Find out which seasonings work best with green beans and how to make the best seasoned green beans as a side dish!
When I make side dishes, I love using seasonal food that is super fresh and full of flavor that the whole family will love.
Of course, they have to be quick and easy too. These easy seasoned green beans check all the boxes!.
These tasty beans go well with holiday and Thanksgiving main dishes like rosemary chicken and turkey. They’re also simple enough to serve with a weeknight meal like basil and lemon pasta.
One of the reasons I love this dish is that it’s incredibly flexible. Want to match the lemon profile of your lemon pepper chicken or lemon pepper salmon? Sure thing!.
If you want to make Tex-Mex food like cilantro lime chicken or carne asada, these green beans will also work. Indeed, they are so simple to change that you will want to make them for every kind of dinner.
We have a family like yours, and green beans are one of the kids’ favorite vegetables. These seasoned green beans are crispy but still soft, full of bright seasonings, and so simple to make.
It only takes 10 minutes to make this side dish, but the flavors are so strong! It’s the perfect vegetable side dish for when you don’t want to stress, and it’s easy to add more than just salt and pepper.
Here are some of my favorite green bean recipes: firehouse green beans, green beans in shallot butter, and more. You can even learn how to French Cut Green Beans here!.
There are many great things about these green beans besides the fact that they are as easy to eat as your favorite french fries.
Green beans make a healthy, delicious side dish to complement any meal. Their fresh, crisp texture and subtle flavor allow them to pair well with all kinds of seasonings. But what spices work best to add flavor to green beans without overpowering them?
Certain spices can bring out the best in green beans, enhancing their flavor without masking it. The key is knowing which spices to use and how much. Here are the top 10 best spices and spice combos for seasoning green beans.
1. Garlic
Garlic is one of the most popular and versatile spices to use with green beans. It adds a savory, pungent flavor that perfectly balances the mild taste of the beans. Garlic powder, minced garlic, or roasted garlic cloves all pair deliciously with green beans.
Try seasoning steamed green beans with a sprinkle of garlic powder, olive oil, salt, and pepper for a simple yet delicious side. Or add roasted minced garlic to enhance the flavor of sautéed green beans. A little garlic goes a long way.
2. Onion
Like garlic, onion adds a savory umami quality and sweetness that complements fresh green beans. Diced onions caramelized in olive oil give sautéed green beans a sweet, oniony crunch. And onion powder can provide a similar subtle flavor.
3. Lemon
Bright, tangy lemon is an excellent way to bring out the fresh flavor of green beans. A spritz of lemon juice right before serving gives the beans a tasty citrus kick. Lemon zest also adds wonderful aroma and flavor.
Try tossing steamed green beans with a dash of lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper. The acidity of lemon perfectly balances the vegetable’s natural flavors.
4. Basil
Fresh chopped basil is amazing with green beans, providing a sweet herbal flavor and scent. Add torn basil leaves at the end of cooking green beans to preserve the herb’s flavor and color.
For an easy complete seasoning, toss green beans with prepared pesto sauce made with basil, olive oil, garlic, and Parmesan. The basil and garlic pair perfectly with the veggies.
5. Thyme
Thyme has a woodsy, faintly lemon flavor that complements green beans wonderfully. Use fresh or dried thyme leaves to season steamed, sautéed, or roasted beans. The earthy aroma of thyme enhances the vegetable’s freshness.
6. Rosemary
The distinctive pine-like aroma of rosemary is delicious with green beans. Its robust flavor holds up well to cooking. Try roasting green beans tossed in olive oil, salt, and chopped rosemary sprigs for a simple, tasty side dish.
7. Smoked Paprika
A dash of smoked paprika gives green beans a tasty hint of smoky spiciness. It adds robust flavor without much heat. Toss paprika into any green bean recipe, or use it to season roasted or sautéed beans along with other spices.
8. Chili Powder
The blend of spices like garlic, cumin, and oregano in chili powder pairs extremely well with green beans. It provides a complex, mildly spicy seasoning that enhances their flavor. Sprinkle it on raw or cooked beans.
9. Sesame Seeds
Nutty, crunchy sesame seeds not only make green beans look pretty garnished on top, but provide tasty texture and flavor. Sesame oil can also add a rich, toasty aroma and taste.
10. Dill
Fresh dill has a distinctively cool, aromatic flavor. Use chopped dill weed to season hot green beans right before serving to help preserve the herb’s taste. Dill’s anise notes balance beautifully with green beans’ earthy flavor.
More Tips for Flavoring Green Beans
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Use fresh herbs near the end of cooking and dried herbs and spices for long-cooking recipes.
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Combine multiple spices like garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, basil, and black pepper.
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Drizzle beans with olive oil and balsamic vinegar for an easy Italian dressing flavor.
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Season simply with salt, pepper, and butter. Sometimes basic is best!
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Add crumbled bacon or pancetta for a smoky, salty crunch.
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Toss beans with chopped walnuts or almonds for added texture and flavor.
With endless options for seasoning, green beans can be jazzed up to suit any taste. Follow your preferences and get creative with spices to make this healthy vegetable even more irresistible. What are your favorite ways to add flavor to green beans?
What to Do with Leftovers
- Add to stir fry
- Excellent topping for green salads
- Delicious in your pasta salads and potato salad
- Gluten Free
- Dairy Free
- Nut Free
- Vegetarian
- Vegan
Best Seasonings for Green Beans
This simple recipe is incredibly flexible. It calls for garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper, which all go well with a lot of different proteins and tastes.
You can go in a lot of different directions, though! In this recipe, replace the salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder with one teaspoon of each of the following seasoning blends:
- Prep – Rinse and trim the green beans.
- Melt the butter in a big skillet. Then add the green beans and the spices. Toss to coat over medium high heat.
- Cook them until they’re as soft as you want them to be, and add salt to taste.
- Serve Right Away—These green beans should be served right away after they are cooked so they stay fresh and don’t wilt.
- Don’t Cook The Beans Too Long—Vegetables that are too soft are the worst. If you cook them too long, they become too soft and lose a lot of their nutrients and flavor. The beans should be soft but still have a bit of a bite to them.
Scaling up, down or substituting? You’ll love this printable Measurement Conversion Chart!
These seasoned green beans serve so well with a variety of protein possibilities. They will work beautifully with any of the following:
You can wash and trim the beans the day before and store them in the fridge with a lid on top. They will then just take a few minutes to sauté at the last minute before serving.
- Room Temperature—While you serve them, your seasoned green beans can stay at room temperature for up to two hours.
- Refrigerate—Keep in the fridge for three to five days in a container that won’t let air in.
- Freeze: Cooked green beans can be frozen for up to three months in a freezer bag or container that won’t let air in.
How to Cook the Best Green Beans Ever | The Stay At Home Chef
FAQ
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