Garlicky Green Beans with Caramelized Shallots
These fresh and crisp Garlicky Green Beans with Caramelized Shallots are a simple, healthy and flavorful side dish that comes together in just 15 minutes! No blanching necessary. Perfect for busy weeknights or served with a holiday meal.
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You are going to love these garlicky green beans with shallots! Such a simple, healthy and flavorful side dish that comes together in just 15 minutes. These fresh, crisp green beans with caramelized shallots and garlic are full of savory-sweet flavors that truly couldn’t be easier to make. Perfect for those busy weeknights, but also elevated enough for special occasions or your Thanksgiving table. This green bean with shallots recipe will become your go-to favorite!
Why You’ll Love This
- Quick and easy – these green beans come together in just 15 minutes in one skillet with minimal prep time and no blanching necessary!
- Healthy side dish – string beans are packed with vitamins, fiber and antioxidants, making this side dish as nutritious as it is delicious.
- Simple ingredients – all you need are just a few simple pantry staples to throw this delicious side dish together.
- Customizable – you can easily make this to your family’s liking. Add in a little spicy, toss in some crunchy nuts or sprinkle with parmesan cheese for extra flavor.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- green beans – you’ll need a pound of fresh green beans or french green beans (also called haricot verts) in this recipe. No canned green beans here!
- olive oil – I like to use a good extra-virgin olive oil or butter to caramelize the shallots. You could also use a combination of both or use avocado oil or canola oil.
- shallots – caramelizing the shallots provide natural sweetness to these green beans with the need for added sugar. You could also use a sweet onion, white onion, or red onion in place of the shallots. Feel free to sprinkle in some green onions as well.
- garlic – you can use fresh chopped garlic or minced garlic from the jar. I don’t really recommend garlic powder in this recipe, but if that’s all you have it will work.
- soy sauce – just a tablespoon of low sodium soy sauce goes a long way to enhance the flavor of these green beans and add a little umami flavor. Feel free to swap the soy sauce with tamari or coconut aminos to make these green beans gluten-free.
- salt and pepper – kosher salt (or sea salt) and black pepper is needed to season these green beans.
How to Make Garlic Green Beans
- Caramelize the shallots. Heat extra virgin olive oil or melt butter in a large skillet or sauté pan over medium-low heat. Add in the shallots and cook until soft and translucent, stirring frequently, about 8 to 10 minutes. Add in the garlic and sauté the shallot mixture for an additional 30 seconds.
- Simmer green beans. Add in the green beans, about a teaspoon salt, pepper, soy sauce and a half cup of water, bringing to a boil. Reduce the heat to low, cover the green beans, and simmer for about 8 minutes.
- Finish cooking. Remove the lid and increase to medium-high heat to high heat. Cook the green beans for 5 to 6 more minutes, stirring frequently, until all the liquid has evaporated, green beans are tender and shallots are jammy.
- Serve and enjoy. Season the sautéed green beans with additional salt and pepper, to taste, and transfer to a serving platter. Serve warm and enjoy!
My favorite part about this recipe is there is no need to boil and drain the green beans or place them in an ice water bath for blanching! Not only does this save you two whole cooking steps, but that means no large pot or extra bowls to clean.
How to Serve
- With protein – serve alongside chicken like this balsamic grilled chicken, honey garlic chicken or lemon herb grilled chicken. As a side dish to salmon like this ginger basil salmon or with this lemon garlic shrimp.
- With rice or pasta – pair these green beans with brown rice, white rice, quinoa or even pasta dishes like this easy beef stroganoff.
- Drizzle with sauces – elevate these green beans even more by tossing with this healthy teriyaki sauce, maple balsamic dressing or honey mustard dressing.
- With holiday meals – the perfect side dish for Thanksgiving dinner, Christmas, or other holiday dinner.
