What Goes Well with Green Beans? 30 Delicious Pairings

Here are 15 of the best main dish recipes that go well with fresh green beans, along with my 6-minute green bean cooking method that never fails.

Green beans go well with a lot of different foods. They taste great cooked, frozen, string, or in the classic green bean casserole.

I think green beans are one of the best side dishes out there. You can find them in grocery stores all year and at farm stands in the summer.

This recipe is simple and ensures that the green beans are always cooked just right, between soft and crisp.

This is a simple recipe for a side dish that goes with almost anything. It’s mostly about how to cook it.

Green beans should be rinsed and then have the ends cut off. Kids can help by snapping the ends off.

The beans should be in a large skillet. Add 1/4 cup of water so that the water doesn’t cover the beans.

Once the water starts boiling, reduce the heat to medium/medium-low and simmer 3 minutes stirring occasionally.

After 3 minutes, take off the lid, add the butter, and season with salt (black pepper is optional). Cook over medium heat for 1 to 2 minutes, stirring every now and then, until the water is gone and the beans are soft but crisp.

You don’t have to serve this side dish at Thanksgiving, but it goes well with a lot of other foods too.

Juicy, melt-in-your-mouth tender beef tenderloin with red wine au jus. Makes a show-stopping meal perfect for entertaining.

This easy one pot ground Beef Stroganoff is not your mama’s Hamburger Helper. It’s loaded with fresh mushrooms, ground beef and egg noodles in a rich sour creamy sauce.

There are so many great flavors in this pork, and it only takes 20 minutes to make. The balsamic vinegar glaze is also very tasty.

This easy chicken marinade is made with Greek yogurt, olive oil, and fresh herbs for a classic Greek taste.

It only takes 10 minutes to air fry these ground turkey meatballs with Italian breadcrumbs and parmesan cheese. They are juicy and taste great.

Grilled Mediterranean Salmon cubes skewered with vegetables and lemon slices and basted with a bright, lemony garlic-herb sauce.

Fresh cod breaded with seasoned panko-parmesan cheese baked until flaky, golden and every bite crispy delicious.

Check out how I make jarred alfredo taste like it was made from scratch! Serve with fresh green beans for a quick and easy weeknight meal.

Use golden pan seared scallops or your favorite seafood — along with a side of fresh green beans!

4-ingredient, 20 minute Pesto Pasta with sun dried tomatoes and herby pesto. Outrageously good and couldn’t be easier!

Green beans are a versatile vegetable that can be served as a side or incorporated into main dishes. Their fresh green flavor pairs well with a variety of ingredients. Here are 30 delicious options for what to serve with green beans.

Complementary Vegetables

Green beans pair nicely with other crisp, fresh vegetables:

Carrots – Shredded carrots add color and natural sweetness. Toss them raw into a green bean salad or roast them with green beans.
Tomatoes – Cherry or grape tomatoes add juiciness. They work well in green bean salads with a vinaigrette dressing.
Onions – Sliced red, yellow or green onions add texture and flavor. Saute green beans and onions for a simple side dish.
Potatoes – Roast green beans and potato wedges drizzled with olive oil and herbs Or make an easy potato salad with green beans.
Celery – Diced celery stalks give crunch Add to potato salad or toss raw into green bean salad,
Radishes – Thinly sliced radishes add peppery flavor. Use in salad or as crudite with green bean dip.
Fennel – Shaved fennel bulbs have a light anise flavor. Toss with blanched green beans and lemon dressing.

Fresh Herbs and Spices

Herbs and spices really make green beans pop:

Parsley – Chopped fresh parsley gives fresh flavor. Sprinkle over any green bean dish.
Dill – The quintessential pairing with green beans. Use chopped dill in potato salad with green beans.
Tarragon – The licorice taste complements green beans. Add to salads, sauteed beans, casseroles.
Mint – Fresh mint brightens up the flavor. Toss into salad or mix into a green bean dip.
Oregano – Earthy oregano adds richness. Sprinkle on roasted or grilled green beans.
Thyme – Lemony thyme accentuates the beans. Add to green bean casseroles and sautes.
Rosemary – Woodsy rosemary enhances the beans’ flavors. Toss whole sprigs into roasting pan.

Savory Proteins

Hearty proteins pair nicely with green bean sides:

Beef – Grilled steak, meatloaf, or meatballs. Hearty and robust.
Pork – Try baked ham, pork chops, or sliced sausage. Rich and savory.
Chicken – Roasts, breasts, or thighs. Lean and versatile protein.
Turkey – Slices, cutlets, or sausage. Lighter pairing with green beans.
Lamb – Chops or roast lamb alongside green beans. Strong flavored.
Seafood – Grilled salmon, shrimp, or scallops. Lighter and fresh.
Eggs – Hard boiled, deviled, or baked. Traditional pairing.

