14 Inventive Green Bean Recipes That Put a Fresh Spin on the Classics Bright and crunchy, they add snap to salads, zip to pasta dishes, and star in the ever-popular make-ahead green bean casserole. What can't green beans do? Close 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. All About Green Beans, From Haricot Verts to Wax Beans 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. 01 of 14 Green Beans with Crispy Oven-Fried Onions Credit: Mikkel Vang Consider this no-frills dish a modern take on the iconic green bean casserole. The beans are quickly steam-sautéed, then finished with lemon zest and that all-important crunch component, crispy oven-fried onions. View Recipe 02 of 14 Cannellini-Bean and Greens Stew Credit: Julia Gartland Half of the cannellini beans are mashed, giving this dish a wonderful chunky texture, while garlic, carrots, pepper flakes, and chopped sage boost the flavor quotient. View Recipe 03 of 14 Green Beans and Spaetzle Nutmeg-spiced spaetzle, a German dish of tiny noodles, is paired with tender sautéed green beans for an unforgettable side dish. Be prepared to serve second helpings all around! View Recipe 04 of 14 French-Cut Green Beans With Dill Butter With a dash of dill, dried or fresh, and a few tablespoons of butter, French-cut green beans are transformed into a special side dish. View Recipe 05 of 14 Quick-Cooked Green Beans With Lemon Credit: Bryan Gardner A great make-ahead green bean recipe, these lemon-spiked vegetables taste best at room temperature. They're the perfect side dish for any potluck, picnic, or buffet table. View Recipe 06 of 14 Green Bean Casserole With Bacon Credit: Martyna Szczesna Who says you can only make this comforting dish at Thanksgiving? Our hearty bacon version is too delicious to indulge in only one day out of the year. View Recipe 07 of 14 Pasta Salad With Peas and Summer Beans Credit: Bryan Gardner Jazz up whole-wheat penne with wax beans, peas, cilantro, and a punchy garlic-lime dressing in this easy make-ahead green bean pasta salad. View Recipe 08 of 14 Green Bean, Shell Bean, and Sweet Onion Fattoush Credit: NGOC MINH NGO Our take on the Middle Eastern bread-and-vegetable salad known as fattoush calls for green beans, shell beans, Vidalia onion, English cucumber, crumbled feta, fresh mint and parsley, and grilled pita. A lemon-garlic vinaigrette ties all the flavors together beautifully. View Recipe 09 of 14 Lemon Chicken Stir-Fry With Green Beans Credit: Justin Walker This weeknight-friendly dinner of stir-fried chicken breast and green beans zipped up with fresh ginger and lemon juice will appeal to everyone at the table. View Recipe 10 of 14 Pasta Salad With Chickpeas, Green Beans, and Basil Credit: Ren Fuller For a potluck or a picnic, this hearty, fresh-tasting pasta salad can't be beaten. The light, lemony mayo-based dressing is the perfect topper for crisp green beans, red onions, chickpeas, and farfalle. View Recipe 11 of 14 Green Bean Casserole This from-scratch version of the family favorite calls for fresh green beans, a creamy homemade mushroom sauce, and a flavorful topping of crisp fried shallots. View Recipe 12 of 14 Stewed Green Beans With Bacon This side dish of green beans stewed in chicken broth and speckled with bacon will make everyone want to eat their vegetables. View Recipe 13 of 14 Blistered Green-Bean and Corn Frittata Credit: Sidney Bensimon A slice of summer on your plate, this vegetable-packed frittata with blistered green beans and corn can star at brunch or dinner. Either way, this seasonal egg dish is a winner. View Recipe 14 of 14 Braised Green Beans These quick braised green beans are simmered in chicken broth and finished with a drizzle of olive oil and a splash of lemon. Serve it as a side dish to any of your favorite proteins. View Recipe Updated by Randi Gollin Randi Gollin Randi Gollin is a freelance food writer and editor who has been covering food, travel, and fashion for over 20 years. Explore more: Recipes Ingredients Beans & Legumes Green Bean Recipes