Table of Contents
These French-style green beans are crisp-tender, tossed with butter sautéed shallots and garlic, and finished with a hint of lemon. Perfect for an easy yet elegant side dish and great for Christmas, Thanksgiving or Sunday roast.
Jump to: ℹ️ Overview | 🛒 Ingredients | 📷 How To Make | 📹 Watch The Video | 👩🍳 Recipe Tips | 🍗 Serving Suggestions | 📝 Full Recipe Card | 🍽 More Green Bean Recipes | 🤔 Green Beans FAQs
This French-style green bean recipe features haricots verts (aka fresh green beans/string beans) blanched until crisp-tender and tossed with sautéed, almost caramelised shallots and garlic in butter, with a little lemon for a burst of flavour.
The sweetness of the shallots pairs perfectly with the garlicky goodness, and a squeeze of lemon brings everything together for a fresh finish. This buttery sauce coats the vibrant, just-tender green beans making them irresistible. It’s one of my all-time favourite side dishes!
This recipe stands out for its simple yet elegant flavour profile, making it a hit at family dinners or holiday meals. Bonus: it’s a versatile side dish that goes with almost any main course.
These green beans are gluten-free, low-carb/keto friendly and vegetarian. For a vegan version, use olive oil instead of butter.
👩🍳 You might also like these simple and delicious side dishes: pan-fried garlic broccoli, stewed tomatoes, butter beans saganaki, stuffed pattypan squash (golden squash) or honey sriracha Brussels sprouts.
What You’ll Need
Here is what you’ll need for this French green beans recipe. Find the full measurements in the recipe card below.
- Green Beans: Fresh green beans (haricots verts). You can swap with frozen if necessary but fresh ones will give you the best crunch and colour.
- Aromatics: Shallots, garlic. Shallots bring a mild sweetness, and garlic adds depth. Use regular onions if shallots aren’t available.
- Fats: Butter (or olive oil). Butter adds richness, but olive oil works well for a dairy-free version.
- Seasonings: Salt, pepper, lemon juice. Adjust to taste. Try a dash of red pepper flakes for heat, or use vinegar instead of lemon for a tangy twist. For a little Asian twist, a splash of soy sauce works well.
- Optional: Fresh parsley for garnish.
How To Make French-Style Green Beans
Find the full recipe and nutritional information below. Here are some handy step-by-step photos.
- Blanch the beans: Boil green beans in salted water for 3-4 minutes until tender-crisp. Plunge into ice water to stop cooking. Drain and set aside. If you like crunchier green beans, only boil for 2 minutes.
- Sauté shallots: Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add sliced shallots and cook for 10-15 minutes until golden brown and soft. Don’t rush this process, you want those shallots super soft and golden.
- Sauté garlic: Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant. Don’t let the garlic burn.
- Combine and serve: Toss the green beans with the cooked shallots and garlic. Add lemon juice and cook for another minute. Season with salt and pepper. Garnish with parsley if desired.
Watch The Video
Recipe Tips
- Don’t rush the shallots: cooking them low and slow is key to getting that sweet, caramelized flavour without burning.
- Don’t skip the ice bath for the beans! It locks in the vibrant green colour and crisp texture.
- Add a splash of white wine after sautéing the garlic for a slightly tangy, sophisticated flavour. Or, swap lemon juice with balsamic vinegar for a richer taste.
- For a heartier dish, sprinkle with toasted almonds or crumbled bacon right before serving.
Serving Suggestions
These green beans are a great match for grilled, fried or roasted chicken, steak, or any hearty main dish. Serve them alongside mashed potatoes or couscous for a complete meal. I love these beans with simple baked salmon!
They’re also perfect for holiday dinners (Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter) or simple weeknight meals.
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Looking for a quick, flavourful veggie side? These French-style green beans with buttery shallots and garlic will steal the show at your dinner table.
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Blanch the green beans: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the green beans and cook for 3-4 minutes until they are tender-crisp. Immediately drain the beans and plunge them into a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking process. This helps keep them bright green and crisp. Drain and set aside.
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Sauté the shallots: In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the sliced shallots and cook, stirring occasionally, for about 10-15 minutes. You want them soft and golden brown but not burnt. If they start to brown too quickly, lower the heat.
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Sauté the garlic: Add the minced garlic to the skillet with the shallots and cook for another 2-3 minutes, until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic, as it can turn bitter.
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Combine and Serve: Add the blanched green beans to the skillet and toss them with the caramelized shallots and garlic. Cook for another 2-3 minutes until the beans are heated through and well-coated with the buttery, garlicky goodness. Season with salt and pepper to taste. If desired, squeeze a little lemon juice over the top or sprinkle with fresh parsley for a bit of freshness.
- Don’t rush the shallots: Cooking them low and slow is key to getting that sweet, caramelized flavour without burning.
- For a slightly different twist, try adding a splash of white wine to the pan after sautéing the garlic and let it reduce before tossing in the green beans.
- Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in a skillet to preserve their texture, or enjoy them cold in a salad!
Serving: 80grams | Calories: 71kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 10mg | Sodium: 424mg | Potassium: 222mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 639IU | Vitamin C: 11mg | Calcium: 38mg | Iron: 1mg
French Green Beans FAQs
Q: Can I use frozen green beans?
A: Absolutely! If you’re using frozen green beans, skip the blanching step since they’ve already been partially cooked. Just thaw them and pat them dry before adding them to the skillet with the shallots and garlic. The texture might be slightly softer than fresh, but they’ll still taste delicious!
Q: How can I add some extra crunch to the green beans?
A: For added crunch, try sprinkling toasted almonds, pine nuts, or even crispy bacon bits on top just before serving. Another option is to finish the dish with some crispy fried shallots or breadcrumbs (Pangrattato) tossed in butter for a delightful texture contrast!
Q: Can I make these green beans ahead of time?
A: Yes! You can blanch the green beans and store them in the fridge up to 2 days in advance. Just wait to sauté the shallots and garlic until you’re ready to serve for the freshest flavour.
Q: How do I keep the green beans from getting mushy?
A: Blanching the beans for just 3-4 minutes maximum and immediately plunging them into ice water helps keep them crisp-tender. Avoid overcooking in the final sauté step.
Q: Can I freeze these French green beans?
A: It’s best to enjoy them fresh. Freezing can cause the beans to lose their crisp texture, but if you must, freeze them after blanching and drying. When ready to use, thaw and sauté with the shallots and garlic.
Q: How do I reheat the green beans?
A: To reheat, simply toss the beans in a skillet over medium heat for 3-4 minutes until warmed through. This keeps them crisp. Avoid microwaving, as they can become mushy.