The perfect oven roasted green beans, infused with a savory mix of seasonings, and topped with grated parmesan cheese and slivered almonds will turn this basic vegetable into one of your favorites. Give your traditional “green bean almandine” a much healthier facelift by ditching the sauce.
If you’re looking to keep some of the old and blend in some of the new, this revision of a traditional, tasty side dish is perfect for your next Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, Mother’s day, Father’s Day or special celebrations.
When it comes to making a side dish as plain as green beans taste incredible, the first step is in not drowning it in a kettle of boiling water which drains all the flavor and nutrients out.
There is nothing better than vegetables roasted in a shallow pan and infused with some simple ingredients like salt and pepper, rice vinegar, and garlic salt, to name a few. Of course topping it with grated parmesan cheese and slivered almonds, after you take it out of the oven really takes it up a notch.
Five minutes of prep and 15 minutes in the oven will deliver this dish that seals all the nutrition in.
I love making this dish during the summer as a side when I’m grilling out as well, why just have it only a handful of times a year when it tastes this good!
How to Turn Your Plain Beans into Crack Beans
- Preheat oven. Line a shallow baking dish.
- Wash green beans and dry.
- Trim the stems on either side of the beans.
- Whisk together seasonings, oil and vinegar.
- Add beans and toss until thoroughly coated.
- Place beans single file in shallow pan and bake.
- Remove from oven and sprinkle with parmesan and almonds.
- Serve.
Savory Green Bean Ingredients
Green Beans: Whether you are buying your beans from a Farmer’s Market or grocery store, look for beans that have a nice green color, are firm, and snap when bent back. Weigh about 3/4 of a pound if you are buying them from a bin and have a scale handy. This is approximately 2 handfuls depending on your hand size. Discard any beans that have turned brown, are soft, or are very tiny in size. Expect that your beans will cook down some.
Oil: Fat is a crucial ingredient when it comes to roasting vegetables in the oven. This is where I can feel free to use a vegetable oil if I have it, but olive oil or canola work well too. It’s important to make sure the beans are evenly coated in the oil and seasoning for even roasting in the oven.
Seasonings: The secret ingredient here that many don’t think to use often, if at all, is the ranch seasoning in dry powder form. I used to buy the smaller packets in the salad dressing aisle but immediately graduated to the container when it came out. I enjoy using it randomly on a variety of meals and appreciate the seal-tight container keeping it fresh longer. I also use classics like salt and pepper, and spice it up a little with red pepper flakes in this recipe.
Toppings: I always feel that a touch of parmesan cheese can really give a good layered flavor. Green beans wouldn’t be the same without the crunch of sliced almonds.
Crack Green Beans-The Best Roasted
Ingredients
- ¾ lb fresh green beans (trimmed)
- 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
- ¼ tsp vinegar (I used rice vinegar)
- 2 tsp ranch seasoning (dry powder)
- ¼ tsp salt (or more to taste)
- ¼ tsp ground black pepper
- ¼ tsp garlic powder
- pinch red pepper flakes
- 1½ tbsp parmesan cheese (grated)
- 1 tbsp sliced almonds
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425°F. Line a small baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Wash and thoroughly dry green beans. You can use paper towels, napkins or a clean kitchen towel to pat them dry.
- Use a knife or kitchen scissors and trim any stems from green beans.
- In a small bowl, combine vegetable oil, vinegar, ranch powder, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and red pepper flakes.
- Whisk ingredients together until well combined.
- Add green beans to bowl and toss in oil mixture until beans are well coated.
- Spread prepared green beans evenly on cookie sheet.
- Bake in oven for 15 minutes.
- TIP: Green beans will still be somewhat crunchy. If a softer texture is desired, turn off oven and allow to sit in closed oven for 10 minutes. This will soften the beans.
- Place roasted green beans in a bowl and toss with grated parmesan cheese and sliced almonds and serve.
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