What does shocking green beans do?

Shocking the beans (submerging them in an ice bath) stops the cooking process and locks in their a bright green color .

Is it better to freeze green beans raw or cooked?

Green beans can be frozen in their raw state , but consider blanching and shocking them for the best results. Not only does cooking them this way lock in their vibrant green color, but Registered Dietitian and Chef Abbie Gellman says it also eliminates surface microorganisms and dirt, preventing deterioration.

How to make Chucky beans?

You just string the bean and then take a needle and thread and put the whole bean on it and make as long as you want . Hang them on the porch for several days, until dry. When ready to use you must cut the beans. I think this is the hardest way and the most likely way for the beans to mold.

What to put on green beans besides butter?

Jarred Pesto This blend of basil, parmesan, and olive oil is always a welcome addition to our favorite veggies. Cook green beans any way you like — blanched, steamed, or roasted — then toss with a few spoonfuls of jarred pesto.

What makes green beans taste better?

Soy sauce is one of the easiest answers to how to flavor green beans. You can throw in some of this soy sauce, sesame oil, olive oil, ginger, and garlic and pan fry until glassy and green and you may never want to eat green beans any other way again.

What are dried green beans called?

Shuck beans are dried green beans; a dish Castle said is known mostly in Appalachia, and perhaps most well-known in Kentucky. To make them, one takes fresh green beans whole and dries them out. In some cases, beans are strung up using a needle and thread, and left to dry out in an arid place.

How to make beans taste homemade?

You can add crushed whole seeds (coriander, cumin, fennel, mustard, etc.), woodsy herbs (thyme, oregano, rosemary, sage), red pepper flakes, crushed garlic cloves, and of course salt and pepper .

How to make beans with baking soda?

Beans cooked with a tiny amount of baking soda ( about one teaspoon per cup of dry beans ) added to the cooking water cook in about half the time as beans cooked without.

When should you not use green beans?

Fresh green beans in good condition will feel firm and should snap apart when bent. Older green beans that feel limp and have started to develop a slimy texture are no longer safe to eat. If you see any fuzzy mold on them, they are definitely too bad to eat.

Can you eat raw green beans?

In summary, the safest way to eat green beans is usually cooked, but green beans can be eaten raw as well . Just be sure to wash them under running water before using them, as you would with any other produce. And because green beans contain lectins, eating them raw may result in tummy troubles.

How do you shock beans?

Ice bath method (a.k.a. blanch and shock): Drain the string beans into a colander in the sink and run cold water over them (to start to cool them down). Now transfer them to a large bowl of ice water . This will stop the cooking process and help preserve that bright green color they've achieved.

What is the purpose of blanching beans?

The process of blanching green beans—scalding them quickly, followed immediately by submerging them in ice water to halt the cooking— inactivates enzymes that deteriorate produce .

What is the purpose of presoaking beans?

The idea behind soaking dried beans is that it makes the beans cook more quickly and evenly . It's also been posited that soaking beans breaks down some of their complex sugars, making them easier to digest.

33 Inventive Green Bean Recipes That Put a New Spin on the Classics (2024)

Fresh and crunchy, green beans are easy to love—and couldn't be more versatile in the kitchen. Our favorite green bean recipes run the range from spicy harissa-kissed side dishes and vegetable-forward pasta salads to chicken stir-fries and make-ahead green bean casseroles. And while we'd never turn that last dish away, green beans can do so much more than be baked in a casserole for the beloved holiday side, as these recipes show. We also serve them raw and chopped in leafy green salads and potato salads.

Get our essential tips for selecting the best green beans and storing them, then cook all of our top recipes featuring these popular legumes.

All About Green Beans, From Haricot Verts to Wax Beans

Green Bean Basics

Also called string beans, green beans are made up of small seeds encased in long pods. Because the beans are harvested while still young, the pods are tender and edible.

