Here’s how to make the best grilled green beans! Each bite is soft and full of salty, charred flavor; you can’t stop eating them!
When it comes to grilling vegetables, we’ve tried them all. (Almost. And this vegetable caught us off guard: grilled green beans! It turns out that the grill is the best way to cook this green summer vegetable. Take a bite and it’s tender, with a burst of sweet, tangy, salty and charred flavor.
We love this recipe because the grilled green beans are just as addicting as French fries! We ate a whole platter in no time and then thought, “Why don’t we make grilled green beans more often?” They’re now in our repertoire, and we hope you’ll add them to yours too.
Unlock The Secret To Perfectly Grilled Fresh Green Beans
As an avid griller, you know the key to making incredible food over an open flame lies in the freshness of ingredients. When it comes to veggies, grilling fresh picks at the peak of flavor takes your cookout favorites to new heights. If you’re seeking a tasty new grilled veggie to add into your repertoire, look no further than fresh green beans. These crisp, verdant bean pods shine when kissed by a sear and smoke, transforming into irresistible bites. Read on to discover the perks of grilling fresh green beans along with tips for grilling them to absolute perfection.
The Appeal of Grilling Fresh Green Beans
Green beans fresh from the garden or farmers market offer a few advantages when grilling compared to their packaged counterparts:
Superior Texture – Fresh green beans have a firm, snappy texture perfect for holding up on the grill without turning mushy. Older green beans tend to be more limp.
More Flavor – The vibrant, grassy flavor of just-picked green beans can’t be beat. As green beans sit after harvest, they lose flavor.
Fewer Pesticides – Fresh green beans may have less pesticide residue compared to conventional store-bought varieties Always wash before grilling,
Higher Nutrients – When green beans are more freshly harvested, they retain more vitamins and minerals like vitamins C, K, and A.
More Visually Appealing – Fresh green beans sport a beautiful, bright green color that looks fantastic on a platter. Old beans look duller.
As you can see, seeking out fresh green beans is worth the effort. But what’s the best way to grill fresh green beans to maximize their stellar flavor and texture? Read on for pro tips.
How to Select Fresh Green Beans for Grilling
Not all fresh green beans are created equal when it comes to grilling. Here’s how to select beans that will shine:
Look for slender, pencil-sized beans. Thicker beans may not cook through.
See vibrant, green color without brown spots. Avoid yellowing beans.
Pick firm, crisp beans that snap when bent. Pass on limp, flexible beans.
Inspect for bruises, holes or discoloration. Bean pods should be pristine.
Feel weight in your hand. Fresh beans will feel substantial, not light.
Purchase beans with stems intact if possible. Stems help retain moisture.
With these tips, you can identify the freshest green beans for grilling success.
Pro Tips For Grilling Fresh Green Beans
Follow these pro tips and tricks to coax the most flavor out of fresh green beans on the grill:
Trim just the stem end. Leave tails intact to prevent moisture loss.
Toss beans in oil before grilling to prevent sticking. Use olive, avocado or nut oil.
Grill on a hot grill around 400°F to quickly sear and char.
Place beans perpendicular to grates to prevent them falling through.
Flip frequently, about every 2 minutes, for even cooking.
Pull beans off grill when slightly firm but beginning to wrinkle.
After grilling, spritz with lemon and season with salt and pepper.
Avoid overcrowding beans on the grill or they’ll steam instead of sear.
With these pro tips, you’ll achieve perfectly charred and caramelized fresh green beans kissed by smoke flavor.
Mistakes to Avoid When Grilling Fresh Green Beans
To take your grilled fresh green beans to the next level, steer clear of these common pitfalls:
Grilling limp, old green beans instead of fresh, crisp ones.
Leaving beans over direct high heat too long, charring them to a crisp.
Failing to oil beans so they stick to the grill grates.
Overcrowding the grill so the beans steam rather than char.
Undercooking beans so they are crunchy instead of tender.
Forgetting to season beans after grilling for optimal flavor.
By avoiding these missteps and following the best practices, your fresh green beans will shine on the grill.
The Best Ways to Flavor Grilled Fresh Green Beans
The beauty of grilled fresh green beans is that they require little adornment to taste amazing. That said, you can always amp up flavors before or after grilling if desired:
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Toss or spritz beans with fresh lemon juice and zest.
