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You are here: Home / green beans / Browned Butter Green Beans

Browned Butter Green Beans

November 28, 2016 By Laura 77 Comments

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 Browned Butter Green Beans are fresh, delicious, and just special enough to be worthy of a holiday meal!  This post was sponsored by Kikkoman Soy Sauce. 

Browned Butter Green Beans

Readers of this blog may have noticed I rarely cook with green beans–but long time readers who really pay attention may also have noticed that plain blanched green beans are in the background of an awful lot of photos. That is because we adore green beans, but we like them fresh and crisp-tender, bright green and plain. My kids, as a matter of fact, will eat them out of the fridge all summer long as a favorite snack. And they always disappear quickly from our holiday tables–my entire family adores green beans (although we do argue over how cooked they should be). So when I was asked about creating a holiday recipe with Kikkoman Soy Sauce, the first thing I thought of was gussying up our beloved green beans for a holiday meal while still keeping them the fresh focus of the dish.

Browned Butter Green Beans

This dish succeeded beyond my wildest imagination. It was that good. The sauce is more of a glaze, lightly clinging to each bean, not drowning the dish. It is only 3 ingredients, butter, soy sauce and balsamic vinegar, but each one is powerful, and they come together to create something more. Sweet, nutty, savory, the glaze complements the green beans without overtaking them. Despite its minimalism, the browned butter ensures that the glaze is special, “fancy” enough to serve alongside your Thanksgiving turkey or Christmas roast beast! The soy sauce and vinegar keep the browned butter from being cloying.

Browned Butter Green Beans

5 from 1 vote
Browned Butter Green Beans
Print
Browned Butter Green Beans
Course: Side Dish
Author: TheSpicedLife
Ingredients
  • 1½ lbs green beans, ends trimmed and rinsed
  • ½ cup water
  • 1 T Kikkoman Soy Sauce
  • ½ T balsamic vinegar
  • 2 T unsalted butter
Instructions
  1. This is a very simple dish, but it is easiest and quickest done with 2 pans. Heat one large pan (use either a skillet or a shallow pot) over medium high heat and place the green beans in it. Add the water and cover the pan. Reduce heat to medium. While the beans steam, turn your attention to the glaze.
  2. Measure out the soy sauce and balsamic vinegar, and place them beside the cooktop.
  3. Heat a medium pan that you are comfortable using to watch butter for browning in (I prefer stainless steel, as I might miss the butter burning in a dark bottomed pan). Add the butter on medium high heat. When it is melting, start to whisk it. Keep whisking, nearly constantly, as the butter browns. You are looking for a rich mahogany brown, but you do not want a single black fleck (black indicates burnt), so as soon as it is fragrant with nutty caramel notes and browned, turn off the heat, stand back, and add the soy sauce and vinegar (be careful! It will seriously froth and spit at first). As soon as it is safe to come back closer to the cooktop, whisk the sauce until it is incorporated.
  4. Return your attention to the beans: lift the cover and use tongs to toss the beans. There should still be water at the bottom of the pan--if it is dry, add a tablespoon or 2 more. The beans should be mostly done--but if you like your beans more done, return the cover, and continue to steam them.
  5. When they are very close to however done you like them, remove the cover, increase the heat to medium high, and pour the browned butter mixture over the beans (use a rubber spatula to get all of it). Toss the beans with tongs. When the beans are fully cooked--should just be a matter of minutes-- remove the beans with a tong to a serving platter or bowl. Whisk the remaining sauce. Depending on how much water was in the pan, either let some of the water cook off or immediately drizzle the sauce that was left behind over the beans.
  6. These beans can be served hot, but I thought they were fantastic warm, so they can sit for a few minutes.

Browned Butter Green Beans

 

Filed Under: balsamic, browned butter, green beans, vegetarian Tagged With: balsamic vinegar, browned butter, green beans, holiday meals, side dishes, soy sauce, Thanksgiving

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Comments

  1. Will G says

    November 29, 2016 at 6:16 am

    My favorite way is by making green bean casserole.

    Reply
  2. Will G says

    November 29, 2016 at 6:16 am

    https://twitter.com/willgriesmer/status/803558270615113732

    Reply
  3. Nicole Martin says

    November 29, 2016 at 9:27 am

    5 stars
    I like to saute them in butter… I know it kills the healthiness of them, but they’re oh so good!

