Life's too short for boring meals. Green bean side dishes add classic flavor, color, and nutrients but can also add excitement to the table. From roasted green beans with bright bursts of feta and beet to an irresistible caramelized green bean side dish that comes together in a skillet, this collection will help you revitalize your usual veggie routine. So get started now with our fresh green bean recipes—you won't be disappointed.
Caramelized Green Beans
This green bean side dish from Jesse Tyler Ferguson and Julie Tanous in their cookbook Food Between Friends has become a fast favorite among our own friends. A touch of sugar and a single piece of ginger add a caramelized sweet spice to this skillet green bean recipe, but fresh garlic, shallots, and dried dill bring the flavors home. Top it with fresh lemon zest and serve it hot for a delicious side dish.
Toasted Sesame Green Beans with Teriyaki Glaze
This green bean recipe takes an Asian-inspired twist with ginger, sesame oil, and hoisin sauce stirred into the wok. The green beans are boiled for just four minutes to make them tender without losing their crunch. You can clean and prepare the green beans, carrots, mushrooms, garlic, and ginger up to 24 hours ahead for quicker prep.
Bacon-Topped Green Bean Casserole
Green bean side dishes with bacon are the ultimate crowd-pleaser. Studded with cremini mushrooms and chopped bacon, our green bean casserole recipe is a hearty upgrade from the classic. Fresh rosemary brings sophisticated flavor to this wholesome favorite.
Roasted Green Beans with Beets, Feta, and Walnuts
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.
Two-Tone Green Bean Salad with Hazelnuts and Parmesan
Crispy hazelnuts and shaved Parmesan cheese top this zesty Dijon-spiked green bean side dish. The colorful blend of green and wax beans makes a fun, nutritious alternative to a lettuce salad. Try this with toasted walnuts or pecans, or roasted chickpeas for a nut alternative.
Sicilian Potato and Green Bean Salad
This fresh and filling potato and green bean side dish salad will be a favorite recipe. Olive oil, capers, garlic, and anchovies replace mayo for this Italian-style green bean recipe. With protein-packed eggs, hearty potatoes, and crunchy green beans, this salad could be a quick dinner just waiting to happen if you add tuna or leftover chicken.
Green Bean Salad
Simple and fresh, this snappy and tangy salad is one of our favorite green bean recipes. This recipe's crunchy combination of fresh green beans and chopped celery is refreshing when drizzled with bright lime-and-parsley dressing. Squeeze some fresh lime juice on top before serving for a tart topping.
Green Bean Casserole
Frozen green beans are the secret to perfecting our green bean casserole. Try the delicious combination of crispy breadcrumbs and tender, sweet onions to top off this baked green bean side dish. They're as delicious as fried onion rings but much lower in fat.
Green Bean Bake Revisited
This tangy twist on baked green beans features a bold balsamic vinegar and soy sauce drizzle. Swap fresh beans for what you have in your freezer for one of the ultimate frozen green bean side dishes. Watch out: This casserole is deliciously addictive.
Parsleyed Green Beans
This simple green bean recipe is a superstar with two teaspoons of garlic, a pinch of salt, and a dash of pepper. Serve it hot with an extra sprinkling of fresh parsley. We like flat-leaf Italian parsley in this dish for its subtle flavor and smooth mouthfeel.
Green Beans with Lime
If you like mixing flavors and textures, this is one of the best green bean dishes for you. Crisp green beans go Mediterranean with parsley, rosemary, and a splash of olive oil. Lime juice adds tanginess, while chopped hazelnuts bring on the crunch.
Green Beans with Almonds
This classic green bean almondine recipe is delicious and simple. The dish comes together in just 20 minutes in a Dutch oven and will quickly become a favorite on your dinner table. Serve it for a holiday gathering or a backyard barbecue, and let this French recipe's buttery and nutty flavors complement your feast.
Blistered Green Beans with Bacon
Blistered may be our new favorite way to eat our green beans now that we've discovered this great dish. Cilantro, garlic, and shallots add bright flavor bursts, but the bacon will have your guests returning for seconds. The fresh jalapeño garnish is optional, but it adds a nice crunch and spice to this blistered green bean recipe.
Sweet and Tangy Four-Bean Salad
A few unexpected ingredients set this green bean side dish apart from the rest. As one BHG reviewer shares, "This was very good! I have never had edamame in a multi-bean salad, and its texture remains non-mealy and stands up well to the vinaigrette. The carrots also improved the texture, imparting a nice crunch."
Make-Ahead Green Bean Salad
Highlight fresh, in-season green beans with a simple red wine vinaigrette, fresh herbs, and toasted almonds. If you're not a fan of mint, try swapping in basil, cilantro, or parsley.
Chopped Green Bean Salad with Manchego
This protein-packed green bean recipe is loaded with texture and flavor. Toss together chopped green beans, almonds, golden raisins, and cooked farro. Finish it off with Manchego cheese and cracked black pepper.
Spicy Green Beans with Herb Salad
This green bean side dish is piled with a trio of fresh herbs, including Italian parsley, dill, and mint. The fresh flavors balance the heat from crushed red pepper and garlic.
Lemony Green Beans and Arugula
A green salad is the perfect side dish for grilled chicken, fish, tofu, or steak. Arugula brings a peppery, bitter flavor that pairs well with fresh lemon and tender green beans.
Green Bean and Mushroom Skillet
This fresh twist on green bean casserole still has all the classics, like mushrooms and crispy shallots, but it's loaded with fresh haricots verts, lemon, and goat cheese. The result is a skillet side dish that is fresh and rich.
