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Green Bean Casserole - it's a "holiday given", right?
How about being a bit of a renegade this year? What if you switched it up with fresh, tender green beans tossed in a light, lemony butter sauce? The vibrant beans are topped with crisp, buttery lemony-herb panko crumbs.
I know, I know, Green Bean Casserole is a family institution and even better more than that, it can be made ahead and just popped in the oven at the towards the end of the holiday meal prep.
Guess what? Although these delicious green beans may not be a family institution, they have the potential to become quite revered. Even better than that, almost all of the prep can be done ahead and then warmed a few minutes before serving.
The beans are quickly blanched, then drained and plunged into cold, icy water to stop the cooking process. The lemony, buttery panko crumbs also take just a few minutes to prepared and can be stored in a zippered bag or small glass jar till it's time for dinner. All that's needed later is a hot pan to melt the butter and toss the brightly hued beans. Transfer them to a serving platter, scatter with the flavorful crumbs and dazzle your guests. That's it!
Start a new tradition. They'll be begging for this one again and again!
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Make Ahead Green Beans with Lemon-Herb Panko Crumbs
Ingredients
For the beans
- 1 ½ pounds slender green beans
For the panko crumbs:
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 small clove garlic, finely minced
- ½ cup panko crumbs
- 2 tablespoon sesame seeds
- sea salt, a pinch
- zest from 1 small lemon
- 1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh rosemary
- 2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves
To finish:
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
- sea salt
- freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
For the beans:
- Up to a day in advance, bring a large pot of water to a boil.
- Place a large sieve (strainer) in the sink and prepare a large bowl of ice water.
- When water is rapidly boiling add 1 teaspoon salt and green beans. Return water to a boil and cook for 3-4 minutes or until crisp-tender. Don't overcook.
- Drain beans well through sieve, then immediately plunge into ice water. Swish beans with your hands for 10 seconds. Drain well and spread out on a clean kitchen towel, removing any remaining ice. Pat with towel to dry then wrap in several thicknesses of paper towel and place in a zippered plastic bag.
For the panko crumbs:
- For the panko crumbs, melt butter until bubbly in a small sauté pan. Add garlic and stir for 30 seconds then add panko crumbs and sesame seeds and sea salt. Cook, stirring continuously for 2-3 minutes or until golden. Remove from heat and add lemon zest and herbs. Stir to combine and set aside. The panko crumbs can be prepared several hours ahead of time. Wait until just before serving to add the fresh herbs and lemon zest.
To finish:
- Just before serving, melt the last tablespoon of butter in a large saute pan. Allow butter to get foamy and golden.. Watch carefully so butter doesn't burn. Add lemon juice and green beans and toss gently until beans are hot, about 2-3 minutes. Transfer to a serving platter. Add lemon zest and fresh herbs to panko crumbs and sprinkle over the beans.
Nutrition
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Can you please help me discern between step 5 and 6? The ingredient list calls for 1T butter, but step 6 calls for the last T of butter.
Thank you!
Hi Kelli, there are two tablespoons of butter in the reicpe. The first one is used for the panko crumbs and the second is used when finishing the beans.
Hello! Do I refrigerate the beans after putting in ziploc? Cooking them tomorrow
I just found this recipe yesterday when trying to find something new to do with green beans. Normally veg sides are problematic in my house as my husband professes to hate anything Green!
These however got wolfed down and we’re deemed completely delicious! So along with zucchini Frito I’ve got his veg consumption up by 100%🤗
I don’t have Panko - I was out - so I used crushed olive oil and sea salt croutons and was still delicious.
Thank you so much for this recipe. I’ve subscribed and now look forward to looking for more additions to my repertoire!
Hi Catriona, welcome to The Café!
I'm so happy you enjoyed these beans. It's always nice when a veggie disliker enjoys a recipe like this.
Thanks for sharing your review!
Tested this out last night during Sunday dinner in the hope that I could include it in our Christmas meal, and it was great! I am a fan of bright green not mushy beans, and this recipe certainly delivered that. The topping makes it special without overwhelming the rest of the meal. Thanks for a great recipe!
Thanks, Vivian! I'm thrilled that our recipe will be part of your Christmas dinner 🙂 Cheers!
This looks delicious. Do you use fresh thyme leaves or dried? You specified fresh for the rosemary, but not for the thyme.
Hi Kathryn, yes it is fresh thyme. I added that to the recipe. Thanks!
These Make Ahead Green Beans are fabulous! I made them for a dinner party and received lots of good comments. This is a keeper recipe! I omitted the rosemary because I did not have it. Still delicious but will make them next time with rosemary. I am so glad I found your blog. Love the name of your cafe!
Thanks so much Carolyn for writing. So glad you had good results with these. Thanks for your encouraging words as well 🙂
I love adding new sides to my stash!
I love the sound of the panko...butter, garlic and crispy...indeed a fabulous side dish.
Thanks for the inspiration Chirs...have a wonderful weekend 🙂
A simple and very tasty side dish...I love the crisp panko crumbs.
How are these served? I didn't notice directions for putting it together and
reheating before serving. Temperatures for example.
You are my kind of renegade. This is easy, fresh and delicious and perfect next to anything.
Love having a terrific new side for the holidays! So simple and yummy!
Hi Chris! Wow it's been so long. I'm so happy to see you're still making mouth watering dishes. This is no exception. I think this would make a great addition to any Christmas dinner as it would to an easy weeknight meal.
Hi France, thanks so much, hope you are doing well!
I love green beans but I've never thought to add panko - what a tasty topper!
They look delicious! I like that you can make them ahead of time. Beautiful pictures!!!!! 🙂
Ohhhh Chris, this looks fabulous! What a great spin to green beans and I love it so much better than the traditional casserole. Great recipe.
Sounds like a great side dish Chris, very flavorful I'm sure! Happy Thanksgiving planning:@)
Chris, you are the Queen of reinventing dishes. This is a brilliant idea and would be excellent any time of the year. Love that you can make it ahead too.
Sam
What a fresh take on the old (sodden) green bean casserole!
Hi Chris, love the healthy update of these beans, beautiful presentation!
It looks great and I love you can make this ahead!
So simple but sooo good!
Is they garlic added whole and then removed? Or is it minced? Thanks.
Thanks Penny, the garlic is finely minced. I updated the recipe. I’m so happy to have extra eyes out there 🙂