If you like green beans, I think you will love this recipe for herbed green beans too.
I absolutely hated green beans when I was a kid. My mom was one of those moms who said, “If you live in this house, you can eat just one spoonful of anything.” I thank her for that. Green beans are now one of my favorite vegetables and I eat them all the time.
I love finding different ways to serve green beans. Because they go well with a lot of different flavors, you can serve them with many different foods.
And cooking green beans is so easy. Have a look at the easy cooking instructions. I love easy vegetable recipes like this that taste fabulous but take very little time to cook.
Green beans are a versatile vegetable that can be prepared in endless ways. From steaming to roasting, sautéing to pickling, there are so many options for cooking green beans. While plain green beans are tasty on their own, herbs can take them to the next level and really make the flavors pop.
Certain herbs pair particularly well with green beans and complement their flavor profile perfectly. When choosing herbs for green beans, opt for ones that will enhance, rather than overpower, the vegetable’s delicate taste. The key is finding a balance of flavors that allows both the herb and the green bean to shine.
Here are some of the best herbs to use with green beans and tips for pairing them
Fines Herbes
Fines herbes is a classic French herb blend that works beautifully with green beans. It typically contains parsley, chives, tarragon, and chervil. These herbs have a light, delicate flavor that won’t overwhelm the green beans.
Chives offer a subtle oniony note while tarragon has an anise-like licorice taste Parsley and chervil add a touch of freshness and balance Try fines herbes with steamed or blanched green beans for a simple side dish. The herbs can be chopped and sprinkled on at the end.
Herbs de Provence
Another French-inspired herbal mix, herbs de Provence contains parsley, thyme, marjoram, and sometimes lavender. These Mediterranean herbs have a warming flavor that complements green beans nicely.
Use herbs de Provence when roasting green beans. Toss the beans with olive oil, salt, pepper, and a sprinkle of the herb blend. Roast at 400°F until tender and browned in spots. The heat of the oven will bring out the herbs’ aromas.
Parsley, Mint, and Dill
For lighter dishes, a mix of parsley, mint, and dill makes an excellent pairing with green beans. Chop the fresh herbs together and add them to a lemon and olive oil dressing for a green bean salad. You can also sprinkle them over blanched green beans.
The cool, grassy flavor of the herbs contrasts with the vegetal taste of the beans. Mint and dill add nice fresh overtones while the parsley balances it out. Serve this bright, tangy green bean salad as a side for grilled meat or fish.
Italian Herbs
Italian seasoning blends work magic with green beans too. Basil, rosemary, oregano, and thyme are perfect for bringing out the beans’ flavor. Basil adds a sweet, peppery note while rosemary offers an evergreen taste. Oregano and thyme provide earthiness.
Use Italian herbs when sautéing or stir-frying green beans. Cook the green beans in olive oil over medium high heat until crisp-tender. Add chopped or dried herbs during the last few minutes of cooking to let the flavors meld. Season with salt, pepper, and a squeeze of lemon.
Savory, Sage, and Rosemary
For a rich flavor, try combining savory, sage, and rosemary with green beans. Savory has a peppery flavor similar to thyme. Sage offers woodsy notes while rosemary provides pine and citrus.
Use these herbs when roasting or grilling green beans. Toss chopped fresh herbs with oil, salt, and pepper, then coat the beans. Grill the beans over direct heat or roast in the oven, letting the herbs get nice and crispy.
Curry Powder and Garam Masala
Indian spices also pair deliciously with green beans. Curry powder contains turmeric, cumin, coriander, cinnamon, and chili peppers. Garam masala blends typically include cumin, coriander, cardamom, cinnamon, pepper, cloves, and more.
Use curry powder and garam masala to give green beans an aromatic, exotic flair. Sauté the beans in coconut or vegetable oil with the spices and season with salt. For a creamier dish, finish with coconut milk. Serve curried green beans over rice or quinoa.
Ginger and Sesame Seeds
For an Asian-inspired take, accent green beans with fresh ginger and sesame seeds. Ginger adds spicy heat and brightness. Toasted sesame seeds provide nuttiness and crunch.