    Reply
  4. Rachel says

    November 29, 2016 at 2:31 pm

    My favorite way to cook green beans is to put them in my steamer and then add a little butter at the end.

    Reply
  5. Rachel says

    November 29, 2016 at 2:31 pm

    https://twitter.com/RachelGriesmer/status/803682806916386816

    Reply
  6. Amy says

    November 29, 2016 at 3:27 pm

    5 stars
    Sounds delicious, Laura! We are like you and I just came home with some half an hour ago. But when I do truly cook them, it is almost always to sauté them with olive oil, salt, and CRAZY amounts of chopped garlic. Sometimes we add tomato sauce to the mix, too, and serve over rice. We still stop when they’re bright green, though.

    Reply
  7. Natalie says

    November 29, 2016 at 8:16 pm

    I love to pan fry green beans and season them with sesame oil, garlic, balsamic vinegar and a little sugar.

    Reply
  8. Natalie says

    November 29, 2016 at 8:22 pm

    tweet – https://twitter.com/yarbr012/status/803770879050215424

    Reply
  9. Margaret Smith says

    November 30, 2016 at 8:02 pm

    I like my green beans cooked in a steamer and I add some butter and sliced almonds. Thanks so much.

    Reply
  10. Felice says

    December 1, 2016 at 1:16 am

    I love green beans too. One of my favorite ways to prepare them is to serve them with chopped macadamia nuts and cream.

    Reply
  11. Amy Sonnenberg says

    December 1, 2016 at 4:52 pm

    My favorite way is Garlicy Greenbeans from Vegetable Dishes I Can’t Live Without. I steam and then sautée with a ton of garlic.

    Reply
  12. Kelly D says

    December 1, 2016 at 5:30 pm

    I like to make buttery garlic green beans.

    Reply
  13. Kelly D says

    December 1, 2016 at 5:31 pm

    Tweet
    https://twitter.com/Kellydpa/status/804452826021625856

    Reply
  14. Susan Smith says

    December 1, 2016 at 8:05 pm

    I prepare my green beans with pieces of onions and ham mixed in.

    Reply
  15. Susan Smith says

    December 1, 2016 at 8:06 pm

    https://twitter.com/susan1215/status/804491686843940865

    Reply
  16. Jennifer says

    December 1, 2016 at 8:32 pm

    5 stars
    I blanch whole green beans, drain and add to a fresh tomato based dish that my husbands family calls “Green Beans with Lamb and Rice” – I brown cubed lamb, blanch whole tomatoes take off skins and hand crush into a deep stock pot add the lamb, green beans and tomato paste. Season with salt, pepper and a little cinnamon. Simmer for an hour or so with out stirring much. Serve over your favorite rice!

    Reply
  17. Steve says

    December 1, 2016 at 11:05 pm

    My favorite way to cook green beans is with some olive oil, butter and sliced almonds

    groogruxking40 @ gmail dot com

    Reply
  18. Steve says

    December 1, 2016 at 11:06 pm

    tweet- https://twitter.com/groogruxking40/status/804537079816421376

    Reply
  19. Lisa Brown says

    December 3, 2016 at 5:33 am

    5 stars
    i just saute them in olive oil with garlic.

    Reply
  20. Lisa Brown says

    December 3, 2016 at 5:33 am

    tweet-https://twitter.com/LuLu_Brown24/status/804996991956549632

    Reply
  21. Julie says

    December 3, 2016 at 8:24 am

    5 stars
    I love making my green beans in my French Onion Green Bean casserole. So delicious!

    Reply
  22. Julie says

    December 3, 2016 at 8:24 am

    tweet-https://twitter.com/JewelWood/status/805039945056301057

    Reply
  23. Stephanie says

    December 3, 2016 at 8:41 am

    we love buttery garlic green beans!

    Reply
  24. Stephanie says

    December 3, 2016 at 8:41 am

    tweet: https://twitter.com/akronugurl/status/805044310471245825

    Reply
  25. mami2jcn says

    December 3, 2016 at 9:51 am

    I like to pan fry them with olive oil.

