13 Green Bean Recipe Ideas That Are Absolutely Not Boring

Caramelized Green Beans

This green bean recipe idea from Jesse Tyler Ferguson and Julie Tanous in their cookbook Food Between Friends ($16, Target) 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 are what 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 side dish 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 recipe ideas with bacon are the ultimate side dish 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 salad recipe. The colorful blend of green beans and wax beans makes a fun, nutritious alternative to a lettuce salad. Try this with toasted walnuts or pecans or opt for roasted chickpeas for a nut alternative.

Sicilian Potato and Green Bean Salad

This fresh and filling side-dish salad will be a favorite green bean and potato recipe. Olive oil, capers, garlic, and anchovies take the place of mayo for this Italian-style green bean recipe idea. 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 green bean salad is one of our favorite green bean recipe ideas. 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 Better Homes and Gardens green bean casserole. To top off this classic green bean casserole, try the delicious combination of crispy breadcrumbs and tender, sweet onions. They're just 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 on hand in your freezer for one of the ultimate frozen green bean recipes of all time. Watch out: This green bean 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 to mix up flavors and textures, then this is the best green bean recipe 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 entire 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.

Buy It: Staub Dutch Oven ($330-$360, Williams Sonoma)

Blistered Green Beans with Bacon

Blistered may just be our new favorite way to eat our green beans now that we've discovered this great green bean recipe idea. 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.