27 green bean recipes fit for the holiday table

Green beans never stay boring when holiday magic hits the table. These 27 creative dishes bring color, crunch, and comfort all in one bite. Time to make the green side dish everyone talks about long after dinner ends!

Gluten-Free Vegan Green Bean Casserole

A close-up of green bean casserole topped with a crumbly, browned crust and a wooden spoon partially submerged in the creamy mixture. — Gluten-Free Vegan Green Bean Casserole. Photo credit: MOON and spoon and yum.

It’s always smart to have a side everyone can enjoy. Even without cream or breadcrumbs, Gluten-Free Vegan Green Bean Casserole brings the comfort of the original. No one misses what’s not there.
Get the Recipe: Gluten-Free Vegan Green Bean Casserole

Garlicky Green Beans with Fried Onions

A delightful side dish of green beans topped with crispy fried onions, perfect for pleasing both adults and kids alike. — Garlicky Green Beans with Fried Onions. Photo credit: Renee Nicole's Kitchen.

You still get that classic holiday flavor here, just without the casserole dish. Garlicky Green Beans with Fried Onions feels familiar and crisp with a punch of onion on top. That contrast keeps it interesting.
Get the Recipe: Garlicky Green Beans with Fried Onions

Air Fryer Fried Green Beans

Breaded zucchini fries in an air fryer basket, golden and crispy, with a blue plate of green beans visible beside the air fryer. — Air Fryer Fried Green Beans. Photo credit: Trop Rockin.

Sometimes it helps to mix in a little crunch between bites of everything else. Air Fryer Fried Green Beans do that job well and don’t take up space in the oven. They’re easy to grab and easy to love.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Fried Green Beans

Cheesy Green Bean Casserole

There’s always room on the table for something extra creamy. Cheesy Green Bean Casserole leans into that idea and keeps folks coming back for more. It usually gets scraped clean.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Green Bean Casserole

Green Beans with Garlic Butter

Green beans with pine nuts on a plate. — Green Beans with Garlic Butter. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

You don’t need anything flashy to make a side worth serving. Just enough richness in Green Beans with Garlic Butter gives it a place next to the main spread. It’s simple but always appreciated.
Get the Recipe: Green Beans with Garlic Butter

Air Fryer Frozen Green Beans

When everything else is fighting for oven space, small shortcuts go a long way. Air Fryer Frozen Green Beans come through fast without skipping on crunch. You’ll appreciate the extra room on your stovetop.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Frozen Green Beans

Green Bean Casserole

A close-up of a dish with green beans, thin French fries, and mushrooms, mixed together with a spoon. — Green Bean Casserole. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Some dishes earn a permanent spot year after year. There’s always room for Green Bean Casserole when the holiday menu gets passed around. It’s familiar in the best kind of way.
Get the Recipe: Green Bean Casserole

Maple Bacon Wrapped Green Bean Bundles

Bundles of green beans wrapped in crispy cooked bacon are stacked on a white plate. — Maple Bacon Wrapped Green Bean Bundles. Photo credit: xoxobella.

Sweet and smoky combinations are crowd-pleasers, especially when they’re wrapped up in something easy to grab. Maple Bacon Wrapped Green Bean Bundles check every box for flavor and presentation. You won’t be packing up leftovers.
Get the Recipe: Maple Bacon Wrapped Green Bean Bundles

Dry Fried Green Beans

If you want something crisp and full of garlic, these are worth adding to the lineup. Dry Fried Green Beans balance out the creamy sides without clashing with the rest of the table. They work hot or at room temp.
Get the Recipe: Dry Fried Green Beans

Worcestershire Green Beans

Every holiday menu benefits from something bold but easy to eat. That’s where Worcestershire Green Beans find their lane with just enough depth to stand out. Nothing fussy, just solid flavor.
Get the Recipe: Worcestershire Green Beans

Green Beans and Potatoes

An image of green beans in a serving bowl with a spoon resting on it. — Green Beans and Potatoes. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

This combo brings together two holiday must-haves without much fuss. Green Beans and Potatoes make a great base for any main course and hold their own on a crowded table. It’s one of those dependable sides everyone knows and welcomes.
Get the Recipe: Green Beans and Potatoes

Pickled Green Beans

A close-up of a glass jar filled with green beans and garlic cloves submerged in brine. — Pickled Green Beans. Photo credit: xoxobella.

