Green Beans with Mushrooms & Crispy Shallots

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Published: 11/8/2022

Updated: 11/16/2023

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Type of Cuisine:

mediterranean

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Prep Time: 10 minutes.

Cook Time: 20 minutes

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How Many Servings?

4-6 servings

Table of Contents

Indulge in my delightful sautéed green beans recipe, a dish destined to become a beloved staple in your kitchen, much like it has in mine. With a rich depth of flavor marked by subtle notes of red wine vinegar, pancetta, and lemon zest, this recipe offers an irresistibly tasty twist to green beans.

Growing up, green beans were a staple on our family table. My mom often cooked them in a hearty stew with lamb and tomatoes, always served alongside rice. That dish, warming and comforting, remains one of my favorite ways to enjoy green beans. However, there are days when I crave something lighter, and that’s where this recipe comes in. For those who prefer a vegan dish, simply omit the pancetta and use olive oil to sauté the green beans. You’ll have a light yet flavorful dish that honors the versatility of this Mediterranean staple vegetable.

key Ingredients in your Sautéed Green Beans Recipe:

  • Haricot Verts Beans: These delicate French green beans have a slightly sweeter and more tender profile than regular green beans, making them a delightful addition to the dish.
  • Mushrooms: Enoki, shiitake, and beech mushrooms add earthy, umami-rich flavors, while other mushroom varieties can contribute their unique tastes, enhancing the dish’s complexity.
  • Pancetta (or Bacon, Guanciale, or Speck): Pancetta provides a savory, salty, and slightly smoky flavor that complements the other ingredients. You can customize the flavor by choosing from bacon, guanciale, or speck.
  • Shallots: Sliced shallots offer a mild, sweet, and aromatic onion-like flavor to the dish, enhancing its overall taste.
  • Red Wine Vinegar: This vinegar contributes a tangy and slightly fruity note that balances the richness of other ingredients.
  • Garlic: Sliced garlic cloves infuse a robust garlic flavor, adding depth and aroma to the sautéed green beans.
  • Meyer Lemon (or Regular Lemon) Zest and Juice: The zest and juice of Meyer or regular lemons give the dish a refreshing, citrusy brightness.
  • Olive Oil and Butter: These fats bring richness and a velvety texture to the sautéed green beans, complementing the other flavors in the recipe.

Preparing Green Beans

To master the Sautéed Green Beans Recipe, begin with fresh, crisp beans. Ensure they’re spot-free and vibrant. Trim off the ends and remove any tough beans. Cutting them smaller is optional but can create a pleasing texture. The crucial blanching step results in perfectly tender-crisp beans, retaining their eye-catching color and delightful flavor.

Green Beans: Essential in Mediterranean Diet

As a staple in the Mediterranean diet, green beans are celebrated for being low in calories yet nutrient-rich. They provide essential fiber, vitamins (including A, C, and K), and minerals, supporting overall health while offering anti-inflammatory benefits.

Perfect Pairings with the Sautéed Green Beans

The versatility of the Sautéed Green Beans Recipe shines when paired with various main courses. Whether succulent lamb chops, lean chicken breast, flavorful Mediterranean drumsticks, or crispy panko halibut, this side dish complements them beautifully, making each meal a memorable feast.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Can frozen green beans be used? Absolutely! Just ensure they are well-thawed and drained.
  • What can replace crispy shallots? Crispy fried onions or fresh scallions offer a delightful crunch as substitutes.
  • How do you retain the vibrant color of green beans? The key is to blanch them quickly and give them an ice bath immediately afterward.
  • What if my shallots aren’t crispy?Ensure the oil is hot, and don’t overcrowd the pan; drain the shallots on paper towels right after frying.

!Whether it’s a casual weeknight dinner or a special gathering, this recipe promises a taste as nutritious as it is delicious. Dive in today!

