Easy Vegetarian Green Bean Recipe with Garlic

My Easy Vegetarian Green Bean Recipe with Garlic is cooked to perfection with cranberries, shallots, mustard, and garlic. It’s so delicious!

I’m always ready to cook up an easy recipe. This might be my best one yet, especially when my green beans look this pretty. The dried cranberries, black pepper, sauteed green beans, and delish mustard vinaigrette blend together to give this green bean recipe a star rating.

Plus, it’s a great option for any holiday table or all throughout Summer or Spring. Can you easily see the flavorful crisp beans alongside any main course? I sure can.

overhead of vegetarian green beans with shaved cheese and cranberries
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What can I add to green beans for flavor?

In my opinion, the best way to bring out the flavor of green beans is with garlic powder or onion powder and salt and pepper.

It’s mostly due to my Italian upbringing. My mom added garlic to everything. Plus, garlic is super healthy for you. Adding the mustard vinaigrette to the crisp green beans gives this recipe the zing and nice crunch that’s needed for a great recipe.

How do I jazz up green beans?

What I love about this delicious vegetable recipe is the use of olive oil. That’s my way of jazzing up any dish. I love olive oil. Whenever I get to use cloves of garlic along with string beans you know it’s going to be good.

While my fresh green beans recipe doesn’t call for soy sauce or red pepper flakes, it is full of flavor and a delicious side dish.

Other options to add flavor to your green beans

  • Red peppers
  • Roasted green beans with Sesame oil
  • Lemon zest or lemon pepper seasoning
  • Sarah from Badtothebowl has a delicious maple syrup bean recipe
  • Blanched with butter
  • Simmer in chicken broth
  • Combine with bacon

Should you blanch green beans before cooking?

Even tho I am a huge fan of blanching green beans, it’s not necessary to do so.

However, here is why I love blanching my green beans. In blanching beans the nutrients and vitamins are not boiled out of the beans. Meaning, the nutritional value, and health benefits stay in the bean and pass it on to you, more so than when boiled.

Another reason I love blanched green beans is the fact that if you are planning to reheat the green beans in a simple skillet, the blanching of them leaves them crisp, bright green, and slightly undercooked or al dente. Perfect for reheating without overcooking. It’s a great way and option if you are not serving them immediately,

ingredients in glass bowls to make green beans with cranberries and shallots

How to make my easy vegetarian green bean recipe with garlic?

  • Step 1: Whisk together vinegar, dijon mustard, (use regular mustard for vegetarian option) salt & pepper
overhead view of mustard dressing being made and whisk
  • Step 2: In a large pot of water, over medium heat bring lightly salted water to a boil
  • Step 3: Trim green beans and add to boiling water, Simmer for 5 minutes. Drain. (optional tip: add to ice water to stop the cooking process) Toss with vinaigrette dressing.
overhead view of green beans in pot of water
  • Step 4: Next, heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the shallots, cranberries, and garlic until golden brown. About 6 minutes until softened. (I prefer shallots over red onions, especially for this dish. The shallots add some sweetness)
overhead view of cranberries, shallots and garlic in glass bowl
overhead view of skillet with shallots, garlic and dried cranberries being sauteed
  • Step 5: Pour over beans, toss, top with grated parmesan cheese, (use gorgonzola for a vegetarian option) and serve.

These simple ingredients and the easy cooking process create a delicious dinner side dish. So next time you’re looking for a tasty and easy green bean recipe, try this one.

overhead view of vegetarian green bean recipe in vintage bowl

Easy Vegetarian Green Bean Recipe with Garlic

overhead of vegetarian green beans with shaved cheese and cranberries

Easy Vegetarian Green Bean Recipe with Garlic

My Easy Vegetarian Green Bean Recipe with Garlic is cooked to perfection with cranberries, shallots, mustard, and garlic. It's so delicious!
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 11 minutes
Total Time 26 minutes
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 8 Servings

Ingredients
  

Vinaigrette Dressing Ingredients

  • 2 tbsp Red wine vinegar
  • 2 tbsp Dijon Mustard Use regular mustard for vegetarian option)
  • 1/4 tsp Salt
  • 1/4 tsp Pepper
  • 5 tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • 4 tbsp Snipped Fresh Chives

Green Bean Ingredients

  • 2 lbs Green Beans, trimmed
  • 1 tbsp Olive Oil
  • 2 large Shallots, thinly sliced
  • 1/3 cup Dried cranberries
  • 2 cloves Garlic, finely chopped
  • 3 ounces Parmesean, shaved with a vegetable peeler Use gorgonzola for vegetarian option

Instructions
 

How to Make Mustard Vinaigrette Dressing

  • In small bowl, which the vinegar, mustard, salt and pepper. Drizzle the olive oil, whisk until the dressing is emulsified.

How to Prepare Easy Vegetarian Green Beans

  • In large pot, salt water and bring to boil.
  • Add beans, simmer for 5 minutes until crisp.
  • Drain. Place in serving bowl and toss with finaigrette dressing.
  • Heat oil in medium skillet over medium heat.
  • Add shallots, cranberries and garlic
  • Cook approximalely 6 minutes or until softened.
  • Pour over green beans and toss.
  • Top with parmesan cheese and serve.
Keyword vegetarian green bean recipe
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If you enjoyed this post, you may enjoy my Easy Garlic Green Beans with Lime Recipe.

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6 Comments

  1. These look delicious, Susan, and your photography is amazing. You make one heck of a food blogger!!!!

    1. Thanks Wendy. That is so sweet of you to say. XO Susan

  2. I love the idea of adding cranberries! YES! Such a great post, Susan, with fantastic instructions and photos!

    1. thank you so much Renae! I appreciate that! 🙂

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