Easy Canned Green Bean Recipes to Try Today

Are you looking for easy and delicious recipes to incorporate green beans into your meals? If your pantry is stocked with canned green beans, you're in luck! These versatile legumes can be transformed into a variety of dishes that are not only simple to prepare but also incredibly tasty. Let's explore some delicious and straightforward ways to make the most out of your canned green beans.

Classic Green Bean Casserole

The quintessential dish for holiday gatherings, this green bean casserole is a timeless classic:

• Ingredients:
  • 2 cans (14.5 ounces each) of green beans, drained
  • 1 can (10.5 ounces) of cream of mushroom soup
  • ¹⁄₂ cup of milk
  • ¹⁄₂ teaspoon of black pepper
  • 1 ¹⁄₃ cups of French fried onions, divided
• Preparation:
  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Mix green beans, soup, milk, pepper, and ²⁄₃ cup of onions in a baking dish.
  3. Bake for 25 minutes.
  4. Top with remaining onions and bake for an additional 5 minutes.

🌟 Note: While this casserole is traditionally a Thanksgiving staple, it’s delicious all year round!

Green Beans Almondine

This dish is both elegant and straightforward, perfect for impressing guests or enjoying a quick side:

• Ingredients:
  • 2 cans (14.5 ounces each) of green beans, drained
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • ¹⁄₄ cup sliced almonds
  • Lemon zest
  • Salt and pepper to taste
• Preparation:
  1. In a skillet, melt butter over medium heat.
  2. Add almonds and cook until they are golden brown.
  3. Add green beans, lemon zest, salt, and pepper; cook until heated through.

Serve immediately for the best flavor and texture.

Spicy Szechuan Green Beans

If you’re craving something with a kick, this Szechuan-inspired recipe will satisfy:

• Ingredients:
  • 2 cans (14.5 ounces each) of green beans, drained
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon ginger, grated
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 1 teaspoon chili paste or flakes
  • 1 tablespoon sesame oil
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• Preparation:
  1. Heat oil in a wok or large frying pan.
  2. Add garlic and ginger; cook for 30 seconds.
  3. Add green beans and stir-fry for a couple of minutes.
  4. Mix in soy sauce, chili paste, sesame oil, and rice vinegar; cook until well coated.

💡 Note: Adjust the chili paste according to your spice preference.

Green Bean Potato Salad

For a refreshing twist on potato salad, incorporate green beans:

• Ingredients:
  • 2 cans (14.5 ounces each) of green beans, drained
  • 3 medium potatoes, cubed
  • ¹⁄₂ cup mayonnaise
  • 1 tablespoon mustard
  • ¹⁄₄ cup finely chopped red onion
  • 2 hard-boiled eggs, chopped
  • Salt and pepper to taste
• Preparation:
  1. Boil potatoes until tender; cool.
  2. Mix mayonnaise, mustard, onion, and eggs in a bowl.
  3. Add green beans and potatoes; mix gently.
  4. Season with salt and pepper, chill, and serve.

This dish is perfect for picnics or BBQs due to its room-temperature stability.

Herbed Green Beans with Tomatoes

This Mediterranean-inspired dish is light and flavorsome:

• Ingredients:
  • 2 cans (14.5 ounces each) of green beans, drained
  • 1 can (14.5 ounces) of diced tomatoes, drained
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • Salt and pepper to taste
• Preparation:
  1. Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat.
  2. Add garlic, cooking for about a minute.
  3. Add tomatoes, oregano, salt, and pepper; cook for 2 minutes.
  4. Add green beans; cook until heated through.

In closing, canned green beans are a versatile ingredient that can elevate your home cooking with minimal effort. Whether you’re looking for a simple side dish or a star recipe for your dinner table, these ideas not only offer variety but also help you maintain a healthy diet. The key takeaway is that simplicity in ingredients often leads to the most delightful flavors, proving that you don’t need much to make something extraordinary.

Can you use fresh or frozen green beans for these recipes?

+

Yes, you can substitute fresh or frozen green beans for canned ones in these recipes. Just ensure they’re cooked to the appropriate texture before mixing with other ingredients.

Are canned green beans as nutritious as fresh ones?

+

Canned green beans do lose some nutrients during processing, but they retain a good amount of fiber, vitamins A, C, and K, and are still a healthy choice when fresh beans are not available.

How do you store leftover green bean dishes?

+

Leftover green bean dishes should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator and can last for 3-4 days. Some dishes might also freeze well for longer storage.