Garlic Green Beans with Caramelized Shallots

These vibrant and crunchy Garlicky Green Beans with Caramelized Shallots make for an easy, healthy, and tasty side that can be prepared in just 15 minutes! No need for blanching. Ideal for hectic weeknights or as an accompaniment to holiday feasts.

You’ll adore these garlicky green beans with shallots! So incredibly straightforward, healthy, and flavorful, this side dish assembles in a mere 15 minutes. These fresh, crisp green beans paired with caramelized shallots and garlic are bursting with savory-sweet tastes that are unbelievably easy to prepare. Perfect for those hectic weeknights and elevated enough for special events or your Thanksgiving feast. This shallot green bean recipe is destined to become your favorite!

Reasons to Love This

• Fast and simple – these green beans come together rapidly in just 15 minutes using a single skillet with minimal preparation and no blanching required!
• Nourishing side dish – green beans are rich in vitamins, fiber, and antioxidants, making this side as nutritious as it is delectable.
• Basic ingredients – just a few pantry staples are needed to whip up this delightful side dish.
• Versatile – you can easily tailor this to suit your family’s tastes. Add a hint of spice, toss in some crunchy nuts, or sprinkle with parmesan cheese for added flavor.

Ingredients You Will Need

• green beans – you will need one pound of fresh green beans or French green beans (commonly referred to as haricot verts) for this recipe. No canned green beans here!
• olive oil – I prefer using high-quality extra-virgin olive oil or butter to caramelize the shallots. You can also combine the two or use avocado oil or canola oil.
• shallots – caramelizing the shallots adds natural sweetness to the green beans without the need for extra sugar. Alternatively, you could use a sweet onion, white onion, or red onion in lieu of shallots. Feel free to add some green onions too.
• garlic – you can opt for fresh minced garlic or jarred minced garlic. I don’t generally recommend garlic powder for this recipe, but it can be used in a pinch.
• soy sauce – a tablespoon of low sodium soy sauce significantly enhances the flavor of the green beans, providing a touch of umami. You can switch it out for tamari or coconut aminos if you want the dish to be gluten-free.
• salt and pepper – kosher salt (or sea salt) and black pepper are essential to season the green beans.

How to Prepare Garlic Green Beans

1. Caramelize the shallots. Heat extra virgin olive oil or melt butter in a spacious skillet or sauté pan over medium-low heat. Add the shallots and cook until soft and see-through, stirring often, for about 8 to 10 minutes. Add the garlic and sauté the mixture for an extra 30 seconds.
2. Cook the green beans. Toss in the green beans, about a teaspoon of salt, pepper, soy sauce, and half a cup of water, bringing it to a boil. Lower the heat, cover the green beans, and let them simmer for about 8 minutes.
3. Continue cooking. Remove the lid and increase the heat to medium-high or high. Cook the green beans for an additional 5 to 6 minutes, stirring frequently, until all the liquid evaporates, the beans are tender, and the shallots become jammy.
4. Serve and enjoy. Adjust the seasoning of the sautéed green beans with more salt and pepper to taste, then transfer to a serving dish. Serve warm and relish!

Serving Suggestions

Recipe Variations

• Spice it up – incorporate some red pepper flakes, a dash of hot sauce, sriracha, or chili garlic sauce for added heat.
• Add mushrooms – sauté sliced mushrooms alongside the shallots for a richer flavor and greater nutritional value.
• Add some crunch – toss in some sliced almonds, toasted pecans, or walnuts for extra crunch and texture.
• Top with bacon – it gives a rich, smoky taste to the green beans with a delightful balance of salty and savory along with added crunch.
• Lemon juice drizzle – add a teaspoon of fresh lemon juice or lemon zest to elevate the green beans, if desired.
• Sprinkle cheese – add a dash of parmesan cheese for enhanced flavor.

Preparation and Storage

Leftover green beans can be stored in a sealed, airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm them in a skillet over medium heat with a splash of olive oil, or microwave in 30-second intervals until fully heated. I do not recommend freezing leftovers, as the delicate green beans will lose their texture once thawed.

Additional Side Dishes

More Green Bean Dishes

I hope you all savor these Garlicky Green Beans with Caramelized Shallots! If you enjoy this dish as much as we do, please leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating below and don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! I love seeing all your delicious recreations!