Buying Green Beans

While green beans are available year-round, their peak season is May to October. Whether you're purchasing green beans at the farmers market or grocery store, it's always better to buy them loose rather than in packages so you can pick the freshest. They should be crisp and vibrant green without blemishes or signs of wilting. For even cooking, choose beans that are of similar size.

Storage

Store them in a sealed plastic bag in the refrigerator for up to five days, but know that green beans are not a keeper—they really do taste best if used right away.

Prep

Prep is easy, with no peeling or slicing required! Just rinse the beans under cold water, then trim the stem end by snapping it off with your fingers or cutting it with a paring knife. Trimming the other end is optional.

Nutrition

The legumes are high in vitamin C, "which helps you absorb iron and is an important mineral for carrying oxygen through your body," says New York City-based registered dietitian Rachel Berman. A cup of green beans delivers a quarter of your daily vitamin K, which maintains healthy blood and bones, Berman explains. Plus, they have nearly three grams of cholesterol-curbing fiber per cup.

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Sesame Green Beans

33 Inventive Green Bean Recipes That Put a New Spin on the Classics (1)

Sesame seeds and toasted sesame oil enliven green beans with a distinctive, nutty taste. While simple to prepare, this delicious side delivers complex flavors.

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Green Bean and Shallot Ravioli Salad

33 Inventive Green Bean Recipes That Put a New Spin on the Classics (2)

Green beans meet ravioli and something exciting happens as they team up with sautéed shallots and toasted almonds for a truly memorable salad. Seconds, anyone?

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French-Cut Green Beans With Dill Butter

33 Inventive Green Bean Recipes That Put a New Spin on the Classics (3)

With a dash of dill, dried or fresh, and a few tablespoons of butter, French-cut green beans are transformed into a special side dish.

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Quick-Cooked Green Beans With Lemon

33 Inventive Green Bean Recipes That Put a New Spin on the Classics (4)

A great make-ahead green bean recipe, these lemon-spiked vegetables taste best at room temperature. They're the perfect side dish for any potluck, picnic, or buffet table.

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Miso-Watercress Green Beans

33 Inventive Green Bean Recipes That Put a New Spin on the Classics (5)

Here's a healthy, fast, and different green bean side dish. The beans are quickly cooked in a skillet and then brightened with a mixture of umami-rich white miso, tart lemon, and peppery watercress.

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Green Bean Casserole With Bacon

33 Inventive Green Bean Recipes That Put a New Spin on the Classics (6)

Who says you can only make this comforting dish at Thanksgiving? Our hearty bacon version is too delicious to indulge in only one day out of the year.

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Pasta Salad With Peas and Summer Beans

33 Inventive Green Bean Recipes That Put a New Spin on the Classics (7)

Jazz up whole-wheat penne with wax beans, peas, cilantro, and a punchy garlic-lime dressing in this easy make-ahead green bean pasta salad.

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Blistered Green-Bean and Corn Frittata

33 Inventive Green Bean Recipes That Put a New Spin on the Classics (8)

A slice of summer on your plate, this vegetable-packed frittata with blistered green beans and corn can star at brunch or dinner. Either way, this seasonal egg dish is a winner.

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Harissa-Roasted Green Beans

33 Inventive Green Bean Recipes That Put a New Spin on the Classics (9)

Take green beans into lively territory with this quick side. Beans are tossed with olive oil and harissa and then roasted in the oven.

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Green Beans With Warm Raisin-Caper Dressing

33 Inventive Green Bean Recipes That Put a New Spin on the Classics (10)

This sweet, tangy, warm green bean dish with golden raisins, capers, and toasted pepitas is a winner—even at the holiday table.

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Delhi-Style Green Beans

33 Inventive Green Bean Recipes That Put a New Spin on the Classics (11)

Fresh ginger, fiery green chiles, and a host of spices—asafetida, cumin, and coriander—flavor this green bean dish known as sem ki sabzi. It's just one of Madhur Jaffery's easy, healthy Indian recipes.

