French Style Green Beans Recipe

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Breathe new life into your weeknight routine with this incredibly easy French-style green beans recipe. In just minutes, you can transform fresh green beans into a delightful side dish packed with flavor. Spruce up your search for healthy and easy green bean recipes with this easy side dish.

Simple yet impressive, this recipe combines crisp-tender green beans with the aromatic essence of shallots and the savory depth of garlic. It’s a healthy and quick way to elevate any meal, leaving you more time to savor the company around the table. It’s a perfect example of how fresh green bean recipes can be surprisingly delicious and a welcome addition to any meal.

Plus, this recipe is entirely gluten-free and dairy-free, making it a perfect option for everyone, including those with dietary restrictions. So ditch the takeout menus and whip up this delicious and nutritious side dish in under 15 minutes.

Ingredients List for French Green Beans Recipe

This French-style green beans recipe is the epitome of convenience. Made with simple ingredients readily available at your local grocery store, it transforms fresh French cut green beans into a delightful side dish in no time. No scrambling for specialty items, just pure, delicious goodness that’s easy on your wallet and your weeknight routine.

• 1 lb fresh French-style green beans, washed and trimmed
• 3/4 cup water
• 1/2 – 1 Tbsp avocado oil or olive oil
• 1 shallot, finely minced
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• salt and black pepper to taste
• ​squeeze of lemon juice

Ingredients Tips and Substitutions

The main ingredient for this tasty dish is the green beans. If you are a fan of green beans then you may love French style, string beans, or regular green beans. There is a slight difference between the different variations. 

Regular green beans and French green beans (also called haricot verts) are both varieties of the common bean, but there are some key differences:

• Size and Maturity: French green beans are typically thinner and longer than regular green beans. This is because they’re harvested earlier when the pods are young and the seeds haven’t developed much.
• Texture and Flavor: Due to their earlier harvest, French green beans are more tender and delicate with a slightly more subtle, earthy flavor compared to regular green beans, which can have a sweeter and more herbaceous taste.
• Cooking Time:  The thinner size of French green beans means they cook much faster than regular green beans. Regular beans might take 12 minutes, while French green beans only need around 6 minutes to achieve crisp-tenderness.
• Availability: French green beans are often seen as a more premium product and might be slightly more expensive. You’re more likely to find them at farmer’s markets during peak season (summer) or specialty grocery stores.

In most recipes, you can substitute French green beans for regular green beans, but you might need to adjust the cooking time based on their size. For ultimate convenience, this recipe is perfect for a bag of pre-washed and trimmed green beans. No major prepping is required.

How to Make the Best French Green Beans Recipe

First, wash and trim the beans if you aren’t able to find prewashed and trimmed. Simply cut off the stem end of each bean. Then mince the shallots and the garlic.

How to Cook Fresh Green Beans

This cooking process is similar to steaming but with a bit more boiling water. First, pour the water into a large saucepan. 

Bring the large pot of water to a boil over medium-high heat. When the water boils add the green beans, Lower to medium heat, cover, and cook for 3-5 minutes until crisp-tender.

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While cooking, heat the oil in a large skillet or saute pan over medium high heat. 

Then add the minced shallots to the skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes. 

Next, add the minced garlic and cook for about another minute until fragrant. 

When the French green beans are finished cooking drain them in a fine mesh strainer. 

Then transfer them back to the skillet with the shallots and garlic. 

Season with salt and black pepper, and toss to coat over medium-low heat for an extra minute before removing from the heat. 

Squeeze a little bit of lemon juice onto the French-style green beans before serving. 

Delicious Green Bean Side Dish

Busy weeknights don’t have to mean boring sides. This French-style green beans recipe is your secret weapon for whipping up a flavorful and healthy dish in under 15 minutes.

Fresh green beans take center stage, with their bright green color and delicious flavor. They’re simply dressed with aromatic shallots and savory garlic for a side that complements any protein. Plus, it’s entirely gluten-free and dairy-free, making it a perfect option for everyone to enjoy.

Skip the takeout menus and head to your local grocery store. This recipe thrives on convenience, with readily available ingredients transforming into pure deliciousness.

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-5 days.

More green bean recipe ideas:

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