22 Best Thanksgiving Green Bean Recipes to Spruce up Your Turkey Day Menu
To casserole and (way) beyond!
Whether it’s creamy mashed potatoes, fluffy, butter-drenched dinner rolls, herb-studded stuffing or sweet-tart cranberry sauce, everyone has their favorite Thanksgiving side dish. We don’t discriminate around here, but these Thanksgiving green bean recipes prove that there’s so much to love about the lanky legume. After perusing these delicious recipes — some of them creamy, cheesy and decadent and others more of a light and healthy Thanksgiving side — you’ll gain newfound appreciation for all the ways you can enjoy the mean green bean.
Green beans baked into a casserole is, of course, classic comfort food that deserves a place on your table. But you can also roast or cook them in the air fryer, blanch and toss them with a flavorful glaze, cook them low and slow in the slow cooker or even grill them to tender, charred perfection (your at-capacity stovetop and oven will thank you). No matter how you prepare them, you’ll find that green beans are a wonderfully crunchy canvas for all kinds of flavors, spices, glazes and toppings — so get your bean game on and watch the vegetable side dish disappear as guests go for seconds.
As you meticulously plan your Thanksgiving dinner menu this year, be sure to browse these Thanksgiving green bean recipes that will pair perfectly with everything on your spread. And don’t miss all of our other amazing Turkey Day content, from the best Thanksgiving appetizers and healthy Thanksgiving recipes to easy turkey recipes, the tastiest Thanksgiving desserts and a handy Thanksgiving guide to hosting a (stress-free!) feast to remember.
Fresh Green Bean Casserole
When cheese, crispy breadcrumbs and meaty mushrooms are involved, no one will be able to resist this classic comforting side.
Get the Fresh Green Bean Casserole recipe.
RELATED: 50 Best Casserole Recipes for the Ultimate Comfort Food
Glazed Green Beans
Sherry wine and vinegar simmered with brown sugar create a sweet-and-tangy glaze for beautifully blanched green beans.
Get the Glazed Green Beans recipe.
Spice-Roasted Cauliflower with Green Beans
Warm, earthy garam masala is the star spice blend that takes these cozy roasted veggies to the next level.
Air Fryer Green Beans
Fresh tarragon and a shallot and mustard vinaigrette bring exciting flavor and welcome acidity to these tender, charred green beans.
Get the Air Fryer Green Beans recipe.
Mushroom and Chile-Garlic Green Beans
Serve up something unexpected for Thanksgiving: Blanched green beans tossed with roasted mushrooms and an irresistible chile-garlic butter.
Green Bean and Cheddar Casserole
This gooey, cheesy version of the beloved casserole is like mac and cheese, but with green beans instead of pasta. You're welcome.
Lime and Aleppo Pepper Green Beans
Add some much-needed acidity to the Thanksgiving table with this bright dish — and free up precious oven real estate!
Blistered Tomatoes and Green Beans
For a pop of color, try roasting your green beans alongside cherry or grape tomatoes, then spoon a simple-but-punchy vinegar-onion mixture on top.
Cranberry Bacon Green Beans
This standout side boasts a trifecta of flavors and textures: Crispy, salty bacon, sweet-tart dried cranberries and creamy, tangy goat cheese.
Get the Cranberry Bacon Green Beans recipe from Delish.
RELATED: How to Cook Bacon in the Oven
Garlic Green Beans
Sometimes simplicity reigns supreme! These butter-finished beans go with basically anything, and the recipe is easy enough to commit to memory.
Get the Garlic Green Beans recipe from the Pioneer Woman.
Cajun Green Bean Casserole
Cajun seasoning and a splash of hot sauce give the creamy casserole a fun, spicy kick.
Get the Cajun Green Bean Casserole recipe from the Pioneer Woman.
Green Beans Almondine
Buttery toasted almonds, fragrant, sautéed alliums and a bright pop of lemon make green beans shine.
Get the Green Beans Almondine recipe from Delish.
Vegan Green Bean Casserole
Now everyone at the table can enjoy the crowd-favorite casserole! Tender shallots, golden brown mushrooms and a well-seasoned roux made with almond milk all contribute to a flavorful final product.
Get the Vegan Green Bean Casserole recipe from Delish.
RELATED: 40 Easy Vegan Thanksgiving Recipes
Grilled Green Beans
Topping smoky grilled green beans with crunchy green onions, sesame seeds and peanuts will ensure everyone eats their veggies.
Get the Grilled Green Beans recipe from Delish.
Parmesan Roasted Green Beans
Green beans + handfuls of shredded Parm and mozz = a truly divine Thanksgiving side.
Get the Parmesan Roasted Green Beans recipe from Delish.
Slow Cooker Green Beans
The slow cooker comes in clutch when the oven and stovetop are at max capacity. This flavorful recipe brings together green beans, bacon and diced tomatoes for an unbelievably tasty side.
Get the Slow Cooker Green Beans recipe from the Pioneer Woman.
Green Bean and Asparagus Casserole
This dish-with-a-twist hints of spring while offering the stick-to-your-ribs comfort we crave during the winter months.
Get the Green Bean and Asparagus Casserole recipe from Woman's Day.
Blanched Green Beans
Toss green beans in a salty-sweet bacon vinaigrette for a sublime side you won't be able to stop noshing on.
Get the Blanched Green Beans recipe from Woman's Day.
Green Beans and Crushed Salt-and-Vinegar Chips
Tangy seasoned chips make a genius topping for crisp-tender green beans. We can't get enough!
Get the Green Beans and Crushed Salt-and-Vinegar Chips recipe from Country Living.
Green Beans with Garlic-Herb Butter
Herbed garlic butter is the hero we all need. One bite o' these beans and we know you'll agree!
Get the Green Beans with Garlic-Herb Butter recipe from Woman's Day.
Joy (she/her) is an assistant food editor in the Good Housekeeping Test Kitchen, where she develops and tests recipes to ensure both deliciousness and accuracy before they appear in titles like Good Housekeeping, Women’s Health, Woman’s Day, Prevention and Country Living. After graduating from UChicago with a major in political science, she made the (best) decision to pursue her passion for food by enrolling in pastry school and working at her dream restaurant, Gramercy Tavern. Before joining the GH team, Joy assisted on cookbook and editorial shoots, ran an Instagram micro bakery, and worked as a freelance writer and developer with bylines appearing in Eater, Food52, Simply Recipes, Food Network and more. Joy has a special place in her heart for croissants and tiramisu, and is always on the hunt for the next cafe to explore in the city (a journey that never ends!).
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