Roasted Green Beans

When it comes to green beans, people usually think of the classic green bean casserole. But, there are so many other delicious recipes you can make with green beans. Rather than only enjoying this veggie during the holidays, make this roasted garlic green bean recipe! It is the perfect side dish for any meal and any occasion. 

Roasted garlic green beans are refreshing, flavorful, and a light side dish that won’t overwhelm the main dish. Roasting is one of the easiest ways to cook food. Just toss the green beans into the oven with some oil and garlic, and voila! Your green beans are ready to eat. When it is time to clean, all you have to wash is a baking sheet. How awesome is that?

Take a few steps and minutes to make these beautifully caramelized garlic green beans. You and the family will surely love this healthy dish.

Jump to:

• WHAT HEALTH BENEFITS DO GREEN BEANS HAVE?
• INGREDIENTS
• SUBSTITUTIONS
• HOW TO MAKE HEALTHY ROASTED GARLIC GREEN BEANS
• TIPS
• QUESTIONS ABOUT THE RECIPE
• Roasted Green Beans Recipe

WHAT HEALTH BENEFITS DO GREEN BEANS HAVE?

Green beans have many health benefits. By roasting them with a few spices, all of the nutrients stay in the beans. 

The best time to buy fresh green beans is from May to October, but you can always buy frozen green beans. Frozen green beans are picked at their peak ripeness and maintain their nutrients better than fresh beans. 

The humble bean is low in calories, but contains many nutrients like Vitamin C and Vitamin K. Eating green beans can help with strengthening your immune system and bones.

WHAT HEALTH BENEFITS DOES GARLIC HAVE?

The roasted green beans are made even healthier with the addition of roasted garlic. Garlic is also low in calories, but has many health benefits. Eating garlic on a regular basis can improve blood pressure and cholesterol. It is a great ingredient that adds a lot of flavor into any dish it is added to, so do not feel shy about adding it to your meals!

INGREDIENTS

This recipe only requires four ingredients, most of which you probably have at home already.

• Green Beans: trim and wash your green beans before roasting. Feel free to use frozen green beans, or pre-trimmed green beans. 
• Olive Oil: adds a nice flavor to the green beans when roasting.
• Garlic: use fresh or minced garlic in this recipe. Do not substitute it with garlic powder.
• Salt and Black Pepper: add as much salt and pepper as you would like. Salt is a flavor enhancer, and black pepper adds a nice kick.

SUBSTITUTIONS

• Use frozen instead of fresh green beans. To use frozen green beans, thaw and drain them. Do not substitute with canned green beans.
• Add in extra layers of flavor with lemon juice, lemon zest, or pine nuts.
• Switch out the green beans with a different vegetable you like. Asparagus is a great alternative to green beans. 
• Add more garlic if you want. For a stronger garlic flavor, feel free to add in garlic powder. You can add in extra garlic powder, but do not replace the garlic with garlic powder.
• You can use any type of oil that you have. This recipe uses olive oil, because it adds an additional flavor to the roasted green beans.

HOW TO MAKE HEALTHY ROASTED GARLIC GREEN BEANS

Making these roasted garlic green beans is super easy! It is the perfect side dish for a busy or lazy day. They seem fancy, but actually take little effort to make. 

Start by preheating the oven to 400°F and lining a baking sheet. Then prepare the green beans. If you are using fresh green beans, trim and wash them. For frozen green beans, let them thaw and drain them of any liquid. It is best to have your green beans dry before adding the other ingredients. This will give you the best end result in your roasted green beans.

Pat the green beans dry and add them to the lined baking sheet. Mince the garlic and add it to the green beans. Drizzle some olive oil over the green beans. Sprinkle salt and fresh ground pepper on top of the green beans and give them a good toss. Make sure all the green beans are covered in oil and seasonings. 

Bake them in the oven for 10 minutes, then rotate the baking sheet to ensure even cooking. Bake them for another 10 minutes, or until tender. It is best to roast them on the middle rack, so they do not get too hot too quickly.

Serve with your main dish and enjoy!

TIPS

• Add in a bit of bacon for flavor and crunchy texture.
• Use pre-trimmed green beans to save time and effort when making this recipe.
• Make sure to rotate the baking sheet, or give the green beans a shake halfway during the baking. This will ensure even cooking and prevent burning. 
• Add more garlic, or a sprinkle of garlic powder for a stronger garlic flavor.
• When using fresh green beans, it is best to buy ones that are in season (summer to fall). Also use them soon after buying them. Green beans lose their flavor quickly after being picked.
• Bunch some of the green beans together and trim the ends at the same time. This will make the trimming process quicker.
• Have all the ingredients be at room temperature before roasting them in the oven. Roasting it cold may cause uneven cooking, or longer cooking times as the roasting will have to first bring the food up to temperature.
• Make sure the green beans are close to the same size, so everything cooks evenly and at the same time.

QUESTIONS ABOUT THE RECIPE

How do you trim green beans?

If you are buying fresh green beans, then you will have to trim them to make sure the dish doesn’t end up stringy. The easiest way to trip the green beans is to cut off both ends of the beans. Trimming a pound of green beans may take a while, but you can trim multiple green beans at once. Or, buy pre-trimmed green beans to skip this step.

Should I blanch the green beans?

No. There is no need for blanching the green beans in this recipe. It is meant to be an easy, quick recipe that can be made on even the busiest days.

Can I make this recipe spicy?

Absolutely! Add red pepper flakes to the green beans when roasting to add a bit of kick to the green beans.

What can I serve with these green beans?

This side dish is light, so it works well with heavy dishes like steak or roasted chicken. It also goes well with rich, creamy sauce-based dishes. It provides a refreshing break from the main course. If you have leftovers, you can also chop up the roasted green beans and add them to a salad or mix them with rice.

Can I use other vegetables in this recipe?

Not everyone likes green beans and that’s okay! Follow the same recipe, but switch the green beans for other hearty veggies like broccoli, asparagus, or carrots. It works best with hard vegetables like carrots, rather than soft vegetables like spinach.

Are green beans the same as string beans?

Yes! The term “string bean,” comes from the “strings” that hang off the beans. These are usually trimmed off and aren’t eaten. Most people say “green beans,” instead of “string beans,” but they are the same thing.

Can I use canned green beans?

It is best not to use canned green beans in this recipe. They won’t have the same texture or taste as fresh green beans. Since the green beans are the star of the show, it is best to use the best quality beans in the recipe.

What other seasonings can I add to this recipe?

This roasted garlic green bean recipe is quite simple, but there are many ways you can switch things up. Try adding in some onion powder, or fresh herbs for a classic Italian twist. Squeeze a bit of fresh lime juice after roasting for a kick of citrus.

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