21 Easy Green Bean Recipes That Complement Any Main Dish

These recipes for green beans all have one thing in common: They're darn delicious!

As far as vegetables go, we're pretty big fans of green beans. They're versatile, inexpensive, and pack a nutritional wallop with vitamin C, potassium, and fiber. Did we mention that they're delicious, too? We've created a lot of green bean recipes over the years, because they seem to go with everything.

Need some crunch in a potato salad? Green beans to the rescue. Grilled pork tenderloin that needs a simple, summery side? Fresh green bean recipes are the way to go. Don't even get us started on that iconic Thanksgiving casserole. We love green bean recipes so much we must have invented dozens of twists on the dish over the years. We like them pretty much every which way.

From our Slow Cooker Green Bean Casserole to Pickled Green Beans and more, we've picked the best of the best green bean recipes from our repertoire.

Garlic Parmesan Green Beans

You'll need just a handful of ingredients to transform fresh green beans into a crowd-pleasing side dish. This recipe delivers plenty of flavor, with minimal effort, thanks to minced garlic, Parmesan cheese, and bacon.

Slow Cooker Green Bean Casserole

Your slow cooker does most of the work for this green bean casserole that requires just 15 minutes of hands-on time. This recipe is for a 4-quart slow cooker, but you can double the recipe if you have an 8-quart crock.

Milk-Simmered Green Beans

Allow us to introduce you to this old-fashioned side dish that just may become your most-requested recipe. Make sure to use fresh beans for this recipe.

Green Beans with Bacon Breadcrumbs

If you're looking to skip the green bean casserole but still need a side that packs all the holiday appeal, look no further than our Green Beans with Bacon Breadcrumbs. They're crunchy, vibrant, and just decadent enough to take a starring role.

Skillet-Charred Pole Beans With Bacon

Bacon makes everything better, and green beans are no exception. This side will be ready in just 25 minutes.

Old-School Green Bean Casserole

Win over your guests this holiday season by making a homemade green bean casserole, topped with fried shallots. We also think it's great for serving year-round.

Green Bean Almondine

Let this be your go-to green bean recipe. These simple yet impressive beans are quick and easy to pull together and go with just about anything.

Roasted Green Beans With Spicy-Sweet Glazed Shallots

Crushed red pepper flakes and honey create just the right amount of sweet heat in this dish.

Green Bean Fries With Spicy Dipping Sauce

Instead of french fries, serve up these beer-battered green beans with a homemade dipping sauce. In addition to being served as a side dish, these green bean fries also make a great appetizer.

Slow-Cooker Green Beans

Throw bacon and green beans in a slow-cooker to create the ultimate savory side dish that is perfect for any weeknight meal. This recipe can cook while you focus on the main dish.

Tangy Potato-Green Bean Salad

The addition of green beans offer a fresh take on potato salad. We also lightened it up by holding the mayo and using a lemon-dill vinaigrette instead.

Pickled Green Beans

Start with our Master Pickle Brine, then dress it up with some spice from a jalapeño and a twist of licorice-flavor from tarragon and fennel seed.

Smothered Green Beans

What exactly are these green beans smothered in? How about thick-cut bacon, garlicky shallots, and a perfectly tangy tomato gravy.

Lemon-Sauteed Green Beans

Here we call for a minimal amount of ingredients that are designed to brighten up the crisp and lively veggie. Lemon and green beans go together like peas and carrots, and this recipe proves it.

Homemade Green Bean Casserole with Crispy Leeks

Swap out canned fried onions for crispy leeks to top your medley of greens. Not only are they delicious, but they give the casserole an upgraded look.

Bacon-Brussels Sprout-Green Bean Casserole

The addition of Brussels sprouts and bacon make this green bean medley a real side dish winner. You'll know this casserole is ready to come out of the oven when the top is golden brown and crisp.

Penne with Green Beans And Tomatoes

Add zing to your salads with fresh dill, or swap it for basil, mint, or parsley. For pasta, try using whole wheat for its earthy, toothsome quality; any kind will do.

Green Bean Lasagna

Top this casserole with crushed buttery crackers and French fried onions and you will wonder how you ever enjoyed your green bean casserole any other way. This will be the update that will become your go-to family classic casserole for years to come.

Balsamic Green Beans With Pearl Onions

Green beans, pearl onions, and balsamic vinegar come together to create this elegant side dish. From start to finish, you'll need just 20 minutes to complete the recipe.

Southern-Style Green Beans

These salty and smoky green beans taste best alongside homemade Fried Chicken. Though they take a little bit of time to cook, these green beans are super simple to cook.

Green Beans with Garlic

Pantry staples are all you need to transform green beans into a flavor-packed side. Sauté fresh garlic to jazz up this simple yet delicious dish.

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