Green Beans with Caramelized Onions and Pecans
Crisp green beans tossed with caramelized onions, toasted pecans, and sweet dried cranberries. This simple side dish would look good on your Thanksgiving menu.
Thanksgiving is eight days away. That’s next week!
I haven’t even started on my grocery list. I’ll be the fool that decides to go grocery shopping the day before the big feast, sternly reprimanding myself for being a procrastinator. You’d think I’d be better prepared, being a food blogger and all. I should be that annoying gal with the neatly typed menu and grocery list that everyone talks about behind her back–that Jennie thinks she’s so perfect. There should be extra pie in the freezer and plastic containers of prepared side dishes stacked and labeled in the fridge.
Instead, I’m testing cookie recipes and creating my All I Want For Christmas 2014 post. I think I mentally skipped Thanksgiving and now I’m moving on to Christmas.
I did get it together long enough to make this recipe for green beans with caramelized onions and pecans. Let’s face it, Thanksgiving is all about the side dishes. There’s one turkey and, if you’re lucky, maybe a ham. And then there’s about 100 hundred side dishes. The ratio is considerably off, but you won’t find me complaining. I like me some sides.
I like to make my rounds through the buffet line at least twice to ensure I try every dish at least once. I’m considering doubling up this year–a plate for each hand.
Thanksgiving can be a little hectic, so I like to keep my side dishes simple. These green beans come together easily and can even be made a day or two ahead of time. If you’re going to make this recipe ahead, refrain from topping the beans with the toasted pecans and cranberries until you’re ready to serve the dish. I prefer to re-heat the beans in a sauté pan so they keep their crunch.
Making caramelized onions is easy. Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil to a sauté pan over low heat. Add thinly sliced onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions become tender and amber brown in color. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper at the end. The process takes about 30 minutes total. It’s extremely important that you cook the onions over low heat; otherwise, they’ll burn.
Blanche the green beans in boiling water seasoned with salt for 2 minutes. Strain and add them to the pot with the onions. Top with a 1/2 tablespoon of butter and a sprinkle of salt and pepper. Plate the beans and top with chopped pecans and dried cranberries.
This recipe only calls for a few simple ingredients, but it sure isn’t lacking in flavor. The sweet, salty, toasty flavors add a huge burst of flavor. Your guests will go back for seconds, maybe even thirds.
Green Beans with Caramelized Onions and Pecans
Crisp green beans tossed with sweet caramelized onions, toasted pecans, dried cranberries.
Ingredients:
- 1 pound fresh green beans, stems removed
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 large onion, thinly sliced
- 1/2 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup toasted pecans, chopped
- 1/4 cup dried cranberries
- salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
- Heat olive oil in a sauté pan over low heat. Add the onions. Cook, stirring occasionally, until they become a dark golden brown, about 30 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
- While the onions cook, bring a large pot of water to a boil. Season with a generous pinch of salt. Add the green beans and cook for 2 minutes. Strain.
- Transfer the green beans to the sauté pan with the onions. Toss to combine. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Transfer the beans to a serving dish. Top with toasted pecans and dried cranberries.
*You can prepare the beans up to two days prior to serving. Follow the instructions through step three. Store the beans in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Re-heat in a sauté pan the day you’re ready to serve. Top with toasted pecans and dried cranberries.
Love side dishes? Check out my other side dish recipes.
If you like this vegetarian side, you’ll love these Grilled Mushrooms with Merlot Reduction.
12 Comments on “Green Beans with Caramelized Onions and Pecans”
Jennie, those green beans are screaming at me to make them right now – now waiting for Thanksgiving.
Thank you so much, Maureen. I ate the entire batch for lunch yesterday–so good!
What a gorgeous dish! This takes green beans to a whole new level! LOVE it!
I can’t believe Thanksgiving is just a hop skip and jump away! These beanages MUST be on my friendsgiving menu…I loveth the caramelized onion and pecans…All beans should be dressed like this!
I’m always looking for new recipes for green beans..this is going on the menu this week! Thanks for sharing!
Simple side dishes are definitely the way to go – this looks awesome.
haha I just made my grocery list today – I’m starting to get a little anxious now that it’s so close!
This is so perfect for Thanksgiving!
I’m not in to thanksgiving food at all, so I’ll just make these and devour them all. I’m currently debating whether I’m going to the store the day before or sending my dad on Thanksgiving. I know, I should win daughter of the year because we all know which option I’ll choose :)
These are seriously the perfect Thanksgiving side!
Love all of the flavor you packed into this simple side dish!
I want all the caramelized onions. Followed by mint gum hahaha! Oh and I at least made my grocery list for Thanksgiving, but I will be right there with you on Wednesday. Also, here is a secret, I already put up Christmas decorations hahahah!
mentally i’ve sort of moved on to christmas too: we’re headed out of town this year to grab a short break before the holiday season gets into full swing, and i’m not even cooking thanksgiving, but i would totally make these anytime: like on a tuesday for myself, not just for other people.