How to Spice Up Frozen Green Beans for Maximum Flavor

Try my frozen roasted green beans for the tastiest veggie side to pair with any meal. Super easy, minimal prep, and affordable!.

Im back with another frozen veggie recipe, showing you my best tricks for a nutritious, affordable staple. In case you didnt already know, frozen vegetables are just as nutritious as fresh. They are a GREAT option for coping with food inflation right now. Here are some other reasons I love cooking with frozen veggies:

Ive already covered frozen broccoli and frozen cauliflower, so check those out if you havent already. Today were making frozen roasted green beans!.

Do not worry if you want to air fry frozen green beans; I have instructions for that too! This recipe is for people who want to use an oven instead of an air fryer. These frozen roasted green beans are cheesy, garlicky, and a have a little spicy kick. The best combo to jazz up any veggie!.

These are a quick and easy side dish that will go with lunch or dinner. No one will even know that they were frozen. Even the veggie-hater at your table will be asking for seconds.

In a large bowl, toss frozen green beans with oil, garlic and seasonings (except the Parmesan).

Once fully coated, place the beans in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake for 12 minutes.

After 12 minutes, shake the pan, sprinkle with Parmesan and bake for another 9-12 minutes. Enjoy!

If you don’t like the taste of red pepper flakes, you can leave them out. With veggies, I always recommend seasoning to your preferences, so switch up things according to your taste buds!.

These roasted green beans that are frozen can be kept in the fridge for about three days in a container that doesn’t let air in.

I suggest broiling the green beans for three minutes before serving to make them extra crispy. As always, keep an eye on them while they’re broiling to make sure they don’t burn.

Yes, you know I love my air fryer! To air fry frozen green beans, I put them in at 390F for 12 minutes and shake them half way through. I add the cheese in the last 5 minutes. Some people may need to make them more than once because they cook best when spread out in an even layer in the air fryer basket. This allows the air to circulate, resulting in the best firm and crispy texture.

The parmesan cheese will burn if it’s cooked at 450 for the whole time, so I like to add it at the end. That way, it gets nice and golden without burning!

Nutritional yeast is made from yeast that isn’t active. It tastes nutty and cheesy and is a great vegan option. Its also a great way to add more B12 and protein to your diet. Parmesan is a dairy product, so not vegan-friendly. But parmesan cheese doesn’t have lactose, so it’s great for people who can’t handle lactose. I like mixing half parmesan cheese with nutritional yeast.

Anything! Eat them with a protein source and a carb source for a well-balanced meal, or eat them by themselves for a crunchy snack! For protein, I like turkey meatballs or sesame chicken. Let me know what combos youve been liking!.

I would recommend cooking them straight from frozen for the best results. Its super simple, no extra steps required!.

Frozen green beans are a pantry staple for many home cooks. They’re affordable, last a long time in the freezer, and can be whipped up as a quick and easy side dish. However, plain frozen green beans often lack flavor and end up soggy and bland. With the right techniques and seasonings, you can transform frozen green beans into a restaurant-worthy side!

Test Different Cooking Methods

One of the biggest mistakes people make with frozen green beans is simply steaming or boiling them. This leads to mushy, waterlogged beans. Instead, try roasting, sautéing, or air frying for tender-crisp beans bursting with flavor

Roasting is one of the best cooking methods for frozen green beans. Toss the frozen beans with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Spread in a single layer on a baking sheet and roast at 425°F for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway through. The high heat helps evaporate moisture while caramelizing the exterior of the beans.

Sautéing frozen green beans in melted butter or olive oil allows you to infuse tons of flavor Sauté over medium-high heat for 6-8 minutes until heated through and slightly browned in spots Toss continuously to prevent burning, Finish with fresh lemon juice and zest,

Air frying yields similar results to roasting. Toss frozen beans in oil and seasonings, then air fry at 400°F for 10-12 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through. The beans end up tender inside with crispy browned edges.

Know Your Seasonings

Plain salt and pepper deliver mild flavor at best. To make your beans pop, experiment with dried herbs, fresh herbs, spices, citrus, and aromatics.

Dried herb blends like Italian seasoning, herbes de provence, or cajun seasoning coat the beans with intense flavor. Spice blends like garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and cayenne bring on the heat.

Fresh herbs like thyme, rosemary, parsley, and dill provide a punch of vibrant flavor. Finely chop the herbs and mix with oil before tossing with the frozen beans.

Spices like cumin, coriander, and curry powders lend exotic flair to basic green beans. Start with 1⁄2 to 1 teaspoon per pound of beans.

Brighten up your beans with a squeeze of lemon or lime juice right when they come off the heat. You can also add grated citrus zest.

Sautéed garlic, shallots, or onions infuse the beans with aromatic flavor. Cook them in oil for 1-2 minutes before adding the frozen beans.

Layer on Rich Flavors

Take your spiced up beans over the top with umami-rich mix-ins. Ingredients like cheese, nuts, bacon, and soy sauce make the beans irresistibly delicious.

Toss the hot green beans with shredded parmesan, feta, or goat cheese to create a creamy, rich side dish.

Top your beans with chopped toasted nuts like almonds, walnuts, or pecans. The crunch enhances texture.

