww0–pp2–sp3–fs1–green1–blue1–purple1–carb12
Green Beans & Cabbage Tagine 25min/60min–ww1–pp2–sp3–fs1–green1–blue1–purple1–carb8
Green Beans with Basil 20min/30min – WW1 ♥
Green Beans with Browned Butter & Pine Nuts 20min/30min–ww5–pp6–sp8–fs7–green7–blue7–purple7–carb6 ♥
Green Beans with Honey-Mustard Glaze 10min/25min – WW1
Green Beans with Jalapeño Lime Butter 5min/15min–ww1–pp1–sp2–fs1–green1–blue1–purple1–carb4 ♥
Green Beans with Lemon & Pine Nuts 5min/25min–ww2–pp3–sp4–fs3–green3–blue3–purple3–carb5 ♥
9/24 Green Beans with Mayo-Soy Sauce 7min/30min–ww0–pp1–sp1–fs1–green1–blue1–purple1–carb5 ♥
Green Beans with Onion & Almonds 5min/15min–ww2–pp3–sp4–fs3–green3–blue3–purple3–carb6 ♥
Microwave Green Beans with Easy Tomatillo Salsa 20min/20min–ww0–pp1–sp2–fs0–green0–blue0–purple0–carb5 ♥
Mixed Bean, Carrot & Grilled Pepper Medley 5min/10min – WW1 – NetCarb7
OOO Zesty Green Beans 15min/30min–ww1–pp1–sp2–fs1–green1–blue1–purple1–carb4 ♥
Pennsylvania Dutch Green Beans with Bacon 30min/45min–ww3–pp4–sp5–fs4–green4–blue4–purple4–carb9 ♥
Pioneer Woman's Green Bean Casserole 70min/2hrs–ww3–pp4–sp5–fs5–green5–blue5–purple5–carb8 ♥
Roasted Green Beans with Rosemary & Walnuts 10min/30min–ww3–pp4–sp4–fs3–green3–blue3–purple3–carb4 ♥
Romano Beans in Butter-Braised Garlic 20min/40min–ww1–pp2–sp2–fs1–green1–blue1–purple1–carb5 ♥
Simple Skillet Green Beans 10min/15min–ww1–pp2–sp2–fs1–green1–blue1–purple1–carb5 ♥
Slooow Country Green Beans 20min/11hrs – WW2 – NetCarb9 ♥
World's Best Green Bean Casserole 30min/45min–ww3–pp3–sp5–fs4–green4–blue4–purple4–carb9 ♥
Green Beans in SOUP
Kitchen Parade recipes
Plant Sale Soup ♥
A Veggie Venture recipes
Gypsy Pot 45min/90min–ww2–pp3–sp4–fs2–green2–blue2–purple2–carb18 ♥
Italian Wedding Soup 20min/50min–ww1–pp2–sp2–fs1–green1–blue1–purple1–carb8
LeAnne’s Slow Cooker Veggie Soup WW1 – PP2 – NetCarb8
Weight Watchers Zero Points Garden Vegetable Soup 20min/75min–ww0–pp1–sp2–fs0–green0–blue0–purple0–carb6 ♥
Weight Watchers Mexican "Zero Points" Soup 40min/1hr–ww0–pp1–sp1–fs0–green0–blue0–purple0–carb6 ♥
Green Beans in SANDWICHES, WRAPS & MORE
No recipe yet, this is my reminder!
Green Beans in MAIN DISHES
Kitchen Parade recipes
Chicken Stew with Chickpeas & Kale ♥
Eggplant & Bean Thai Curry Bowl ♥
Slow Cooker Curried Vegetable Stew ♥
Turkey Salad Supper with Green Beans & Dried Cranberries ♥
A Veggie Venture recipes
Slow Cooker Green Beans & Tomatoes 25min/2hrs–ww6–pp7–sp10–fs7–green7–blue7–purple7–carb19 ♥
Summer Vegetable Curry 40min/60min–ww1–pp3–sp4–fs0–green1–blue0–purple0–carb13 ♥
Green Beans in SWEETS & BAKING
No recipes yet, this is my reminder! But don't hold your breath.
