The whole family will love these quick and easy green beans! They are cooked on the stove with some bacon grease and then mixed with sweet maple syrup, tangy Dijon mustard, balsamic vinegar, crispy bacon bits, onion, and garlic. A lot of Parmesan cheese is then sprinkled on top.
This simple recipe is great for a quick dinner during the week, but it will also look great at a holiday meal or a dinner party. This recipe can easily be doubled or tripled for a large gathering.
A Guide to Cooking with Canned French Style Green Beans
Green beans are a versatile vegetable that can be prepared in many ways. While fresh green beans have a crisp bright flavor, canned French style green beans offer convenience and can also be quite tasty when cooked properly. Read on to learn all about canned French style green beans and how to cook them to bring out their best flavor.
What are Canned French Style Green Beans?
Canned French style green beans have been cooked and canned along with seasonings in a way that originated in France. The beans are cooked until very tender and packed in a seasoned liquid sauce. Common seasonings include onion, garlic, herbs like thyme and tarragon, white wine or vinegar, salt, and pepper.
The result is extremely soft, flavorful beans in a light sauce French style green beans have a soft texture compared to regular canned or fresh green beans The beans and liquid sauce are often used together in recipes, adding seasoning to dishes.
Benefits of Canned French Style Green Beans
There are several advantages to using canned French style green beans:
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Convenient – They are fully cooked and ready to eat or incorporate into recipes
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Long shelf life – Properly stored cans can last 2+ years in the pantry
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Cost effective – Less expensive than fresh green beans, especially out of season
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Versatile – Their soft texture works well in casseroles, soups, salads and more
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Nutritious – Packed with fiber, vitamins C, K, folate, manganese and potassium
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Kid friendly – Their mild flavor and soft texture appeal to picky eaters
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Time saving – Faster prep than cooking dried or fresh green beans
Tips for Cooking with Canned French Style Green Beans
When cooking with canned French style green beans, keep these tips in mind:
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Look for low or reduced sodium options to limit added salt
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Drain and rinse the beans to remove excess sodium and seasoning if desired
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Save the liquid to use for added flavor in recipes or as a sauce
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Briefly sauté or roast the beans to intensify flavor
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Add to casseroles, soups, pasta dishes, salads, stir fries and more
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Pair with garlic, lemon, basil, thyme and other herbs
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Toss with olive oil, salt, and pepper for an easy side dish
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Gently warm beans and liquid together as a side dish
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Substitute in recipes calling for cooked fresh green beans
Simple Ways to Cook Canned French Style Green Beans
Here are some easy ways to cook French style canned green beans:
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Sauté in olive oil with garlic, salt, and pepper
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Simmer in broth or water with herbs and spices
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Microwave beans and liquid to gently warm through
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Toss with vinaigrette, feta, and tomatoes for a salad
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Add to pasta with olive oil, parmesan, and seasonings
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Make green bean casserole with beans, mushroom soup, and fried onions
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Purée beans and liquid into a soup with cream or broth
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Fold beans into egg or tuna salad for extra color and nutrition
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Mix into stir fries and curries in place of fresh green beans
Recipes Using Canned French Style Green Beans
Canned French style green beans are great in these recipes:
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Green Bean Casserole – The classic Thanksgiving side dish
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Green Bean Almondine – Sautéed with toasted almonds and brown butter
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French Onion Soup with Beans – Puréed into the broth for thickness
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Green Bean Salad – Tossed with vinaigrette and crumbled feta
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Pasta e Fagioli Soup – Added to the bean and veggie pasta soup
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Vegan Green Bean Tacos – With sautéed beans, salsa, avocado in tortillas
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Chicken and Green Bean Stir Fry – Serge with rice or quinoa
With creative seasoning and cooking methods, canned French style green beans can be an affordable, quick, and tasty addition to many meals. Explore different recipe ideas to take advantage of their soft texture and convenient canned format. Just open the can and start cooking to enjoy all the benefits of French style canned green beans tonight!
To make this recipe with fresh beans
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Bring the green beans and 1/2 cup of water to a boil. Then lower the heat to medium, cover, and cook for 8 to 10 minutes, stirring every now and then, until the beans are soft. Take the lid off and allow the water to cook out.
Take out the green beans and follow the rest of the recipe as written above. After cooking the bacon and onion and making the sauce, add the beans back in to heat them through.
- If you don’t have fresh garlic, you can use 1/4 teaspoon of garlic powder instead.
- It’s possible to make this sauce without balsamic vinegar. Just mix 2 teaspoons of red wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar with 1/4 teaspoon of sugar or brown sugar. There are some ideas on Very Well Fit that use either soy sauce or Worcestershire sauce. If you don’t have one of the vinegars, check that out.
- You could add anywhere from 1/8 to 1 teaspoon of red pepper flakes to give it a little kick, depending on how hot you like it.
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat on the stove top or in the microwave.
How to make French Style Canned Green Beans
- Put the bacon in a big skillet and heat it over medium-low heat. Let it cook for about 10 minutes, moving the heat down if needed. Remove the bacon and set aside, chop when cool. Throw away everything but one tablespoon of the bacon grease (see note below).
- Set the pan on medium heat and add the onion. Cook it for three to five minutes, until it is soft, clear, and starting to turn brown. Add the garlic and cook another minute.
- Next, add the salt, pepper, Dijon mustard, maple syrup, and vinegar. Cook until hot, scraping the pan’s bottom to get rid of any stuck-on food.
- When you’re ready to serve, drain the green beans and add them to the sauce. Stir to coat. Cook stirring occasionally until heated through, about 3-5 minutes.
- Put it in a serving dish and sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese on top. You can also add it to each serving.
- *Be extremely careful when you are measuring hot bacon grease. Put the glass measuring cup on a heat-safe surface and carefully pour the hot oil into it. Then, take out 1 tablespoon. Since the grease is hot, you need to use a measuring tool that can handle the heat. Also, make sure to carefully wipe the bottom of the pan clean of any extra bacon grease so that it doesn’t catch fire when you put it back on the heat.
- I open the green bean cans but leave the lids on a little. Then I hold the lids in place and pour the canning liquid out. This way I don’t have to clean a strainer.
- If you want to free up space on your stove for a big meal like Thanksgiving dinner, you can make this recipe in the slow cooker. Just cook the bacon ahead of time and put everything else in the crock pot. Cook on low for two to three hours, or until hot.
How to Cut French Style Green Beans with a Bean Frencher
FAQ
Are French style green beans the same as green beans?
Can you can French style green beans?
Are canned French style green beans good for you?
Can you substitute French beans for green beans?