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A festive dish of Thanksgiving green beans topped with pomegranate seeds, crispy onions, and pecans.

Ultimate Thanksgiving Green Beans Guide: Ingredients, Temps, Tips

This guide provides a recipe for elegant green beans, perfect for elevating your Thanksgiving meal. It includes tips for preparation, cooking, and presentation, ensuring a delicious and visually appealing side dish.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Make Ahead 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 25 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Side Dish, Thanksgiving
Cuisine: American
Calories: 126

Ingredients
  

For the Green Beans
  • 12 ounces haricot vert French baby green beans
  • 1 teaspoon olive oil for tossing beans
  • 2 teaspoons salt for boiling water
For the Shallots and Garlic
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil divided use
  • 1 large shallot 3 ounces, peeled and thinly sliced into rings
  • 2 cloves garlic finely chopped
For Garnish
  • 3 tablespoons chopped pecans, hazelnuts, or pine nuts toasted
  • 3 tablespoons pomegranate seeds
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

Equipment

  • Large mixing bowl
  • Large pot
  • Medium sauté or fry pan
  • Casserole dish

Method
 

  1. Prepare an ice bath: Fill a large mixing bowl ⅓ full of ice, then add cold water. Set aside.
  2. Boil the green beans: Bring a large pot of water to a full boil. Add 2 teaspoons of salt. Add the green beans and cook for 5 minutes. Immediately remove the beans and plunge them into the ice bath to stop the cooking.
  3. Chill and dry the beans: Chill the beans in the ice bath for a few minutes, then drain them well. Pat them dry and toss with 1 teaspoon of olive oil. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve. This can be done 1-2 days in advance.
  4. Cook the shallots and garlic: Place a medium sauté or fry pan over medium-low heat. Add 2 teaspoons of olive oil. When the oil is warm, add the sliced shallots. Cook until soft and translucent, stirring occasionally, about 5 minutes. Add the chopped garlic and cook for 1 minute longer. You can refrigerate this mixture until serving or leave it at room temperature, covered.
  5. Prepare for serving: If the green beans were chilled, remove them from the refrigerator about an hour before serving. About 20 minutes before serving, place the green beans in a large shallow casserole dish. Top with the cooked shallots and garlic. Cover with foil and place in the oven to heat through.
  6. Garnish and serve: Once the green beans are hot, remove them from the oven. Top with the toasted nuts and pomegranate seeds. Serve immediately.

Nutrition

Calories: 126kcalCarbohydrates: 11gProtein: 3gFat: 9gSaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 152mgPotassium: 265mgFiber: 4gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 592IUVitamin C: 13mgCalcium: 44mgIron: 1mg

Notes

This recipe can be prepared ahead of time, making it a convenient option for busy holiday schedules. The combination of tender green beans, savory shallots and garlic, crunchy nuts, and bright pomegranate seeds creates a balanced and flavorful dish.

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