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Brush or drizzle with pesto, chimichurri or herb oil before grilling.
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Season with garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika or chili powder.
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After grilling, sprinkle with crumbled feta, goat cheese or Parmesan.
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Drizzle with balsamic glaze, maple syrup, honey or brown butter sauce.
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Garnish grilled beans with toasted nuts like almonds, pine nuts or walnuts.
Let your imagination run wild playing with flavors to complement the grill’s smoky char.
Incredible Ways to Serve Grilled Fresh Green Beans
Searching for ways to showcase your grilled fresh green beans? Here are some mouthwatering recipes to try:
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Toss grilled green beans with quinoa or farro for a protein-packed salad.
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Pair grilled beans with juicy grilled chicken breasts for next-level dinner.
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Pile grilled beans on top of arugula salad with feta and tomato.
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Serve grilled beans alongside tender grilled flank steak.
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Mound grilled beans on hummus toast for an easy appetizer.
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Add grilled green beans to sheet pan meals with chicken sausage.
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Toss beans while warm with pesto pasta and shaved Parmesan.
However you serve them up, grilled fresh green beans make for an irresistible addition to any plate.
Storing and Reheating Leftover Grilled Fresh Green Beans
Have leftover grilled fresh green beans? Here are some storage and reheating tips:
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Let beans cool completely before storing to prevent condensation buildup.
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Store grilled beans in an airtight container for 3 to 5 days.
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Frozen grilled beans keep for 2 to 3 months in a freezer bag.
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Reheat grilled beans in the microwave, toaster oven or skillet until hot.
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Add a splash of water or oil when reheating to restore moisture.
With proper storage, you can enjoy the fruits of your grilling labor all week long!
Unlock Endless Grilled Fresh Green Bean Possibilities
When you use fresh, crisp green beans, the possibilities are endless for grilling up this versatile veggie. Follow the tips here to achieve charred, smoky green beans kissed by live fire flavor. Grilling transforms ordinary green beans into an extraordinary side or salad ingredient perfect for any summertime spread. So fire up the grill and get ready to experience the magic of grilled fresh green beans!
Ingredients for grilled green beans
The grill is the best way to cook green beans, and you only need a few things to make them taste great. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Pick fresh green beans that are firm, bright, and have few blemishes. These will hold their shape best on the grill.
- Olive oil: When we grill, we use olive oil.
- Lemon and salt: We like to add salt and fresh lemon juice to these beans to make them taste better.
A quick way to trim green beans
Trimming green beans is one of the prep steps I find most unexciting (not sure why!). That’s why Alex and I came up with a quick way to do it so you don’t have to spend hours snapping off the pieces. Here’s the fast way to trim green beans:
- Put 15 to 20 beans on the cutting board. Quickly stack them all in a straight line along the length of the pile. They don’t all need to be facing the same way! .
- Place the ends of the beans next to the edge of your knife. Hold them in one hand and use a knife to cut off the ends.
- Quickly turn the beans over and push them toward the blade of your knife so that the other ends line up. Grab the pile and slice off the ends.
Grill healthy Green Beans in just minutes
FAQ
Can you cook green beans without blanching them first?
Can you cook green beans raw?
Should I soak fresh green beans before cooking?
Can you cook green beans on a grill?
Yes, you can cook fresh green beans on the grill! You just need a handy tool to ensure you don’t lose all your beans through the grill grates. If you don’t already have a grilling basket, I highly suggest getting one pronto. It’s the easiest and slickest way to cook vegetables (and more) on a grill.
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.
Do you need a grill Basket for grilled green beans?
A nice thing about grilled green beans: you can place them directly on the oven grates! There’s no need for a grill basket. If you do have a grill basket, you can also use it: it just results in less charred green beans. Our preferred method is the grates: we love the char marks!
Can You Grill green beans without a grill mat?
Green beans are such a versatile vegetable side dish, they pair well with any meat, seafood or even vegetarian protein like crispy air fryer tofu or marinated baked tempeh. If you don’t have a grill mat and don’t want to risk losing half your green beans to the grates, there are a couple other options for grilling the beans.