Cook chopped bacon in the pan before sautéing the beans to infuse everything with smoky, salty flavor.

Stir in a spoonful of soy sauce, fish sauce, or miso paste for an instant hit of savory umami.

Other tasty mix-ins include sautéed mushrooms, caramelized onions, fresh basil, and a squeeze of lemon juice.

Season Beans While Cooking

Many people simply toss frozen beans with oil and throw them in the oven. While roasting works great, you’ll get even better flavor by seasoning the beans at multiple stages.

First, toss the frozen beans with a bit of oil just to coat. Then season with salt, pepper, and any dry spices or herbs. The seasonings will stick directly to the oily beans.

Partway through cooking, open the oven or air fryer and sprinkle the beans with a bit more fresh herbs or aromatics like minced garlic. This re-seasons and flavors the beans.

Finally, just before serving, add any cheese, nuts, citrus juice, or other toppings. The residual heat finishes infusing everything together.

Make a Seasoned Cooking Liquid

If you prefer cooking frozen beans in a pot on the stovetop, creating a seasoned cooking liquid is key for full flavor.

Heat oil in the pot and sauté aromatics like onion and garlic. Cook until softened but not browned.

Add your favorite herbs, spices, broth, and acid like lemon juice or vinegar. Simmer to meld the flavors.

Add the frozen beans and simmer until heated through and tender. The beans absorb all the incredible flavor.

Finish with butter or cream to enrich the pot liquid. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Sample Spice Blends for Frozen Green Beans

Get inspired by these tasty seasoning combos that transform frozen green beans from bland to dynamic:

  • Garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, cayenne pepper, lemon zest
  • Italian seasoning, fennel seeds, grated parmesan
  • Dried thyme, ground coriander, Dijon mustard, lemon juice
  • Curry powder, ground cumin, toasted almonds, raisins
  • Chili powder, cumin, cilantro, lime zest, cotija cheese
  • Rosemary, smoked paprika, brown butter, pine nuts
  • Cajun seasoning, sautéed peppers and onions, hot sauce

The possibilities are endless when it comes to seasoning frozen green beans! With the right cooking techniques and bold flavors, you can enjoy restaurant-caliber beans without all the work. Get creative with herbs, spices, aromatics, acids, and toppings to take your side dish from boring to sensational.

Frequency of Entities:
frozen green beans: 23
seasonings: 11
herbs: 6
spices: 6
cooking methods: 5
lemon: 4
garlic: 3
cheese: 3
onion: 2
nuts: 2
bacon: 2
soy sauce: 2
citrus: 2
pepper: 2
oil: 2
aromatics: 2
toss: 1
crispy: 1
tender-crisp: 1
roasting: 1
sautéing: 1
air frying: 1
dried herbs: 1
italian seasoning: 1
herbes de provence: 1
cajun seasoning: 1
garlic powder: 1
onion powder: 1
paprika: 1
cayenne: 1
fresh herbs: 1
thyme: 1
rosemary: 1
parsley: 1
dill: 1
cumin: 1
coriander: 1
curry powder: 1
zest: 1
juice: 1
shallots: 1
parmesan: 1
feta: 1
goat cheese: 1
almonds: 1
walnuts: 1
pecans: 1
mushrooms: 1
caramelized onions: 1
basil: 1
broth: 1
vinegar: 1
butter: 1
cream: 1
salt: 1
pepper: 1
fennel seeds: 1
dijon mustard: 1
cilantro: 1
lime zest: 1
cotija cheese: 1
peppers: 1
onions: 1
hot sauce: 1

how to spice up frozen green beans

More Easy Veggie Recipes

Im determined to show everyone that veggies (frozen or fresh) are super tasty if you cook them right. These are some of my go-to recipes:

PS. I love seeing my recipes in action! If you decide to make these frozen roasted green beans, dont forget to snap a photo and tag me on Instagram- @nourishedbynic or leave a comment and rating below letting me know how you liked it!

how to spice up frozen green beans

How To Cook: Frozen Green Beans – Easy, Tasty Recipe

FAQ

What can I add to green beans for flavor?

I added some sliced onion sautéed along with the green beans, added some garlic paste from the tube (Gourmet Garden®), some freshly-ground black pepper, and a healthy sprinkle of lemon pepper.

How do I jazz up green beans?

Then, I toss the blanched beans with olive oil, lemon juice and zest, garlic, and salt to pep up their flavor. Serve them just like that, or dress them up more with toasted almonds or pine nuts, grated Parmesan cheese, red pepper flakes, or fresh herbs like basil, parsley, or thyme.

Should frozen green beans be thawed before cooking?

Cook Straight from Frozen: There’s no need to thaw your green beans before cooking. They can go directly from the freezer to the pan, which helps retain their crunch and color. Avoid Overcooking: Green beans should be cooked until they’re just tender.

What can you do to can green beans to make them taste better?

Pour the green beans and the reserved half of the canning liquid into a skillet. Add butter, onion powder, salt and pepper. Simmer, uncovered and stirring occasionally, until almost all of the cooking liquid has evaporated. Taste and adjust seasonings if necessary.

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