There are many ways to eat green beans – raw, steamed, boiled, blanched – but my favorite, which I’ve found really brings out the flavor of string beans, is to roast them. I can easily eat a plate of roasted string beans with nothing more than some olive oil and salt on them, but there’s more you can add if you’re feeling adventurous.
Green beans roasted in olive oil and salt make a great finger food snack or appetizer, and don’t last very long around here. These may look overdone, but they’re packed with green been flavor, almost caramelized, with a slight crunch on the browned parts of the beans.
To take this recipe to the next level, try making roasted sesame green beans, which follows the initial recipe. These are even more addictive for me – a blend of Asian and Fusion flavor (as described by a more sophisticated eater in our house).
Tip Sometimes I make these in my toaster oven, which leaves the oven free for other stuff.
Roasted String Beans
Roasted String Beans in Olive Oil and Sea Salt
Ingredients
- 1 pound of string beans (stems removed, cleaned and dried)
- about 1/4 teaspoon of sea salt
- about 1 teaspoon of olive oil
Method
- Preheat your oven to 450 degrees F.
- In a bowl, mix the string beans, olive oil and salt. Sometimes I just spray the oil on the beans and then mix them to make sure they go on evenly. No need to go heavy on the oil or salt – just a light brushing is good.
- Place the beans on a piece of foil or other surface for easy clean-up, and then place the foil on a baking sheet.
- Roast for 10 minutes, and then rotate the beans to brown the other side. I just move them around using a fork to shift their positioning.
- Bake for another 8 minutes.
- Enjoy!
Roasted Sesame Green Beans
Ingredients
- 1 pound of string beans (stems removed and cleaned and pat dry if you want to)
- about 1/4 teaspoon of sea salt
- about 1 teaspoon of olive oil
- 1 tablespoon of honey
- 1/8 teaspoon of ginger powder
- 1/8 teaspoon of garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon of sesame oil (or toasted sesame oil)
- 1 teaspoon of sesame seeds (or toasted sesame seeds)
- pinch of hot red pepper flakes (optional)
Method
- Preheat your oven to 450 degrees F.
- In a bowl, mix the string beans, olive oil and salt. Sometimes I just spray the oil on the beans and then mix them to make sure they go on evenly. No need to go heavy on the oil or salt – just a light brushing is good.
- Place the beans on a piece of foil or other surface for easy clean-up, and then place the foil on a baking sheet.
- Roast for 10 minutes.
- While the beans are roasting, in a bowl, mix together the honey, sesame oil, ginger, and garlic.
- After the 10 minute mark, pour the honey-sesame mixture over the beans, stir them up on the sheet with a fork to coat them well, and then sprinkle the sesame seeds over the beans.
- Bake for another 8 minutes.
- Sprinkle lightly with hot red pepper flakes (optional).
- Enjoy!
looking 4ward to trying roasted green beans. Boiling takes too long.
My mom has made these since I can remember, I was surprised that many people haven’t tried it! They are the best way to eat green beans, we use seasoned salt on them and it gives them a savory side. It seems so simple but makes a big difference…
Thanks for posting this option of the sesame!
I made these two nights ago and really liked them. The sesame-honey version. I liked how the beans got all wrinkly and the sweetness was nice. This is a great way to eat green beans, if you ask me. Thanks so much for sharing!
Yep – the sesame-honey is my fave too. Thanks!
I’d just like to report that I made these and even my husband found them morish. Epic win!
Love that you describe it as “morish” (Moorish?)…
Oh my, just looked at your link – I have found bunny love! We love bunnies 🙂
I tried this recipe tonight and my picky kids who NEVER eat veggies ate them. It was the first thing my daughter went for and the only thing she ate. Even my son, who is the worst, ate them. They were really good!!!!
Alvie – so good to hear about kids eating veggies (I guess I’m a mom).
thanks for all the great comments! I love sesame seeds too. They taste so great toasted with the honey.
I make the roasted green beans very often…quite addicted actually. I can’t wait to try the sesame one. I love sesame seeds, these will be great thanks!
Lovely recipe! Thanks for adding this link!
Love this little snack. Great idea.
These look so satisfying! I roast almost all my vegetables very similar to this way (broccoli, squash, zucchini, bell peppers), but I have never thought to try green beans. I will make these this week; thank you!!
I am already in love with these: they look totally addictive. I am also on a constant quest to discover healthy yet snacky foods. Thank you for the idea. Off to discover your blog.
I’ve never thought of roasting green beans, but they look fantastic.
I’d love for you to submit one of your beautiful photos, and a link to your post, to my new vegetarian photo gallery showcasing the best vegetarian dishes and recipes on the web.
I’ve never roasted green beans either. Looks like a fantastic chip alternative.