This easy seasoned green beans recipe is made from simple ingredients that pack in BIG flavor. You’ll love this easy green bean seasoning!.
Green beans are one of my favorite vegetable side dishes. Adding green beans to your meal is simple and fun, and there are lots of different ways to season them.
Today I’m sharing an easy green beans recipe that uses simple seasonings to make a big impact. This easy side dish can be made during the week, but it’s also fancy enough to serve for Easter, Thanksgiving, or Christmas.
They go really well with our Gluten-Free Spaghetti or Meatloaf. You could also serve them with a Glazed Ham or roasted chicken and mashed potatoes.
If I don’t have bacon, I like to season green beans this way. I also like green bean casserole and smothered green beans with bacon.
Green beans are one of those super versatile veggies that can be served as a side for almost any meal Unfortunately, plain boiled or steamed beans often end up bland and boring But with just a few simple tricks, you can transform ordinary green beans into irresistibly delicious showstoppers!
This comprehensive guide shares 12 amazingly effective ways to make green beans pop with mouthwatering flavor. With techniques like seasoning, cooking methods, and mix-ins, you’ll never settle for mediocre beans again. Keep reading to become a green bean taste expert!
Start with Quality Beans
Opting for the freshest, highest-quality green beans is the first step to amazing flavor. Here’s what to look for
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Bright color – Vibrant green with no signs of yellowing shows freshness. Avoid beans with brown spots.
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Crisp snap – Look for beans that snap cleanly when bent, not limp ones. Snappier means more flavor.
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Smaller beans – Petite beans cook quicker and tend to be more tender. Larger beans can be fibrous.
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Even sizing – For even cooking, choose beans similar in size. Avoid bags with lots of irregular shapes.
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Unwashed – Pre-rinsing washes away flavor. You’ll wash them anyway before cooking.
Seeking out the freshest green bean bunches results in the biggest taste payoff
Season Generously
Don’t be shy with seasoning green beans while cooking. Beans absorb flavors readily. Seasonings to try:
- Kosher salt and black pepper
- Onion powder, garlic powder, paprika
- Dried herbs like oregano, basil, thyme
- Spice blends like Italian seasoning, herbes de Provence
- Grated citrus zest
- Finely minced garlic and shallot
Sauté or Roast for Depth
Sautéing or roasting green beans caramelizes their sugars, developing rich flavors.
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Sauté with olive oil over medium-high heat until lightly browned.
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Roast at 400°F on a baking sheet with oil for 15-20 minutes until tender and browned in spots.
Simmer in Broth
Cooking beans in broth infuses them with savory flavor. Try chicken, beef or veggie broth. For extra depth, add aromatics like garlic, onion and herbs. Simmer until beans reach desired tenderness.
Toss with Pasta
Blanch green beans briefly, then toss with hot pasta. The starchy cooking water clings to beans, adding flavor. Serve with cheese, tomatoes, basil and garlic bread.
Marinate in Vinaigrette
Steamed or boiled beans take well to bold vinaigrettes. For Italian flavor, marinate in balsamic vinaigrette with garlic and herbs. For Greek, soak in lemon vinaigrette with feta cheese. The possibilities are endless!
Accent with Bacon
Everything’s better with bacon! Cook bacon until crisp, break into pieces, then sauté beans in the rendered bacon fat. Crumble the bacon over the finished beans.
Spice It Up
Jazz up boring beans with cajun seasoning, crushed red pepper, chili powder, cumin or curry powder. Add the spice when sautéing or steaming beans. Start with 1/4 teaspoon and adjust to your taste.
Garnish with Nuts
Toasted nuts like almonds, pecans or walnuts add appealing crunch and nutty flavor. Rough chop and sprinkle over cooked beans before serving. You can also toss nuts right into a hot bean sauté.
Top with Cheese
Melted cheese takes beans up a notch. Cheddar, feta, parmesan, goat and blue cheese all pair deliciously. Add shredded cheese at the end of cooking so it melts into the beans.
Blend with Creamy Ingredients
Stir in a dollop of yogurt, sour cream, cream cheese or silken tofu when cooking green beans. The richness nicely offsets the vegetal flavor. Greek yogurt is especially delicious.
Purée for Creamy Beans
For ultra creamy beans, purée cooked beans with olive oil and cream. Reheat gently to create a decadent potato topper or unique dip. Add garlic, herbs and spices for extra dimensions of flavor.
With these handy tips, you can easily transform green beans from boring to bodacious. Experiment with combinations to discover your family’s favorites. Get ready to fall in love with green beans all over again!
FAQ + Tips And Tricks For The Best Seasoned Green Beans
Yes, you can use this seasoning on frozen green beans instead of fresh ones because they are picked at their best and frozen quickly to keep all of their nutrients. Feel free to use frozen green beans instead!.
Can I season canned green beans with this? Yes, but to keep them from getting too salty, I suggest buying green beans with little or no salt added.
Other Ways To Cook Green Beans. I’ve shared methods for steamed or sauteed green beans above, but if you like, you can use this same seasoning for air fryer green beans or roasted green beans!
For Steamed Green Beans
- Wash & Trim Your Green Beans. Let the green beans soak in cool water for a while to get rid of any dirt or grit. Shake the pot gently to get rid of any extra water, then trim the beans. Cut off any stringy ends at the top or bottom of your beans with a sharp knife. If you want, you can then cut them into bite-sized pieces.
- Put 1-2 inches of water in a 3-quart saucepan and put the steamer basket inside it. The water in the steamer basket shouldn’t get all the way to the bottom.
- Steam The Beans. Make the water boil. Place the lid on top and steam for 5 to 7 minutes, or until the meat is cooked the way you like it.
- Finish & Season. Taking the steamer basket out of the pot slowly, drain the water, and then add the greens back into the pot or put them on a plate or bowl. Add butter, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder, and toss until everything is covered.
- Serve & Store. If you make these beans, eat them warm within two hours. If you have leftovers, put them in an airtight container and put them in the fridge for 3, 4 days.
EASY Canned Green Beans Recipe – how to cook canned green beans
FAQ
What can I add to green beans for flavor?
How can I enhance my green bean flavor?
How can I jazz up green beans?
What can you do to can green beans to make them taste better?
How do you make green beans taste better?
Garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, salt, and pepper are all fantastic additions to make your green beans taste fresh and delicious. 6. Bacon Everything tastes better with bacon, canned green beans included. The bacon adds a smoky and meaty flavor to the beans, hiding that mediocre canned taste.
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.
How do you make green beans taste cheesy?
Give your beans a creamy, cheesy, and nutty flavor by adding parmesan or Asiago cheese. This will cover up the canned taste well and will fool anyone into thinking you used fresh beans. To make, add butter in a skillet, then add the drained and cooked green beans and stir until the butter melts. Stir in the cheese and add your choice of seasonings.
How do you make canned green beans taste fresh?
**Squeeze of Lemon Juice:** Freshen up the taste of canned green beans with a squeeze of lemon juice. The acidity helps cut through any canning flavors and gives them a vibrant, fresh taste. 8. **Cook with Fresh Ingredients:** Complement the canned green beans with fresh ingredients.