With just 7 ingredients these Gremolata Green Beans are the ideal elegant side dish to any protein or meal. The gremolata is made fresh with herbs, pine nuts, cheese, and lemon. I'm also sharing my favorite tried-and-true method of blanching perfect green beans so they aren't mushy.
These Gremolata Green Beans are quick-to-make and guaranteed to impress your family or dinner guests. My favorite part about this recipe is that you can make the components ahead of time and they require just a quick final touch before dinner.
Along with my Gremolata Asparagus, these beans are an excellent side dish for grilled meats, roasted chicken, or fish. It’s also amazing on its own as a light and flavorful vegetable dish or added to the top of pasta. Asparagu
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Table of Contents
Why You'll Love this Recipe
- Fresh and Vibrant: Gremolata adds a burst of freshness and vibrant flavors to green beans! It’s also an amazing blend of textures!
- Make Ahead Ease: The components of this side dish, the gremolata and the beans, can be made ahead of time for easier dinner execution.
- Compliments Many Dishes: It pairs well with lots of proteins or can be incorporated into salads or used as a topping for pasta dishes!
What is Gremolata?
Gremolata is a traditional Italian condiment made with chopped parsley, garlic, and lemon zest. It's often used to add a burst of fresh and zesty flavor to dishes like Osso Buco or other meat dishes.
Blanching Green Beans
Blanching green beans involves briefly boiling them in hot water followed by rapidly cooling them in ice water. This process helps retain the beans' vibrant green color, partially cooks them, and preserves their crisp texture.
Ingredients
- Fresh Parsley: Adds a bright and herbaceous flavor, contributing freshness to the dish.
- Lemon: Provides a zesty and citrusy kick, enhancing overall freshness.
- Parmesan Cheese: Offers a rich, savory, and salty element, complementing the other flavors.
- Fresh Garlic: Contributes a savory and aromatic element.
- Pine Nuts: Contribute a nutty crunch, adding texture and depth to the dish.
- Olive Oil: Serves as a key component of the gremolata, giving the beans a slight caramelization and binds the flavors together.
- Fresh Green Beans: The main component, providing a crisp and fresh texture.
Tools You'll Need
- Large Skillet
- Garlic Press (optional)
- Zester
- Silicone Tongs
- Mixing Bowls
- Rotary Cheese Grater (optional)
- Cutting Board
- Chef's Knife
How to Make Gremolata Green Beans
- In a small skillet on medium heat, toast nuts until lightly browned. Set aside.
- Bring a pot of water to a boil. Cook green beans for 3-4 minutes or until tender but crisp.
- Drain beans in a colander, then place in an ice water bath. Drain again in a colander. Pat dry, and set aside.
- For the gremolata topping, in a large bowl combine parsley, lemon zest, parmesan, garlic, and the toasted nuts.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet on medium-high heat. When hot, add beans and sauté for 2 minutes, or until heated through.
- Transfer the beans to a serving bowl and top or toss with gremolata. Salt and pepper to taste.
Pro Tips and Variations
- Toasting Pine Nuts: This is an optional step. However, toasting them adds a nuttier flavor and crunch. Watch carefully as they toast quickly and can easily burn.
- Fresh Ingredients: Use high-quality, fresh ingredients, especially for parsley, lemon, and garlic, to maximize flavor.
- Balancing Flavors: Adjust the quantities of garlic, lemon, and Parmesan to suit your taste preferences.
- Herb Mix: Experiment with additional herbs like mint or basil for a different herbal profile.
- Cheese Options: Besides parmesan cheese, you can blend gremolata green beans with Pecornio Romano, Asiago, Feta, and Goat Cheese.
- Nut Options: Besides pine nuts, you can also use toasted almonds, walnuts, pistachios, and sunflower seeds.
- Chili Flakes: Add a touch of red chili flakes for a hint of heat.
- Citrus Variation: Try using orange or lime zest instead of lemon for a unique twist.
- Pair with a Protein: These beans go with so many protein options! Grilled chicken, steak, pork, or fish! This Air Fryer Garlic Butter Salmon is an excellent pairing!