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Green Bean, Shell Bean, and Sweet Onion Fattoush

33 Inventive Green Bean Recipes That Put a New Spin on the Classics (12)

Our take on the Middle Eastern bread-and-vegetable salad known as fattoush calls for green beans, shell beans, Vidalia onion, English cucumber, crumbled feta, fresh mint and parsley, and grilled pita. A lemon-garlic vinaigrette ties all the flavors together beautifully.

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Dry-Fried Green Beans

33 Inventive Green Bean Recipes That Put a New Spin on the Classics (13)

It takes just a few minutes over high heat to transform green beans into crisp-tender, blistered beauties. Add fresh field peas and garlic, and savor.

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Braised Green Beans With Tomatoes

33 Inventive Green Bean Recipes That Put a New Spin on the Classics (14)

Green beans are simmered with broth, onion, tomatoes, and fresh oregano in this easy vegan side dish.

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Spicy Pickled Green Beans

33 Inventive Green Bean Recipes That Put a New Spin on the Classics (15)

Fresh green beans take on a sweet and spicy tang in this batch of quick pickles. Best of all, these beauties will keep in the fridge for up to a month.

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Potato Salad With Green Beans and Ricotta

33 Inventive Green Bean Recipes That Put a New Spin on the Classics (16)

Forget mayo! Fresh ricotta, dill, lemon zest and juice combine to make an unforgettable potato salad, while green beans add the perfect crunch.

Chopped Green Bean and Celery Salad With Mustard Vinaigrette

33 Inventive Green Bean Recipes That Put a New Spin on the Classics (17)

White-wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, and honey flavor tender green beans and crisp celery, an ideal sidekick to fried chicken or grilled steak.

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Green Beans With Hazelnuts and Gorgonzola

33 Inventive Green Bean Recipes That Put a New Spin on the Classics (18)

In this easy-but-sophisticated side dish, Gorgonzola's rich, creamy texture offers a nice counterpoint to crunchy hazelnuts and tangy sherry vinegar.

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Lemon Chicken Stir-Fry With Green Beans

33 Inventive Green Bean Recipes That Put a New Spin on the Classics (19)

This weeknight-friendly dinner of stir-fried chicken breast and green beans zipped up with fresh ginger and lemon juice will appeal to everyone at the table.

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Green Beans With Ginger and Tomatoes

33 Inventive Green Bean Recipes That Put a New Spin on the Classics (20)

Fresh ginger, ground coriander, tomatoes, and fresh lime juice are all you need to take green beans from ho-hum to flavor-packed.

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Pasta Salad With Chickpeas, Green Beans, and Basil

33 Inventive Green Bean Recipes That Put a New Spin on the Classics (21)

For a potluck or a picnic, this hearty, fresh-tasting pasta salad can't be beaten. The light, lemony mayo-based dressing is the perfect topper for crisp green beans, red onions, chickpeas, and farfalle.

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Quinoa and Green Bean Salad

33 Inventive Green Bean Recipes That Put a New Spin on the Classics (22)

Gussy up everyone's favorite superfood with sautéed onion and garlic, crisp green beans, fresh parsley, and a tangy red wine vinaigrette.

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Green Beans With Potatoes and Ham

33 Inventive Green Bean Recipes That Put a New Spin on the Classics (23)

Get a jump on dinner by shredding the flavorful braised ham hocks a day in advance. Green beans are added last to this robust dish so that they're just tender.

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Green Beans With Parsnips and Pickled Red Onions

33 Inventive Green Bean Recipes That Put a New Spin on the Classics (24)

Green beans and parsnips are cooked in the same pot until crisp-tender, then paired with quick-pickled red onions and a red wine vinegar-mustard dressing in this easy, colorful side dish.

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Green Bean Casserole

33 Inventive Green Bean Recipes That Put a New Spin on the Classics (25)

This from-scratch version of the family favorite calls for fresh green beans, a creamy homemade mushroom sauce, and a flavorful topping of crisp fried shallots.

