Don’t have any canned green beans? This recipe is a quick and easy way to use them up. A few ingredients make a veggie the family will love!.
I always like to have a stock of canned goods in my pantry. Most of the time, I have canned vegetables like tomatoes, zucchini, and broccoli in my freezer or fresh vegetables from my garden. But sometimes I need to quickly make some vegetables if I want to have dinner ready on time. This is where this easy canned green bean recipe comes in!.
Put green beans from a can into a pot, heat them up, and serve. I beg you. Your kids probably wont eat them. And then youll be mad and never want to make dinner again. And thats just way too sad! Instead, make this canned green bean recipe.
Canned green beans are a pantry staple for many home cooks They provide a quick and easy vegetable side dish option that only requires opening a can and heating But did you know that baking canned green beans in the oven can take them from bland and boring to flavorful and delicious?
Cooking canned vegetables in the oven allows you to add your own seasonings and ingredients to enhance flavor and texture. Plus, the dry heat of the oven gives the green beans a chance to caramelize and develop a more robust profile. Read on for tips, ideas, and commonly asked questions about baking canned green beans in the oven.
Why Bake Canned Green Beans?
There are several good reasons to pop open a can of green beans and cook them in the oven rather than on the stovetop
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Increased flavor – The oven’s dry heat concentrates flavors and brings out the beans’ natural sweetness.
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Crispier texture – Baking gives the beans a chance to caramelize and get crispy edges.
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Easy to customize – It’s simple to incorporate different seasonings, sauces, and mix-ins.
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Hands-off cooking – Just throw everything in a baking dish and bake until done.
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Makes a great side or standalone dish – Baked green beans work for everyday meals or potlucks and parties.
With minimal effort, baking canned green beans elevates them from lackluster to mouthwatering.
How to Bake Canned Green Beans
Baking canned green beans is simple. Here is an easy method:
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Preheat oven to 375°F.
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Drain and rinse one 15-ounce can of green beans.
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Pat the beans dry with paper towels.
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Toss beans with 1 tablespoon olive oil, salt, and pepper.
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Spread beans in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet.
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Bake for 15 minutes, until hot and starting to brown.
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Serve immediately as a side dish.
That covers the basics, but there are all kinds of ways to customize baked canned green beans to suit your taste.
Flavor Ideas for Baked Canned Beans
Here are just a few ideas for ingredients to add delicious flavors:
- Minced garlic
- Grated parmesan
- Bacon pieces
- Chili powder or cayenne
- Lemon juice and zest
- Dried Italian herb blend
- Crushed red pepper flakes
- Diced onion
- Chopped pecans
Feel free to get creative with spices, herbs, sauces, nuts, etc. The possibilities are endless!
Turn Beans into a Hearty Casserole
For a more substantial dish, turn your baked canned green beans into a casserole:
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Make a basic cheese sauce by melting butter, stirring in flour to make a roux, then adding milk and shredded cheddar.
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Mix canned green beans, cheese sauce, cooked bacon crumbles, and panko breadcrumbs.
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Transfer to a casserole dish and top with more cheese and breadcrumbs.
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Bake at 400°F until hot and bubbly, about 20 minutes.
Amp up the flavors by also adding sauteed onions, minced garlic, or a dash of Worcestershire sauce.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you’re new to cooking canned vegetables in the oven, here are answers to some common questions:
Should I drain the beans before baking?
Yes, draining removes excess liquid that can make the beans mushy when baked. Rinsing also helps remove excess salt.
What temperature and how long should I bake them?
Bake at 375-400°F for 15-20 minutes to heat through and get crispy. Adjust time as needed.
Do I need to use a baking sheet or can I bake them in a casserole dish?
Either works! A rimmed baking sheet helps them cook evenly. A casserole dish works for mixing with other ingredients.
Can I prepare baked canned green beans ahead of time?
You can prep them 1-2 days in advance and refrigerate. Reheat before serving. Add 5 minutes or so to the baking time.
What are good seasonings to use?
Garlic, onion, paprika, Italian seasoning, lemon, pepper flakes, bacon, and Parmesan are all tasty options.
Can I mix in other veggies?
Sure! Diced carrots, snap peas, or peppers would all pair well with green beans.
Is there a way to make this recipe vegan?
Absolutely! Use olive oil instead of butter, skip the cheese, and add veggie bacon for a vegan version.
More Tips for Delicious Baked Canned Beans
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Toss the beans with a little flour or cornstarch before baking for extra crispiness.
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If baking a casserole, undercook the beans slightly so they don’t get mushy when baked again.
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Add some breadcrumbs or crushed crackers on top for a crunchy topping.
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Fresh herbs like thyme, rosemary, and chives make great last minute additions.
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Serve baked green beans warm or at room temperature – both ways bring out great flavor.
Enjoy Restaurant-Quality Green Beans at Home
Canned green beans are an inexpensive pantry staple, but baking them in the oven elevates them to a restaurant-worthy side dish. With the right seasonings and a hot oven, you can create roasted green beans with crispy edges and concentrated flavor. The next time you want an easy vegetable side, skip boiling the beans and throw them in the oven instead for delicious results. Get creative with spices and mix-ins until you find your favorite baked canned green bean recipe.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Seriously, its so easy. But so dang good.
- Butter, onion powder, salt, and pepper are the only things you need. Simple but magical!.
- Make this dish to use up garden-fresh beans that you’ve canned at home or when they’re on sale at the store.
- Canned green beans, any cut
- Butter
- Onion powder
- Salt
- Pepper
For the exact amounts needed, please see the recipe card below.
How to Make Easy & Flavorful Canned Green Beans
- Green beans should have half of their liquid drained off. Add the beans to a skillet along with the half of the canning liquid that was saved.
- Add butter, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
- Cover and simmer, stirring every now and then, until almost all of the liquid has evaporated.
- Taste and adjust seasonings if necessary.
Yes, but only drain half of the liquid from the can of beans. The rest of the liquid is needed for the cooking process.
Yes! You can scale this recipe up as needed. We usually make 2 or 3 cans at a time and just adjust the seasonings accordingly.
The green beans will need to be cooked until almost all of the liquid has evaporated. Since you’re using canned green beans, they are already soft. All that’s left to do is warm them up and cook them for long enough for the seasonings to soak in.
- To make this recipe work, you need to let the liquid simmer out all the way. This helps the butter and seasonings stick to the green beans, making every bite tasty. If you don’t drain the beans, the good stuff you add will be lost when you serve them.
- A great addition to this recipe is some bacon. Because everything is better with bacon. Especially veggies. Is that an oxymoron? Never mind, dont answer that. I don’t want to be right if bacon and vegetables are wrong.
- You can make more of this recipe if you need to. We usually make two or three cans at a time and just change the seasonings to fit.
