Name: Green Beans with Pecans
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 15 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 pound green beans, ends trimmed; 1/4 cup butter, unsalted; 1/4 cup pecans, chopped; 1/8 teaspoon salt

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Green Beans with Pecans is a delicious and nutritious way to dress up your green beans. Cooked until tender and crispy, these vibrant greens are tossed in butter together with slightly toasted pecans for a surprise crunch. With just four simple ingredients and 15 minutes, you can enjoy a side dish that's easy enough for weeknight dinners yet elegant enough for your holiday spread.

Green Beans with Pecans is a delicious and nutritious way to dress up earthy green beans with crunchy pecans. Serve this easy side dish any day! | aheadofthyme.com

When a simple side dish gets a makeover, it can be just as exciting as the main course. Green beans, like many vegetables, can become plain and dull if cooked the same way each time. This recipe incorporates pecans to give the dish a nutty, crunchy texture that makes it different from the usual. These crispy and buttery green beans with pecans also pair well with a lot of your favorite pork, chicken, beef, or pasta dishes, so you can add them as your go-to side dishes for everyday meals and even the fanciest dinners.

Why You'll Love this Green Beans with Pecans Recipe

Quick and easy. No need to stand over the stove for hours — these nutty green beans come together in 15 minutes! The only prep required is basically washing and trimming the green beans, and chopping up the pecans. Plus, you only need four ingredients, so it's not just a time-saver, but a money-saver too.
So flavorful. With only a few ingredients, it is amazing how much flavour this dish produces. Earthy green beans perfectly balance with crunchy pecans, and are all coated with smooth buttery goodness. And the texture is just something else! The beans are tender, yet still slightly crispy, and the roasted pecans give it a crunchy smoky kick.
Healthy and delicious. Some recipes can be heavy and greasy, but not this one! The addition of pecans and butter adds a decadent crunch while still keeping it light and flavorful. Green beans are also packed with vitamins, minerals, and fiber, so it’s an easy way to get your veggies in.
Simple yet appetizing. The bright green beans, lightly toasted pecans, and melted butter all come together to create a visually appealing side dish. It’s one of those dishes that looks like you put in more time and effort than you actually did.
Perfect for all occasions. Whether you’re serving up green beans with pecans for a weeknight meal or a holiday dinner, this dish will fit right in. It pairs well with just about any main course and can easily be doubled or tripled for larger crowds.

Ingredient Notes

To make these delicious Green Beans with Pecans, you will need the following ingredients (full measurements in recipe card below):

green beans - I usually trim the ends of the beans to give them a cleaner look but you can leave them intact if you want.
butter - use unsalted butter for better flavor control.
pecans - add a nice crunch and flavor to the dish. You can use either medium or finely chopped pecans.
salt - add to taste.

You will also need measuring cups and spoons, a large pot, and a large skillet.

How to Make the Best Green Beans with Pecans

Cook green beans. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add beans and cook uncovered until they are slightly tender but still crispy, approximately 5 minutes. Remove from heat and drain.

Toast pecans. In a large non-stick skillet, heat butter over medium-high heat. Once the butter is just melted, add pecans. Cook until they are slightly toasted, about 3 minutes, stirring continuously.

Toss together. Add green beans and salt, and cook for another 2 minutes. Remove from heat and serve.

Recipe Variations

Add caramelized onions. Mix in some sliced onions while toasting the pecans in butter. This caramelizes the onions and gives a distinct mildly sweet, savory flavor to your side dish.
Glaze with balsamic vinegar. Make a tangy and syrupy balsamic vinegar glaze to drizzle your side dish for a unique flavor. Reduce a few tablespoons of balsamic vinegar with brown sugar, and toss your green beans with pecans right in this sauce for a delicious coating.
Lemon and garlic. Toast some garlic and pecans in butter for a strong, savory flavor and aroma, and add a squeeze of lemon juice at the end for a fresh, zesty twist.
Enjoy with pesto. If you think that pesto makes everything better, you should make these Pesto Green Beans at home. Add a spoonful of your favorite store-bought or homemade pesto to the cooked green beans for a rich, creamy, herby flavor.
Make it vegan. Replace butter with vegan butter or olive oil.

How to Serve

Enjoy these delicious Green Beans with Pecans as a side with some main dishes such as:

Recipe Tips and Tricks

Use fresh green beans. While you can use store-bought frozen French-cut green beans, fresh ones retain a natural, crispy texture and cook much faster.
Use boiling water.Drop the green beans in vigorously boiling water so you can achieve that tender yet crispy texture. Avoid boiling them excessively as they will turn too soft and dull green.
Toss around. While toasting the pecans, move them from time to time so they don’t burn and instead, maintain a nice buttery, slightly caramelized texture.
Serve immediately. Like many dishes, it is best to serve your green beans with pecans hot and fresh off the skillet. It will be the crispiest and most tender just after cooking.

Storing and Freezing Instructions

How to Store

Keep any leftover green beans in an airtight container and store them in the fridge for up to 3 days.

How to Reheat

Reheat the nutty green beans in a skillet over medium heat, adding a tablespoon of butter or olive oil to keep them from drying out.

How to Freeze

Place the leftovers in a freezer bag or freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 3 months. To thaw, transfer them in the fridge overnight and reheat in a skillet.

More Green Bean Recipes

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