Green Bean Recipes ♥ Alphabet of Vegetables

Tired of the same old green beans? Find new inspiration in this collection of seasonal Bean Recipes ♥ AVeggieVenture.com. Many Weight Watchers, vegan, gluten-free, low-carb, paleo, whole30 recipes from simple for every day to special for occasions.
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!




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.

Cut-up green beans, purple beans and yellow beans in a blue bowl ♥ AVeggieVenture.com.
And that's the thing about different colored beans, they're not easy to come by. If you don't have a generous neighbor with a garden, try the farmers market in July and August. CSA farm boxes may include multi-colored beans as well. As I recall, the purple color doesn't hold once the beans are cooked, they turn a dull green.

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!
Tell me more about green beans! Okay, sure!
  • 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.
GREEN BEAN NUTRITION INFORMATION
Sources 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 bacon green beans when dinner is rushed, see Quick Ways to Doctor a Bag of Green Beans. I'm also happy to recommend Trader Joe's Flat Green Beans.

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)




GREEN BEAN SPECIALTIES

What is the data that follows each recipe title?
What it means


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

GREEN BEANS on the GRILL
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 ...

Tired of the same old green beans? Find new inspiration in this collection of seasonal Bean Recipes ♥ AVeggieVenture.com. Many Weight Watchers, vegan, gluten-free, low-carb, paleo, whole30 recipes from simple for every day to special for occasions.

But Wait!
There's an Entire
A-Z of Vegetables!

Alphabet of Vegetables ♥ AVeggieVenture.com, A-Z recipes from Asparagus to Zucchini and every vegetable in between. Seasonal to staples, savory to sweet, salads to sides, soups to supper, simple to special. Many Weight Watchers, vegan, gluten-free, low-carb, paleo, whole30 recipes.



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

Alanna Kellogg
Alanna Kellogg

A Veggie Venture is home of "veggie evangelist" Alanna Kellogg and the famous asparagus-to-zucchini Alphabet of Vegetables.

Comments

  1. 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.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Thank you for taking a moment to write! I read each and every comment, for each and every recipe, whether a current recipe or a long-ago favorite. If you have a specific question, it's nearly always answered quick-quick. ~ Alanna