What Main Dish Goes with Green Beans? 10 Tasty Ideas
When it comes to cooking green beans, there are many different ways to prepare them. You can boil them, fry them, or even put them in a casserole. No matter how you cook them, though, it’s essential to have a delicious main dish to go with them. If you’re like me and love trying out new combinations, this is a great place to start. So, what main dishes go well with green beans?
Green beans go with almost any meal you can think of, but I’d serve them with baked salmon, sauteed shrimp, roasted chicken or pork chops, Italian sausage with potatoes, ground turkey, mushroom cannelloni with garlic-lemon sauce, Mediterranean-style tofu with fresh herbs, or vegetarian rice bowl with crispy kale.
So whether you’re serving them up at your next holiday feast or just need a quick and easy weeknight meal, I’ve got you covered. Let’s answer the question:
What Main Dish to Serve with Green Beans?
Green beans are not just versatile and thus among the most popular veggies in many households, but they are also tasty and nutritious. What’s more, they are super easy to cook and can be prepared in numerous different ways.
Nevertheless, whether you are eating them as a casserole or just boiled and seasoned with some herbs, garlic, and lemon juice, you can combine them with all sorts of meat or vegetarian meals. Here are 10 of my favorite main dishes to go with green beans:
Baked Salmon with Green Beans
If you’re looking for a healthy yet tasty main dish to go with your green beans, look no further than baked salmon. It’s low in calories but high in protein and omega-3 fatty acids, which are beneficial for both your mind and body. [1]
Plus, cooking salmon is a breeze. Simply season it with salt, pepper, and some lemon juice, then bake it in the oven for about 20 minutes. Boom, dinner is ready!
Now, I know that not everyone is a fan of salmon. That’s why I’ve compiled this list of several tasty main dishes that go well with green beans. So, no matter what you’re in the mood for, you’re sure to find something that’ll hit the spot.
Roasted Chicken and Green Beans
The best way to enjoy green beans is by pairing them with roasted chicken, and it’s definitely one of my favorites. Plus, it’s a really easy meal to make.
I’ll start by preheating the oven to 375 °F (190 °C) before washing and trimming my green beans. I’ll then season my chicken with salt, pepper, and lemon juice before baking it in the oven for about 35 minutes. You can, of course, add whatever spices you prefer, like garlic and paprika. Once both the chicken and green beans are done, I’ll plate them together and top them with fresh parsley.
Parmesan Roasted Butternut Squash
If you’re looking for a unique and tasty way to enjoy your green beans, why not pair them with a savory parmesan roasted butternut squash? It’s a match made in heaven!
To make this delicious dish, all you need to do is dice the butternut squash into cubes and spread them onto a baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese, onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, and rosemary. Bake for about 20 minutes until the squash is nice and crispy.
Finally, add your cooked green beans in the same bowl as the roasted butternut squash cubes and mix it all together. Serve warm, and enjoy!
Pork Chops with Green Beans and Tomatoes
A classic family favorite is pork chops with green beans and tomatoes, and for a good reason. The juicy pork chops provide a savory flavor that pairs wonderfully with the naturally sweet and crunchy green beans. Plus, the bright tomatoes add a touch of acidity to cut some of the richness of the pork.
If you want to make it even more nutritious, I suggest serving this dish with a side of brown rice or mashed potatoes. You can also throw in some olives or feta cheese to give it an extra layer of flavor and saltiness that will take this meal over the top.
The best part is that this dish is so simple to make. All you have to do is season your pork chops, sauté them in olive oil until cooked through, and then add your green beans and tomatoes for the last few minutes. And then you’re all set!
Sautéed Shrimp & Green Beans
If you’re looking for a quick and easy seafood dish, this sautéed shrimp and green beans dish is a great option. To make it, heat some oil in a skillet and then add the shrimp. Once they’ve cooked a few minutes, add the green beans and season with your choices of herbs, like parsley or thyme.
Once everything is heated through, squeeze some fresh lemon juice over everything and devour! For a complete meal, you can also serve it over some cooked grains like quinoa or couscous.
The flavors of this dish are simple yet delightful. What’s great about it is that it only takes about 20 minutes to whip up, so it’s perfect for busy weeknight meals.
Italian Sausage with Potatoes & Green Beans
If you love Italian sausage, here’s a tasty main dish that pairs perfectly with green beans. Start by cutting up some potatoes into cubes and tossing them in olive oil, cumin, garlic powder, and your favorite Italian herbs. Roast them in the oven until they’re lightly browned and then set aside.
In a separate pan, cook up some Italian sausage until it’s nicely browned. Then add a can of drained and rinsed green beans to the pan with the sausage and cook for another 10 minutes or so until the green beans are softened. Serve the sausage and green beans over roasted potatoes for an easy one-pan meal that you can put together in no time!
Ground Turkey & Green Bean Skillet
If you’re looking for something meaty, try a ground turkey & green bean skillet. This dish is packed with vegetables and comes together in under 30 minutes.
To make it, simply add olive oil to a large skillet and cook your ground turkey until it’s completely browned. Then add your green beans, a diced onion and bell pepper, and minced garlic according to your taste. Season with salt, pepper, and your favorite herbs (I like basil or oregano), and cook the mixture until the vegetables are tender.
Serve the skillet over warm cooked quinoa or rice for a filling meal that won’t take all night to prepare!
Mushroom Cannelloni with Garlic-Lemon Sauce & Greens
For a delectable vegan main dish, try my mushroom cannelloni with garlic-lemon sauce & greens. It takes around 45 minutes to prepare, but it’s worth it! This meal is packed with flavorful mushrooms, onions, and garlic, and green beans add an extra layer of texture and flavor.
The star of this dish is the garlicky lemon cream sauce. It’s made with vegan cream cheese, garlic, lemon juice, and fresh parsley. The green beans are cooked until just tender and then added to the creamy sauce before being topped with almond parmesan cheese.
Toss together a simple salad made with your favorite greens like romaine lettuce or spinach, and top off your meal with crusty bread. You’ll love how this dish brings out the best in those green beans!
Mediterranean Style Tofu with Fresh Herbs & Veggies
This Mediterranean-style tofu with fresh herbs and veggies is sure to please vegans, vegetarians, and the meat eaters in the family. You’ll cook up some firm tofu and then serve it with a medley of fresh vegetables like bell peppers, tomatoes, zucchini, onions, garlic, and, of course, green beans.
The vegetables are sautéed in extra virgin olive oil until they’re tender and then tossed with a mix of fresh herbs like oregano, basil, and thyme. To finish it off, you can sprinkle some feta cheese over the top before serving. The final result is a colorful and flavorful dish that pairs perfectly with green beans – one that everyone will love!
Vegetarian Rice Bowl with Crispy Kale & Green Beans
The last one is also for all vegetarians out there. To make this tasty main, start by cooking some brown rice in vegetable broth until it’s nice and fluffy. Then, quickly saute some kale and green beans with garlic and olive oil. Add a bit of salt, pepper, chili flakes, and a squeeze of lemon for flavor. Lastly, combine everything together in a bowl with some diced tomatoes and feta cheese.
The crunch from the kale paired with the hearty tomato-feta combo is sure to make your mouth water while you enjoy this veggie-packed main dish. It’s sure to satisfy even the most discerning vegetarian!
I would love to know which one of these you’ve settled on! Please take some time and let me know in the comments below!
