11 Vegan Green Bean Recipes for Easy Healthy Meals
These vegan green bean recipes are proof that a humble bag of fresh green beans can become everything from a delicious side dish to a satisfying main dish. With just simple ingredients, easy cooking methods, and plenty of flavor, these healthy recipes deserve a spot in your meal rotation all year long.
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How To Choose The Best Green Beans
Green beans, sometimes called French beans, are available year-round, but they’re at their best during the summer and early fall growing season. That’s when you’ll find the freshest flavor and the crispest texture, making them ideal for everything from salads to simple side dishes.
Look for green beans that are bright green, firm, and free from brown spots or wrinkles. Fresh green beans should snap easily when bent and have a crisp texture. Avoid beans that feel limp or rubbery, which is a sign they’re past their prime. For the best flavor and texture, choose beans with a vibrant bright green color.
For the best results, rinse green beans under cold water and dry them well before cooking. Excess water can prevent proper browning when sautéing green beans over medium heat. If you’re making salads, an ice bath is a great way to preserve their bright green color and crisp texture after blanching.
Are Green Beans Good For You?
Yes! Green beans are one of my favorite vegetables because they’re nutritious and easy to incorporate into everyday meals. They’re a good source of fiber, vitamin C, iron, and antioxidants, and they’re naturally low in calories. Whether you’re tossing them into a salad with lemon juice and olive oil, adding them to a coconut milk curry, or serving them as a simple side dish, they’re an easy way to add more fresh vegetables to your plate.
In this roundup, you’ll find everything from bright salads and sautéed green beans to hearty curries, comforting stews, and a creamy vegan green bean casserole that’s perfect for holiday meals and Thanksgiving dinner. No matter the time of year, these recipes make it easy to turn fresh green beans into flavorful side dishes and satisfying plant-based meals.
11 Vegan Green Bean Recipes To Try
1. Vegan Pesto Pasta With Green Beans
This pasta with green beans gets tossed in a toasted almond pesto that’s completely vegan but every bit as satisfying as the classic version. The pesto can be made a day ahead, making this a great option for busy weeknights when you want something fresh, flavorful, and a little special.
2. Easy Skillet Green Beans from Shane and Simple
Fresh green beans, garlic, and a pinch of red pepper flakes come together in this simple skillet side dish. Whether you make them in a large skillet or cast iron skillet, this great recipe delivers plenty of flavor with minimal effort. Vegan, gluten-free, and oil-free, it’s a healthy side dish that’s perfect for both weeknight dinners and holiday meals.
3. Chinese-Style Green Beans from What Great Grandma Ate
An Asian roasted green beans recipe that’s quick, easy, and just packed with much flavor that’s perfect for everything from busy weeknights to holiday meals.
4. Vegan Potato And Green Bean Curry
Creamy potatoes and green beans simmer for a comforting plant-based meal that’s hearty, satisfying, and perfect for leftovers. You can add coconut milk to make it creamy. Best of all, the entire dish comes together in about 30 minutes. If you enjoy Indian-inspired flavors, be sure to try my Vegetable biryani, Vegetarian indian curry, Instant pot eggplant curry and Jamaican curried cabbage.
5. Vegan Green Bean Casserole from Eat The Love
This classic green bean casserole delivers everything you love about the classic version. Creamy, comforting, and perfect for holiday meals, it’s the kind of casserole dish that earns a permanent spot on the Thanksgiving table.
6. Garlic Green Beans from Holy Cow Vegan
Fresh garlic and green beans are a match made in heaven. The green beans are cooked until tender-crisp, then tossed with plenty of fresh garlic, sesame seeds, red pepper flakes, and herbs for a vegetable side that works with everything from weeknight dinners to holiday meals.
7. Green Beans With Tomatoes from ¡Hola! Jalapeño
Fresh green beans simmer with tomatoes, onions, garlic, and herbs until they’re tender and infused with flavor. It comes together in about 10 minutes using just one pot.
8. Southern Green Beans And Potatoes from Healthier Steps
This easy recipe combines tender potatoes and green beans in one satisfying dish. It’s budget-friendly, filling, and perfect for family dinners. The combination creates a complete main dish that’s hearty enough to stand on its own. If you’re a potato lover, don’t miss my grilled potatoes recipe and this roundup of The Best Ever Mashed Potato Recipes.
9. Green Beans With Citrus Glaze from Keeping The Peas
Tender-crisp green beans are sautéed with onions and garlic, then coated in a bright citrus glaze and finished with slivered almonds or pine nuts. It’s a simple side dish that delivers plenty of flavor and a little crunch in every bite.
10. Green Bean Salad With Tangerines
Sweet tangerines and dates, crunchy green beans and pistachios, and a bright citrus dressing made with red wine vinegar create a colorful salad that works just as well for holiday meals as it does for everyday lunches.
11. Lebanese Green Bean Stew from Connoisseurus Veg
Tender green beans simmered in a tomato-rich broth create a comforting and aromatic dish that’s both nourishing and flavorful. Serve with rice or warm bread for a satisfying vegan main dish, or enjoy the whole dish on its own for an easy plant-based dinner.
Keep The Veggies Coming
If these vegan recipes have you inspired to eat more vegetables, be sure to check out my roundup of 38 Delicious Vegan Side Dishes for even more plant-based ideas. Let me know which ones you make in the comments, or snap a pic and tag me @katesbestrecipes on Instagram so I can see!