    Reply
  26. mami2jcn says

    December 3, 2016 at 9:53 am

    tweet–https://twitter.com/mami2jcn/status/805062204114538496

    Reply
  27. Elena says

    December 3, 2016 at 3:34 pm

    I like steamed green beans with butter

    Reply
  28. Elena says

    December 3, 2016 at 3:35 pm

    https://twitter.com/ElenaIstomina/status/805148315469758464

    Reply
  29. CR Williams says

    December 3, 2016 at 3:47 pm

    My favorite way is with olive oil and seasonings.

    Reply
  30. CR Williams says

    December 3, 2016 at 3:48 pm

    Tweeted https://twitter.com/mommysweetiepie/status/805151536019976192

    Reply
  31. Jessie C. says

    December 3, 2016 at 7:41 pm

    I like garlic roasted green beans with almonds.
    tcarolinep at gmail dot com

    Reply
  32. Jessie C. says

    December 3, 2016 at 7:42 pm

    tweet-https://twitter.com/tcarolinep/status/805209985890263040

    Reply
  33. Janet says

    December 9, 2016 at 1:31 pm

    I like them with lemon. That’s how they are cooked at my favorite Greek restaurant.

    Reply
  34. elizabeth says

    December 10, 2016 at 7:38 pm

    I like to saute them in butter and add almonds

    Reply
  35. elizabeth says

    December 10, 2016 at 7:39 pm

    https://twitter.com/eliza_elliott/status/807745811538907137

    Reply
  36. Anastasia says

    December 15, 2016 at 5:00 pm

    Yum! I think this might be my new favorite way! I’ve only ever just sauteed them in butter w/ some salt & pepper, but this looks delicious! 🙂

    Reply
  37. Anastasia says

    December 15, 2016 at 5:00 pm

    Tweeted 🙂 – https://twitter.com/Enter_Now/status/809518132238786560

    Reply
  38. Elle says

    December 19, 2016 at 12:25 pm

    I love to cook green beans with toasted garlic and almonds! Yum.

    Reply
  39. Elle says

    December 19, 2016 at 12:29 pm

    Tweet: https://twitter.com/PrettyHotPink6/status/810899905317314564

    Reply
  40. Rebecca W says

    December 19, 2016 at 7:45 pm

    I like to cook fresh green beans with bacon and a little brown sugar. They go really well with ham and cheesy potatoes.

    Reply
  41. Rebecca W says

    December 19, 2016 at 7:45 pm

    https://mobile.twitter.com/Michael64263870/status/811009256292028416

    Reply
  42. Jeffrey says

    December 21, 2016 at 12:38 pm

    I usually coat my green beans with a bit of olive oil, salt and pepper, then roast them in the oven.

    Reply
  43. Jeffrey says

    December 21, 2016 at 12:39 pm

    I shared on Twitter: https://twitter.com/FireRunner2379/status/811627029674262528.

    Reply
  44. LAMusing says

    December 22, 2016 at 12:45 am

    I like them with garlic and parmesan

    Reply
  45. LAMusing says

    December 22, 2016 at 12:46 am

    tweet – https://twitter.com/LAMusing/status/811809949302988800

    Reply
  46. Kristen says

    December 22, 2016 at 11:56 pm

    I like green beans with caramelized onions and almonds.

    Reply
  47. Kristen says

    December 22, 2016 at 11:57 pm

    tweeted
    https://twitter.com/rubylorikeet/status/812159733280829441

    Reply
  48. Debbie B says

    December 24, 2016 at 11:32 pm

    i like to cook mine with bacon

    Reply
  49. Debbie B says

    December 24, 2016 at 11:33 pm

    i posted a tweet here:

    https://twitter.com/purplepanda1966/status/812878737066881025

    Reply
  50. Cynthia C says

    December 26, 2016 at 10:22 am

    I like to make a green bean salad with garlic, olive oil and balsamic vinegar.

    Reply
  51. Cynthia C says

    December 26, 2016 at 10:23 am

    Tweet
    https://twitter.com/clc408/status/813404822577840129

    Reply
  52. Latanya says

    December 26, 2016 at 4:28 pm

    in butter and montreal seasoning

    Reply
  53. Latanya says

    December 26, 2016 at 4:29 pm

    https://twitter.com/sweetums82/status/813496797003923460

    Reply
  54. maria cantu says

    December 26, 2016 at 5:39 pm

    I like my green beans with butter.