Not every holiday dish needs to be hot and heavy. A batch of Pickled Green Beans adds brightness to the table and cuts through the richer plates. People usually go back for more.
Get the Recipe: Pickled Green Beans

Slow Cooker Green Bean Casserole

Getting a classic out of the way early helps everything else come together smoother. Let Slow Cooker Green Bean Casserole handle itself while you focus on bigger plates. You’ll be glad it’s one less thing to juggle.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Green Bean Casserole

Air Fryer Green Bean Fries

Crisp sides have a way of disappearing fast, especially when there’s a crunch involved. Air Fryer Green Bean Fries feel fun and casual but still fit right in with a full holiday spread. These are a hit before the meal even begins.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Green Bean Fries

Green Bean Casserole with Cream Cheese

Once the dishes hit the table, everyone knows what they’re reaching for. That richer take on Green Bean Casserole with Cream Cheese tends to win folks over quick. It’s familiar, but with a little extra.
Get the Recipe: Green Bean Casserole with Cream Cheese

Skillet Chicken Thighs, Bacon, and Green Beans

Not every side needs to stay in the background. Skillet Chicken Thighs, Bacon, and Green Beans comes in strong with big flavor and enough heft to double as a main. No one will leave the table hungry.
Get the Recipe: Skillet Chicken Thighs, Bacon, and Green Beans

Din Tai Fung Green Beans

Overhead view of green beans placed on a paper towel on a platter. — Din Tai Fung Green Beans. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

There’s nothing wrong with bringing a little garlic and heat to the table. Inspired by a restaurant favorite, Din Tai Fung Green Beans punch up the lineup without feeling out of place. Guests won’t miss the heavy casseroles.
Get the Recipe: Din Tai Fung Green Beans

Green Bean Tomato Salad

A plate of green beans tossed with cherry tomatoes and crumbled feta cheese, accompanied by a fork, on a white surface. — Green Bean Tomato Salad. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

A fresh side like this can make everything else on the plate feel a little lighter. Green Bean Tomato Salad adds color, contrast, and brightness in a way that complements heavier dishes. It fits in without needing the oven.
Get the Recipe: Green Bean Tomato Salad

Crack Green Beans Recipe

A white baking dish filled with cooked green beans mixed with crispy bacon pieces. — Crack Green Beans Recipe. Photo credit: Mama's on a Budget.

Rich mains need something bold to balance them. With bacon, sauce, and crunch, Crack Green Beans Recipe shows up big and disappears quick. You might want to double it.
Get the Recipe: Crack Green Beans Recipe

Screaming Skillet Green Beans

Something bold and peppery can really bring the whole table to life. Screaming Skillet Green Beans hold their own even next to the heavier mains. They never sit untouched.
Get the Recipe: Screaming Skillet Green Beans

Bacon Green Beans

Close-up of a plate with sautéed green beans and bacon pieces, with a fork spearing a few beans. — Bacon Green Beans. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Big plates call for sides that can hold their ground. Bacon Green Beans deliver salt, crunch, and balance without much effort. You won’t see these hanging around after dinner.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Green Beans

Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Green Beans

A little contrast on the plate goes a long way during big meals. Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Green Beans bring color, texture, and balance without trying too hard. You’ll see this one disappear fast.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Green Beans

Stir Fry Green Beans with Coconut

A top-down view of stir-fried green beans with coconut on a white plate, accompanied by a white napkin and fork. — Stir Fry Green Beans with Coconut. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

A change of pace on the table can break up the usual rhythm in a good way. Stir Fry Green Beans with Coconut brings in new flavor without taking away from the rest. It still works right alongside the classics.
Get the Recipe: Stir Fry Green Beans with Coconut

BBQ Green Beans

A white bowl with barbecued green beans and chuncks of ham. — BBQ Green Beans. Photo credit: One Hot Oven.

A little heat and sweetness changes things up in a way people remember. BBQ Green Beans bring something different to the table without stealing the show. It’s one more thing guests talk about after.
Get the Recipe: BBQ Green Beans

Green Bean Hamburger Casserole

Green bean casserole being served with wooden spoon. — Green Bean Hamburger Casserole. Photo credit: Primal Edge Health.

Some sides double as comfort food in their own right. Green Bean Hamburger Casserole blends hearty and familiar without feeling too heavy. It fills the plate and gets attention.
Get the Recipe: Green Bean Hamburger Casserole

Grilled Green Beans

Grilled Asian green beans on a plate with a lemon wedge. — Grilled Green Beans. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

If you’re after a charred, crisp side that works with anything, this is it. Grilled Green Beans keep it simple while offering just enough of a smoky edge. They make a nice break from heavier bites.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Green Beans

Mushrooms and Green Beans

A fork holds cooked green beans and sliced mushrooms, with more on a plate in the background. — Mushrooms and Green Beans. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Some combos just work and don’t need explaining. Mushrooms and Green Beans bring earthiness and snap in equal parts. It’s a steady side that works with anything on the plate.
Get the Recipe: Mushrooms and Green Beans