Spicy Green Beans - Healthy Recipes Blog (2024)

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Last updated: · Recipes developed by Vered DeLeeuw and nutritionally reviewed by Rachel Benight MS, RD · This website generates income via ads and uses cookies.

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A fun variation on just sauteing them, these spicy green beans are bursting with flavor - and it's so easy to make them!

Ready in just 20 minutes, this simple recipe requires only 7 ingredients, making it an ideal choice for a weeknight dinner.

Spicy Green Beans - Healthy Recipes Blog (1)

I make green bean recipes quite often. We all like them (even the picky eater!), so I try to vary the recipes I make. This recipe is a lovely variation of the basic sauteed green beans.

Although I must admit that with all these tasty variations, including the wonderful green beans almondine, my favorite way to make them is still the simplest - boiled green beans.

Jump to:
  • Ingredients
  • Instructions
  • Expert tip
  • Frequently asked questions
  • Variations
  • Serving suggestions
  • Storing leftovers
  • Related recipes
  • Foodie Newsletter
  • Recipe Card
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Ingredients

You'll only need a few ingredients to make spicy green beans. The exact measurements are listed in the recipe card below. Here's an overview of what you'll need:

  • Fresh green beans: This is not a good recipe to make with frozen green beans. And you DEFINITELY don't want to use canned beans in this recipe. Fresh is the way to go!
  • Avocado oil: I love using this versatile oil. It has a neutral flavor and a high smoke point. Another tasty option is to use butter or ghee.
  • Kosher salt and black pepper: If you opt for using fine salt, you should reduce the amount you use. Otherwise, the dish could end up being too salty.
  • Hot pepper sauce: Use as much or as little as you like. This is the ingredient that gives this dish its spiciness.
  • Minced garlic: Mince it yourself or use the stuff that comes in a jar. Both work.
  • Honey: I use just a little to balance out the other flavors. It's not strictly needed, but I think it adds a nice flavor.
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Instructions

Making spicy green beans is easy! Scroll down to the recipe card for detailed instructions. Here are the basic steps:

  • Your first step is to cook the green beans in avocado oil with some salt and pepper until they start to soften.
  • Now, stir in the hot sauce, garlic, and honey.
  • Cook, stirring often, until the beans are tender-crisp and coated in the sauce.
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Expert tip

When cooking hot peppers, and this includes hot pepper sauce, you'll create fumes that can be quite irritating, depending on how sensitive you are. So keep your kitchen well-ventilated and your kitchen hood fan running.

However, if you're sensitive to chili vapors, perhaps this recipe is not the best option for you.

Frequently asked questions

Should I cut the beans in half?

This is completely up to you. I like to leave them whole, simply trimming the ends. The diners can then use a fork and a knife to cut them.

But if you'd like to cut them in half before cooking, making them bite-size so that they can be eaten with just a fork, that's certainly an option.

Are these beans very spicy?

Prepared according to the recipe below, these green beans are quite spicy, but not overwhelmingly so. You can adjust the heat level to your liking by increasing or decreasing the hot pepper sauce.

This would also depend on the type of sauce you use. A hot sauce where the first ingredient is pepper, not vinegar, usually packs more heat.

Can you bake the beans instead of sauteing them?

Yes, although sauteing is a better method in this particular recipe. You can mix them in a bowl with the remaining ingredients, spread them on a baking sheet, and roast them in a 425°F oven for 15 minutes.

Variations

I love this recipe as is and almost always make it as written. But in case you'd like to vary the basic recipe, here are a few ideas for you:

  • Use butter or ghee instead of avocado oil.
  • You can use garlic powder instead of fresh minced garlic. Try using ½ teaspoon.
  • It's fine to omit the honey, although it does nicely balance out the other flavors in this recipe.

Serving suggestions

These green beans are very versatile! I think they are the perfect side dish for any meat or fish. However, they do go particularly well with these spicy meatballs. I also like to sometimes serve them alongside a couple of fried eggs for a light, meatless dinner.

Storing leftovers

The leftovers keep quite well in the fridge, in an airtight container, for 3-4 days. Gently reheat them in the microwave at 50% power.

I admit to sometimes snacking on them cold, straight from the fridge! They're surprisingly delicious this way.Kind of like spicy antipasti.

Spicy Green Beans - Healthy Recipes Blog (4)
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Recipe Card

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4.99 from 55 votes

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Spicy Green Beans

A fun variation on just sauteing them, these spicy green beans are bursting with flavor - and it's so easy to make them!

Prep Time10 minutes mins

Cook Time10 minutes mins

Total Time20 minutes mins

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Servings: 4 servings

Calories: 119kcal

Author: Vered DeLeeuw

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons avocado oil
  • 1 lb. fresh green beans ends trimmed
  • 1 teaspoon Diamond Crystal kosher salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon minced fresh garlic
  • ½ tablespoon hot pepper sauce (1 tablespoon if you like your food spicy)
  • 1 tablespoon honey

Instructions

  • In a large, deep skillet, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add the green beans, salt, and pepper.

  • Cook the green beans, stirring often, until they just begin to soften, about 5 minutes.

  • Reduce the heat to low. Stir in the hot sauce, garlic, and honey. Cook, stirring, until the beans are tender-crisp and coated in the sauce, 1-2 more minutes. Serve immediately.