Storage and Make Ahead Instructions
Make Ahead Instructions.: You can blanch the green beans and make the gremolata a day ahead. Store the pine nuts and parmesan in separate containers to maintain their texture. Mix the other gremolata components and store in an air tight container. Store the blanched beans in a separate container.
When ready to serve, sear the beans in olive oil then toss with the prepared gremolata mix, pine nuts, parmesan cheese, salt, and black pepper You can also serve the beans cold mixed with the gremolata mixture and a drizzle of olive oil.
Storing Leftovers: Store leftover gremolata green beans in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Consume within 2-3 days for optimal freshness. It is not ideal to freeze and thaw gremolata green beans as it compromises the freshness of the ingredients and texture.
Frequently Asked Questions
One effective way to add flavor to green beans is by sautéing them with ingredients like garlic, olive oil, and herbs. This method imparts a rich and savory taste while preserving the beans' natural crunch. Additionally, you can enhance flavor with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese, lemon zest, or toasted nuts for added depth and complexity.
Green beans pair well with a variety of dishes. They work well alongside grilled chicken, roasted turkey, beef, or fish. You can serve them with a starch like mashed potatoes, pasta, rice, or quinoa. Sautéing them with mushrooms is a delicious combination of flavors too!
One of the best methods for cooking green beans is blanching them briefly in boiling water, followed by shocking them in ice water to retain their vibrant color and crisp texture. After blanching, you can sauté or stir-fry the beans with garlic, olive oil, and herbs for added flavor.
To prevent green beans from becoming mushy, blanch in boiling water for a short duration (usually 2-3 minutes) and promptly transfer them to an ice bath to stop the cooking process. Whether sautéing, steaming, or roasting, cook green beans until they are just tender but still have a slight crunch. Overcooking can lead to mushiness. Start with fresh green beans. Older beans may become mushy more easily. Look for beans that are bright in color and snap easily.
Parmesan cheese is a classic choice for gremolata green beans. Its nutty and savory flavor complements the freshness of the green beans and the zesty gremolata. You can also use Pecornio Romano, Asiago, Feta, and Goat Cheese.
Certainly! Besides pine nuts, you can also use almonds, walnuts, pistachios, and sunflower seeds.
More Easy Side Dish Recipes
Gremolata Green Beans
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons parsley chopped
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- 3 tablespoons shredded or grated parmesan
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 2-3 tablespoons pine nuts, almonds or walnuts
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 pound green beans trimmed
Instructions
- In a small skillet on medium heat, toast nuts until lightly browned. Set aside.
- Bring a pot of water to a boil. Cook green beans for 3-4 minutes or until tender but crisp.
- Drain beans in a colander, then place in an ice water bath. Drain again in a colander. Pat dry, and set aside.
- For the gremolata topping, in a large bowl combine parsley, lemon zest, parmesan, garlic, and the toasted nuts.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet on medium-high heat. When hot, add beans and sauté for 2 minutes, or until heated through.
- Transfer the beans to a serving bowl and top or toss with gremolata. Salt and pepper to taste.
Video
Notes
- Toasting Pine Nuts: This is an optional step. However, toasting them adds a nuttier flavor and crunch. Watch carefully as they toast quickly and can easily burn.
- Fresh Ingredients: Use high-quality, fresh ingredients, especially for parsley, lemon, and garlic, to maximize flavor.
- Balancing Flavors: Adjust the quantities of garlic, lemon, and Parmesan to suit your taste preferences.
- Herb Mix: Experiment with additional herbs like mint or basil for a different herbal profile.
- Cheese Options: Besides parmesan cheese, you can blend gremolata green beans with Pecornio Romano, Asiago, Feta, and Goat Cheese.
- Nut Options: Besides pine nuts, you can also use toasted almonds, walnuts, pistachios, and sunflower seeds.
- Chili Flakes: Add a touch of red chili flakes for a hint of heat.
- Citrus Variation: Try using orange or lime zest instead of lemon for a unique twist.
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