Creative Ways to Use Up Too Many Green Beans

It’s easy to end up with more green beans than you know what to do with if your garden was particularly prolific or you went a little overboard at the farmer’s market. But don’t let those extra green beans go to waste! With a little creativity, you can transform your green bean surplus into delicious meals and snacks.

Pickling and Freezing

Two easy preservation methods for green beans are pickling and freezing. Pickle crisp, raw green beans in a brine flavored with your choice of spices like dill, garlic, or hot peppers. The pickled beans will last for months in the fridge and are great on salads, sandwiches, or cheese boards.

To freeze, blanch fresh-picked green beans in boiling water for 2-3 minutes, cool in ice water, pat dry, and pack into freezer bags or containers. Frozen green beans will keep for about a year and can be tossed into soups, stews, and casseroles right from the freezer.

Air Fryer Green Beans

Give green beans a crispy crunch by air frying them Toss raw green beans with oil, salt, and spices like garlic powder, paprika, or cayenne Air fry at 400°F for 10-15 minutes, shaking halfway, until browned and tender-crisp. These make a great high-protein snack or crunchy topping for salads and grain bowls.

Green Bean Fries

Bread and fry green beans for an irresistible, crunchy treat. Dip raw beans in an egg wash then coat in seasoned breadcrumbs or panko. Fry in oil for 2-3 minutes until golden brown and crispy. Season with salt and serve hot with your favorite fry sauce or ranch dressing for dunking.

Green Bean Casserole

You can’t go wrong with this classic comfort food made with a creamy mushroom sauce and topped with crispy fried onions Sauté mushrooms, make a roux with butter and flour, then add milk, stock, and seasonings to make the sauce Combine the sauce with blanched green beans and transfer to a casserole dish. Top with french-fried onions and bake until bubbly and golden.

Sautéed Green Beans with Nuts or Bacon

Quick-cook green beans on the stovetop to bring out their flavor. Sauté sliced onion in olive oil until soft. Add green beans and cook, stirring frequently, until bright green and tender-crisp. Toss with toasted slivered almonds, pecans, or crisped bacon bits. Season with salt, pepper, and a splash of lemon juice.

Green Bean Salad

Raw or quickly blanched green beans pair well with other fresh veggies and crunchy nuts in a light salad. Toss green beans with halved cherry tomatoes, thinly sliced red onion, and toasted walnuts or sunflower seeds. Dress with a simple vinaigrette of olive oil, vinegar, mustard, and herbs. Top with crumbled feta or goat cheese.

Green Bean Pasta

Incorporate green beans into pasta dishes like pesto green bean pasta or green bean carbonara. Sauté blanched green beans with garlic, then toss with hot cooked pasta and pesto sauce. Or make a quick carbonara with bacon, eggs, cheese, and green beans sautéed in the rendered bacon fat.

With a little creativity, you can use up a green bean bounty in many delicious ways. Try pickling, freezing, air frying, sautéing, baking into casseroles, or incorporating into fresh salads and pasta dishes. Don’t let those extra green beans go to waste!