French Green Beans
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Quick, easy, and elegant, these one-pan French green beans are the perfect side dish for just about any meal.
These simple and elegant French green beans are the perfect side dish for just about any meal. The recipe only requires one pan, so it’s quick and easy to make. Just cook the shallots with olive oil or butter in a large skillet, then simmer the beans in a bit of water until tender in the same pan. The recipe calls for French green beans, which are thinner, sweeter, and more tender than most American varieties. They are usually labeled haricot verts—haricot meaning beans and vert meaning green—and you can usually find them bagged, pre-trimmed, and ready to cook at the supermarket.
What You’ll Need To Make French Green Beans
- Extra virgin olive oil or unsalted butter – Adds richness and depth of flavor to sauté the shallots and coat the green beans.
- Shallots – Thinly sliced and cooked until soft, they add a delicate sweetness and mild onion flavor that complements the beans.
- Water – Added to steam the beans, ensuring they cook evenly and become tender.
- French string beans (haricots verts) – These slender, tender green beans cook quickly and absorb the flavors of the shallots and seasonings.
- Salt – Enhances the natural flavors of the beans and balances the sweetness of the shallots.
- Freshly ground black pepper – Adds a bit of spice and warmth to the dish.
- Sugar – Just a pinch brings out the natural sweetness of the french beans and shallots.
- Jump to the printable recipe for precise measurements
Step-by-Step Instructions
Begin by thinly slicing the shallots into rings and cooking them slowly in olive oil until soft, sweet and mellow.
Next, add the beans, salt, pepper and water.
Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Simmer, covered, for about 8 minutes.
Remove the cover and continue cooking until the pan is completely dry, the shallots are jammy, and the beans are tender, about 6 minutes.
Season to taste with salt, pepper, and a pinch of sugar.
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French String Beans with Shallots
Quick, easy, and elegant, these one-pan French green beans are the perfect side dish for just about any meal.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil or unsalted butter
- 2 large shallots, thinly sliced
- ½ cup water
- ¾ pound (12 ounces) French string beans (haricots verts), trimmed
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- Pinch sugar
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Add the shallots and cook, stirring frequently, until soft and translucent, about 8 minutes. Do not brown.
- Add the beans, salt, pepper and water; bring to a boil. Cover the skillet, reduce the heat to low, and cook for 8 minutes.
- Remove the lid and increase the heat to high. Cook, stirring frequently, until the liquid is evaporated, the beans are tender, and the shallots are jammy, about 6 minutes. Taste and adjust the seasoning with salt, pepper, and a pinch of sugar. Serve warm.
Nutrition Information
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- Calories: 116
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 13 g
- Sugar: 6 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Sodium: 302 mg
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
This website is written and produced for informational purposes only. I am not a certified nutritionist and the nutritional data on this site has not been evaluated or approved by a nutritionist or the Food and Drug Administration. Nutritional information is offered as a courtesy and should not be construed as a guarantee. The data is calculated through an online nutritional calculator, Edamam.com. Although I do my best to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures should be considered estimates only. Varying factors such as product types or brands purchased, natural fluctuations in fresh produce, and the way ingredients are processed change the effective nutritional information in any given recipe. Furthermore, different online calculators provide different results depending on their own nutrition fact sources and algorithms. To obtain the most accurate nutritional information in a given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe, using your preferred nutrition calculator.
Gluten-Free Adaptable Note
To the best of my knowledge, all of the ingredients used in this recipe are gluten-free or widely available in gluten-free versions. There is hidden gluten in many foods; if you're following a gluten-free diet or cooking for someone with gluten allergies, always read the labels of your ingredients to verify that they are gluten-free.
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This was a delicious dish. How would you make this ahead of time for thanksgiving? Can you serve it room temp?
Hi Anne, Glad you like these. It’s fine to make them ahead and reheat. Before serving, partially cover them and reheat in the microwave for about 60 seconds or warmed through.
We loved it! I’ve made this dish three times now. Simple yet so good! I used yellow onion instead of shallots the last two times and it was still great.
I was told by my guests that this green bean side dish tasted insanely good! I cannot comment myself because it was finished before I could even get to that side of the table! And was so easy to make! Bravo again Jenn!
Great recipe! We love these green beans. Am making now (for the second time in a week).
These beans are so simple and yet taste like they require a lot of work. Absolutely restaurant worthy, they’re spectacular! Thank you!
Today I made the recipe with regular green beans and added 1.5 cups of halved cherry tomatoes for the last two minutes – nice way to use home grown produce!
These green beans came out excellent! Love the subtle saltiness with a tinge of umami. An absolute delight!
Tasty and simple to prepare!
Thank you for this easy recipe for The French green beans. Delicious. I look forward to trying some of your recipes.
We cooked these yesterday for lunch and they were the best green beans I have ever had! My husband typically turns down green beans, said they were phenomenal! The recipe was simple, yet requires close attention, especially in the last step. Thank you for all your great recipes! It is amazing you do so much work to help others to become better cooks and expand our palates. You are very much appreciated!
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Totally agree with the amazing flavors of Jenn Segal recipes!! Never disappoint.