Healthy Kitchen 101

The Heart of The Home Beats in The Kitchen

  • Home
  • Recipes
    • Main Course
    • Side Dishes
    • Beverages
    • Desserts
    • Appetizers & Snacks
  • Reviews
    • Nutrition
    • Water Filters
    • Juicers
    • Blenders
    • Food Processors
    • Kitchen Knives
    • Garbage Disposals
    • Kitchen Faucets
    • Refrigerators
    • Grills
    • Cookware
    • Toaster Ovens
    • Air Fryers
  • About

Side Dishes

Jump to Recipe

Green Beans Recipe

Last Updated: December 30, 2020
This content is created following our Recipe Development Procedure, and reviewed by our RDNs. However, the content does not constitute a medical or nutritional consultation. Read our Medical Disclosure.
Lizzie Streit, MS, RDN, LD
Nutritionally reviewed by Lizzie Streit, MS, RDN, LD on August 24, 2020 — Recipe developed by Luna Regina

Our green beans recipe is simple and easy to follow. It is a classic Thanksgiving recipe you can cook to make any occasion a celebration.

Green Beans Recipe Healthykitchen101 1

Green beans are versatile; you can boil, sauté or steam them, all while retaining nutrients. In this recipe, we combine the green beans with cheese and a creamy mushroom sauce to create a crunchy casserole rich in umami flavor and oh so satisfying!

Nutritionally, this casserole provides fiber to boost digestion. It’s excellent for incorporating into various diets for its low-carb and low-calorie features.

If that sounds enticing to you, why not try it today! Read on to find out more about this healthy casserole and how you can prepare it.

String Beans vs Green Beans

“Green” beans is a generic term referring to varieties of similar-colored beans, and string beans can fall under this category.

“String” signifies an earlier era, one where we grew up being assigned odd jobs at the kitchen counter. Especially during the frenzy of preparing for Thanksgiving (even with the modern day help of canned mushroom sauce), it was all hands on deck!

Watching grandma— or yourself— snap a bean in half, you’d notice a piece of string unravel down its middle; this is where the name comes from. These were the common type of beans.

Now traditional string beans are outdated and have been replaced by a stringless variety that shares the same “snap” feature. This is why most green beans are also known as snap beans.

That’s not the only interesting fact about green beans. Here’s where their versatility kicks in.

Are Green Beans Keto?

You may have heard that beans are forbidden in a keto diet, but green ones are among the few exceptions. In fact, they are excellent for the keto diet because they are low in carbohydrates.

The bonus is that 40% of those carbs are fiber, giving you a further boost for digestion and weight loss.

But they’re not only keto. They are low-carb, gluten-free, paleo, vegan, and vegetarian.

This explains why string beans are one of the most popular home-grown vegetables. You can incorporate them into almost any diet, all with added health benefits, some of which we explain below.

Are Green Beans Healthy?

Our recipe is a healthy one that we’ve successfully balanced with flavor and nutrition for a remarkable Thanksgiving recipe. This casserole contains plenty of nutrients, including vitamin C and fiber.

Here are some other essential nutritional points about our green bean casserole.

1. Carbs

We recommend this recipe for keto as well as low-carb diets because of its low carbohydrate profile. A cup of green beans contains about 10 grams of carbohydrates, a relatively low amount.

That said, carbs aren’t bad at all. They can fuel you with energy, and if you incorporate them in moderate amounts, they will help, not harm your health.

2. Calories

This recipe casserole contains 228 calories per serving. We’ve cut off a big chunk of calories by using fresh ingredients and homemade mushroom soup.

Don’t let the festive season rush hour get to you. It’s worth shaving off calories by spending a little more time making your own casserole.

Plus, this dish includes plenty of fiber and protein to create a healthy, balanced dish.

What Goes Well With This Recipe?

We can admit that green beans, healthy as they are, taste better combined with more full-flavored ingredients. The following are some easy additions to this dish.

