Sauteed Haricots Verts

A simple vegetable recipe that uses tender, thin, French green beans, butter, shallots, lemon juice, and herbs for an easy side dish that is full of flavor.

Haricot Verts are a thinner, shorter green bean that is sweeter and more robust in flavor and very tender.  Also known as a French green bean, it does not have the string down the back, making it much easier to prep.  You simply cut off the ends and saute or steam. Easy.

Dish of sauteed haricot verts, a french green bean, in butter and shallots.

HOW DO I PREPARE HARICOT VERTS?

You can buy pretty little, expensive bags of trimmed beans, ready to pop the vented bag into the microwave to steam.  These bags are amazing when you just want something green on a weeknight when you’re tired and short on time. I have used this convenience often and highly recommend them.

You can also buy the beans from the bulk produce bin and trim them yourself.   It is an easy process. Simply gather the beans into a bundle, with the stem ends (the end with the piece of the stalk) facing the same way, and simply cut the stem ends off.  There is no need to trim the other end. Just cook and enjoy. To quote my guru, Ina Garten, “how easy is that?”

This simple vegetable recipe used browned butter, shallots, and red pepper flakes to flavor the fat that will then flavor the haricots verts.  The browned butter adds such a nutty, savory flavor that olive or vegetable oil can’t provide. The shallots bring an oniony, garlicky flavor to the beans that make them so savory and delicious.  All ready in less than 30 minutes.

If you really need to, you can cook these from frozen as well. Check out this article on how to cook frozen vegetables, and you’ll get an idea for how you can still implement this dish even if you’re limited on supplies.

Dish of sauteed haricot verts, a french green bean, in butter and shallots.

HOW CAN I VARY THIS RECIPE?

  • Add a bright lemony flavor with 1 teaspoon finely minced lemon zest
  • Give the dish an Italian flair with 1 seeded and diced plum tomato, a bit of oregano, and a sprinkling of Parmesan cheese.
  • Instead of using all butter, opt for half truffle oil or other flavored oil, such as rosemary oil.

Feeling inspired?  Here are a few more green bean recipes:

Or give my recipe for Maple Miso Glazed Brussels Sprouts or these Easy Sugar Snap Peas.  Or get fancy and give this recipe for Lemon Parmesan Roasted Asparagus a try.

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SAUTEED HARICOTS VERTS

A simple vegetable recipe for thin, tender haricot verts that are sauteed in browned butter and shallots for an easy side dish that your whole family will love.

  • Author: Eats By The Beach
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Total Time: 20 minutes
  • Yield: Serves 4
  • Category: Side Dish
  • Method: Sautee
  • Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

6 tablespoons salted butter

2 small shallots, minced very finely

Pinch crushed red pepper flakes

1 pound haricots verts (baby string beans), stem ends removed

Kosher salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

In a large skillet over medium-low heat, melt the butter until it just starts to brown.

Add the red pepper flakes and shallots, stirring and cooking until the shallots become translucent. 

Slide the beans into the pan and turn in the butter mixture until all the beans are coated.  

Saute, tossing often, until the beans are just becoming tender, but are still crisp.

Transfer the green beans to a serving bowl and season with salt and pepper to taste.

Keywords: simple vegetable recipe, easy side dish, easy vegetable recipe, green beans, haricot verts, french green beans, sauteed vegetables