How to Make Green Beans with Mushrooms & Crispy Shallots
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Preparation

1.
Green Beans With Mushrooms and Crispy Shallots
Start by preparing the green beans. In a small pot, bring water to a boil. Add a pinch of salt, then add the beans. Boil for about 4 minutes, just until they're semi-cooked. Drain and set aside on a plate.
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2.
Green Beans With Mushrooms and Crispy Shallots
Now, let's prepare the shallots and garlic. Heat up the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the sliced shallots to the hot oil and fry until they're nicely browned and crispy. Use a slotted spoon to remove them from the skillet, and set them aside on a plate lined with a paper towel to drain any excess oil. Repeat the same process with the sliced garlic cloves.
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3.
Green Beans With Mushrooms and Crispy Shallots
In the same skillet, add the pancetta. Sauté for about 3 minutes until it's soft and brown. This step will render some fat from the pancetta, adding a lot of flavor to the dish.
Next, add the mushrooms to the skillet and sauté for about 4 minutes until they're soft.
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4.
Green Beans With Mushrooms and Crispy Shallots
Once the mushrooms are cooked, add in the butter, followed by the semi-cooked green beans. Season the beans with black pepper, then add the lemon juice and red wine vinegar. Stir everything together and continue cooking for about 4 more minutes until the beans are tender.
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5.
A vibrant plate of sautéed green beans and mixed mushrooms, topped with golden, crispy shallots.
To serve, transfer the green bean and mushroom mixture to a platter. Sprinkle the top with lemon zest, then top with the fried shallots and garlic. Enjoy this flavorful side dish with your favorite main course!
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Ingredients:

1X 2X 3X
Adjust Servings
1 lb Haricot Verts beans (trimmed on both sides)
8 oz mushrooms (please see the note about mushrooms)
2 oz pancetta
2 shallots (sliced lengthwise)
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
10 garlic cloves (sliced)
1 Meyer lemon zest and juice
¼ cup vegetable oil
¼ cup Black pepper
One tablespoon butter

Preparation

1
Start by preparing the green beans. In a small pot, bring water to a boil. Add a pinch of salt, then add the beans. Boil for about 4 minutes, just until they're semi-cooked. Drain and set aside on a plate.
2
Now, let's prepare the shallots and garlic. Heat up the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the sliced shallots to the hot oil and fry until they're nicely browned and crispy. Use a slotted spoon to remove them from the skillet, and set them aside on a plate lined with a paper towel to drain any excess oil. Repeat the same process with the sliced garlic cloves.
3
In the same skillet, add the pancetta. Sauté for about 3 minutes until it's soft and brown. This step will render some fat from the pancetta, adding a lot of flavor to the dish. Next, add the mushrooms to the skillet and sauté for about 4 minutes until they're soft.
4
Once the mushrooms are cooked, add in the butter, followed by the semi-cooked green beans. Season the beans with black pepper, then add the lemon juice and red wine vinegar. Stir everything together and continue cooking for about 4 more minutes until the beans are tender.
5
To serve, transfer the green bean and mushroom mixture to a platter. Sprinkle the top with lemon zest, then top with the fried shallots and garlic. Enjoy this flavorful side dish with your favorite main course!

Recipe Tips & Suggestions

Selecting Green Beans:

When purchasing green beans, look for pods that are vibrant in color, free from brown spots or blemishes, and feel firm to the touch. The freshest green beans will snap crisply when bent. Avoid beans that are limp or have visible seeds inside, as this is an indication that they are overripe.

Cleaning Mushrooms:

Cleaning mushrooms properly is crucial to avoid a gritty texture in your dish. Mushrooms absorb water easily, making them soggy, so avoid washing them under running water or soaking them. Instead, gently use a damp paper towel or a soft brush to clean each mushroom. If you must, rinse them quickly under cold water and immediately pat dry.

Achieving Crispy Shallots:

To achieve perfectly crispy shallots, slice them as thinly and uniformly as possible. Heat oil in a pan over medium-high heat, then add the shallots and spread them out evenly. The key is to fry them until they are just golden, as they will continue to cook and darken after being removed from the heat due to the residual heat in the oil. Be careful not to overcook them, as they can easily turn bitter. Once done, transfer them to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.

Storing and Reheating:

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, use a skillet over medium heat instead of a microwave. This method will help maintain the green beans and mushrooms' texture and restore the shallots' crispness. If the dish seems dry, you can add a small amount of oil or butter during reheating. Remember, the crispy shallots might lose their crunch after storage, so consider making fresh ones when ready to serve the dish again.

Nutrition Information

The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist's advice.
See our full nutrition disclosure here.

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By Rana

Thanks for visiting my Mediterranean food blog and welcome to my virtual kitchen! Here, you’ll find mouth-watering, wholesome, and nutritious Mediterranean recipes that will change the way you view cooking.

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