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Green Beans With Tomatoes, Olives, and Eggs

33 Inventive Green Bean Recipes That Put a New Spin on the Classics (26)

This hearty Mediterranean side dish takes its inspiration from salade Nicoise. Serve with grilled tuna, salmon, or chicken, and make it a main course.

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Green Beans With Spiced Breadcrumbs

33 Inventive Green Bean Recipes That Put a New Spin on the Classics (27)

Paprika and cayenne add a kick to the crunchy breadcrumb topping on simple steamed green beans. Try it with roasted chicken or classic meatloaf.

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Raw Tomato and Green Bean Pasta

33 Inventive Green Bean Recipes That Put a New Spin on the Classics (28)

Colorful, crunchy, creamy, and sweet, this pasta dish is delicious warm or at room temperature—great for a picnic.

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Green Beans With Olives

33 Inventive Green Bean Recipes That Put a New Spin on the Classics (29)

Mild-mannered green beans get a new lease on life when tossed with an intensely savory dressing of green olives, parsley, anchovies, and red wine vinegar.

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Green Beans With Sautéed Mushrooms and Garlic

33 Inventive Green Bean Recipes That Put a New Spin on the Classics (30)

Coriander, dry white wine, and sherry vinegar punch up this fabulous all-purpose side dish featuring green beans and button mushrooms.

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Green Beans With Caramelized Onions and Tarragon

33 Inventive Green Bean Recipes That Put a New Spin on the Classics (31)

Golden brown caramelized onions amplify the flavors in this perfect-for-entertaining, room-temperature side dish. Making it even easier for the host, you can trim the green beans and caramelize the onions a day in advance.

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Stewed Green Beans With Bacon

33 Inventive Green Bean Recipes That Put a New Spin on the Classics (32)

This side dish of green beans stewed in chicken broth and speckled with bacon will make everyone want to eat their vegetables.

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Green-Bean Casserole With Chestnuts and Buttered Breadcrumbs

33 Inventive Green Bean Recipes That Put a New Spin on the Classics (33)

Reconsider the casserole this holiday season. Try this elegant, creamy makeover that stars fresh green beans with roasted chestnuts and mixed wild mushrooms for a classy, crowd-pleasing side dish.

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33 Inventive Green Bean Recipes That Put a New Spin on the Classics (2024)

Green Bean Basics

Buying Green Beans

Storage

Prep

Nutrition

Sesame Green Beans

Green Bean and Shallot Ravioli Salad

French-Cut Green Beans With Dill Butter

Quick-Cooked Green Beans With Lemon

Miso-Watercress Green Beans

Green Bean Casserole With Bacon

Pasta Salad With Peas and Summer Beans

Blistered Green-Bean and Corn Frittata

Harissa-Roasted Green Beans

Green Beans With Warm Raisin-Caper Dressing

Delhi-Style Green Beans

Green Bean, Shell Bean, and Sweet Onion Fattoush

Dry-Fried Green Beans

Braised Green Beans With Tomatoes

Spicy Pickled Green Beans

Potato Salad With Green Beans and Ricotta

Chopped Green Bean and Celery Salad With Mustard Vinaigrette

Green Beans With Hazelnuts and Gorgonzola

Lemon Chicken Stir-Fry With Green Beans

Green Beans With Ginger and Tomatoes

Pasta Salad With Chickpeas, Green Beans, and Basil

Quinoa and Green Bean Salad

Green Beans With Potatoes and Ham

Green Beans With Parsnips and Pickled Red Onions

Green Bean Casserole

Green Beans With Tomatoes, Olives, and Eggs

Green Beans With Spiced Breadcrumbs

Raw Tomato and Green Bean Pasta

Green Beans With Olives

Green Beans With Sautéed Mushrooms and Garlic

Green Beans With Caramelized Onions and Tarragon

Stewed Green Beans With Bacon

Green-Bean Casserole With Chestnuts and Buttered Breadcrumbs

FAQs

What does shocking green beans do? ›

How do you shock beans? ›

References