These Balsamic Green Beans with Walnuts are one of my favorite vegetable side dishes of all times! Simple, quick, elegant and delicious and they only take 15 minutes to make!
I originally shared this recipe on August 2, 2012. I have updated the images and some of the text today.
Why We Love This Green Beans and Walnut Recipe
This balsamic-glazed green beans recipe is so simple, but the flavors are complex in the best way. The nutty sweetness of the garlic paired with the meatiness of the walnuts and the bright tangy balsamic vinegar take regular green beans to a whole new level.
With just 6 simple ingredients and 15 minutes, these Green Beans and Walnuts will be your favorite way to prepare green beans. They will become your go-to easy side dish for any weeknight meal or even for a more elegant affair like a holiday meal!
And if you are like me, you cannot get enough green bean recipes, so make sure to check out my Simple Skillet Green Beans too. They are sauteed and so easy to prepare!
Ingredients For Green Beans With Walnuts
Olive Oil
Extra Virgin Olive Oil has more monounsaturated fat than other oils, so it is a good option for heart-healthy cooking.
Garlic
Garlic is in the onion family and adds a slight spicy warmth to the fresh green beans.
Walnuts
Toasting the walnuts brings the oils to the surface and intensifies the nutty flavor. They add an awesome sweet nutty flavor and great meaty texture to this healthy side dish.
Aged Balsamic Vinegar
Aged balsamic vinegar is much sweeter and thicker than regular balsamic vinegar. It adds the perfect sweet tangy flavor to this dish and the thicker consistency will perfectly coat the green beans.
Kosher Salt
The coarser grains of kosher salt actually amplify the flavor and texture of the the dish without making it taste salty. And a little bit goes a long way.
Green Beans
Fresh whole green beans contain vitamins A, C and K, as well as folic acid and fiber. Steaming them just until they are crisp-tender maximizes their health benefits and also the crunchy texture is best for this side dish.
Step By Step Instructions To Make Balsamic Green Beans
Step 1: Sauté the garlic
Heat oil in a small skillet, add garlic and cook over medium heat, stirring until the garlic is just barely showing signs of turning brown. Immediately pour into a large mixing bowl to stop cooking.
Step 2: Steam the green beans
Add 1 to 2 inches of water to a large pot fitted with a steamer attachment, cover and bring to a boil over high heat. Add green beans to the steamer, and cook, covered until the beans are crisp-tender.
Step 3: Transfer the green beans to the bowl
Place the green beans in the bowl with the garlic.
Step 4: Add the remaining ingredients
Add walnuts, balsamic and salt and toss to coat.
FAQ’s and Expert Tips
Steaming green beans is better than boiling because it helps to preserve their nutrients. Boiling quickly and blanching in ice water is a great way to prepare green beans in advance. But it is easy to overcook them so shocking in the ice bath is necessary.
When green beans are picked past their prime they can often be fibrous and stringy, so try to find the freshest greens beans you can. Also, undercooked green beans can be tough, so make sure and cook them until they are crisp-tender.
Additional Green Bean Recipes To Try
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Description
These Balsamic Green Beans with Walnuts are one of my favorite vegetable side dishes of all times! Simple, quick, elegant and delicious.
Scale
Ingredients
- 4 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 4 teaspoons minced garlic
- ½ cup chopped walnuts, toasted
- 2 teaspoons aged balsamic vinegar
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 pound green beans, trimmed (about 8 cups)
Instructions
- Heat oil in a small skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and cook, stirring until the garlic is just barely showing signs of turning brown, 30 to 90 seconds. Immediately pour into a large mixing bowl to stop cooking.
- Meanwhile, add 1 to 2 inches of water to a large pot fitted with a steamer attachment, cover and bring to a boil over high heat. Add green beans to steamer, and cook, covered until the beans are crisp tender, 4 to 5 minutes.
- Transfer the green beans to the bowl. Add walnuts, balsamic and salt and toss to coat.
Notes
These green beans are best prepared and served immediately, though they can be reheated. For best results, reheat in the microwave, covered with parchment only until steaming hot. They may discolor due to the balsamic vinegar.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 125
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 94 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 7 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 3 g