Stir fry sliced green beans with minced ginger, soy sauce, sesame oil, and a touch of brown sugar. Finish with toasted sesame seeds. For extra flavor, add sliced shiitake mushrooms, water chestnuts, or baby corn.
Herb Combinations are Endless
From Mediterranean herbs to Indian spices, there are so many options for seasoning green beans. Let your taste preferences and the preparation method guide you. Play around with herb pairings and see which ones you like best.
For maximum flavor, use fresh herbs when possible. Dried herbs work too but may need to be added earlier in cooking. Always start with smaller amounts of herbs, taste, and adjust seasoning as needed.
With the right herbs, green beans can be taken from bland to brilliant. Liven up this healthy vegetable with herbs like parsley, basil, thyme, sage, curry powder, and beyond. The possibilities are infinite for crafting flavorful green bean dishes.
Herbed Green Beans Recipe
- 1 pound green beans
- 2 teaspoons butter, or olive oil
- 1/2 small onion, finely chopped
- 1 clove garlic, finely minced
- 1 tablespoon oregano, fresh, or other herbs, chopped
- salt & pepper to taste
- Cut the beans up and put them in a pot of water. Bring it to a boil, then cook for 4 to 5 minutes, or until they’re crisp but not too soft.
- In a skillet, melt the butter at medium low heat. Add the chopped onion and garlic. Over medium-low heat, stir the vegetables every now and then until the onion is soft.
- Stir in the beans, oregano, salt and pepper to taste. Cook it all together until it is heated through.
If you like this recipe, please use the buttons below to Pin it to Pinterest, Tweet about it and Like it on Facebook. Leave a comment and your favorite recipes below. Thanks.
Tip: I love chopping the onion in a food processor. It gets so fine that when you cook it, the onion virtually disappears. I think it just looks nicer than seeing chunks of onion.
This recipe for green beans is so adaptable. There are many herbs that go well with green beans. If you don’t like oregano or just want to try something different, try chopped chives, parsley, marjoram, coriander, or mint. If you use rosemary, start with just half the amount, as too much rosemary becomes overpowering. Add more to your taste if you want.
The best herbs for this recipe are fresh ones, which quickly add their color and great taste. Also, you’re only cooking the herb for a short time. Dried herbs taste best when they can be cooked for a longer time, which gives them time to rehydrate and bloom.
It’s easy to turn these green beans into a vegan recipe. Just substitute a light olive oil or avocado oil for the butter. It’s best not to use an oil with a strong flavor because it will overpower the mild taste of the green beans.
This recipe is low carb and great for diabetics because the carb count is pretty low. When you take the 11. 5 grams of carbs per serving and subtract the 5. To figure out the recipe’s net carb load, one serving has just over 6 grams of carbs (grams of fiber). That’s pretty amazing and perfect for all but the lowest of low carb eating programs.
Our herbed green beans recipe is also gluten free. It’s always nice to have more gluten-free recipes to add to our books.
Green Beans 101-Herbs and Spices That Go With Green Beans
FAQ
What herbs go well with beans?
What herbs grow well with green beans?
What herbs go with green beans?
Curry leaves can be something unfamiliar to American cuisine. But this is one of the best herbs paired with green beans in Southeast Asian cuisine. Indians and Sri Lankans commonly use fresh curry leaves to complement their green bean curries. This herb has a characteristic flavor with citrusy notes reminiscent of lemongrass, anise, and asafetida.
What vegetables go well with celery?
Celery is a vegetable with several therapeutic properties and can be used in salads, soups or even eaten on its own. It can be prepared alone or accompanied by onions, nettles, parsley or cabbage.
What to eat with green beans?
When cooking green beans, this herb is often paired with garlic, thyme, olive oil, red chile flakes, and black pepper. You can make stir-fries or salads with this vegetable if you incorporate rosemary. Thyme has a spicy, earthy, and somewhat minty flavor, and it is also layered with notes of floral, sweet, and peppery tastes.
What spices go well with green bean curries?
Indians and Sri Lankans commonly use fresh curry leaves to complement their green bean curries. This herb has a characteristic flavor with citrusy notes reminiscent of lemongrass, anise, and asafetida. It is also intensely aromatic and goes well with mustard seeds, coconut oil, pandan leaves, coconut milk, and turmeric.