Canned green beans are a pantry staple that can be transformed into all kinds of delicious dishes. If you’re looking for new ways to use up a can of green beans, you’re in luck. From casseroles and soups to salads, pasta, and more, canned green beans work great in a variety of recipes.
In this article I’ll share 19 creative recipe ideas to help you get inspired about what to make with canned green beans. You’ll find everything from classic green bean casserole to innovative new flavor pairings. Let’s dive in!
Why Cook with Canned Green Beans?
Canned green beans offer a few advantages that make them perfect for cooking
- Affordable – Much cheaper alternative to fresh green beans
- Convenient – No washing, trimming, or prepping required
- Versatile – Use in both hot and cold dishes
- Nutritious – Low in calories and packed with vitamins A, C, K
- Long-lasting – Unopened cans can be stored up to 2 years
When you need an easy veggie to incorporate into weeknight dinners or potlucks, grab a can of green beans. Their mild flavor takes on the seasonings and ingredients they’re cooked with beautifully.
19 Recipe Ideas for Canned Green Beans
From classic comfort foods to creative new flavor combinations here are 19 recipes to make with a trusty can of green beans
1. Green Bean Casserole
This potluck favorite combines green beans, cream of mushroom soup, and fried onions for irresistible flavor.
2. Cheesy Baked Green Beans
Simply mix drained green beans with cheddar, Parmesan, or other shredded cheese and bake until gooey.
3. Green Bean Salad
Chill canned beans, dice onions and tomatoes, drizzle with a vinaigrette for a quick & easy cold salad.
4. Green Bean Pasta
Saute green beans with olive oil, garlic, and cooked pasta shapes for an easy veggie dinner.
5. Green Bean and Sausage Skillet
Brown sausage with green beans, garlic, broth, and seasonings for a fast one-pan meal.
6. Green Bean Fritters
Puree canned green beans into falafel-like veggie fritters, then pan fry for a crispy snack or side.
7. Green Bean Soup
Simmer green beans with veggie or chicken broth, cream, and seasonings, then blend into a velvety soup.
8. Green Bean Fried Rice
Stir canned green beans into leftover rice with eggs, soy sauce, sesame oil, and other favorite fried rice fixings.
9. Green Bean Enchiladas
Fill tortillas with green beans, enchilada sauce, cheese and bake for an easy Tex-Mex meal.
10. Green Bean Wraps
Wrap chilled green beans in tortillas with hummus, feta, and spinach for a fresh veggie lunch.
11. Green Bean Quesadillas
Warm canned green beans, cheese, and salsa between tortillas until melted for easy quesadillas.
12. Green Bean Omelet
Add green beans, cheese, and any other omelet favorites to a fluffy egg omelet.
13. Green Bean & Potato Hash
Saute green beans with potatoes, onion, spices, and oil for a hearty veggie hash.
14. Green Bean Dip
Blend canned green beans into a tangy dip with Greek yogurt, garlic, lemon, and fresh herbs.
15. Green Bean Casserole Dip
Puree green beans, cream cheese, and fried onions into a dip with all the flavors of classic casserole.
16. Green Bean Tacos
Mix spiced green beans with taco meat or beans and pile high on crunchy taco shells.
17. Green Bean Pizza
Top homemade or store-bought pizza crust with green beans, mozzarella, tomato sauce, and any other favorite toppings.
18. Green Bean Stir Fry
Stir fry canned green beans with beef, chicken, or tofu plus classic Asian aromatics like ginger and garlic.
19. Green Bean & Chickpea Stew
Simmer green beans, chickpeas, and seasonings in tomato sauce for a hearty vegetarian stew.
Tips for Cooking with Canned Green Beans
Canned green beans are pre-cooked, so just heat through or chill and incorporate into recipes. Here are some tips:
- Rinse beans before use to remove excess sodium
- Roast or sauté over medium heat to enhance texture
- Season with garlic, olive oil, herbs, spices, cheese, etc to boost flavor
- Bake into casseroles, stir into pasta, rice, and hash recipes
- Chill and add to cold salads, wraps, tacos, and dip
- Pair with potatoes, eggs, cheese, chicken, or sausage
With the right seasonings and ingredients, ordinary canned green beans can transform into something delicious. Try out some of these tasty recipes next time you need a quick and easy vegetable side.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are some classic recipes using canned green beans?
Some classic canned green bean recipes include green bean casserole, cheesy baked green beans, and green bean salad. Canned green beans are also great in soups, pastas, tacos, hashes, and more.
What ingredients go well with canned green beans?
