12 Inventive Green Bean Recipes That Put a Fresh Spin on the Classics

Fresh and crunchy, green beans are easy to love—and couldn't be more versatile. Our favorite green bean recipes run the range from spicy harissa-kissed side dishes and vegetable-forward pasta salads to chicken stir-fries and make-ahead green bean casseroles. And while we'd never turn that last dish away, green beans can do so much more than be baked in a casserole for the beloved holiday side, as these recipes illustrate. We also serve them raw and chopped in leafy green salads and potato salads.

Get our essential tips for selecting the best green beans, then cook all of our top recipes featuring these popular legumes.

Green Bean Basics

Also called string beans, green beans are made up of small seeds encased in long pods. Because the beans are harvested while still young, the pods are tender and edible.

Buying Green Beans

While green beans are available year-round, their peak season is May to October. Whether you're purchasing green beans at the farmers market or grocery store, it's always better to buy them loose rather than in packages so you can pick the freshest. They should be crisp and vibrant green without blemishes or signs of wilting. For even cooking, choose beans that are of similar size.

Storage

Store them in a sealed plastic bag in the refrigerator for up to five days, but know that green beans are not a keeper—they really do taste best if used right away.

Prep

Prep is easy, with no peeling or slicing required! Just rinse the beans under cold water, then trim the stem end by snapping it off with your fingers or cutting it with a paring knife. Trimming the other end is optional.

Nutrition

The legumes are high in vitamin C, "which helps you absorb iron and is an important mineral for carrying oxygen through your body," says New York City-based registered dietitian Rachel Berman. A cup of green beans delivers a quarter of your daily vitamin K, which maintains healthy blood and bones, Berman explains. Plus, they have nearly three grams of cholesterol-curbing fiber per cup.