This easy seasoned green beans recipe is made from simple ingredients that pack in BIG flavor. You’ll love this easy green bean seasoning!.
Green beans are one of my favorite vegetable side dishes. Adding green beans to your meal is simple and fun, and there are lots of different ways to season them.
Today I’m sharing an easy green beans recipe that uses simple seasonings to make a big impact. This easy side dish can be made during the week, but it’s also fancy enough to serve for Easter, Thanksgiving, or Christmas.
They go really well with our Gluten-Free Spaghetti or Meatloaf. You could also serve them with a Glazed Ham or roasted chicken and mashed potatoes.
If I don’t have bacon, I like to season green beans this way. I also like green bean casserole and smothered green beans with bacon.
Green beans are a versatile vegetable that can be prepared in many ways. From fresh and crisp raw green beans to rich and savory cooked green beans, their mild flavor makes them an easy addition to all kinds of dishes. When looking for what mixes well with green beans, there are lots of delicious options for tasty side dishes to complement your green bean recipe.
Savory Sides for Green Beans
Savory flavors like onions, garlic, herbs, and spices make fantastic partners for green beans Here are some savory side dish ideas to serve with green beans
Sautéed Onions and Garlic
Onions and garlic sautéed in olive oil or butter until softened and fragrant create a simple but flavorful side for green beans. The combination of the sweetness from the onions and pungency of the garlic goes great with green beans.
Roasted Potatoes
Crispy roasted potatoes are an easy and tasty side dish for green beans. Small red or yellow potatoes tossed in olive oil, garlic, and herbs like rosemary, thyme or oregano and roasted until browned make a hearty pairing.
Glazed Carrots
Glazed carrots with honey or maple syrup have a delightful sweetness that offsets the green beans’ flavor Toss carrot sticks or batons in olive oil, garlic, and herbs then roast until tender before drizzling with the glaze
Mushroom Medley
Sautéed mushrooms like cremini, shiitake and oyster mushrooms, finished with fresh parsley or tarragon, give an earthy, umami-rich side for green beans Onions and garlic can also be added for extra depth.
Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Creamy, garlic-infused mashed potatoes are a cozy match for green beans. Russet or Yukon Gold potatoes mashed with butter, cream or milk, and minced garlic make this homey classic side.
Colorful Vegetable Sides for Green Beans
Add pops of color and crunch with vegetables that contrast nicely with green beans. Some tasty options include:
Roasted Beets
Roasted beets with their vibrant fuchsia color look beautiful next to green beans. Toss beet wedges or halves in olive oil, balsamic vinegar, garlic, and fresh thyme then roast until tender. Their earthy sweetness pairs well with green beans.
Glazed Carrots and Parsnips
For more color, roast a mix of carrots and parsnips together then drizzle with a maple glaze for a sweet touch. The mix of orange and white roots looks lovely with green beans.
Roasted Radishes
Quick-cooking radishes add a peppery crunch and splash of color. Toss halved radishes in olive oil, salt, and pepper then roast until caramelized but still crunchy. Their bright pink hues contrast with the green beans.
Roasted Brussels Sprouts
Brussels sprouts halves roasted deeply golden brown have a sweet, nutty taste that goes great with green beans. Toss with olive oil, balsamic, garlic, salt, and pepper before roasting.
Roasted Broccoli and Cauliflower
For an easy roasted veggie medley, broccoli and cauliflower florets roasted with olive oil, garlic, salt, pepper, and lemon zest or red pepper flakes make a tasty and colorful side for green beans.
Warm Salads and Beans for Serving with Green Beans
Warm vegetable salads and bean dishes make satisfying sides for green beans. Some options include:
Warm Potato Salad
Warm German potato salad made with bacon, onions, and vinegar has hearty flavor and pairs well with green beans. Allow boiled diced potatoes to soak up the tangy dressing while still warm for the best flavor.
Green Bean and Chickpea Salad
For double the green, combine blanched green beans with chickpeas, cherry tomatoes, red onion, parsley, lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper. The crunchy chickpeas and tomatoes add fresh contrast.
Three Bean Salad
A mix of green beans, kidney beans, and garbanzo beans dressed with a tangy vinaigrette makes a colorful and protein-packed salad perfect with extra green beans.
Warm Lentil Salad
French lentils dressed while still warm in a mustard vinaigrette with tomatoes and green onion give a delicious nutty, peppery side for green beans. Some crumbled feta can add a nice salty touch.
