How to Make Frozen Green Beans Taste Good? [9 Easy Ideas]
If you are in need of some new and delicious ways to prepare and enjoy that bag of frozen beans that are waiting for you in the freezer, you’ve come to the right place. People often view frozen vegetables as an inferior substitute for fresh vegetables, but I will prove otherwise. With some creativity, you can elevate your frozen green beans from boring to absolutely delicious.
Whether you’re in the mood for something simple or more complex, these suggestions will make your taste buds jump for joy. So let’s get creative and bring those frozen green beans to life!
What to Add to Frozen Green Beans to Taste Good?
If you want to create a tasty, nutritious green bean-based meal in no time, all you need is a bit of creativity and some basic ingredients and spices. Of course, sometimes you need to be open to experimenting with different flavors; trust me, it will pay off. Here are some of my favorite ideas:
Nuts
I love adding a bit of crunch to my frozen green beans, and it’s an easy way to make them taste and look more vibrant. Nuts can do just that!
Try sprinkling some almonds, walnuts, or sunflower seeds on top of your frozen green beans before baking away; they’ll come out with a nice texture contrast and nutty flavor. Or, you can also opt for roasting them in the oven with some nuts like pine nuts or walnuts – they’ll come out lightly browned and crunchy. You can add some garlic and herbs, too, for extra flavor.
Alternatively, I love using crunchy nut butter like almond butter or peanut butter for extra creaminess.
Various Sauces
Whether it’s a classic dairy-based sauce, an Asian-style marinade, or something in between, sauces can help boost your green beans’ flavor. Some of my favorite options include:
A traditional tartar sauce. This is the perfect complement to green beans. Serve with a generous dollop of the creamy condiment, made with mayonnaise, pickles, capers, and lemon juice – and watch it disappear!
If you want something spicier, pepper sauce is the way to go. Try sauteing a bell pepper in oil and garlic until they become soft and sweeter. Add crushed red pepper flakes and some white or red wine vinegar or lemon juice for a zesty kick.
You can even make the sauce yourself, and while it’s still cooking, just toss the beans in. Simply cook until the beans are warmed over, and that’s it!
Parmesan Cheese and Crispy Bacon Bits
Cheese is always a good option when it comes to adding flavor! Whether you opt for shredded cheddar, mozzarella, or goat cheese, the subtle but distinct flavor notes really go a long way. Try sprinkling some cheese on top of your green beans before popping them in the oven—you won’t regret it!
Or, you can sprinkle freshly grated Parmesan cheese on top for a bit of salty, nutty flavor with a light crunch.
After that, all you need to do to make the dish perfect and super nutritional is to add some crispy bacon bits – the flavors from the smoky bacon will work great with the green beans and give them a nice, satisfying crunch.
How to Season Frozen Green Beans to Taste Good?
You can add flavorful bursts with some herbs and spices to make your green beans taste even better. Whether you’re steaming, roasting, or stir-frying your frozen green beans, here are some classic combinations to get your creative juices flowing:
Fresh Herbs such as Parsley or Dill
Adding fresh herbs such as parsley or dill is one of the easiest ways to take your frozen beans up a notch. Just a few sprigs of herbs are enough to make a world of difference. I love to mix in chopped parsley and dill for a Mediterranean flavor or cilantro for more of an Asian-inspired taste.
If you don’t have any fresh herbs on hand, you still have plenty of options. Dried herbs like oregano, basil, thyme, and rosemary can also do the trick! Plus, they’re much more shelf-stable than their fresh counterparts, so you don’t have to worry about running out too quickly.
However, less is more when it comes to adding herbs, so start with just a pinch or two and taste as you go until you get the desired flavor.
Cumin, Smoked Paprika, Oregano, or Basil
You can go ahead and play around with seasonings with your frozen green beans. Adding cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, or basil gives a great flavor and takes the whole dish up a notch.
Start by adding just 2 tsp of one of these spices, taste, then slowly increase from there until you’re happy with the flavor. It’s also best to sprinkle these spices on the beans before you add the oil and roast them; this helps create an even flavor throughout the dish.
Ginger Root, Sesame Oil, and Soy Sauce
Frozen green beans are great to have in your kitchen as a convenient, flavorful side dish. But if you’ve had them straight from the freezer, you know that they can be a bit bland. Luckily, you can always make them Asian style.
To make it Asian style, you only need to add ginger root, sesame oil, and soy sauce.
You also won’t make a mistake if you just add a rosemary and garlic mix, make it Indian style with some curry powder, or mix some cumin and lemon juice and pair some phenomenal earthy flavor with the slightly tart kick.
How to Cook Frozen Green Beans to Taste Good?
Now that you know how to season and serve your frozen beans and make them perfectly delicious, it’s time to take a look at the best ways to cook them.
Add Your Frozen Green Beans to Slow Cooker Meals
Frozen green beans make a great addition to slow-cooker meals. Whether you are cooking for one, a family, or a crowd, incorporating frozen green beans into a slow cooker dish is an easy way to boost its flavor and nutrition.
Thaw the green beans first before adding them to your slow cooker dish for the best results. If you forget, don’t worry – they will still cook fine.
Add the green beans at the end of the cooking time because they can become mushy and lose their flavor if cooked too long.
If you wish to add frozen green beans to soup or stew, add them just before serving so they can heat through without losing their crispness and freshness.
Steam Your Frozen Green Beans
Steaming your green beans is an easy and healthy option that will guarantee the most flavorful outcome. All you need to do is fill a pan or pot with about an inch of boiling water, toss the frozen green beans in, put on a lid and let them cook for 4-5 minutes.
The heat and steam from the boiling water will bring out the natural flavor of your green beans, plus they’ll retain more nutrients than if you’d boiled them in water.
Of course, don’t forget to experiment with adding some herbs or spices to give your steamed green beans more oomph! Lastly, don’t forget to finish off with some salt and pepper before serving – it’s sure to make all the difference!
Roast Your Frozen Green Beans
Another simple way to make frozen green beans taste good is to roast them. Roasting brings out the natural sweetness of the vegetables and gives them a crispy texture.
To ensure that your beans don’t become soggy, toss them with olive oil and seasonings first. Sprinkle a generous amount of your favorite herbs and spices on top for added flavor. Then, bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for about 15 minutes or until golden brown.
Serve warm or cold as a side dish with your favorite meal!
Frozen Green Beans with a Twist
Ingredients
- 2 cups Green Beans (thawed)
- ¼ cup Olive Oil
- 3 cloves Garlic (minced)
- 1 ½ tsp Salt
- ½ tsp Pepper
- 2 tsp Cumin
- 1 tsp Smoked Paprika
- ½ tsp Oregano
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- To ensure that your beans don't become soggy, toss them with olive oil and seasonings first. You can adapt the seasonings to your taste.
- Bake for about 15 minutes or until golden brown.
- Serve warm or cold as a side dish with your favorite meal!
