A collection of the very best fresh green bean recipes on the web! Featuring over fifteen amazing ways to eat fresh green beans in stellar side dishes, salads, and main courses.
FRESH GREEN BEANS FOR THE WIN
I grew up eating canned green beans, yet somehow, they were still my favorite vegetable. Fresh green beans were a game-changer, and everything about them was exponentially better than the canned version.
They have a sweet, somewhat nutty flavor and boast a lovely texture once cooked. But, quite possibly the best part is that they're actually beyond simple to cook. In fact, if you can boil water, you can make fresh green beans.
To simplify matters even further, these days you can typically find them already strung, snipped and packaged in the produce section of the grocery store. I take full advantage of these come the weekdays and simply open a bag, boil, season and serve. For that recipe, you can go ahead and skip right on down to the bottom.
However, if you're on the hunt for something a little extra special to do with those fresh green beans, check out these other amazing fresh green bean recipes perfect for serving up any day of the week!
15 OF THE BEST FRESH GREEN BEAN RECIPES
Whether you're looking to feature fresh green beans in a main dish, a fun new way to serve 'em up as a side, or toss them in with a healthy salad, this recipe roundup has every green bean dish you could possibly desire.
MAIN DISHES FEATURING FRESH GREEN BEANS
Let's kick this off with a bang, shall we? Smoky Green Bean Turkey Skillet by Project Meal Plan features seasoned ground turkey, red bell peppers, onions, salsa and of course fresh green beans. Serve it over rice, quinoa, or pasta, and dive in!
Now that is a whole lotta savory. Greek Chicken Sheet Pan Dinner with Green Beans and Feta by Taste and See is a Mediterranean-inspired fresh green bean recipe with Greek chicken, diced tomatoes, potatoes, lemon and olives.
Roasted Mahi Mahi with Green Beans and Cherry Tomatoes by Sidewalk Shoes features roasted mahi mahi with green beans and cherry tomatoes, and is topped off with a lemony vinaigrette. Yes, please.
FRESH GREEN BEAN SALAD RECIPES
Here's something to seriously obsess over. Easy Salad Niçoise by Pinch and Swirl features canned tuna, hard-boiled eggs, potatoes, olives, and a mustardy dressing that'll straight-up knock your socks off.
Honestly, I die for this one. A true sucker for feta, this Greek Green Bean Salad by Peas and Crayons with feta cheese, tomatoes and a quick-fix herby vinaigrette has me jonesing a tidbit. How 'bout you?
If you’re looking for a simple way to spruce up fresh green beans, Green Bean Almondine is a seriously flavorful solution. The name may mislead some into thinking it’s a complex recipe, but rest assured, these buttery green beans topped with a crunchy almond sauce comes together quickly and with very few ingredients.
Just look at all that color! Garlic Dill Green Bean Tomato Salad by The Pretty Bee is looking particularly gorgeous today. Red onions, tomatoes, chickpeas and a white wine vinaigrette make these green beans look extra lovely.
Are you kidding me right now? Just look at that blue cheese. I swoon. Green Bean and Blue Cheese Salad with a balsamic vinaigrette by Flavour and Savour is sure to be an absolute explosion of flavor.
FRESH GREEN BEAN SIDE DISHES
I do believe we have hit the mother load of fresh green bean recipes. Homemade Green Bean Casserole by The Anthony Kitchen (that is, yours truly) is one I can personally vouch for. A creamy homemade mushroom sauce, loads of Cheddar cheese, and fresh green beans take green bean casserole to the next level!
Ughhhhh, are you seeing what I'm seeing? Just look at that luscious sauce made of soy sauce and rice wine vinegar?! PF Chang's Spicy Green Beans by Souffle Bombay is calling to us loud and clear.
Just look at those fancy green beans, all speckled with toasty, buttery pine nuts? Yassss! Toasted Pine Nut Green Beans by The Speckled Palate is a simple green bean side dish made for entertaining!
Oh, I'm sorry. Did somebody say bacon? Ok, then. I'm there. Green Bean and Bacon Bundles might say it all, but did I mention there's a brown sugar glaze? You can find this gem at Spend with Pennies.
Southerners, I got your number, right here. Stewed Green Beans with Tomatoes is a slow cooking side dish that feeds a crowd and makes them rejoice all at the same time. Win. This one features fresh green beans, bacon, onions, and fire roasted tomatoes. It's by The Anthony Kitchen. Also, known as mwah.
Instant Pot lovers, this one's for you: Instant Pot Green Beans with Ham by Savory Tooth is beyond fast and over-the-top full of flavor.