Satisfying Starches

Starchy sides also complement fresh green beans:

Rice – White or brown rice fills out the meal. Toss rice with beans.
Pasta – Try short pasta shapes like penne. Bake green beans with pasta.
Potatoes – Mashed, boiled, roasted or fried potatoes. Comfort food.
Bread – Rolls, biscuits, or slices for dipping in juices. Soaks up flavors.
Couscous – Fluffy couscous complements texture. Mix in green bean saute.
Quinoa – Protein-rich quinoa rounds out the dish. Chill quinoa salad with green beans.

Nuts and Seeds

Nuts and seeds add crunch and richness:

Almonds – Slivered or chopped almonds. Classic with green beans.
Pecans – Toasted pecans add nuttiness. Sprinkle on salads, sautees, casseroles.
Walnuts – Walnut halves lend woodsy flavor. Toss on roasted beans.
Pine nuts – Pine nuts accentuate the green flavor. Add to sauteed beans.
Sunflower seeds – Crunchy sunflower seeds boost nutrition. Sprinkle on all dishes.
Pumpkin seeds – Pepitas add earthiness and crunch. Top salads or roasted beans.

Tangy Dairy

Rich, tangy dairy contrasts nicely with green beans:

Cheese – Feta, Parmesan, cheddar, goat. Sprinkle on beans or add to dips.
Yogurt – Greek yogurt-based dips and dressings. Creamy tang.
Sour cream – As topping, dressing ingredient, or mix-in to dips.
Buttermilk – Tangy addition to dressings paired with green beans.
Cream cheese – Use in green bean dips and casseroles. Smooth and rich.

Sweet Accents

A touch of sweetness highlights green beans’ flavors:

Maple syrup – Drizzle over roasted green beans along with spices.
Honey – Mix into salad dressings, glazes, or sauces for green beans.
Dried fruit – Cranberries, apricots, cherries. Add dried fruit to salads.
Apples – Slices or slivers add juiciness. Toss into salad combinations.
Pears – Diced pears work well in salad too. Sweet crunch.

Green beans are extremely versatile. Mix and match complementary ingredients from this list for delicious bean pairings!

what goes well with green beans

TASTY ADDITIONS TO GREEN BEANS:

Once you make green beans again, here are some ways to make them taste different.

parmesan cheese
sauteed mushrooms
soy sauce
red peppers
ground beef
teriyaki sauce
juicy tomatoes
lemon zest
new potatoes
red pepper flakes

You can also roast green beans in the oven. Just add olive oil, salt, and pepper, and then put them back in an oven set to 425F for 15 minutes.

Make friends with me on FACEBOOK, follow me on INSTAGRAM, and look for all of my recipes on PINTEREST!

SUBSCRIBE here ⇓ for all the latest recipes directly to your email box.

If you make the sautéed green beans recipe or any other main dish recipe, please rate it with stars and leave a comment.

what goes well with green beans

Best Ever Southern Style Green Beans w/ Potatoes

FAQ

What is compatible with green beans?

Growing Beans – Companion Plants In addition to the Three Sisters (beans, corn, and squash), other plants that thrive alongside beans are cucumber, eggplant, radishes, marigold, nasturtium, rosemary, and potato, which deter pests and improve flavor.

What protein goes well with green beans?

First things first: Green beans might just be the easiest vegetable to cook up as a healthy side dish for your favorite proteins, especially pork, tofu, and steak.

What to eat with green beans?

You can enjoy a fresh green bean salad with feta cheese and tangy dressing (and any of your other favorite salad ingredients). This is an ideal recipe for spring and summer and the perfect versatile dish to make your own. This Italian salad features green beans, tuna, olives, potatoes, and vinegary dressing.

What type of beans should one eat?

The most healthy beans are chickpeas, lentils, peas, kidney beans, black beans, soybeans, pinto beans, and navy beans. They contain a lot of fiber and proteins.

What is a good side dish to serve with green beans?

Fresh rosemary brings sophisticated flavor to this wholesome favorite. Fresh is better, especially when it comes to fresh green bean recipes. The colorful combination of green beans, tender beets, and savory shallots makes this side dish a stunner. Add crunchy walnuts and a sprinkling of salty feta cheese to make this one-pan crowd-pleaser.

What meat goes with green beans?

Whether you enjoy it roasted, smoked, or fried, turkey is always an ideal meat to serve with green beans! And there’s nothing more traditional than turkey served with green bean casserole for Thanksgiving! Chicken breasts are a similar meat to turkey. And they also pair well with green beans.