Fresh green beans get a flavorful upgrade with buttery shallots and garlic, a tangy maple-Dijon sauce, and plenty of contrasting textures. Pecans and slivered almonds add crunch, dried cranberries bring a little sweetness, and crumbled feta finishes everything with a salty bite. The beans are steamed or boiled, then tossed in a skillet with the sauce before adding the toppings. Serve them alongside a weeknight chicken dinner or as a colorful addition to your holiday table.
This recipe has always been a fan favorite on our site since first being published. The most successful recipes will always have a perfect balance of flavors. Sweet, salty, sour and bitter are the 4 taste elements. When that balance is achieved the entire dish is elevated.
These green beans hit all these notes which is what makes them such an outstanding side dish.
You get the sweet from the maple syrup which balances the vinegar. The green beans in this dish would be considered the bitter which needs to be balanced out with either salty or sweet. In this case we have the salt from the feta cheese.
Each bite gets better and better as your taste buds react to this perfect balance of flavors.
How to make these Flavor-Packed Green Beans:
- Use fresh green beans for this recipe and steam them until they are tender.
- Sauté some shallots and garlic in butter, then add the green beans back to the pan to finish cooking.
- Drizzle over the most delicious balance of Dijon mustard, maple syrup and balsamic vinegar and let it soak up into the beans.
- Plate the beans and then top them with roasted pecans, almonds, dried cranberries and feta cheese.
That's all there is to it! These beans are elegant, flavorful, anything but boring and can be served alongside chicken on a weeknight, steak on the weekend or find themselves on your Thanksgiving table!
What the Video to See How The Dish is Made
Green Beans with Maple Dijon Sauce, Feta & Pecans
- Total Time: 35 min
- Yield: 6 side servings 1x
Description
Fresh green beans tossed with buttery shallots, garlic, and a tangy maple-Dijon sauce, then topped with crunchy nuts, dried cranberries, and feta.
Ingredients
- 1½ pounds fresh green beans, washed and trimmed
- 2 Tablespoons Butter
- 1 Shallot, diced
- 2 Cloves Garlic, minced
- â…“ Cup Chopped Pecans
- 1–2 Tablespoons Dried Cranberries
- 2 Tablespoons Slivered Almonds
- 1–2 Tablespoons Feta Cheese
- FOR THE DIJON MAPLE SAUCE:
- 1–2 teaspoons Maple Syrup
- 1 teaspoon Dijon Mustard
- 2 teaspoons Balsamic Vinegar
- Sea salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a small bowl, mix together the maple syrup, mustard, vinegar and salt and pepper and set aside.
- Steam or boil the green beans for 8-10 minutes or until a fork can easily pierce the beans. Drain when done.
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add the pecans. Spread the nuts evenly over the pan surface and let them sit for 30 seconds or so, then stir again. Keep stirring for about 3-4 minutes or until the nuts become fragrant – set aside.
- Add the butter to the skillet and sauté the shallots and garlic over low heat to soften.
- Add the beans and the Dijon mustard sauce and continue to sauté until beans are evenly coated and cooked to the desired doneness.
- Plate the beans on a nice serving platter and top with them with the toasted pecans, slivered almonds, feta cheese and dried cranberries.
- Prep Time: 10 min
- Cook Time: 25 min
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Check Out Some Other Great Side Recipes:
- Garlic Parmesan Noodles
- Creamy Garlic Parmesan Orzo
- Roasted Asparagus with Garlic and Mozzarella
- Savory Hasselback Butternut Squash
- NY Deli Style Macaroni Salad
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I've made these beans about 50 times since you posted them. They are simply the best beans we've ever had. They are now a staple on Thanksgiving! Goodbye green bean casserole
Thanks Shelly! My mom loves them too
This sauce is simply amazing. These beans are addictive.
I've made these beans regularly for years now. They are a staple in our house.
I have made this dish about a dozen times. I'm so glad you updated the photos could because they really didn't show how great these beans are. The Maple Dijon sauce is to die for