White Bean Ragout
Sautéed onions and garlic combined with white beans, tomato paste, and fresh herbs like parsley, basil, oregano or thyme in an easy warm ragout that pairs beautifully with green beans.
Tasty Starches and Grains with Green Beans
Hearty cooked grains or starches make satisfying partners for green beans’ lighter texture. Consider these options:
Buttery Mashed Cauliflower
For a lower-carb alternative to mashed potatoes, mashed cauliflower has a creamy, buttery taste that complements green beans. Boil cauliflower florets until very soft then mash with butter, cream, and seasonings.
Quinoa Pilaf
Protein-rich quinoa bulked up with vegetables like carrots, peas, bell peppers or parsley and lightly seasoned makes a colorful pilaf to serve with green beans.
Polenta
Creamy, buttery polenta is an easy starchy side for green beans. For extra flavor, stir in grated Parmesan when cooking the polenta.
Rice Pilaf
An herbed rice pilaf with fresh herbs like dill, parsley or chives stirred in is a fast and tasty partner for green beans. Toasted nuts like slivered almonds or cashews can also be mixed in.
Orzo Pasta
Nutty, rice-shaped orzo pasta tossed in olive oil or butter with lemon zest, fresh herbs, salt, and pepper gives a Mediterranean flair as a side for green beans. Feta or Parmesan can be added too.
What to Serve with Green Beans for Special Meals
For holidays, parties or other special occasions, take green bean sides up a notch with these unique pairings:
Haricots Verts with Browned Butter
Slender haricots verts sautéed in browned butter add elegance and sophistication for special dinners and pair gorgeously with green beans.
Honey-Glazed Carrots and Parsnips
A mix of carrots and parsnips roasted then glazed with honey, butter, and fresh thyme is perfect for festive meals like Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner alongside green beans.
Roasted Radishes with Herbs
Quick roasted radishes with fresh rosemary or tarragon adds flair for fancy meals and the pink radishes look so pretty with green beans.
Green Bean amandine
For special company, green beans amandine tossed with browned butter and toasted sliced almonds puts a gourmet spin on simple green beans as a side dish.
Garlic-Ginger Green Beans
Jazz up plain green beans by blanching then sautéing them in toasted sesame oil with minced garlic and ginger for an extra-special and tasty pairing at special meals.
With their adaptable flavor, green beans pair well with all different kinds of dishes from savory to sweet, simple to decadent. Using fresh produce and herbs, creative roasted vegetable medleys, warm bean or grain salads, and even adding elegant touches like browned butter or toasted nuts can take basic green bean sides to new levels. Experiment with different flavor combinations to find new favorite pairings!
For Steamed Green Beans
- Wash & Trim Your Green Beans. Let the green beans soak in cool water for a while to get rid of any dirt or grit. Shake the pot gently to get rid of any extra water, then trim the beans. Cut off any stringy ends at the top or bottom of your beans with a sharp knife. If you want, you can then cut them into bite-sized pieces.
- Put 1-2 inches of water in a 3-quart saucepan and put the steamer basket inside it. The water in the steamer basket shouldn’t get all the way to the bottom.
- Steam The Beans. Make the water boil. Place the lid on top and steam for 5 to 7 minutes, or until the meat is cooked the way you like it.
- Finish & Season. Taking the steamer basket out of the pot slowly, drain the water, and then add the greens back into the pot or put them on a plate or bowl. Add butter, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder, and toss until everything is covered.
- Serve & Store. If you make these beans, eat them warm within two hours. If you have leftovers, put them in an airtight container and put them in the fridge for 3, 4 days.
Start With Simple Ingredients
- Fresh Green Beans. You’ll start with green string beans. You can buy them already trimmed and washed, or I’ll show you how to do it below!
- A Little Butter Or Olive Oil. For a vegan, paleo, or Whole30 option, use olive oil. Otherwise, I love using butter! .
- Salt & Pepper. I love flaky salt on these beans because it gives them a nice crunch. Pepper adds some warmth.
- Garlic Powder & Onion Powder. These two add such gorgeous savory flavor. Yum!.
- Maybe Some Extras. It can be lovely to add some fresh lemon zest, red pepper flakes, or Parmesan cheese.
WE SUGGEST:
Turn on your JavaScript to view content
How To Jazz Up Canned Green Beans and Make Them Taste Better | The Simple Way
FAQ
What do green beans pair well with?
What can I add to green beans for flavor?
What is compatible with green beans?
What fruit pairs well with green beans?