12 Fresh Green Bean Recipes

Bright green string beans are a little underrated, if you ask us. But they make a perfect side dish: delicious, healthy, and easy to make. One of the easiest ways to prepare them? Sauteed. It sounds overly simple, but you do need a few tricks to saute green beans perfection. Here's our tried and true method that works every time! It's easy enough for a weeknight, but fancy enough for a party.

Here’s a simple way to dress up fresh green beans as a gourmet side: Green Beans Almondine! Make it at home, and this dish is brilliant. The beans are bright green and perfectly tender, sautéed in butter with garlic and toasted almonds and finished with a little lemon zest.

The favorite in our fresh green bean recipes: roasted green beans! The beans are roasted in a hot oven until tender, then spritzed with fresh lemon juice to bring a tang. They're topped with almonds for a nutty crunch, and make for a sophisticated side dish!

Try these simple Garlic Green Beans! Pairing tender steamed green beans with savory garlic butter makes them sing on your plate. Seasoned perfectly, they make an impressive side for about anything: chicken, fish, pasta or any veggie main.

Next up in our fresh green bean recipes: our 10-minute lemon green beans! These beans are a stunning side dish that couldn't be easier to whip up. Just trim the green beans, then steam them on the stovetop until bright green and tender. Mix them with a little olive oil and lemon, and they're a tangy counterpoint to any meal. You can also make them in an Instant Pot.

This one really is the best green bean casserole: because it's a fresh spin made all from scratch! It’s got crisp tender green beans and real mushrooms. The creamy sauce coats each of the beans, but isn’t gloppy. And it’s got a new take on the traditional fried onion topping: using crushed potato chips! You can make it either on the stovetop or in an Instant Pot.

Here’s a salad that captures the essence of a crunchy green bean: this homey Green Bean Salad! Imagine: tender blanched green beans covered in a zingy dressing, paired with tomatoes, baby arugula and the salty pop of feta crumbles. This one is ideal for pairing with a grilled meal, a trio of salads or dish for a summer potluck or pitch-in.

Turns out, the grill is the ideal way to cook this green summer vegetable. Take a bite and these green beans are tender, with a burst of sweet, tangy, salty and charred flavor. Honestly, they’re just as addicting as French fries! They’re now a part of our repertoire: and we hope you’ll add them to yours, too.

Here’s a great way to preserve beans: Pickled Green Beans! These spears come out crunchy and ultra tangy, with just the right hint of garlic and dill on the finish. Be careful: you’ll want to eat the whole jar! They’re great for snacking, charcuterie boards and cheese plates, and of course: a good old Bloody Mary garnish.

Why not throw green beans into potato salad? This summery salad is a beautiful combination of boiled red potatoes, crunchy bright green beans, and fresh dill. They’re dressed with a combination of sherry vinegar, olive oil, and shallot, which mesh together into an understated but irresistible meld of flavors.

Green bean recipes aren't just for side dishes! Here's a legendary main dish where green beans have a starring role: classic Nicoise salad. This classic French composed salad features blanched green beans on a bed of greens with olives, tomatoes, tuna, hard boiled eggs, potatoes, and a zingy dressing. Because it’s packed with protein, it’s filling and incredibly satisfying.

Here's another green bean recipe that's a main dish: Italian soup! This cozy soup is similar to a minestrone, featuring a mix of savory vegetables like tomatoes, garbanzo beans, and green beans. Made with fresh basil, it's mixed with doughy gnocchi, dumpling-like pasta that makes it hearty and satisfying.