1. Bacon

Bacon adds rich flavor to any dish. The greatest part is you don’t need it in large amounts.

A little bacon will add enough fat, saltiness, and umami to perfectly compliment a green bean dish. Remember to use it sparingly for a tasty and well-balanced meal.

2. Mushrooms

To hit the right notes, our classic green bean casserole had to include mushrooms! The two are an age-old combination that’s been around for a long time, for good reason.

Most can agree that mushrooms are chewy, they add savory flavor, and they make an excellent creamy soup.

ingredient

3. Carrot

Carrots go great with green beans because of their similar textures. You can saute them together and preserve their crunch, adding a subtle sweetness to the finished dish.

4. Onion

Chopped onion is definitely worth the tears, especially when sauteed like we do in this green bean recipe. It releases a sweet flavor that compliments the beans and ties this dish together.

How to Cook Green Beans

Green beans are super simple to cook, and there are a couple of ways to do so. Boiling and sauteeing are two quick methods you can use; here we employ both methods.

1. How Long to Boil Green Beans?

Your preference matters most when it comes to boiling green beans.

Some like softer green beans to match the mushroom texture. If you’re one of those people, boil them for up to 10 minutes until they’re slightly pale.

You can tell they’re done if they’re limp and give way when stirred.

If you enjoy beans with a crunch, boil for only 5 minutes until they’re tender but still firm. The result is a crunchy green bean that’s not too tough and adds an interesting texture to the overall dish.

How to Cook Green Beans

2. Sauteed Green Beans

Sauteeing green beans is a great way to impart flavor while preserving their crunch. Get a large pan and heat it over high heat, and add butter or olive oil along with the beans.

Mix and toss them for 5 minutes until they’re cooked, and add any seasonings like garlic while they’re sizzling hot. Stir once more to mix them in and serve the dish hot.

How Long Does It Last in the Fridge?

Cooked green beans can last up to three days in the refrigerator.

They may still be edible by the fourth day if you limit the air, heat, and light exposure. Be sure to taste a bit to make sure they are still fresh enough and enjoyable.

How to Freeze Green Beans?

You can store both uncooked and cooked green beans in the freezer. You just need a Ziploc bag to ensure that they are not exposed to air.

Once secured, keep them frozen for a maximum of three months, or until you’re ready to use them. Leave the green beans at room temperature to thaw, and then cook or reheat them before serving with a meal.

What to Serve With This Recipe?

Our creamy green-bean casserole is sufficient to serve essential vegetables (and fungus, too) in one skillet. But to make a rounded meal, pair it with comparatively filling dishes.

Here are some of our suggestions:

1. Mashed Potatoes

The creamy smoothness of mashed potatoes is evocative of a warm home and is a delicious reminder of safety and celebration. Because mashed potatoes are mellow on the palate, they accompany the crunchy casserole with a pleasant, creamy texture.

Sweet potato mash, or fries, also pair well with this casserole.

what to serve with

2. Roast Turkey/Chicken

You can also turn this dish into a main by adding some high-protein foods. Turkey is a typical Thanksgiving pairing, but if you’re not feeling overly festive, use chicken instead.

Meat always goes well with veggies; there’s a reason for the stereotypical meat and two veg. If you prefer a vegetarian meal,  you can also pair it with one of our healthy vegetable dishes to go full vegetarian.

It’s always a good idea to pair a vegetable dish with foods that fulfill the other food groups such as carbs and proteins. Most importantly, pick a dish that you and your family will love and enjoy with this green bean casserole.

