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With their crispy texture and delicious smoky flavor, these fresh grilled green beans complement any BBQ perfectly. In this post, I will show you the best way to grill green beans so you can enjoy them all season long!
Jump to Section
- Why you’ll love THESE GRILLED STRING BEANS
- Ingredients to make GRILLED GREEN BEANS
- How to make GRILLED GREEN BEANS
- Tips for making the best FRESH GREEN BEANS ON THE GRILL
- Popular substitutions & additions
- What to serve with FRESH GRILLED GREEN BEANS
- How to store & reheat grilled green beans
- Frequently asked questions
- More grilled vegetable recipes:
- Grilled Green Beans Recipe
Whether you’re looking for a light, flavorful side for your barbecued mains or simply want a snack to nibble on during warm summer evenings, these grilled green beans are just the ticket. Now, you might be thinking, “Grilled green beans? Really?” But trust me, once you try them, you’ll wonder why you didn’t grill them sooner! The green beans come out perfectly charred, adding a slightly smoky flavor, which blends oh-so-well with the simple seasonings we’re going to use. Plus, the light squeeze of fresh lemon at the end brightens the whole dish, making it feel like a fresh summer day on a plate!
Why you’ll love THESE GRILLED STRING BEANS
- Tasty side dish. Cooking fresh green beans on the grill enhances their natural sweetness and adds a pleasantly charred flavor that pairs well with your favorite protein, like chicken, steak, or shrimp.
- Easy to make! With just a few simple steps, you can grill green beans in no time.
- They’re versatile. You can season grilled green beans in various ways to satisfy your taste buds. Add different spices, like lemon pepper and 7-spice, herbs or sauces to create unique and delicious flavors that complement your main dish.
Ingredients to make GRILLED GREEN BEANS
- Fresh green beans: The star ingredient, green beans, provide a fresh and crisp texture to this side dish. Buy trimmed green beans, or take a few minutes to trim them.
- Olive oil: Added to the green beans for flavor and moisture. It also helps to prevent the beans from sticking to the grill and provides a light coating to promote browning.
- Garlic powder: This common spice adds a savory flavor to the dish.
- Salt and pepper: Enhances the overall flavor of the green beans and brings out the natural sweetness. The salt also helps to tenderize the green beans while they are grilling.
How to make GRILLED GREEN BEANS
Grilled green beans is a simple dish that can be prepared in just a few steps. Wash and dry the green beans first and trim the ends, if necessary.
Season green beans
- Add dry green beans, olive oil, garlic powder, salt, and pepper to a large bowl.
- Toss to combine and set aside while the grill preheats.
Grilling string beans
- Place the green beans directly on the grill or in a pan and grill.
- Flip and continue to grill until lightly charred and tender.
Tips for making the best FRESH GREEN BEANS ON THE GRILL
- Pat the green beans dry. After rinsing and trimming the green beans, pat them dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture. This will ensure a nice char and prevent them from steaming on the grill.
- Are your grill grates too far apart? Use a grill pan or basket to hold the beans if the grates are too far apart.
- Cook in a single layer. To ensure the green beans cook evenly and brown nicely, cook them on the grill in a single layer and avoid overcrowding in any spot.
- Squeeze lemon juice over the green beans. Before serving, squeeze some fresh lemon juice over the green beans to add a bright, zesty flavor. This will also help to balance out the richness of the olive oil.
Popular substitutions & additions
- Garlic Parmesan green beans. Once off the grill, toss the charred green beans with fresh minced garlic and grated Parmesan for a classic comfort-food twist.
- Asian-inspired green beans. Marinate the green beans with soy sauce, minced garlic, fresh ginger, and sesame oil to create a savory, umami flavor profile.
- Turn up the heat. Add a pinch or two of cayenne pepper or red chili flakes to the green bean mixture to make it spicy.
- Add Mediterranean flare. Toss fresh grilled green beans with diced tomatoes, red onion, bell pepper, and feta for a delicious twist.
What to serve with FRESH GRILLED GREEN BEANS
- Sweet Dijon Salmon
- Grilled Cod
- Dijon Potato Salad
- Grilled Beef Kabobs
- Garlic Butter Steak Tips
- Grilled Shrimp Skewers
How to store & reheat grilled green beans
Leftover grilled green beans can be stored in the refrigerator. Allow them to cool down completely before transferring them to an airtight container. When ready to eat, reheat on the grill for a few minutes, in the microwave, or on a skillet on the stovetop over medium-high heat. You can also enjoy them chilled.
How long will GRILLED GREEN BEANS last in the fridge?
Grilled string beans will last in the fridge for about 4 days.
Can i freeze FRESH GRILLED GREEN BEANS?
Yes, you can freeze grilled string beans. Simply transfer them to a freezer-safe container or freezer bag and freeze them for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat according to the instructions above.
Frequently asked questions
The best green bean varieties for grilling are the long, thin green beans with a cylindrical shape, such as Haricots verts, most commonly known as French beans, and bush bean varieties, like traditional wax beans. You can also try flat green beans but watch them carefully as their thin shape will result in fast cooking.
The most efficient way to trim green beans is to grab a handful of beans and line up one end of the beans against the edge of a sharp knife, then cut off the ends. Next, turn the beans around and line up the opposite ends against the knife to trim the other side. Alternatively, you can use kitchen shears to snip off the ends.
Grilled green beans are done when tender and slightly charred on the outside. You can test their doneness by piercing a green bean with a fork – it should be easy to pierce through without resistance.
Grilled green beans are perfect for grilled meats like salmon, chicken, or grilled steak. And if you’re grilling outside anyways, there is no reason to turn up the heat in the kitchen. Toss the fresh string beans with some seasonings and throw them on the grill to complete the perfect summer meal.
More grilled vegetable recipes:
- Grilled Tomatoes
- Grilled Portabella Mushrooms
- Grilled Romaine Lettuce
- Grilled Zucchini
- Grilled Eggplant
- Grilled Corn
- Grilled Onions
- Grilled Asparagus
If you try this feel good Grilled Green Beans recipe or any other recipe on Feel Good Foodie, then don’t forget to rate the recipe and leave a comment below! It helps others who are thinking of making the recipe. We would love to hear about your experience making it. And if you snapped some shots, share it on Instagram so we can repost on Stories!
Grilled Green Beans
Ingredients
- 1 pound fresh green beans trimmed
- 2 tablespoons olive oil plus more for greasing grates
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- Lemon wedges for serving
Instructions
- Preheat the outdoor grill to medium-high heat (375°F to 400°F). Coat grill grates with olive oil.
- Pat the green bean dry with a paper towel and add to a large bowl. Add the olive oil, garlic powder, salt and pepper, and gently toss with the marinade. Allow it to marinate while the grill preheats.
- Place the green beans directly on the grill in a single layer if the grates are close or place on a pan. Grill for 4-5 minutes, then flip over and grill until lightly charred and tender, 2-3 more minutes.
- Serve immediately with a squeeze of lemon juice, if desired.
Equipment
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information provided is an estimate. It will vary based on cooking method and specific ingredients used.