Cheese, butter, garlic, olive oil, eggs, chicken, sausage, potatoes, rice, pasta, and onions all pair nicely with green beans. Season with herbs like parsley, basil, oregano, or spices like paprika, cumin, chili powder.
How do you make canned green beans taste better?
Rinse canned beans, then roast, sauté, or bake with oil, garlic, onions, broth, bacon, spices, cheese, etc. to boost flavor. Avoid overcooking.
Can you eat canned green beans cold?
Yes, canned green beans can be chilled and used cold in salads, wraps, tacos, and dip recipes without cooking. Their mild flavor takes well to vinaigrettes and creamy dips.
Are canned green beans already fully cooked?
Yes, canned green beans are fully cooked and tender during the canning process. They can be eaten right out of the can without additional cooking.
Canned green beans are one of the most versatile canned vegetables. With a little creativity, you can transform them into easy, delicious meals the whole family will love. Try out some of these tasty recipes next time you crack open a can.
Final Thoughts
Canned green beans deserve more credit than just being a plain vegetable side dish. With the right seasonings and ingredients, they can be turned into tasty casseroles, salads, skillet meals, tacos, dips, and more. Their mild flavor pairs beautifully with cheese, garlic, spices, chicken, eggs, rice, pasta, and so much more. So next time you have a can of green beans, don’t stop at just heating and serving – try out one of these 19 delicious recipes to see just how versatile they can be!
How to Dress Up Canned Green Beans: Delicious Recipes and Tips for a Flavorful Twist Are you tired of plain canned green beans? Whether you’re looking to add a bit of flair to your everyday meals or impress your dinner guests, transforming these humble pantry staples into a delectable dish is easier than you think.
We’ll look at some creative ways to dress up canned green beans so they become the star of any meal in this post. You’ll never look at canned green beans the same way again after reading this. I can’t wait to share it with you!
- 1 can of Green Beans, drained
- 1 tsp Garlic, mined
- 2 Tbsp Olive Oil
- 1/4 cup Parmesan Cheese
- Salt and Pepper, to taste
- Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
- Add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant.
- After you add the drained green beans, cook for about 5 minutes while stirring every now and then.
- Add salt and pepper to the beans, then sprinkle Parmesan cheese on top.
- Keep cooking for two more minutes, or until the cheese melts and the beans are hot all the way through.
- Serve warm.
Green Beans with Bacon and Onions
Bacon and Onions add rich, smoky flavor that pairs perfectly with green beans.
INGREDIENTS:
- 1 can of Green Beans, drained
- 4 slices of Bacon, chopped
- 1 small Onion, diced
- Salt and Pepper, to taste
- Warm up the bacon in a big pan over medium-low heat until it gets crispy.
- Take the bacon out of the pan and set it aside. Leave the bacon fat in the pan.
- Put the diced onion in the pan and cook it until it turns clear.
- Stir the green beans around in the bacon fat and onions after adding them to the pan.
- Cook for 5-7 minutes until the beans are heated through.
- Add the cooked bacon, season with salt and pepper, and serve.
- 1 can of Green Beans, drained
- 1/4 cup sliced almonds
- 2 Tbsp Butter
- Juice of 1 Lemon
- Salt and pepper to taste
- In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat.
- Add the sliced almonds and sauté until golden brown.
- For about 5 minutes, until the green beans are warm, add them to the pan.
- Squeeze the lemon juice over the beans and almonds
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve Immediately.
- 1 can of Green Beans, drained
- 1 Tbsp Olive Oil
- 1 Tbsp Soy Sauce
- 1 tsp Sriracha Sauce
- 1 tsp Honey
- 1 tsp Minced Garlic
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
- Add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant.
- In a small bowl, mix soy sauce, sriracha, and honey.
- Put the green beans in the pan and then pour the sauce over them.
- Stir the beans every once in a while for 5 to 7 minutes, or until they are heated through and well coated.
- Serve Hot!
4. PRO TIPS FOR THE BEST GREEN BEANS:
- Rinse and Drain: Always rinse and drain canned beans to get rid of extra salt and make them taste better.
- Season Generously: Dont be afraid to season your beans well. Adding herbs and spices like thyme, pepper, and smoked paprika can make a big difference.
- Texture is Important: To add some crunch, try putting toasted nuts or bread crumbs on top of your beans.
Canned Green beans dont have to be boring! With these easy and delicious recipes you can quickly elevate them to a dish thats full of flavor and sure to please any palate. Try these ideas at your next mea and watch your canned green beans transform from simple to sensational. And as always… Happy Eatin Yall!~ The Kitchen Wife~