30 Game-Changing Green Bean Recipes

By Victoria Spencer

Updated October 26, 2020

They couldn't be more versatile in the kitchen. Use fresh green beans to add crunch and color to salads, stir-fries, pastas, casseroles, and so much more. Get our best recipes featuring green beans, as well as tips for selecting and storing them.

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Green Bean Basics

Fresh and crunchy, green beans are easy to love and super easy to incorporate into everything from vegetable side dishes to pasta salads to main courses. They don't have to be baked in a casserole to be delicious, as these recipes show. Also called string beans, green beans are made up of small seeds encased in long pods. Because the beans are harvested while still young, the pods are tender and edible.

While green beans are available year-round, their peak season is May to October. When you're shopping for green beans, we recommend you choose ones that are sold loose rather than in packages so you can pick the freshest. They should be crisp and bright green without blemishes or signs of wilting. For even cooking, choose beans that are of similar size.

Store them in a sealed plastic bag in the refrigerator for up to five days, but know that green beans are not a keeper—they really do taste best if used right away. Another reason to choose green beans? Prep is easy, with no peeling or slicing required! Just rinse the beans under cold water, then trim the stem end by snapping it off with your fingers or cutting with a paring knife. You can trim the other end if you like, but it's not necessary.

Need even more reasons to love green beans? The legumes are rich in vitamin C ,"which helps you absorb iron and is an important mineral for carrying oxygen through your body," says New York City-based registered dietitian Rachel Berman. A cup of green beans delivers a quarter of your daily vitamin K, which maintains healthy blood and bones, Berman explains. Plus, they have nearly three grams of cholesterol-curbing fiber per cup. Enjoy their crisp texture and bright flavor in these, our favorite recipes that range from spicy sides to crisp salads to comforting casseroles.

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Green Beans With Warm Raisin-Caper Dressing

Credit: Kate Sears

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30 Game-Changing Green Bean Recipes

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Green Bean Basics

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Green Beans With Warm Raisin-Caper Dressing

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Quick-Cooked Green Beans with Lemon

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Miso-Watercress Green Beans

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Green Bean Casserole with Bacon

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Pasta Salad with Peas and Summer Beans

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Harissa-Roasted Green Beans

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Blistered Green-Bean and Corn Frittata

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Delhi-Style Green Beans

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Green Bean, Shell Bean, and Sweet Onion Fattoush

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Dry-Fried Green Beans

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Braised Green Beans with Tomatoes

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Spicy Pickled Green Beans

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Potato Salad with Green Beans and Ricotta

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Chopped Green Bean and Celery Salad with Mustard Vinaigrette

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Green Beans with Hazelnuts and Gorgonzola

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Lemon Chicken Stir-Fry with Green Beans

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Green Beans with Ginger and Tomatoes

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Pasta Salad with Chickpeas, Green Beans, and Basil

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Quinoa and Green Bean Salad

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Green Beans with Potatoes and Ham

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Green Beans with Parsnips and Pickled Red Onions

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Green Bean Casserole

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Green Beans with Tomatoes, Olives, and Eggs

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Green Beans with Spiced Breadcrumbs

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Raw Tomato and Green Bean Pasta