It never fails that when you cook for a group, you either have way too much or not enough of a dish. This year I was swimming in leftover green beans. If you want to serve something light at Thanksgiving, I like steamed green beans with toasted almonds and a little butter. I guess my crew wasn’t overly excited by my simple green beans.
I thought about putting them in a casserole, but I chose to make Fried Green Beans as a treat for my boys.
This recipe is a perfect way to use up those leftover green beans. Even if you don’t have any leftovers, this recipe is very easy and makes a quick and easy app or snack. The recipe is best using fresh green beans that have been steamed but are still crisp. If you served soft green beans at Thanksgiving, you could use the extras in your Turkey Pot Pie. Otherwise, save this recipe for when you want to make new beans. Fried Green Beans.
Green beans are a tasty and healthy addition to any meal. But between those in season overflowing from your garden or an overzealous helping at dinner, you can easily end up with more leftover green beans than you know what to do with.
Luckily, there are countless ways to transform leftover green beans into totally new delicious dishes. Read on for 11 creative ideas for using up leftover green beans.
1. Green Bean Salad
A green bean salad is one of the easiest ways to repurpose leftover beans. Simply toss cold cooked green beans with vinaigrette, fresh herbs, tomatoes, onions or other favorite salad veggies. Chilled green bean salads make a light and refreshing side.
For heartier bean salads, add chickpeas, potatoes, nuts or feta cheese. The options for homemade green bean salads are endless.
2. Green Bean Fritters
Transform leftover green beans into crispy, irresistible fritters. Gently mix cooked chopped green beans with beaten eggs, flour, spices and herbs. Scoop spoonfuls into hot oil and fry into golden bean fritter fritters.
Serve these tasty bean fritters as an appetizer or side They also make a unique burger topping or taco filling when you need a break from meat,
3. Green Bean Casserole
No list of leftover green bean recipes is complete without the classic green bean casserole. Simply mix cooked cut green beans with cream of mushroom soup and top with crispy fried onions.
For a fresher twist, use homemade mushroom gravy and caramelized onions instead of canned soup and fried onions Customize your casserole with any spices, herbs, meats or other veggies
4. Creamy Green Bean Soup
Transform leftover green beans into a velvety, comforting soup. Saute onions and garlic, then simmer with chicken or vegetable broth and puree with cooked green beans.
Finish the soup with cream or milk for added richness Garnish bowls with crispy bacon or fried onion bits Bean soups are a cozy way to savor leftover green beans.
5. Green Bean Pasta
Pasta and green beans are a classic Italian pairing. Toss cooked green beans with your favorite pasta, olive oil or pesto, cherry tomatoes, basil, parmesan, and seasonings for a fast, fresh meatless meal.
You can also add sausage, chicken, or shrimp to make it heartier. Pasta is a great way to use up leftover green beans quickly.
6. Green Bean Omelet
For an easy protein-packed breakfast, fold leftover chopped green beans into an omelet. Cook the omelet like normal with beaten eggs, then add cooked green beans before folding and sliding onto a plate.
Top your green bean omelet with cheese, salsa, herbs or hot sauce. It’s a savory way to start your day.
7. Green Bean Stir Fry
Fry up leftover green beans with protein and veggies for a fast Asian-inspired stir fry. Try combinations like ginger chicken and green beans, or tofu, green beans and mushrooms.
Stir fry with soy sauce, sesame oil, garlic and chili paste for tons of flavor. Serve over rice or quinoa. It’s a great way to use up veggie leftovers.
8. Green Bean Fries
For a fun finger food, coat leftover green beans in seasoned flour and breadcrumbs and bake into crunchy baked “fries”. Offer the green bean fries as a party appetizer or snack along with dipping sauces like ranch, ketchup, or hummus.
Kids and adults alike will devour these creative crispy baked green beans.
9. Green Bean Smoothie
Don’t limit leftover beans just to savory dishes – add them to smoothies too! Blend cooked green beans with banana, Greek yogurt, milk, honey, and ice for a nutrition and protein-packed drink.
The green beans add fiber and nutrients while barely altering the flavor. It’s a refreshing way to get in your servings of veggies.
10. Green Bean Quiche
Incorporate leftover green beans into a veggie quiche for an easy brunch dish or light dinner. Fill a pie crust with chopped cooked beans, cheese, eggs, milk or cream, and bake.
You can add other veggies, herbs, or pre-cooked meat to customize your quiche. Quiche is a great catch-all dish for leftovers.
11. Green Bean Chips
For a crunchy low-carb snack, thinly slice leftover raw green beans and bake into homemade veggie chips. Toss bean slices with olive oil, salt and any other seasonings you like.
Bake at 400°F for 12-15 minutes, flipping halfway, until browned and crispy. Enjoy your baked green bean chips with salsa, hummus or guacamole.
Transform Your Leftover Green Beans
So with just a little creativity, it’s easy to reinvent leftover cooked green beans in many delicious ways. Keep your servings under control, then use any extras promptly in one of these tasty leftover bean recipes.
Before you know it, you’ll start looking forward to green bean leftovers and the amazing dishes you can whip up with them! With this arsenal of ideas, you’ll never waste green beans again.
Granny’s Green Beans – Add 3 Ingredients to Canned Green Beans – Tastes Like Granny Made Them!
FAQ
How long are leftover green beans good for?
Can you freeze leftover green beans?
How to use old green beans?
What to do with leftover green beans?
Green Bean Soup: Blend 2 cups of leftover green bean casserole with 4 cups of chicken or vegetable broth. Heat and serve with a dollop of sour cream and a sprinkling of chives. Casserole Stuffed Peppers: Halve and de-seed 4 bell peppers.
What is the best way to eat beans?
The best way to eat beans is to first cook them in a large pot of water, about 4 cups of water to every 1 cup of beans. Adding lemon grass or other herbs to the water can improve the flavor. Once beans are cooked the best thing to do is combine them with cooked rice, this is because beans are low in methionine and rice is low in lysine, so combining them makes a more complete protein.
How do you eat leftover green bean casserole?
Green Bean Croquettes: Mix 2 cups of green bean casserole with 1 cup of breadcrumbs. Shape into small patties and fry in oil until golden brown. Green Bean Pot Pie: Spread 2 cups of leftover green bean casserole in a pie dish. Top with a sheet of puff pastry and bake at 400F until golden brown.
What goes well with green beans?
Olive oil, garlic, and salt may sound simple, but they bring the perfect amount of flavor to this easy side dish. These green beans go with everything, from a fancy holiday feast to a casual weeknight meal. Get the Garlic Green Beans recipe. Skip the boring Thanksgiving turkey sandwich and turn your leftovers into this shepherd’s pie!