Who doesn't love a little Cajun spice in their life? These Cajun Green Beans by Souffle Bombay put it to perfect use in this super simple, super easy green bean side dish
Enjoy your new favorite green bean recipes and happy cooking to all!
Fresh Green Beans Recipe
Ingredients
- 12 oz bag of “Washed + Ready to Eat” green beans (or 12 oz green beans, washed and ends snipped)
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter or olive oil
- 1 tsp Kosher salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Add water to a medium-sized saucepan until about two-thirds of the way full. Place over high heat and bring to a boil. Add green beans to water and allow to boil for 6-8 minutes, just until tender.
- Do not allow them to cook far beyond this stage, as they will continue to cook slightly longer once removed from the heat. Immediately drain and transfer to serving dish.
- Toss with butter, salt and pepper. Serve right away and enjoy.
Notes
Nutrition
Marissa says
I can never get enough fresh green beans! I want to try all of these!! (Pinned so I'll remember them all!)
Kelly Anthony says
Thank you, Marissa! They are a staple on our grocery list every week. I'm right there with ya 😉
Cynthia | What A Girl Eats says
I almost never think of preparing them cold, but some of those dishes look really perfect for summer!
Kelly Anthony says
Yes! They're so yummy in a salad!!
georgie says
this is an awesome round up! i never knew green beans could be so versatile!!
Kelly Anthony says
They really are! And they're able to take on so much flavor!
Pam Greer says
These all sound amazing!! I just picked up some fresh green beans from the store. Now, the only thing I have to decide is which one first?!
Jessica Levinson says
What a great collection of recipes for fresh green beans! Everything looks delicious!
Kelly Anthony says
Thank you, Jessica!
Shashi at SavorySpin says
Such a delicious collection of green bean recipes! Delicious and healthy sides!
Kelly Anthony says
Thank you, Shashi!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food says
My love for green beans is STRONG! They are so simple to prepare and so versatile! Love this round up! Now I have to make my way through the list 😉
Kelly Anthony says
Ha, thank you, Dawn! Mine too!
Elaine @ Dishes Delish says
What a glorious roundup! I love green beans but that wasn't always the case. When I was growing up, we only had canned beans and I always thought they were bland. And then FRESH green beans came into my life! I can't wait to try each and every one of these recipes!
Kelly Anthony says
I know! I can't believe I liked them as a kid! Fresh is a total game changer, for sure!
Amanda Mason says
I love this round-up! They all look so delish! I think the Greek Green Bean Salad is my favorite! I grew up with my parent canning green beans from the garden. They are my favorite vegetable! Can't wait to give some of these a try!
Ashley @ Big Flavors from a Tiny Kitchen says
Similar to you, I grew up eating the canned stuff. Now that I know how delicious fresh green beans are, there's no looking back! This is a great collection of recipes - so fresh and vibrant! Definitely pinning these for later 🙂
lauren says
A great round up! Summertime is my favorite for making green beans, they just seem snappier! If only I could get my toddler to try them I know she'd be a huge fan.
Kelly Anthony says
Thank you, Lauren! I completely agree!
Jyothi (Jo) says
These all sound amazing!! I can never get enough fresh green beans! Can't tell which one of it is my fav, everything looks so delicious!
Ruchi says
Amazing collection! I especially like Greek green bean salad- want to try it next weekend at the friends party!
Kelly Anthony says
I thought the same thing!
Jenni LeBaron says
Yum! this is a tremendous roundup. I adore a good batch of crunchy green beans and love that you've offered so much inspiration for the different ways I can pair it with dinner!
Kim @ Berly's Kitchen says
This is going to sound strange, but I just started eating green beans a few years ago. I grew up on canned green beans and hated them. My husband started cooking them fresh, and things have never been the same. All of these recipes look great and I can't wait to give them a try!
Kelly Anthony says
Kim, I loved them as a kid...even from the can! Ha! However, grown-up taste buds were not amused. Fresh forever and always!
Claire | The Simple, Sweet Life says
I love cooking with fresh green beans so I love that you did a big ol' round up with a bunch of delicious green bean recipes! I'll definitely be bookmarking this for later.
Kelly Anthony says
Amazing! Thank you, Claire!
Michele says
These recipes for green beans look amazing! I love green beans but I get tired of them just steamed. Love that you've given so many ways to eat them.
Kelly Anthony says
Thanks, Michele!
anne says
My garden is overflowing with green beans right now! Thanks for the inspiration. I will be trying a few of these recipes out real soon!
Kelly Anthony says
We've never grown them! We'll have to try next summer 🙂 Thanks!
Amy Treasure says
Honestly I can't buy enough green beans for my family at the moment. They are so versatile and this is an amazing resource, thank you!
Kelly Anthony says
Thank you, Amy!!!