Video

Notes

When cooking hot peppers, and this includes hot pepper sauce, you'll create fumes that can be quite irritating, depending on how sensitive you are. So keep your kitchen well-ventilated and your kitchen hood fan running. However, if you're sensitive to chili vapors, perhaps this recipe is not the best option for you.

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Nutrition per Serving

Serving: 0.25recipe | Calories: 119kcal | Carbohydrates: 13g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 100mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 8g

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Cup measurements refer to the standard American cup, which is 240 milliliters. Most of my recipes are low-carb (or keto) and gluten-free, but some are not. Please verify that a recipe fits your needs before using it. Recommended and linked products are not guaranteed to be gluten-free. Nutrition info is approximate, and the carb count excludes non-nutritive sweeteners. Nutrition info may contain errors, so please verify it independently. Recipes may contain errors, so please use your common sense when following them. Please read these Terms of Use carefully before using any of my recipes.

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About the Author

Spicy Green Beans - Healthy Recipes Blog (20) Vered DeLeeuw, LL.M., CNC, has been following a low-carb real-food diet and blogging about it since 2011. She's a Certified Nutrition Coach (NASM-CNC), has taken courses at the Harvard School of Public Health, and has earned a Nutrition and Healthy Living Certificate from Cornell University. Her work has appeared in several major media outlets, including Healthline, HuffPost, Today, Women's Health, Shape, and Country Living. Click to learn more about Vered.

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Spicy Green Beans - Healthy Recipes Blog (2024)

FAQs

What can I put in green beans to make them taste better? ›

A little butter, minced garlic, and lemon-pepper seasoning are all you need to bring the best out of fresh green beans.

How to jazz up green beans? ›

Then, I toss the blanched beans with olive oil, lemon juice and zest, garlic, and salt to pep up their flavor. Serve them just like that, or dress them up more with toasted almonds or pine nuts, grated Parmesan cheese, red pepper flakes, or fresh herbs like basil, parsley, or thyme.

How can I enhance my green bean flavor? ›

If you're looking for a simple mixture that will pair well with a variety of meals, a combination of onion salt, garlic salt, garlic powder, and black pepper works well. You can add dry spices, such as the ones in this mixture, to the skillet at the same time as the green beans.

What spice reduces gas in beans? ›

Epazote has been used for generations in traditional cooking

People love using it, especially when they cook beans. Bean can sometimes make people feel a bit gassy. Well, Epazote is famous for helping with that! It makes beans more enjoyable by reducing the gas they can cause.

How can I make my beans more flavorful? ›

Dried beans cooked with sea salt and water are delicious, but adding an onion, garlic, or other aromatics to the pot will make them even more flavorful!

How to get bitterness out of green beans? ›

Blanching your greens is key to getting that bitterness level down. Because glucosinolates are water-soluble compounds, a lot of them are leached out into the water, allowing for a less bitter green.

What makes green beans so good? ›

Not only are they relatively inexpensive, green beans are rich in vitamin C and beta-carotene, an antioxidant that gives fruits and vegetables their color. The vegetable helps fight inflammation and is a good source of folate and potassium, which helps regulate blood pressure.

How to make Paula Deen green beans? ›

Add green beans to pan and sauté over medium heat for 2 minutes, stirring frequently. Add boiling water to pan and cover. Cook for about 15 minutes, just until beans are tender. Add vinegar, butter and salt and pepper and stir.

Do you start green beans in hot or cold water? ›

either way is delicious! Start by washing the beans under cold water in a colander. Using a paring knife, cut ends off of beans and cut into ~ 1 ½ inch chunks. Let's get cooking! Place about 3 inches of water in the medium pot with about 1 teaspoon kosher salt and bring to a boil.

How do you jazz up green vegetables? ›

Another way to make your greens taste better is to jazz up your vegetables. Forget the plain old cooked green beans, and sprinkle them with sautéed mushrooms and onions, or sun-dried tomatoes and pine nuts. You can still have your regular meat, potato and veg dishes, just with more exciting vegetables.

What is a good spice for green beans? ›

Seasoned salt: Buy seasoned salt from the store, or make your own seasoned salt at home. Chili powder: This is an unexpected knockout seasoning. Chili powder adds a touch of spice and color without being too overpowering. Garlic powder: We prefer using garlic powder here.

What is the most flavorful green bean? ›

Maxibel ~ If you only get one bush bean variety, make it Maxibel. This is a full-size (7-inch pods) French filet bean that has straight, dark green pods. A very gourmet-type bean, Maxibel has a flavor that can't be beat.

How do you make beans more appealing? ›

Taste the beans. If you want, add some freshly ground black pepper, or maybe a dash of hot sauce, or a squeeze of lemon. You could make a delicious chile sauce, or shower them with Parmesan, or stir in a lump of butter.

What seasoning should I put in my beans? ›

I like smoked paprika to add a bit of the campfire flavor, since I keep my beans vegetarian most of the time. I also like adding a little bit of red chile flake or a whole dried chile, sometimes some cumin, and maybe a little bit of Mexican oregano.

How to season beans while cooking? ›

Add a pinch of salt. If you have any aromatics lying around — things you'd use to make stock like onions, carrots, celery, bay leaves or woody herbs such as rosemary and thyme — add them to cooking liquid. You don't have to add aromatics, but they'll make your beans so much more flavorful.

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