RECIPES using CANNED or FROZEN Green Beans
Kitchen Parade recipes
Plant Sale Soup ♥
A Veggie Venture recipes
Quick Ways to Doctor a Bag of Green Beans ♥
French Green Beans with Lemon-Garlic Sauce 10min/20min–ww2–pp2–sp3–fs2–green2–blue2–purple2–carb6 ♥
Green Beans with Basil 20min/30min – WW1
Green Bean, Carrot & Apple Medley 15min/15min–ww0–pp2–sp3–fs1–green1–blue1–purple1–carb12
Italian Wedding Soup 20min/50min–ww1–pp2–sp2–fs1–green1–blue1–purple1–carb8
Swedish Vegetables 5min/24hrs – WW0
Weight Watchers Zero Points Garden Vegetable Soup 20min/75min–ww0–pp1–sp2–fs0–green0–blue0–purple0–carb6 ♥
Satisfying Lunch in One Point 5min/5min – WW1 ♥
Green Beans in CONVENIENCE PRODUCTS A Veggie Venture recipes Trader Joe's Flat Green Beans (Product Review) 2min/15min–ww0–pp0–sp0–fs0–green0–blue0–purple0–carb4 ♥
MOVING BEYOND THE STOVE & OVEN
A Veggie Venture recipes
Grilled Beets, Greens & Beans ♥
GREEN BEANS in the MICROWAVE
A Veggie Venture recipes
Microwave Green Beans with Easy Tomatillo Salsa 20min/20min–ww0–pp1–sp2–fs0–green0–blue0–purple0–carb5 ♥
GREEN BEANS in the SLOW COOKER
Kitchen Parade recipes
Chicken Stew with Chickpeas & Kale ♥
Slow Cooker Curried Vegetable Stew ♥
A Veggie Venture recipes
Slooow Country Green Beans 20min/11hrs – WW2 – NetCarb9 ♥
Slow Cooker Green Beans & Tomatoes 25min/2hrs–ww6–pp7–sp10–fs7–green7–blue7–purple7–carb19 ♥
What's All That Information?
Each recipe on A Veggie Venture includes timing information plus both nutrition information and Weight Watchers points. On pages like this, I also include summary information so that it's easy for readers to quickly assess a recipe without clicking through.
Let's look at this recipe as an example:
How to Microwave Asparagus 5min/10min–ww0–pp1–sp1–fs1–green1–blue1–purple1–carb2 ♥.
TIMING A recipe that says 5min/10min means that it takes about 5 minutes hands-on time to get that recipe to the table in 10 minutes.
WEIGHT WATCHERS POINTS Point information is mostly relevant to those who use Weight Watchers but may be useful for others as well. Points offer a assessment of healthy recipes: the lower the points, the lower the calories, fat, sugar and carbs.
FYI A Veggie Venture and my food column Kitchen Parade are both famous in Weight Watchers circles. On these pages, Weight Watchers vegetable recipes and Weight Watchers recipes, my recipes are even sorted by WW points, making it easy to find coveted low-point recipes.
HEARTS A ♥ means that I love a recipe. During A Veggie Venture's first year, I cooked and shared a new vegetable recipe every day for an entire year. That year produced dozens and dozens of wonderful recipes and even 15 Favorite Vegetable Recipes, Still Useful After 15 Years. But there were some definite duds, too. Over time, I'm either improving the duds to warrant a ♥ or retiring the recipe. But in the mean time, the hearts mean that I'm happy to recommend the recipe, it's worth your time.
BOOKMARK! PIN! SHARE!
How do you save and share favorite recipes? recipes that fit your personal cooking style? a particular recipe your mom or daughter or best friend would just love? If this recipe hits the mark, go ahead, save and share! I'd be honored ...
- THE COLLECTION (You're Here) Green Bean Recipes – Alphabet of Vegetables Recipes, Techniques & Tips
- JUST THE FAVORITES Falling In Love with Green Beans My Favorite Green Bean Recipes
But Wait!
There's an Entire
A-Z of Vegetables!
A Veggie Venture is home of green beans lover and veggie evangelist Alanna Kellogg and the
famous asparagus-to-zucchini Alphabet of Vegetables.
© Copyright Kitchen Parade
2005 – 2022
© Copyright Kitchen Parade
2005 – 2022
I sometimes call Green Beans "String Beans." My grandmother did call them "Snap Beans;" I spent many a day snapping the raw green beans so she could cook them. Otherwise, I'm careful to differentiate between beans because they metabolize with different grams of sugar and I have to watch my sugar intake.
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