Balsamic Glazed Green Beans
Sweet, rich, tangy, crunchy — this recipe for balsamic glazed green beans is the perfect accompaniment to any meal or celebration. This is an elevated recipe that celebrates the bright flavor of green beans while making them shine in a sticky, tasty balsamic glaze. This recipe cooks quickly (within 15 minutes from start to finish), making this fresh and satisfying side dish easy to add to any dinner party menu.
How long does it take to cook balsamic glazed green beans? This balsamic glazed green beans recipe cooks completely within 15 minutes total, including prep and cook time. This is great for busy weeknights where you need to create a healthy and flavorful side dish quickly. This makes balsamic glazed green beans a great side dish for any holiday gathering, where often the oven is fully occupied and any quick-cooking dish is a welcome accompaniment to the menu.
How long do balsamic glazed green beans last? Since this green bean recipe is so quick to cook from start to finish, I recommend making it and serving it right away if possible. For example, if you’re preparing for a party or gathering, this recipe will do much better if prepared and served immediately. An exception to this recommendation would be if you’re preparing them as part of a meal prep for lunches or dinner, for example. In that case, you can make these balsamic glazed green beans up to 5 days in advance, just be aware that they won’t be as fresh and crisp when prepared in advance.
Can I use frozen or canned green beans for this recipe? No, I do not recommend using canned or frozen green beans to make this balsamic glazed green beans recipe. The reason why is because one of the best parts of this dish is the texture of the green beans themselves, they should be fresh and crisp and not mushy at all, something that is hard to achieve with canned or frozen beans.
Why is my balsamic glaze not thickening? Typically, the reason why homemade balsamic glaze hasn’t thickened enough is that it hasn’t had sufficient time to reduce in the pan. My recommendation to combat a thin balsamic glaze is to continue to let it simmer for a few minutes while stirring and monitoring it constantly to assess its thickness. Keep in mind, balsamic glaze also thickens while it cools.
How to make balsamic glazed green beans:
Balsamic Glazed Green Beans
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 12 oz fresh Green beans
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tbsp Balsamic vinegar
- 1/2 tbsp Brown sugar
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Put a large pan over medium heat. Drizzle 1 tablespoon of olive oil into the pan.
- Add the green beans, season them with salt and pepper, and sauté them for about 5 minutes or until they turn bright green but are still crunchy.
- Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more.
- Remove the green beans and garlic from the pan and set aside.
- Add the balsamic vinegar and brown sugar to the pan and cook over medium heat until the mixture starts to thicken and bubble. This typically happens quickly (within 1-2 minutes).
- Add the green beans and garlic back to the pan and toss them in the glaze.
- Serve right away!
