Roasted Green Beans With Buttered Breadcrumbs

A toast to the roast.

This oven roasted green beans recipe with toasted buttered breadcrumbs is easy to make and has a much better flavor (and texture) than steamed green beans. Learn how to roast green beans, and enjoy!

Meet This Easy Roasted Green Beans Recipe

I am fairly certain that I will never steam or boil a green bean again. Roasting them tastes better. And these easy roasted green beans topped with crunchy, buttery breadcrumbs tossed with shallot and fresh lemon zest are just about out of this world.

What’s the Healthiest Way to Eat Green Beans?

I shouldn’t be too down on steamed green beans. Steaming vegetables actually preserves nutrients better than other methods. And if you keep an eye on them, it is possible to steam vegetables without overcooking them. But so often, I find it difficult to navigate the fine line between bright, al dente vegetables and flaccid, mealy fail.

Roasting vs. Steaming Green Beans

But then there is roasting. Roasted vegetables — green beans included — benefit from more concentrated flavor, and good texture. Ease of cooking is another big benefit. This roasted green bean recipe involves little more than simply tossing the beans with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Then let the oven do the work while you prepare the breadcrumbs.

Why Are My Green Beans Tough?

Properly-cooked green beans should have an al dente texture: soft but firm, and neither too tough and fibrous, nor too soft and mushy.

Tough green beans can happen for one of two main reasons:

1. The green beans were picked past their prime and are old and leathery, or
2. Undercooking.

This recipe for roasted green beans will ensure that your beans are perfectly soft.

Recipe Notes: The Breadcrumbs

This recipe is fairly straightforward and uncomplicated. But the combination of textures and the hint of lemon and shallot makes it into something special.

• Toasted breadcrumbs are a great, simple way to add texture to any dish. I like fresh breadcrumbs or Japanese-style panko breadcrumbs because they have larger, lighter crumbs. But any plain breadcrumbs will do.
• Breadcrumbs toast quickly, as do shallots. So keep a close eye on them when they are in the skillet, and stir often so they do not burn.
• Make extra toasted buttered breadcrumbs and keep them in the refrigerator to top on pasta dishes or other vegetables.

Recipe Notes: Properly Roasting the Green Beans

1. Toss the green beans with the olive oil, salt and pepper.
2. Spread evenly on the baking sheet and roast for 20 minutes at 400 degrees F.
3. Sprinkle with a little lemon juice, and taste for seasoning.

Love this Easy Roasted Green Beans recipe? You’ll also like:

• Roasted Beet and Citrus Salad
• Baked Cauliflower Gratin
• Native American Sweet Potato and Wild Rice Sauté
• Simply Roasted Acorn Squash

Oven Roasted Green Beans With Breadcrumbs

This easy oven roasted green beans recipe shows you a better way to cook green beans, topped with crunchy, buttery texture.

Prep Time10 minutes mins

Cook Time20 minutes mins

Course: dinner, Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Keywords:: breadcrumbs, green beans, haricots verts, holiday, how to roast green beans, roasted green beans recipe, side dish, thanksgiving, vegetarian

Servings: 4 people

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Ingredients 

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For the Green Beans

• 12 ounces green beans, preferably haricots verts, cleaned and trimmed
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
• 12 turns fresh black pepper
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 lemon, zested and cut into wedges

For the Breadcrumbs

• 1/4 cup plain breadcrumbs, such as panko
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 tablespoon minced shallot (about 1/4 whole)
• 1 generous pinch kosher salt
• zest of 1 lemon

Instructions

For the Green Beans

• Preheat the oven to 400°F and line a rimmed baking sheet.
• Toss the green beans with the olive oil, salt and pepper. Spread evenly on the baking sheet and roast for 20 minutes. Sprinkle with the juice of one of your lemon wedges.

For the Breadcrumbs and to Finish

• While the beans are roasting, melt the butter in a small skillet over medium heat. Add the shallot and breadcrumbs and stir to coat with butter. Toast, stirring frequently, until medium-brown. Remove from heat.
• Place the green beans on a serving platter. Top generously with the breadcrumbs and lemon zest. Garnish with the rest of the lemon wedges. Serve warm.