My Easy Vegetarian Green Bean Recipe with Garlic is cooked to perfection with cranberries, shallots, mustard, and garlic. It’s so delicious!

I’m always ready to cook up an easy recipe. This might be my best one yet, especially when my green beans look this pretty. The dried cranberries, black pepper, sauteed green beans, and delish mustard vinaigrette blend together to give this green bean recipe a star rating.

Plus, it’s a great option for any holiday table or all throughout Summer or Spring. Can you easily see the flavorful crisp beans alongside any main course? I sure can.

overhead of vegetarian green beans with shaved cheese and cranberries

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What can I add to green beans for flavor?

In my opinion, the best way to bring out the flavor of green beans is with garlic powder or onion powder and salt and pepper.

It’s mostly due to my Italian upbringing. My mom added garlic to everything. Plus, garlic is super healthy for you. Adding the mustard vinaigrette to the crisp green beans gives this recipe the zing and nice crunch that’s needed for a great recipe.

How do I jazz up green beans?

What I love about this delicious vegetable recipe is the use of olive oil. That’s my way of jazzing up any dish. I love olive oil. Whenever I get to use cloves of garlic along with string beans you know it’s going to be good.

While my fresh green beans recipe doesn’t call for soy sauce or red pepper flakes, it is full of flavor and a delicious side dish.

Other options to add flavor to your green beans

Red peppers
Roasted green beans with Sesame oil
Lemon zest or lemon pepper seasoning
Sarah from Badtothebowl has a delicious maple syrup bean recipe
Blanched with butter
Simmer in chicken broth
Combine with bacon

Should you blanch green beans before cooking?

Even tho I am a huge fan of blanching green beans, it’s not necessary to do so.

However, here is why I love blanching my green beans. In blanching beans the nutrients and vitamins are not boiled out of the beans. Meaning, the nutritional value, and health benefits stay in the bean and pass it on to you, more so than when boiled.

Another reason I love blanched green beans is the fact that if you are planning to reheat the green beans in a simple skillet, the blanching of them leaves them crisp, bright green, and slightly undercooked or al dente. Perfect for reheating without overcooking. It’s a great way and option if you are not serving them immediately,

ingredients in glass bowls to make green beans with cranberries and shallots

How to make my easy vegetarian green bean recipe with garlic?

Step 1: Whisk together vinegar, dijon mustard, (use regular mustard for vegetarian option) salt & pepper

overhead view of mustard dressing being made and whisk

Step 2: In a large pot of water, over medium heat bring lightly salted water to a boil
Step 3: Trim green beans and add to boiling water, Simmer for 5 minutes. Drain. (optional tip: add to ice water to stop the cooking process) Toss with vinaigrette dressing.

overhead view of green beans in pot of water

Step 4: Next, heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the shallots, cranberries, and garlic until golden brown. About 6 minutes until softened. (I prefer shallots over red onions, especially for this dish. The shallots add some sweetness)

overhead view of cranberries, shallots and garlic in glass bowl

overhead view of skillet with shallots, garlic and dried cranberries being sauteed

Step 5: Pour over beans, toss, top with grated parmesan cheese, (use gorgonzola for a vegetarian option) and serve.

These simple ingredients and the easy cooking process create a delicious dinner side dish. So next time you’re looking for a tasty and easy green bean recipe, try this one.