There are plenty of moments in adult life where one might long for childhood. Bills, responsibilities, and not getting enough sleep are all parts of being an adult. The carefree afternoons of youth have been replaced by 3 p.m. m. lattes just to make it until dinner. One magical thing that does happen as you get older, though, is that you start to like vegetables. Baby, the days of being grossed out by green things on your plate are over! It feels good, doesn’t it?
Green beans are one of those foods that kids don’t like, but as an adult, cutting off the ends, rinsing them, and getting them ready to sauté, blanch, or roast them seems chic. You might be wondering if there is a difference between green beans and haricots vert when you see them at the market. There is.
Green beans are a popular vegetable found in many kitchens But you may have also come across haricots verts in recipes or at the market So what exactly is the difference between green beans and haricots verts? Are they the same thing? Let’s dig in to understand these two types of beans.
Green Beans – The Common Variety
When most people think of green beans, they are imagining the common and widely available green bean variety botanically classified as Phaseolus vulgaris These are likely the “usual” green beans you find in the frozen or canned sections of supermarkets
Some key features of regular green beans
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Round and firm in shape, typically between 4-8 inches long
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Range in color from bright to deep green
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Sturdy texture that requires thorough cooking
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Widely available year-round
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Affordable pricing
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Used in casseroles, sautés, pot roasts and more
The most common subtype of green bean is Blue Lake, which is a cultivar selected for its straight shape and consistent size. This makes it perfect for canning and freezing.
Haricots Verts – The French Variety
Haricots verts refers to a thinner, more delicate type of green bean popular in French cuisine. In fact, haricots verts simply translates to “green beans” in French. Compared to regular green beans, haricots verts have some defining characteristics:
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Long, very slender shape, often 3-6 inches in length
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Tender snap when bitten into
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Thinner skin allows flavors to penetrate
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Sweeter, more pronounced bean flavor
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Picked and harvested earlier, while beans are young
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Best cooked briefly to maintain crisp texture
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Often costs more than regular green beans
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Found fresh during summer months
So while haricots verts are technically a variety of green beans, their delicate shape, taste and texture set them apart from the standard bean. They are handled differently in cooking as well.
Cooking Differences
The varying textures and flavors of haricots verts vs. green beans means they are not used interchangeably in recipes.
Green Beans
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Hold up well to longer cooking methods like braising, sautéing, stewing and roasting
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Commonly used in canned or frozen form
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Often included in hearty casseroles, pot roasts and simmered dishes
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Cooking softens texture from crunchy to tender
Haricots Verts
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Best lightly cooked via steaming, blanching or quick sautéing
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Should be used fresh, not canned or frozen
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Shine in simple preparations to highlight fresh flavor
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Brief cooking preserves delicate crunch
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Lovely in salads, sides, and vegetable medleys
Frequency of Entities:
Green beans: 14
Haricots verts: 12
French: 2
Blue Lake: 2
It’s an issue of size
When it comes to green beans and haricots vert, the main difference is their size, notes The Kitchn. The French haricots vert are longer, thinner, and a bit more fragile than green beans. A green bean, on the other hand, is thicker and stronger. Nature and More says that because haricots vert are picked earlier than green beans, their taste is a little milder. Haricots vert, which are often sold in stores and markets as “French green beans,” are also straighter than regular green beans. They also go limp much more quickly, so it’s important to eat them right away.
Haricots vert can be blanched, steamed, braised, or even stir-fried — and because they are so thin they dont require much cook time. Theyre done in just six minutes, while a basic green bean should be cooked for 12 (per Nature and More.) While Healthline explains that some people eat green beans raw because they are legumes, cooking them is safer. If youre wanting a colder, crunchy green bean in a salad or dish, consider blanching them and then shocking them in an ice bath. Both green beans and haricots vert are excellent sources of proteins, carbohydrates, and dietary fibers. According to Nature and More, they also contain B vitamins, vitamins C and K as well as minerals like magnesium, iron, and manganese. Theyre a delicious and nutritious addition to whatever you put them in — or on.
Green Beans (Haricot Verts)
FAQ
What is the difference between haricot vert and green beans?
Why do chefs call green beans haricot vert?
What do Americans call haricot beans?
What is the difference between French green beans and regular green beans?
Is there a difference between haricot Verts and French green beans?
Classy. French. But is there even a real difference between the two? The short answer: Haricot verts are a French variety of green beans, literally translating to “green beans” from French—sometimes you’ll even see them sold as “French green beans”.
What does haricot Verts mean?
Haricot Verts literally means green beans in French. French Beans are often given that name at the store. Whether you see either name this means you are getting a thin fresh green bean. A lot thinner than “regular” green beans. This is really the only significant difference between the two, but not the only difference.
Are haricots verts a good side dish for Thanksgiving?
Although you might associate green beans with classic green bean casserole during Thanksgiving, the sturdy green vegetable is a great go-to side dish anytime of the year. When you’re at the store, however, and shopping for your typical green beans (also sometimes called “string beans”), you might run into haricots verts.
Are haricots Vert good for green beans?
While fatter, hardier green beans are nice for this lemon garlic green bean recipe, the daintier French haricot vert are nice for this fresh green bean Almondine recipe. Also, since haricots vert are in season during the summer, it can be nice to save regular green beans for the fall. No matter which you choose, the joy is in exploring.