Does KFC Have Green Beans? A Close Look at Their Side Options

Kentucky Fried Chicken, better known as KFC, is a popular fast food chain known for their fried chicken But KFC doesn’t just offer chicken – they also have a variety of side dishes to complement your meal. One side dish that KFC has on their menu is green beans So does KFC have green beans? The short answer is yes, green beans are available as a side option at KFC locations.

In this article, we’ll take a closer look at KFC’s green beans side dish. We’ll cover the nutrition information how the green beans are prepared how they taste, and how they compare to other sides on the KFC menu. We’ll also provide some tips on how to make the best choices when ordering sides at KFC.

An Overview of KFC’s Green Beans

KFC offers small side portions of cooked green beans as one of the options to pair with their fried chicken meals. The green beans contain 25 calories per serving and have 4 grams of total carbohydrates, with 2 grams being from fiber. So the net carbs per serving of KFC green beans is only 2 grams.

The green beans are lower in fat and protein than some other KFC sides – a serving contains 0 grams of fat and 1 gram of protein. They are cooked with seasonings and don’t seem to be cooked in any oil.

Overall, while fried foods dominate the KFC menu, the green beans provide a lighter side option to balance out a fried chicken meal. They have a relatively low amount of net carbs and calories for a side dish.

How KFC’s Green Beans Are Prepared

From examining the green beans in person, it appears that KFC starts with frozen green beans. The beans are likely thawed and then cooked on the stovetop with seasonings until heated through.

The green beans have a very soft, overcooked texture with the skins separating from the beans. This indicates that they are cooked for a relatively long period of time.

The predominant seasoning seems to be salt, which provides most of the flavor. Besides salt, some other seasonings like garlic powder may be used. But overall, the green beans don’t have a complex or bold flavor.

The cooking method produces soft, pale green beans that provide a mild flavor and softer texture to accompany the fried chicken. They don’t have any crunch or retain much texture after cooking.

Reviewing the Taste of KFC’s Green Beans

To provide an accurate review of the taste, I ordered a side of green beans during a recent visit to a KFC location. Here are my thoughts after trying KFC’s green bean side:

• The beans are extremely soft and overcooked, with many skins detached from the beans. The texture is mushy.

• The flavor is simple, with salt being the primary seasoning. The saltiness helps provide flavor, but is also quite overpowering.

• Besides salt, the green beans lack other layers of flavor. There are no aromatics like garlic or onion, no acidity from vinegar or citrus, and no herbs.

• The beans have an aftertaste of starchiness, likely from cooking the frozen green beans for so long.

• While the salt provides some flavor, the overall taste is quite bland once you get past the initial saltiness. More seasoning could improve the flavor.

• The beans fill up space on the plate, but don’t add much to the meal in terms of taste or texture.

Overall, the green beans don’t have much flavor beyond the heavy dose of salt. More acidic, herbal, and aromatic components could really improve the taste. They fill the role of a side dish, but leave much to be desired in terms of flavor.

How KFC’s Green Beans Compare to Other Sides

To give more context, it’s helpful to compare KFC’s green beans to some other popular side dishes offered on their menu:

Cole Slaw – The creamy, mayo-based coleslaw provides welcome creaminess, acidity, and crunch compared to the one-note green beans. It makes a better pairing for fried foods.

Mashed Potatoes – With creamy potatoes and rich pepper gravy, the mashed potatoes offer far more flavor than the green beans. However, the green beans are lower in carbs.

Mac & Cheese – No competition here – the indulgent, cheesy macaroni and cheese wins over the green beans in terms of taste, texture, and comfort food appeal. But it’s also higher in carbs and calories.

Fries – The hot, crispy fries have bolder seasoning and more crunch and texture than the mushy green beans. They provide more flavor and satisfaction alongside fried chicken.

So while the green beans make a lighter, lower carb side, KFC’s other options like the coleslaw, mashed potatoes, mac and cheese, and fries tend to provide more flavor, texture, and enjoyment compared to the green beans. The beans fare better in terms of nutrition than indulgent sides like mac and cheese.

Tips for Ordering Sides at KFC

Here are some tips to get the best results when ordering side dishes at KFC:

• For the lightest side with fewer carbs and calories, go for the green beans. Pick other sides if you want more flavor and texture.

• The mashed potatoes and gravy provide rich flavor and comfort food appeal.

• Mac and cheese is tough to beat in terms of cheese flavor and creaminess. Enjoy it occasionally as a treat.

• For crunch and tang, coleslaw adds a refreshing, creamy element to balance fried food.

• Skip the green beans as a standalone side – pair them with a more exciting side like mashed potatoes or mac and cheese instead.

• Watch your portions and salt intake with KFC sides, as large servings and heavy seasoning can add up quickly.

• Feel free to mix-and-match two sides to get an ideal combo of flavors and textures.

Does KFC Have Green Beans? The Verdict

In the end, yes – green beans can be found on the side menu at KFC locations. They provide a lower carb, lighter option compared to other sides. However, the green beans lack flavor and texture due to being overcooked and underseasoned.

For the best results, pair the green beans with a more satisfying side like mashed potatoes or mac and cheese. Or, skip the beans entirely and go for a tastier side that better complements fried chicken. Whichever sides you choose, watch the portion sizes and salt content when dining at KFC.

So next time you visit KFC, feel free to give the green beans a try. But it’s understandable if you ultimately reach for a different side that offers more enjoyment and craveable flavors alongside your fried chicken meal.