Simple Green Bean Recipe Ideas

This green bean dish goes from kitchen to table in just 20 minutes. Sliced red bell peppers add great color (and make this a festive choice for Christmas), while shallots and garlic punch up the flavor.

Recipe: Green Bean-and-Red Bell Pepper Toss

White wine vinegar adds a little bite to this blend of green beans, wax beans, and fingerling potatoes. Make preparation even easier by planning to serve this side when you'll have some leftover cooked bacon on hand.

Recipe: Marinated Green Bean and Potato Salad

If you're in need of a light, refreshing side, check out this dish. Balsamic vinegar perfectly complements the sweet Vidalia onions, while fresh mint brightens all the flavors.

Recipe: Green Bean Salad with Vidalia Onion and Mint

Slow cookers make easy work of side dishes - just toss in the ingredients and forget about it! This classic casserole is a favorite at holiday dinners and summer picnics alike.

Recipe: Green Bean Casserole

Seasoning the beans with olive oil, salt, and pepper and roasting in the oven brings out their naturally delicious flavor. Make sure to use the freshest beans possible for the best results.

Recipe: Oven-Roasted Green Beans

Dress up plain green beans with this pasta toss featuring pecans, bacon, red grapes, and red onion. It's reminiscent of broccoli salad and is perfect for taking to potluck dinners and supper clubs, or even just enjoying at home with your family.

Recipe: Green Bean, Grape, and Pasta Toss

Try a fresh twist on the typical green bean side with this citrusy dish.  A dash of orange juice adds deliciously bright flavor, while toasted pine nuts give this side a nutty flair.

Recipe: Citrus Green Beans with Pine Nuts

Cider vinegar and sugar are the "sweet and sour" in this simple side.  Cooking bacon slices and onion together, then sautéing the beans in the bacon drippings, adds even more incredible flavor.

Recipe: Sweet-and-Sour Green Beans

This easy green bean toss features crunchy sliced almonds and the tangy bite of goat cheese.  Don't like goat cheese?  Try substituting feta cheese instead.

Recipe: Green Beans with Goat Cheese, Tomatoes, and Almonds

Dress up the traditional holiday bowl of green beans with exotic mushrooms, shallots, sherry, and fresh parsley and thyme.

Recipe: Sherried Green Beans

For a super-hearty and spicy side, pair green beans with cubed potatoes and flavor with ground New Mexican chiles, brown mustard seeds, cumin, coriander, minced ginger, and ground tumeric.

Recipe: Spiced Potatoes and Green Beans