French Green Beans
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These French green beans cooked with shallots are simple enough for weeknights but special enough for holiday dinners.
These French green beans are simple yet elegant, perfect for a quick weeknight side or an impressive holiday dish. The recipe requires just one pan: simply cook the shallots in butter in a large skillet, then add the beans with a splash of water and simmer until tender. You’ll be surprised at how much flavor the shallots bring to the beans. Note that the recipe uses French green beans, or haricot verts—thinner, sweeter, and more tender than American varieties, these beans are typically available pre-trimmed and ready to cook.
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. Use whichever you prefer.
- 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) – Haricot means “beans” and vert means “green.” These slender green beans cook quickly and absorb the flavors of the shallots and seasonings.
- Salt, freshly ground black pepper & sugar – These seasonings enhance the flavors, add warmth, and bring out the natural sweetness of the 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
These French green beans cooked with shallots are simple enough for weeknights but special enough for holiday dinners.
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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Comments
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Amazing easy recipe that makes a great side dish. Since we had a bunch of fresh veggies, I substituted the French Green Beans with Brussels Sprouts and it worked out like a charm.
I’m currently dieting and trying to balance my carb, fat and protein intake, as well as calories. I really appreciate that most of the recipes on this site have nutritional info included with the recipe! However, I noticed that the nutritional information was not included for this recipe. Is there a reason for this? I was reaaally hoping to try this recipe lol.
Hi Corrine, That’s a pretty old recipe so I may not have been adding nutritional info to recipes when I initially developed it. I’ve just added them. Hope you enjoy if you make them! 🙂
I did enjoy them, they were very elegant and simple!
👍
Can these be made then reheated later in the day?
Sure – hope you enjoy!
The best and easiest recipe ever!
Thank you so much Jenn. This dish is simply delicious . I used butter and olive oil ( from habit ) and followed your directions to the “t”. I had to hide some for me to have later.
I’ve never really been a fan of fresh green beans. They’ve always come out too tough or soft, but gosh the beans I did with this recipe came out perfect. Thank you!
This has now become my go-to way to cook fresh green beans. No more plain steaming for us!! This is easy, and turns out high end.
This recipe is a keeper! I love green beans and this recipe really creates a new and vey tasty way to enjoy this vegetable. I saw the dish vanish when served to the family which is usually not the case with my green bean dish. Thank you Jenn for sharing your delicious recipes. You have been my go to website when I am looking for a new way to prepare a typically ordinary ingredient.
Hi
I have made so many of your recipes and they are so delicious! This recipe I have to double each time I make it because it disappears!!! My family loves it and it is so easy. Thank you for all of your wonderful recipes. I am a huge fan and save all of the emailed recipes that I receive..
Thank you !!!
This is my all time favorite veggie recipe! Every time I make it the first thing that my fork goes into are the green beans. When I serve it to company, they love it as well. The only adjustment I would make to the recipe is to add more shallots, because who doesn’t love more shallots? Definitely make this fool proof recipe!
Sorry I meant to indicate this is a 5 star recipe. Please adjust my review if you can!
Are you using fresh green beans in this recipe, or canned?
Fresh. 🙂
How would frozen French green beans be? If so, any adjustment suggestions please?
I wouldn’t recommend frozen green beans for this — sorry!