Oven roasted green beans are full of big flavor! A hot oven makes them juicy and tender, and they’re spritzed with zingy fresh lemon.

Sure you can make them steamed or sauteed…but have you tried Roasted Green Beans? Because they’re something special! I do love a crunchy, crisp tender bean, but I think my very favorite is oven roasted. A hot oven makes magic with just about every vegetable; here it turns green beans into a tender, caramelized version of themselves. Add a spritz of lemon juice and a sprinkle of toasted almonds, and it’s an easy yet gourmet side dish. Even our 3 year old loved these, and he’s not usually a green bean fan.

Ingredients for oven roasted green beans

What do you need for roasted green beans? Only a handful of ingredients: 5, if you don’t count salt and pepper! The most important thing here is the green beans. If you can’t find quality green beans at your grocery or a farmer’s market in the summer: don’t bother! Alex and I have been burned before with limp, bruised beans. This recipe is not worth making if you don’t have quality to start with! Here’s what you’ll need:

• Fresh green beans (see notes above on quality!)
• Olive oil
• Garlic powder
• Lemon
• Salt and pepper
• Sliced almonds

Yes, the green beans with lemon and almonds theme is a little basic. You know why? It’s just that good. As with all those classic flavor combinations (tomato and basil, PB&J), they exist for a reason.

A fast way to trim green beans

Have you ever made green beans and it seems like it takes ages to trim off all the ends? If you’re meticulous, you can spend 15 minutes trimming a pound of green beans. And no one wants that! Don’t worry: we’ve researched the best way to trim green beans…fast! Here’s how to do it:

• Line them up: Grab a handful (about 15 to 20 beans) and then place them on the cutting board. Working quickly, make a uniform pile with them all lined up lengthwise. They don’t all need to be facing the same way!
• Slice one end: Line up all the ends against your knife edge. Grab them in one hand, and cut off the ends with a knife.
• Flip and slice the other: Quickly flip the beans the other way, and then push them towards your knife blade so that the other ends line up. Grab the pile and slice off the other ends. Done!

How to roast green beans

Now that you’ve cut the beans, the hard part is over! All you need to know is the oven temperature and how long to roast. In fact, you barely need a recipe! Memorize this and make these on repeat. Here’s the main idea behind how to make roasted green beans (or jump to the full recipe):

• Roast 450 degrees Fahrenheit for 13 to 15 minutes. The timing depends on your oven and the freshness of the beans.
• You don’t have to stir. 
• How to season roasted green beans? Use 1 tablespoon olive oil and 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt per pound. Then of course you can mix it up with seasonings: keep reading!

Top with toasted nuts of your choosing

Green beans are often topped with almonds, and here they add a satisfying crunch to these roasted green beans. It’s a nice contrast because the texture of the beans is rather soft, not crisp tender like sautéed beans. Here’s a key when you add nuts: always, always toast the nuts. Why? Toasting nuts brings out their nuttiness: it’s kind of like adding salt to food. You can absolutely taste the difference when you try them back to back. Here are a few ideas on other toasted nuts to add to oven roasted green beans:

• Toasted Almonds
• Toasted Pecans
• Toasted Walnuts
• Toasted Pine Nuts (these would be fantastic with a little shredded Parmesan cheese, too!)

Seasoning ideas!

When it comes to oven roasted green beans: we’ve found simple is best! Clean, straightforward flavors are key here. Season with a little garlic powder before popping them in the oven, then add a squeeze of lemon when they come out. There are lots of other ways to dress them up, though! Here are a few ideas:

• Add fresh herbs: Fresh thyme, chives or a hint of finely chopped rosemary would be nice
• Use butter instead: Roast them with salted butter for a more savory experience
• Add finely chopped shallot: Shallot is mild enough to add raw, and it adds an oniony flair
• Toss with dressing: After roasting, toss with a bit of our Dijon Dressing or Italian Dressing
• Top with coconut bacon: Add crunchy Coconut Bacon for a smoky nuance

What goes with roasted green beans?

Let us count the ways! These roasted green beans are ultra versatile, so they work with almost any main dish. They’re also great for special meals like Thanksgiving, Christmas or Easter. Here are some ideas for pairing them:

• Shrimp or Scallops: Add to Pan Seared Scallops or Garlic Butter Shrimp.
• Fish: Try Broiled Salmon, Pan Seared Salmon, Pesto Salmon, or Pan Fried Cod
• Chicken: Poultry goes especially well with roasted green beans
• Pasta: Try Vegan Fettucine Alfredo, Scallop Pasta, Baked Rigatoni Pasta or Orecchiette with Tomatoes.

This roasted green beans recipe is…

Vegetarian, vegan, plant-based, dairy-free and gluten-free.

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A Couple Cooks - Healthy, Whole Food, & Vegetarian Recipes