Green Beans Recipe Healthykitchen101 4

Green Beans Recipe

Avatar for Luna ReginaLuna Regina
This green bean casserole includes creamy mushrooms and savory carrots for a satisfying, delicious dish. You can serve it hot at any Thanksgiving feast, or for lunch and dinner meals.
Print Pin Review
Prep Time 10 mins
Cook Time 31 mins
Inactive time 5 mins
Total Time 46 mins
Course Dinner, Lunch
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings
Calories 208 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 16 oz green beans halved
  • 7 oz carrots sliced and halved
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 10 oz mushrooms sliced
  • 7 oz onions sliced
  • 3 tsp garlic minced
  • 2 tsp fresh thyme
  • 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
  • 3 tbsp heavy cream
  • 1 1/4 cups unsalted chicken broth
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 3/4 tsp chicken bouillon
  • 1/2 oz grated parmesan

This post may contain links to Amazon or other partners; Purchases made via these links may benefit us at no additional cost to you. Read our Affiliate Disclosure.

Instructions
 

  • Bring a medium-sized pot of water to boil. Add carrots and cook for 4 minutes. Remove carrots (leave the water on the heat) and drain using a slotted spoon. Add green beans to the boiling pot and boil for 4 minutes. Remove and drain.
  • Heat a skillet to high heat. Add ½ the olive oil, all the garlic, thyme, flour, black pepper, chicken bouillon, and only 1 cup of chicken broth. Cook for 3 minutes. Add heavy cream and stir for 30 seconds. Remove from heat.
  • Heat a skillet to low heat and add the remaining olive oil and onions. Cook for 6 minutes until they turn a caramel-brown color. Add mushroom and increase heat to medium. Cook for 10 minutes.
  • Reduce heat to low and add carrots and green beans. Stir then add the sauce and the remaining chicken broth. Cook for 3 minutes. Sprinkle parmesan over the casserole and stir to mix well. Serve hot.

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts
Green Beans Recipe
Amount Per Serving (1 serving)
Calories 208 Calories from Fat 108
% Daily Value*
Fat 12g18%
Saturated Fat 4g25%
Trans Fat 1g
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g
Monounsaturated Fat 6g
Cholesterol 16mg5%
Sodium 288mg13%
Potassium 676mg19%
Carbohydrates 20g7%
Fiber 5g21%
Sugar 8g9%
Protein 7g14%
Vitamin A 9127IU183%
Vitamin C 21mg25%
Calcium 108mg11%
Iron 2mg11%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Tried this recipe?Mention @HealthyKitchen101 or tag #healthykitchen101!

Hello! All photos and content are copyright protected. Please do not use our photos without prior written permission. Thank you!

Homemade Green Beans Recipe

Filed Under: American, Casseroles, Keto, Low-carb, Side Dishes

Luna Regina
About the author

Luna Regina

I'm Luna Regina. Welcome to Healthy Kitchen 101 where true wellness starts with eating right. I hope you will enjoy the healthy recipes, cooking tips, and reviews on our website. Have a great time!

Latest Recipes

chef salad recipe

Side Dishes

Chef Salad Recipe

total 15 minutes
best recipe-pineapple juice

Pineapple Juice

Best Pineapple Juice Recipes

total 10 minutes
homemade miso salmon recipe

Salmon

Miso Salmon Recipe

total 30 minutes
is vodka and grapefruit juice good for you

Grapefruit Juice

Vodka and Grapefruit Juice Recipe (Greyhound Drink)

total 10 minutes
how long does lomi lomi salmon last

Salmon

Lomi Lomi Salmon Recipe

total 8 hours 18 minutes
Parmesan Crusted Salmon Recipe

Salmon

Parmesan Crusted Salmon Recipe with Asparagus

total 40 minutes

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Lizzie Streit, MS, RDN, LD
Nutritionally reviewed by Lizzie Streit, MS, RDN, LD on August 24, 2020 — Recipe developed by Luna Regina
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

As Seen On

Healthy Kitchen 101 Featured

  • Home
  • About
  • Guideline
  • Affiliate Disclosures
  • Privacy Policy
  • California Privacy Notice
  • Contact

Copyright © 2017–2021 · Healthy Kitchen 101, LLC
DMCA.com Protection Status