    Reply
  55. Ellie Wright says

    December 26, 2016 at 8:08 pm

    I like to saute them with crumbled bacon.

    Reply
  56. Ellie Wright says

    December 26, 2016 at 8:09 pm

    tweeted

    https://twitter.com/eswright18/status/813551959294746625

    Reply
  57. sandra says

    December 28, 2016 at 1:31 pm

    i’ve also been using butter lately

    Reply
  58. angie says

    December 29, 2016 at 11:39 am

    My fav way to cook green beans is to get fresh or frozen fresh beans and put them in a huge stock pot of water. I boil them for a couple of hours with minced garlic, onion, oregano, and EVOO. SO good!

    Reply
  59. angie says

    December 29, 2016 at 11:40 am

    I tweeted here: https://twitter.com/MsTofuFairy/status/814510830012207104

    Reply
  60. Stephanie Phelps says

    December 30, 2016 at 1:00 pm

    5 stars
    I love to cook my green beans with vinegar and seasoned salt!

    Reply
  61. Stephanie Phelps says

    December 30, 2016 at 1:01 pm

    5 stars
    I tweeted
    https://twitter.com/my4boysand1/status/814893992836026368

    Reply
  62. Thomas Murphy says

    December 30, 2016 at 10:11 pm

    I like steamed green beans with butter

    Reply
  63. Thomas Murphy says

    December 30, 2016 at 10:12 pm

    tweeted
    https://twitter.com/thomasmurphy40/status/815032777829744640

    Reply
  64. Michelle Richardson says

    December 31, 2016 at 2:47 pm

    I love roasting green beans with sliced baby potatoes and carrots!

    Reply
  65. Tabathia B says

    December 31, 2016 at 4:05 pm

    I like to fry them with bacon

    tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com

    Reply
  66. Tabathia B says

    December 31, 2016 at 4:06 pm

    tweet https://twitter.com/ChelleB36/status/815301691721523200

    tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com

    Reply
  67. Kathryn C says

    December 31, 2016 at 4:14 pm

    #SweepstakesEntry- comment

    favorite way is sauteed in garlic & butter

    kacor7@hotmail.com

    Reply
  68. Kathryn C says

    December 31, 2016 at 4:15 pm

    my #SweepstakesEntry tweet:
    https://twitter.com/thrincor/status/815304410725314560

    Reply
  69. Jerry Marquardt says

    December 31, 2016 at 4:34 pm

    5 stars
    My favorite way to cook green beans it a Baked Green Beans with Bread Crumbs sprinkled on top and a hint of Garlic.

    Reply
  70. Jerry Marquardt says

    December 31, 2016 at 4:36 pm

    I publicly Tweeted this giveaway: https://twitter.com/versatileer/status/815310469980426240

    Reply
  71. Chrissy says

    December 31, 2016 at 6:40 pm

    Our favorite way to cook green beans is to roast them with some olive oil and salt. Sometimes we add some bacon too… 🙂

    Reply
  72. Chrissy says

    December 31, 2016 at 6:43 pm

    Tweeted! https://twitter.com/krisgan07/status/815342400834912256

    Reply
  73. Betty C says

    December 31, 2016 at 6:57 pm

    I like to saute them in butter and add sliced almonds and bacon bits.

    Reply
  74. Betty C says

    December 31, 2016 at 6:58 pm

    Tweet – https://twitter.com/willitara/status/815345413297504256

    Reply
  75. Cheryl B says

    January 2, 2017 at 10:22 am

    I like garlic sautéed green beans.

    Reply
  76. Cheryl B says

    January 2, 2017 at 10:23 am

    https://mobile.twitter.com/arress83/status/815941429512073216

    Reply
    • Laura says

      January 3, 2017 at 3:26 pm

      Hey I just wanted to let you know the giveaway closed on Dec. 31. But thanks for reading!

      Reply

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Hi! I’m Laura and I am a recovering history major who has re-channeled all of my passion for learning about the history of different countries to learning about their food culture. That doesn’t mean every dish on here is strictly authentic, but it does mean that even my adaptations are not undertaken lightly. My goal is to show you–by doing–that these dishes are possible in your kitchen. Including desserts because I have quite the sweet tooth! Read More…

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